Although the showbiz world has got permissions to restart work, industry insiders maintain that fresh film and TV projects will be on hold for some time now
Prashant Singh (HINDUSTAN TIMES; June 8, 2020)

It’s a well-known fact that the Maharashtra government has given a green signal to film/TV shoots, albeit with strict guidelines. And while several filmmakers/TV producers are “working out strategies” to restart work, experts say no new movie or TV show is “likely to kick off anytime soon despite permissions”. As trade analyst, Taran Adarsh puts it: “It’s an organic thought process that filmmakers would first like to complete their pending projects.”

At the same time, insiders feel that due to Coronavirus pandemic, no one “is in the correct mindset right now” to start a fresh project altogether, adding that “a new film requires a lot of planning and a big upfront investment”, besides the fact that an entire team “needs to be aligned and excited about a thought process” with a fresh mindset.

“I don’t think anyone is looking at starting a new film at this point,” says producer Bhushan Kumar, who has John Abraham-starrer Satyameva Jayate 2, among other projects, waiting to go on floors. “I am sure we will gauge the situation till at least September-October before taking a new film on the floors. By then, we hope the situation comes under control or there’s some vaccine/medicine,” adds Kumar.

The TV world’s storyline isn’t very different either, with many shows such as Patiala Babes, Beyhadh 2, Nazar 2, Ishaaron Ishaaron Mein, Naagin 4 and Vidya going off air. Experts feel the shows that “survive the onslaught [of Covid-19] will have to draw the audiences all over again”. “At a time when shows are being axed and very few of them are getting the green signals to go ahead, the biggest challenge is to ensure that TRPs come in,” says TV producer Rajan Shahi, adding that the TV industry has been “facing a financial crunch” for a year now as shows haven’t worked and so, advertisers/revenues aren’t coming in.

As for movies, a number of new ones that are yet to go off the hook include biggies such as Takht, Shakun Batra’s next featuring Deepika Padukone, Satyameva Jayate 2, Akshay Kumar-starrer Bell Bottom, and Shah Rukh Khan’s next. Experts feel starting a new, big film may be dicey at this point as it would require a large crew, besides the fact that “overseas shoots are a strict no-no”. “No one wants to take a risk of starting a new film, and then get stuck. Insurance companies are also not putting Covid-19 under their umbrella. So, the entire money will be at the producer’s risk,” says Kumar. While Shahi feels that going forward, TV world people have to be “realistic and flexible”, for Adarsh, “safety and survival comes first.”
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From overseas!
Internationally, California, USA, has allowed film/TV shoots from June 12 onward. Also, reports suggest that Tom Cruise will restart shooting for Mission: Impossible 7 from September onward, at a “Covid-free village”. Plus, Renny Harlin of Die Hard 2 fame is set to shoot a comedy film in Finland. “It’d be interesting to see which top star/actor from Bollywood gets back to work first. It’s too risky. Will producers take the responsibility if things go wrong?” asks a top Bollywood actor, not wishing to be named.