Shivangi Joshi shooting at her home

Be it shooting scenes from home, launching shows or spreading awareness, actors are at their busiest
Rishabh Suri (HINDUSTAN TIMES; April 18, 2020)

With no new shoots happening due to the lockdown, life seems to have paused for actors. However, some feel the show must go on even if it means having to do everything on their own.


Actors turn all-rounders
Comedienne Bharti Singh and husband, writer Haarsh Limbachiyaa, have come up with a new show, Hum Tum Aur Quarantine, giving a sneak peek into their lives. “We’re trying to entertain with humour. We’ll enlighten people on the importance of staying at home, washing hands, practising social distancing, etc. Also, for this series, Harsh and I are writing the script, improvising, directing, shooting and editing,” she says.


One for social awareness
The makers of Bhabi Ji Ghar Par Hai share that the actors have shot special bits from home. Producer Binaifer Kohli says, “Our actors have shot some bytes endorsing those who’re helping us. And it’s been aired with the re-runs. They gave messages like, ‘Bhabi ji ghar par hain, aap bhi ghar par rahiye’.”

Actor Hiten Tejwani shares a short film on the pandemic, starring him, has gone as an entry at the Lockdown Festival of India, along with a music video, which is a tribute to “doctors, nurses, police officers and others”.


New tadka to old episodes
Producer Rajan Shahi has got actors of his daily soaps — Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai and and Yeh Rishtey Hain Pyaar Ke — to shoot some special scenes at home, which are then added to their re-reruns. Shahi says, “We’ve linked these new bytes (to old episodes) and it has come out very nice.”

Talking about his ‘different’ experience of shooting at home, actor Shaheer Sheikh shares, “It felt a little odd to be in the character at home, decide the timing and everything. It was weird to look into the camera and talk. Though we do it on sets, this was different.”

Qubool Hai and Iss Pyaar Ko Kya Naam Doon director Lalit Mohan calls this an “experimental phase”, and says if it works, “we can do it in the future too”.