From art director to construction worker

Shaji Puthiyara has been working as an assistant art director in Malayalam cinema for the final 25 years. He is without doubt one of the hundreds from the movie trade badly affected by the lockdown. So a lot so, he’s incomes a residing by doing guide labour at construction websites.

These days he can’t even do this, as he’s compelled to relaxation after creating an allergy to cement.

“Things are really bad for people like me who are working on daily wages in cinema,” says Shaji, who has a diploma in art. “Even before COVID-19 we used to get only work for half the year. But whatever we earned for the five or six months would have seen it through the year.”

He has not had any work for the final a number of months.

“Sibi Malayil’s Kothth is the last film I worked for,” says Shaji. “I was also part of the crew of Blessy’s Aadujeevitham. I have worked in cinema as assistant as well as associate art director. I have also been an independent art director in ad films.”

He was additionally planning to return to his old flame of portray and had considered conducting an exhibition.

“At the moment, all I am concerned is about looking after my four-member family,” he mentioned. “It is very, very difficult with no help coming from any quarters.”