The pandemic has cast a shadow over joyful celebrations but adding a bit of laughter to these dull times is the recently released comedy film Hello Charlie that is exclusively being premiered on Amazon Prime Video in across 240 countries and territories. Starring actors Jackie Shroff, Aadar Jain and debutante Shlokka Pandit in the lead roles alongside Elnaaz Norouzi, Darshan Jariwalla and Rajpal Yadav, the film, streaming since April 9, is bound to tickle your funny bone.

Grateful for choosing comedy genre for her debut in Bollywood and the timing of the release on Amazon Prime Video, Shlokka Pandit says, “The fact that it’s available for audience to watch across the globe makes it even better. For us, as actors, filmmakers and everyone who put in effort, goal to entertain has been achieved. I can’t imagine if it had to release in theatres at this point in time.” Pandit says it makes her happy and content that the Pankaj Saraswat directorial will provide comic relief to people for a couple of hours amid the current scenario.

She was cautious during the filming of her soundtrack Soneya Ve for this film produced by Excel Entertainment’s Ritesh Sidhwani and Farhan Akhtar, as it was shot last year during peak of Covid-19. She recalls the experience and states, “The movie shoot started in 2019 and film was set to release last year. We were finishing the shoot last March, however I shot my song during peak lockdown. I was ill and had fever. Fortunately, it was not Coronavirus and I was suffering from bronchitis. There were crew members dressed in PPE suits, masks, sanitisation kept going on, doctors were on standby. It was crazy, challenging but we managed to pull it off.”

Talking about working with veteran actor Jackie Shroff, she says, “I didn’t get to share much screen with him but whatever time I spent or interacted with him, it was insane. He is so warm, generous and encouraging.”

Apart from her interest in movies, the actor has involved herself in helping specially-abled children as she says, “I have a soft spot for those with special needs, I somehow feel connected with them.”