Why Kerala Has Imposed Ban On Film Shootings In Government Hospitals

The Kerala State Human Rights Commission has recently banned film shootings in government hospitals. This comes after the controversy over a recent film shoot of Fahadh Faasil’s film at Angamaly Taluk Hospital. The Commission criticised and questioned the filmmakers for choosing a hospital as a filming location and pointing out how such activities disrupt medical facilities. They found it to be inappropriate since it compromises the patient care and service by the staff and hospital. Generally, shooting takes place under government jurisdiction. Now, the Kerala State Human Rights Commission has recommended that the government prohibit film shootings in any government hospitals. The decision was taken after complaints from several patients who faced issues during the shooting. The Commission registered the complaint promptly and decided to ban filming in government hospitals.

Following this, the Commission has also warned the Taluk Hospitals’ superintendents to prevent such incidents in the future. It also instructed the Director of the Health Department to issue guidelines to all the hospitals in the state. The Commission’s notice emphasised the fact that the hospitals are places where patients come to seek treatment and allowing shootings violates the guidelines of the hospitals.

The report submitted by the Superintendent of Angamaly Taluk Hospital, claimed that patients were given care despite the shoot on June 27. It was also argued that there was no denial of treatment or difficulties to the patients due to that shooting. The Commission rejected the claims and made it clear that the act was wrong. The panel urged the health officials to be more vigilant in such cases.

As per reports, about 50 people including actors and the film crew were involved in the shooting. The shoot continued while the doctors were attending to their patients. Reportedly, due to this, the hospital faced difficulties in providing proper facilities to a few patients. For this, the Commission decided to mandate a ban on film shootings in government hospitals.