Stars want to return to work but some are apprehensive about doing so with fewer staff and rising Covid-19 cases
Rishabh Suri (HINDUSTAN TIMES; June 13, 2020)

Yes, shoots are set to begin in Maharashtra, be it for films, television or web. But are the actors ready to shoot when Coronavirus positive cases are on the rise?

Trade expert Atul Mohan says rumours suggest “the big actors have shown concern, that they are not going to shoot for the next three-five months. Once things are okay and a vaccine is available, then it would be possible. But a lot of people are not in the mood to work in a scary atmosphere”.

Most of the actors we talk to are wiling to shoot, but have reservations. Taapsee Pannu, who has a lot of projects in the pipeline such as Haseen Dillruba and Shabash Mithu, says, “A couple of weeks back I realised the cases are going to increase. I don’t know the solution to it, some talk about immunity, precautions, flattening... matter of fact is we have to behave, live with it and move ahead, doing whatever we can to stay away from the problems,” she says.

Bhumi Pednekar, who has the film Durgavati lined up, says she is ‘just waiting’ to get back on the set. “Whenever anyone tells me we are ready to shoot, I will just dive in.”

ONLY IF TEAM IS SAFE
Huma S Qureshi is eager to return to work only if all are protected. “We’re looking forward to going to a restaurant, catching a film, go for a drive. I am no different, but safety comes first. Not just me as an actor, every single person on my team and the crew has to be protected. What happens to the person at the bottom of the chain?” she asks.

and support staff?
The government’s guidelines encourage artistes to visit sets with minimal staff. Juhi Chawla says, “At this moment if someone said ‘You have to report to shooting’, I’d wait and see how it’s going. The fear of the virus is greater than the virus itself.” Mona Singh says there are a lot of questions on everyone’s mind. “You have to get ready on your own. I’ve never done that...I am sure there will be many like me. We will have to learn how to work around it. Also, when you are shooting, there is a unit of 400-500. How are we going to shoot with a unit of 50 people? I don’t know, it’s a task,” says Singh.