Riya Sharma (BOMBAY TIMES; August 10, 2020)

Sanya Malhotra, who went to Delhi to be with her family when flight operations resumed amid the Coronavirus pandemic, shot for an ad film there recently. Talking about the experience, Sanya shares, “I shot for two days for a chocolate brand. Before the shoot, I was nervous about how things might pan out. But the moment I reached the set, my worries faded as I saw that everyone (in the crew) was using PPE. I was the only one not in PPE because I had to act, but at the same time, I wasn’t worried after I saw how well everything was organised by the production house and the brand. Earlier, it felt impossible to shoot amid the pandemic, but after shooting for this ad, I’m more relaxed now and I think if we take all precautions, things can work out.”

While the production house took all possible safety measures, Sanya ensured she took her own precautions, too. She shares, “We had time in hand, so we weren’t rushing through the shoot. During my breaks, I would go inside my vanity, wash my hands, and wear my mask whenever I wasn’t shooting. We followed social distancing, and there were few people on the set. I’m quarantining at home right now because I’m with my family, and am ensuring I don’t spend much time with them.”

And how did her family react when she told them she had to step out to shoot? She says, “They were cooperative. My father had been stepping out even in the lockdown because he works for the government. In fact, I was worried, but they calmed me down, saying we have to get back to work and get used to this new normal.”

With many film shoots lined up in the coming months, Sanya feels shooting for films can work out if precautions are taken. “I haven’t thought about shooting for a film right now, but if we take precautions, I think things are manageable. For this ad, time wasn’t a constraint, but for films, we will need a different sort of planning. We’ll have to adopt new rules and regulations as when you shoot for a film, you’re rushing and there’s a lot going on, but I think we will be able to do it. TV shoots have resumed, so I think that’ll set a great example,” says Sanya.

Having her family around has made Sanya happy. “I’m relaxed because I am with my family. I was glad I could come back and be with them amid the pandemic. I was alone in Mumbai for two months, which was tough, mentally. Now, I’m more relaxed and not getting anxious about the situation,” she explains.