Akash Bhatnagar (MUMBAI MIRROR; March 16, 2020)

After the last schedule of Ayan Mukerji’s Brahmastra was suspended amidst coronavirus scare (Mirror, March 13), the Abhimanyu Dassani-starrer Nikamma now finds itself in a similar situation. The film’s 10-day final schedule, which was to kick off this week, has been postponed indefinitely. The action-entertainer is slated for a June 5 release.

A source informs that the makers of the film, which marks Shilpa Shetty’s return to the big screen after 13 years and the acting debut of internet sensation singer Shirley Setia, took the call keeping safety in mind. “The team was supposed to film a love song and a few scenes on a set in a city studio. When the number of diagnosed cases started to increase, they thought it would be safer to postpone the shoot till the situation improves,” the source added. The set has been dismantled and will be put together again when shooting resumes.
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Despite having erected a set worth crores in Madh Island, Nikamma director Sabbir Khan cancels song shoot
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; March 16, 2020)

While the Indian Motion Pictures Producers' Association (IMPPA), Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) and Indian Film & Television Directors' Association (IFTDA) announced yesterday that the shoot of Hindi films and television shows will be halted from March 19 in the wake of the Coronavirus pandemic, the team of Shilpa Shetty starrer Nikamma pre-emptively called off the film's shoot, on Saturday.

Turns out, a set worth a few crores had been erected in Madh Island over the past few days for the filming of the title track, which was to feature Shetty, lead actor Abhimanyu Dassani and Shirley Setia. While the shoot was to kick-off yesterday, director Sabbir Khan — keeping the crew's best interests in mind — sent word on Saturday that the stint had been cancelled until further notice.

"The film is almost complete. We only had to shoot the title song, and one scene, and had taken combination dates from the actors from March 15 to 19. However, with the rise of COVID-19 cases, it seemed too much of a risk to gather an entire unit of over 200 people. Crew members simultaneously work on multiple projects and travel all over, so they are at a higher risk [of contracting the virus]. So, it's best to keep the shoot on hold till this is contained," explains Khan of the June release.

The director informs that the set has been dismantled. Ask him about the losses incurred due to the sudden change in plans, and Khan clarifies, "The film is insured. Even if there is some monetary loss, as the director and part-producer [along with Sony Pictures Entertainment], it is our job to be responsible. We will resume shooting when the situation is better."


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