Rachana Dubey (BOMBAY TIMES; June 11, 2020)

While the national Coronavirus lockdown began on March 25, Bollywood filmmakers had voluntarily stalled all their shoots by March 17, owing to safety concerns. Production and studio offices, too, pulled down shutters. The Maharashtra government’s resolution to commence shoots, which arrived on May 31, filled the industry with hope. However, before the units go back on the floors, there are a lot of logistics to be worked out, which, most filmmakers say, will be a humongous task. To begin with, it’s too early to say whether most actors will be comfortable stepping out to work right away. There is also the responsibility of ensuring that every unit follows the health and safety regulations. Apart from that, the onset of monsoon in Mumbai calls for another level of planning.

Before the lockdown, films like Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2, Prithviraj, Atrangi Re, Nikamma, Mumbai Saga, Maidaan and Gangubai Kathiawadi were underway. Some films had just a few days of shooting left, but others had only reached the halfway mark.

‘SHOOTS WON’T COMMENCE BEFORE JULY’
Ashok Dubey of the Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) told BT, “We recently had a conversation with the Cine And TV Artistes’ Association (CINTAA). There is no clarity over the insurance cover for workers and their safety on sets. Their outstanding dues, too, have to be cleared. We have scheduled a meeting with the Indian Film and Television Producers Council (IFTPC) to find a solution. Without any clarity on the insurance coverage, we can’t ask workers to return to work. Helmets, harnesses, gloves, masks, sanitisers and various other points mentioned in the Government Resolution (GR), too, have to be complied with. We want a supervisor on every set to monitor this. Right now, there are only two film units set up in Film City — Gangubai Kathiawadi (starring Alia Bhatt) and Bosco Martis’ next. These could be among the ones to commence shooting. The question is, are stars ready to come out? I don’t see film shoots commencing before July.”

‘WE SHOULD NOT RUSH INTO ANYTHING’
Amit Ravindernath Sharma, director of Maidaan, said, “We had finished about 55 per cent of the film by March. We have football matches left to shoot, and for those, we had built a huge set in Madh Island. We had done a lot of groundwork, including erecting rooms and setting other amenities, which will have to be dismantled now since the rains have arrived. Depending on the condition of the turf, we will start work on the set post monsoon.”

Filmmaker Anees Bazmee’s Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2, starring Kartik Aaryan and Kiara Advani, was underway in Lucknow when the pandemic struck. He said, “We will have to go back to Lucknow to shoot, because there needs to be continuity. Right now, I can’t put a date on when my film will start rolling again.”

Meanwhile, Sanjay Gupta, who has a few days of work left on Mumbai Saga, starring Emraan Hashmi and John Abraham, said, “Hopefully, by mid-July, we will be ready to fly out to Hyderabad. Ramoji Film City has not allocated space to us yet; they are also gearing up to start work. I will fly with a small team and hire technicians there. I’ve discussed the plan of work with the actors and everyone’s given a go-ahead.”