Director Gowtam Tinnanuri explains why Shahid Kapoor would need time to get back into the physical form required to play a cricketer in the sports drama
Rachana Dubey (BOMBAY TIMES; July 10, 2020)

Now in the unlock phase, filmmakers and actors have been busy chalking out plans to restart the shoot of the films that had to be halted, owing to the pandemic. But it’s not just getting on the film set that they have to contend with. For some films, where actors have to undergo a certain amount of physical transformation, the task at hand is far more challenging. One such project is Jersey, which has Shahid Kapoor playing a cricketer. The movie, a remake of a Telugu film of the same name, was underway in Chandigarh when the Coronavirus outbreak forced the makers to stop work even before the lockdown was implemented.

Gowtam Tinnanuri, director of the film, who also helmed the original, says, “Now, there is a cap on the number of crew members who can be present on a film set. Whenever the government allows us to increase the number, following the health situation in the country, we would need about four weeks to be on floors. As for Shahid, he would need at least two weeks of cricket practice before we begin the shoot to get back into the groove. He is a good cricketer, so we have less to worry on that front.”

Elaborating on why Shahid will require some prep before he stars shooting, fitness coach Rajiv Mehra says, “Both, Shahid and I, feel that we need at least seven to 10 days of practisc before the shoot starts again. We have to ensure that he doesn’t sustain any injury while practising or shooting. We have to help his body adapt to a certain level of activity, build strength and brush up his cricket skills. It’s a very delicate situation to be in because now we will be working against a tight deadline.”