When will shoots resume’ has perhaps been the biggest question on everyone’s minds in showbiz, as restrictions ease across the country. And our stars too, have begun venturing out.

Actor Akshay Kumar led from the front, finishing Bellbottom last year. And now, he ventured out on June 18 for the shoot of Aanand L Rai’s Rakshabandhan. Alia Bhatt began work on Gangubai Kathiawadi from June 20, while Aamir Khan is back on set for his next, Laal Singh Chaddha. Amitabh Bachchan was one of the first Bollywood actors who stepped out to shoot, for his upcoming film GoodBye. Shah Rukh Khan hinted at resuming work (reportedly Pathan), tweeting: “... Time now for a trim and get back to work...”

The industry, naturally, is heaving a sigh of relief. And post-production work has started on many films. Filmmaker Madhur Bhandarkar’s India Lockdown is one of them. He says A-list actors willing to step out is a big booster. “A lot of films were stuck. I am very happy that the industry has started shooting, following all protocols,” says the 52-year-old National Award winner.

Bhandarkar has his hopes pinned on the vaccination drive. “I got my team and technicians vaccinated. It is good sign that all big production houses are doing so. We lost a lot of near and dear ones in the second wave,” he adds.

Filmmaker Hansal Mehta, set to begin work on a new film, says, “These are just early days...but a good beginning.”

Trade expert Atul Mohan agrees it’s a good sign. “Only the big actors can lead the way. When they step out, confidence levels of their unit members and people not associated with the project, too, get a boost,” he says.

Emphasising how this boosts employment, exhibitor Akshaye Rathi says, “While we are working to save lives through vaccination, we also need to save livelihoods. Hundreds of people are there in pre- and post-production, during shoot, everyone gets employed. That is why by just getting back on a set, actors generate jobs for hundreds.”