They are the first from the film industry to go back to a set during this phase, and the director said that they followed the protocol strictly
Rachana Dubey (BOMBAY TIMES; May 26, 2020)

On Monday (May 25), 60 days since the national Coronavirus lockdown was implemented, Akshay Kumar and filmmaker R Balki (who directed him in Pad Man) were present at Kamalistan Studios to shoot a public service film. The shoot, Balki told BT, lasted about four hours and was completed with just a 20-member team.

Balki explained, “Akshay and I shot a public service film for the health ministry, which is about every citizen’s post-lockdown responsibilities. During the shoot, we followed social distancing, and our set was fully sanitised. We also had disinfectant screens, masks... the works. We got used to all this in a few minutes. Anil Naidu, the producer, showed us how we could do the same shoot with fewer people while ensuring maximum safety. Of course, we had all the permissions from the police and other authorities in place, as we needed to shoot this public service film to get this important message across. Also, now we know first-hand, what we need to do if we have to shoot in the post-lockdown era.”

The team had permission to shoot on May 22, 23 and 25. However, the actual shoot took place on Monday (May 25) and was wrapped up by noon. Ashok Dubey from the Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) said, “The team followed all the precautionary measures, and even shared the visuals with us to keep us informed.”

Producer Anil Naidu said, “We shot with three lightmen, three crew members working on the setting, a DOP with two assistants and two people to assist the director and a few others. It was a very tight crew. Akshay came dressed from his home for the shoot. Since it was an early morning shoot, we had food packets and fruits for everyone. We had informed the crew in advance that there will be no catering on the sets. We also had a doctor and had set up a disinfectant tunnel. We gave everyone masks, sanitised the set thoroughly and maintained social distance at all times.”