POONAM KAREKAR GOVEKAR SPONSORS TRAVEL EXPENSES FOR 180 MIGRANT FILM INDUSTRY WORKERS FROM MUMBAI

Jyothi Venkatesh

Mapusa, North Goa-based model and actress Poonam Karekar Govekar has sponsored the travel expenses and train fare for 180 Bollywood film industry workers to help them return to their homes or native places in North India. Most of the workers and labourers are from Uttar Pradesh and there are a few chikankari craftsmen from the exterior of Lucknow who got stuck in Mumbai. The craftsmen were working as tailors or masters for a TV industry costume designer who has gone MIA. Says, Poonam “My manager who is from Mumbai got a call on Tuesday that about  200 odd film industry workers including spot boys and cleaners were unable to go home to their hometown in different parts of North India as they had no money.

They were out of work since 20th March and hadn't got paid for Match as well.  Their savings were spent on surviving for the last two months. With no help forthcoming, they were in a very bad situation. I do not want to reveal the total amount I spent but I have paid for the travel expenses for nearly 180 film industry workers to enable them to return to their hometowns, Poonam confirmed.

The concerned workers were not affiliated to any film industry association. There are thousands of temporary manual labour who do not have association cards. Those who have association cards are able to get support from NGOs and the government, but the others are in such a bad state that they are either living in migrant camps organized by the local administration or depending on alms and dole given out by religious centres, Poonam said.Meanwhile, more than 10,000 Tiktok enthusiasts from different parts of India are participating in an online Reality Show called the India Tiktok King & Queen mega contest. The show will be hosted by Bigg Boss 11 finalist and Tv actress Arshi Khan. Goan actress Poonam Karekar Govekar is also part of the show.

The format of the show is different and participants have to email their profile or CV along with 10 photographs to an email address: [email protected].  They should have at least 20 Tiktok videos published in the last 30 days to be eligible. Those who are shortlisted are asked to come for State wise auditions which will be held in July. The online reality show starts from July and is expected to wind up by the end of August. It will be live streamed on an APP which viewers can download and view free of cost.Arshi Khan a very popular entertainer and TV star, is thrilled to be hosting the show. She said: I am the brand ambassador for the India Tiktok King & Queen and will also be hosting the show online via the online app.

Poonam Kareker Govekar who will start shooting for a film on the late Defense Minister and former Goa CM Manohar Parrikar is the State Finalist. Entries for the national event are still open and about 10,000 participants have registered for the show, which boasts of a first prize of Rs 5 lakhs plus a main lead role in a film. Out of the 10,000 odd participants, about 500 will be shortlisted for the semi finals. The final or winning round will comprise of about 100 participants who will compete for the top 3 slots in three categories. The winners will also be judged on the number of views that their videos generate and the total engagement created. Arshi Khan is the Bigg Boss, she will make the rules and also break the rules at will to add spice to the game, bring in twists and make sure Masterminds do not manipulate the show, said Poonam Karekar Govekar.