Due to restrictions imposed in Maharashtra since April 14, many TV shoots had relocated to different parts of the country. Several TV shows had moved to Goa during this time and resumed filming. But with Coronavirus cases rising, Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant announced that the state would impose a lockdown from 7 pm on Thursday (April 29) night, which will go on till early Monday morning (May 3). Initially, there was confusion about whether production houses would be allowed to shoot, however, now things are clearer.

According to Sandeep Korecha, the president of the Goa Line Producers Association, producers have received permits to shoot indoors until May 30. “We are allowed to shoot at indoor venues, until May 30, even during the lockdown. Outdoor shoots aren’t permitted. We have also been asked to shoot with minimum crew members. We put an indicator on our vehicles, so that they’re allowed to pass during the lockdown,” he says.

In the last few days, TV shows including Kumkum Bhagya, Ghum Hai Kisikey Pyaar Meiin, Aapki Nazron Ne Samjha, Shaurya Aur Anokhi Ki Kahani, Yeh Hai Chahatein, Kundali Bhagya, Apna Time Bhi Aayega, Tujhse Hai Raabta and Qurbaan Hua relocated to Goa. While most of them are staying and shooting at resorts, some have rented villas.

Sehban Azim, who is shooting for his TV show Tujhse Hai Raabta there, says, “We are shooting in a resort and living in a bio bubble-like format, we are taking all the necessary precautions and following the protocols, so it shouldn’t be a problem because there are no restriction on shooting indoors.”

Amir Jaffar, producer of Tujhse Hai Raabta and Aapki Nazron Ne Samjha, has however decided to take a three-day break. He says, “For both the shows, we have a bank of episodes, so we plan to take a break and observe how things pan out.”

With the possibility of restrictions being further extended in Maharashtra, makers don’t feel they have the option of returning to Mumbai yet. A source close to a production house says, “There is a possibility that restrictions in Mumbai may continue for another two weeks, hence producers who have moved out of the city are not thinking of returning anytime soon. They’d rather wait and watch.”

— With inputs from Flexcia D’Souza