In the last few weeks, there have been announcements of a slate of theatrical releases from Bollywood, and the Marathi industry. The latest to join the list is the Swwapnil Joshi starrer Bali. While there have already been a few releases since the cinema halls reopened in the state, this will be the first big Marathi film with a leading star from the industry to hit the screens. Swwapnil says, “I am excited that we are doing this and am elated to be a part of this phase for cinemas.”

In the days following the government’s nod to reopen cinemas after the Coronavirus induced lockdown phase, many filmmakers were waiting to see what the reaction from viewers would be. Ask Swwapnil what prompted them to decide on the release in April, and he shares, “Someone needs to take a step forward. I feel bigger producers have the power to draw viewers to the screens and the moolah to back their films in such trying times. That’s why we decided to take the plunge.”

The Duniyadari actor was one of the first ones from the industry to begin work post the lockdown restrictions was eased. Talking about how it felt to work in the new normal, Swwapnil says, “It was a disturbing and uncertain phase for all of us. Everyone involved in a creative process likes to be in control of the situation. But COVID-19 was something none of us expected to hit everyone so hard. Whether we’d be shooting or not the next day would be confirmed only the previous night. That said, though it was an emotionally stressful time, we managed to sail through.”

Swwapnil has been experimenting with various genres in the recent past. However, his audience is used to watching him in romantic or dramatic roles, which is why he tries to bring an essence of those in whatever he does. “Bali is predominantly a horror film, but there will be some family drama involved in it. We are essentially combining director Vishal Furia’s forte — horror — with mine — drama,” he says.

Swwapnil believes that the next few months will be about testing waters for the film industry. “It’s going to be a process of re-learning for all of us,” he says. The actor adds that there’s no answer to what the coming period looks like for the field of cinema. He shares, “It’s a game of wait and watch. Depending on the kind of response, filmmakers are going to have to clean their slates of pre-corona observations and guidelines, and write new rules for the new normal. That said, I feel entertainment is a basic need for every person and it will gradually return to the way it has always been.”