The actress, who will mark her last day on the sets of Bhabi Ji Ghar Par Hai tomorrow,talks to BT about her reasons to quit the show and her future plans
Tanvi Trivedi (BOMBAY TIMES; August 20, 2020)

Actress Saumya Tandon, who became popular as Gori Mem of Bhabi Ji Ghar Par Hai, has decided to bid adieu to the comedy show. In an exclusive chat with BT, she said, “Yes, I have decided to not renew my contract further. Tomorrow (August 21) is my last day of shoot. Finally, people can stop speculating whether I will continue on the show or not.”

So, what made her quit the show, that too, at a time when many actors are out of work? “Well, you can say that it’s an impractical decision to quit a stable job, that too, in an established show. But, I realised that being employed and earning a regular income was not exciting enough any more. I want to do projects, where there is scope for growth as an artiste. Having said that, it does not mean that Bhabi Ji... did not contribute to my growth, I had a beautiful journey on the show. However, I have played this character for five years now, and I don’t see myself doing it for another five years,” she replied.

There has been buzz for some time now that Saumya is planning to quit the show due to the Coronavirus pandemic and the subsequent pay cut. However, she refuted the rumours, saying, “Not continuing with Bhabi Ji... was not an impulsive decision. Yes, I was anxious after my hairdresser tested positive for Coronavirus, and did not want to put my mother and one-and-a-half-year-old son at risk. But, I have completed my notice period. My producers (Sanjay and Binaifer Kohli) were very cooperative. As far as pay cut is concerned, in these times, people have to accept that the economy has been hit. I am not leaving the show because of monetary reasons.”

About her future plans, she said, “I want to be part of well-written stories. People are writing good scripts on other platforms; even Bollywood is experimenting with good content. I will miss the team of Bhabi Ji..., but I have to push myself out of my comfort zone and take new risks in life.”

Scripts will be improvised so as to not have scenes with too many people
Rishabh Suri (HINDUSTAN TIMES; July 24, 2020)

With PPE kits and sanitisers in place, your favourite celebrities have brought back your favourite TV shows on air again, but with tweaks for both the storyline and how they shoot. Shows now won’t have shoots in different locations, family together in one frame, fights, marriages or hand-holding.

‘Kiss will become flying kiss’
J D Majethia, producer of the show Bhakarwadi, says a big no to any scene which shows a gathering of people. “You can’t have too many people in one frame. We also have to cut down on scenes which show someone touching an elder’s feet! Aashirwaad bhi door se dena padhega. Intimacy isn’t there on TV anyway,” he says.

The 51-year-old sums it up by saying, “Earlier, there was kiss, now it has become a flying kiss. We can’t go to outdoor locations, as that would be dangerous for that particular locality. Though we haven’t tweaked our story too much, we have a new track.”

Precautionary measures part of the show
Viewers who watch Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai, saw their favourite characters wearing face shields, masks and using sanitisers — all as a part of the story. Pooja Banerjee, who is working on two shows currently — Kumkum Bhagya and Kasautii Zindagii Kay 2, says stories have already been tweaked according to the guidelines. “There’s no touching, no romantic scenes, no intimate scenes, or even hugging. When I was shooting for Kumkum Bhagya, literally even the elbow touching was missing. In fact, I wear a face mask in one of the scenes, and those are part of the episode. We sanitise our hands after a scene even if we touch just a glass,” she tells us.

Kamya Panjabi, whose show Shakti - Astitva Ke Ehsaas Ki is back with new episodes, says that the story will change for many shows. “We won’t be able to explore much. Your safety is in your hands. The channel and producer won’t serve safety on a platter. We will only shoot indoors now,” she says.

Technology to the rescue?
From a writer’s point of view too, things will alter. Sumrit Shahi, who has been the writer for shows such as Veer Ki Ardaas… Veera and the recent web show Never Kiss Your Best Friend, says that as smaller units are in operation, storylines will change in terms of the grandness. “A lot of grandeur shots require many production people, and that is changing. One should be glad that work is finally happening again now. I don’t think anyone is in a state of complaining,” he reasons.

He goes on to give an example of how the shots will look like. “You write the close up scenes in such a way that the two people are in the same frame, but it’s not being shot together. Also, we don’t write crowd scenes, we will use stock footage, but I don’t know how much of a solution is that, we’ll have to use audio smartly,” says Shahi.

Hands are tied, show banks to go for a toss
Producer Benaifer Kohli, who is shooting for her show Bhabi Ji Ghar Par Hai, says that right now, she’s not interested in spending on costumes or jewellery for her characters, but rather on safety procedures. “I have told everyone to be six feet apart. My show set is certified safe,” Kohli tells us.

Emphasising on how even guidelines can’t change a good storyteller, Kohli admits that in a sense, her hands are tied. She says, “If I write ‘bazaar mein’, bazaar dikha nahi sakti. I want to show five people have gone to the police station, but I can’t show those five people. We are limited. We will have to shoot smartly.” she adds.

While some feel it’s time to reassess things, other say shoots must resume as livelihoods have been hit hard
Rishabh Suri (HINDUSTAN TIMES; July 14, 2020)

Spotted — this one word rules showbiz. An artiste being spotted in public means he or she has shoots or meetings and hence, the industry is functioning as usual. And it was after three months one heard the word again, as actors cautiously stepped out. But recent incidents — the Bachchans, actor Anupam Kher’s family, and actor Parth Samthaan all tested positive for Coronavirus — have forced a rethink. Was it too early to resume work?

While many actors such as Vidya Balan and Akshay Kumar stepped out to shoot for ads, Amitabh Bachchan (who shot for a few promos at home), his son Abhishek (who stepped out to dub for his web show), his daughter-in-law Aishwarya and granddaughter Aaradhya have all tested positive. Actor Amit Sadh, who was dubbing for the same show as Abhishek, feels it was perhaps too soon. “It is a double-edged sword as we want to get back to work. But maybe it was too soon, we need to stop and re-evaluate,” says the 37-year-old.

Trade expert Atul Mohan concurs, “We are in a phase where cases are at an all-time high, and, even if you take precautions, all it will take is a fraction of a second to contract the virus. These cases have put us on the backfoot. We’ll have to be very careful about another step.”

But others argue that such cases don’t mean work should stop. Filmmaker R Balki, who had stepped out to shoot for a Covid-19 awareness ad with Kumar, says, “We have to get back to work. The cases are going to rise as you open up and you interact. We have to take precautions and move on. The recovery rate is also high, we can’t live in fear every time there is something. We can’t do that, life has to move on. Actors going out for post-production is the correct step.”

Benaifer Kohli, producer of a TV show whose hairdresser recently tested positive, too feels it is imperative to resume work as technicians are the worst-affected. “Only 33% of the crew is allowed on set, what about the others at home, starving? It’s the right time to work, we should have stepped out earlier with precautions. It’s a flu, everybody is going to get it, it is like cold,” she says.

As for the hairdresser of the show’s actor, Saumya Tandon, Kohli says the person tested negative the day before she came on set for one day. “She tested positive on the 10th day, in those days she must have gone to the hospital or wherever. She was not on my set,” Kohli adds, saying that creating a bank of episodes will be tough as one has to shut the sets for three days after anyone tests positive.

Ashoke Pandit, chief advisor, Federation of Western India Cine Employees says it’s not that if there are no shoots people won’t be infected. “How long will technicians sit at home? Broadcasters have made huge investments, how long will they survive?” he says. Trade analyst Taran Adarsh agrees work should resume, but adds a word of caution: “All rules should be followed very strictly.”

Actors feel the financial hit should be shared by all involved
Juhi Chakraborty (HINDUSTAN TIMES; July 12, 2020)

The entire economy has been hit by Coronavirus and the subsequent lockdown, including the TV industry. As business on the small screen slowly limps back to normal, several measures have been taken to minimise further financial distress, including pay cuts for actors.

“Of course, pay cuts will happen. Our industry largely depends on ad revenue. Everything is linked – advertisers to broadcaster, broadcasters to producers, producers to artistes and technicians,” says producer J D Majethia.

Actor Dheeraj Dhoopar, who has resumed the shoot of his show Kundali Bhagya, admits it’s a very challenging time for everyone financially. “No one is taking advantage of these difficult times. But pay cuts should be done mutually. No one should be pressurised. Reaching this position took me years and I know I deserve something. But I am also aware of the difficult time,” he shares.

Actor Sharad Malhotra feels everybody should come together – be it producers, actors or channels. “People who are offering me shows are telling me ‘Sir, abhi problem hai’. I tell them I am ready to co-operate,” he says.

While actors are not averse to a pay cut, Zaan Khan (above), who is still waiting to be paid for his last show, Hamari Bahu Silk, feels it should be fair and those who already earn way less should be spared. “My friend, also an actor, was working on ₹6,000 per day earlier. Now it has come down to ₹3,000. Then he has to give 10% in TDS and pay 20% to his coordinator, so what’s left? Do pay cuts par salary dekh ke karo,” he says.

So how will the pay cuts be determined? Majethia feels a number of things decide that. “It will vary from show to show and artiste to artiste. Pay cuts will happen mostly in the higher category, jinka bahut kam hai they may not have to go through it. On the whole, the industry can look at around 15-25%,” he says.

Benaifer Kohli, producer of the show, Bhabi Ji Ghar Par Hai, which resumed shooting, feels all sensible actors will agree to a pay cut. “There may be somebody who will argue that they are the face of the show. They have to understand when the show did well, they were given raises so this also is valid,” she says.

Not everyone agrees, though. Actor Hunar Hale says pay cuts are making things tougher for TV actors. “Despite working for 10 years, my counterparts get more than me,” she says, adding, “Now there will be budget constraints which means we will get paid way lesser than before. When you’re going out and shooting, you are putting your life at risk. And now the pay is less, there is just too much at stake.”

Rishabh Suri (HINDUSTAN TIMES; May 30, 2020)

With no shoots in over two months now due to Coronavirus lockdown, many TV shows have been affected. Over the last few weeks, Nazar 2, Beyhadh 2, Ishaaron Ishaaron Mein and Patiala Babes had to be taken off air.

Makers and channels admit it is a tough time. Sony, which decided to take three shows off air, said in a statement: “Isharon Isharon Mein, Beyhadh 2 and Patiala Babes are finite fiction shows and the nature and the pace of the narrative is time-bound. Given that all shoots have been stalled since March, owing to the unprecedented situation we are in, these shows couldn’t shoot their logical ends... keeping best interests of all in mind and in joint agreement with the producers, it has been decided to terminate these shows, as of now.”

Actor Mudit Nayar, who was in Ishaaron… says he understands, but is ‘obviously upset’ as it was ‘abrupt’. “The units will be shorter now for future shows, and members cut down to half. I am sure the shows which are doing well, channels will back them up, but the ones whose standing costs are not worth it, will be taken off. I don’t think it’s the channel’s mistake. There’s no certainty on when shoots will resume,” he tells us.

We asked Colors about its shows. A source says, “We’ve stopped airing them as there is no bank. But all will be resumed, none are off air.”

Producer Rajan Shahi, who is behind popular shows such as Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai and Yeh Rishtey Hain Pyaar Ke, says such calls are taken by both, broadcaster and maker. “As of now, no such calls have been conveyed to me. I am cautious, working towards seeing how we can keep the brand of our shows alive,” he says. Asked how the crisis will affect current on-air shows, he explains, “Advertising rates have gone down, it is going to be difficult. Broadcasters have to be selective about the kind of shows being retained. Existing telecast shows will be under scrutiny every week, not every month.”

Actor Ashish Chowdhry, who was a part of Beyhadh 2, says he’s ‘totally in agreement’ with the people who called off shows, including his own. He reasons, “TV shows are a habit, which everybody is used to watching every day. That habit once broken, there will be uncertainty. It’s a dicey situation for the producer. For all you know, there will be a Beyhadh 3 soon!”

Producer Benaifer Kohli, who is behind shows such as Bhabi Ji Ghar Par Hain, says the future looks “little bad”, but Indians “can overcome any problem”. “Shows have standing costs, like sets, salaries of people. When it all started, the channel said it will pay technicians for a month. Then it got extended to two months. Now, the monsoon will start, and diseases like dengue will compromise the health of people,” she reasons.

Reports doing the rounds say two more shows — Dil Jaise Dhadke.. Dhadakne Do, which airs on Star Plus, and Star Bharat’s Kartik Purnima — will not return after the lockdown ends and shoots resume.

The unexpected shutdown has left producers with a lean bank of show episodes; new launches cancelled, but makers promise daily wage workers won’t suffer
Hiren Kotwani (MUMBAI MIRROR; March 21, 2020)

In the aftermath of the Coronavirus outbreak, various associations governing the film and television industry in India issued a directive halting production from Thursday, March 19, to Tuesday, March 31. Even though this is seen as a ‘for the time being’ measure, the TV fraternity is bracing for tough times ahead.

“A decade ago, producers would have a bank of episodes in the eventuality of work coming to a halt on a show. But today, when the narrative has to keep changing depending on the ratings, it’s not possible to bank episodes for more than a week,” points out an industry veteran, adding that if the unexpected shutdown continues beyond the month-end, channels will have no option but to re-run old episodes till things return to normal.

Benaifer Kohli, the producer of Bhabi Ji Ghar Par Hain! and Happu Ki Ultan Pultan, is realistic when she says, “A number of countries across the world have reached the third stage, we haven’t. If India is able to flatten the curve, it will take a fortnight to get back into the groove. Right now, work is the last of my concerns. If people don’t live, how will they work? We must ensure that everyone is protected. Even my spot boy can contact me at any time if he needs help. Prevention is the only cure and in such a situation, it’s not about me or you but about us as one. We as Indians have overcome the biggest calamities and I’m sure we will this time too.”

Rajan Shahi was to launch his new show, Anupama, last Monday, March 16. A day before, along with the channel, Star Plus, he took the call to cancel the launch. The producer-director whose other shows, Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai (YRKKH) and Yeh Rishte Hain Pyaar Ke (YRHPK), are on air on the same channel, informs that the new one was slotted for 9 pm, followed by YRKKH and YRHPK. “But now we will continue broadcasting the ongoing shows with fresh content. But since we don’t have a large bank, we have fresh content only till next week. We will take stock of the situation next Monday (March 30). Even though we have footage, we could edit only till Thursday (March 19) after which I had to close my office due to the shut down. I won’t be able to get any more editing done till March 31, going by the present directive,” he sighs.

Given the pressure of delivering daily content, several production crews were working frantically till the last hour. Meera Deosthale (right), the leading lady of Vidya, shares, “In the last few days, we have shot as much extra footage as possible, with three teams shooting at three locations simultaneously. The producers and the channel ensured we had a doctor on each set, in case anyone had cough, cold or fever. The necessary precautions and the importance of hygiene was explained and we were given sanitisers and masks. Now, we’ve been told to stay at home and avoid travel after work halted on Thursday.”

Given that daily wage earners in production are the worst hit, producer Mahesh Pandey has paid advance wages and ensured that every worker has been given a substantial amount of ration to tide over the tough phase.

Actors, too, are extending their support to their staff, from drivers and spot boys to hair stylists and make-up artists. “Why should daily wage earners face problems if work is halted for no fault of theirs?” asserts Beyhadh 2 (left) actor Shivin Narang. “If I take a break from work, I can’t shirk the responsibility of paying my staff’s salaries. Considering this is a pandemic, we must stand by our people.”

Reality shows are badly hit as well. Mujhse Shaadi Karoge, which was launched last month, has run into rough weather. An inside source tells us that the show, on which Paras Chhabra and Shehnaaz Gill were looking to find suitable partners for themselves, has been stalled.

With people cooped up indoors and most shows running without a bank, viewers may soon have to make do with re-runs. “Even Bigg Boss (Season 13) will be aired again for a while. The situation is changing daily and with the government sparing no efforts in trying to control its spread of the virus, we will take stock of the situation on March 30,” admitted the source, reiterating that the paramount concern was not monetary losses, which will run into crores, but the safety and well-being of the team.

“From broadcasters, producers and directors to actors, technicians and unit members, we’re all in this together and doing our bit to help. The industry’s spirit always reinforces itself during a crisis,” Rajan Shahi avers. Manish Goswami (right), vice-president of the Film & TV Producers Guild of India that has initiated a relief fund for daily wage workers, says, “At present our priority is to take necessary precautions to prevent the spread, the next 10 days are crucial. The Guild has initiated a fund for the workers and we’re appealing to the fraternity to come forward and help. Once we collect a substantial amount, we will start disbursing the money to the workers.”


Rupali Ganguly and Sudhanshu Pandey in Anupama, the launch of which was cancelled a day before it went on air

Neha Maheshwri (BOMBAY TIMES; March 17, 2020)

In a bid to tackle the ongoing Coronavirus crisis, it has been decided that shoots of all TV shows will be suspended from March 19 till March 31. The decision was taken on Sunday, in a meeting between the Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE), Indian Film and Television Producers Council (IFTPC), Indian Motion Picture Producers Association (IMPPA), Indian Film and Television Directors’ Association (IFTDA), Western India Producers’ Association (WIPA). J D Majethia, chairman, IFTPC and producer of Bhakharwadi, informs, “Serial production is a vulnerable business. If shoots come to a halt, it leads to unbearable losses. However, nothing is more important than human life. As they say, the show will definitely go on, but we have taken a break to support the industry, state, country and the world at large.”

GET READY FOR RERUNS AND RECAPS
Despite commencing shoots in advance, it’s almost impossible to create a bank of episodes of TV shows. Reason: The storyline undergoes several changes based on the audience’s feedback and ratings. However, given the current scenario, an attempt is being made to shoot as many episodes as possible in a limited time, so that the audience isn’t deprived of their daily dose of entertainment. If the shoots don’t commence even after the banks of episodes are exhausted, viewers will get to see reruns of their favourite soaps.

Actress Aneri Vajani, who is seen in Pavitra Bhagya, says, “We are putting in more hours so that maximum number of episodes can be shot. Everyone is cooperating, and I hope that we meet the deadline. But more importantly, I hope this virus gets eliminated soon.”

Aishwarya Sakhuja, who plays Mahima Srinivasan in Yeh Hai Chahatein, adds, “We don’t have a bank of episodes, but I am glad that a lockdown has been declared. This suspension is the need of the hour. Hundreds of people work on our sets every day. Of these, many use public transport and they are at an increased risk of COVID-19 infection. So, let’s take a break and get back stronger.”

Ashish Chowdhry, who is currently seen in Beyhadh 2, agrees that a ‘no show’ will have an adverse effect on the viewership. He says, “It will make a difference because people will lose their flow of watching shows and the habit will break. I hope we make some good reruns and recaps to keep them hooked.”

PAID LEAVES FOR DAILY WAGERS
While business will be affected, it’s daily-wage workers who will suffer maximum because of the lockdown. Ashok Dubey, general secretary FWICE, says, “Our members comprise at least 90 per cent of the unit. The decision has come as a huge blow to them, but nothing is more important than life. If anything happens to them, their families will suffer, too. We had issued a circular on March 5, instructing every producer to implement safety measures, but some of them didn’t implement them. Hence, we had to arrive at this decision to ensure everyone’s safety.”

Talking about the provision of paid leaves for the daily wagers during the shutdown phase, he adds, “The producers have told us that they will have a discussion with the broadcasters about this.”
-------------------------
PRODUCERS WELCOME THE MOVE

This is the best decision we could have taken for the industry. I am thankful to the broadcasters, producers and other associations for joining hands to curb the spread of the virus. We have taken precautionary measures on our set — right from installing a fumigation machine to a doctor examining every member of the unit, and arranging for masks and sanitisers. However, these are only basic preventive measures. The best prevention is to exercise selfquarantine. The daily wagers will be badly affected, so I would urge every producer to give them half a day’s salary for the duration they won’t be shooting. They are our families and we can’t function without them. This is the least we can do to look after them. We have already promised them paid leaves if they are unwell, but with the shutdown coming into effect, we should help them sustain in these difficult times.

— Benaifer Kohli, producer of Bhabi Ji Ghar Par Hain!
------------------------------
A decision has been taken to stop all shoots, but other factors like telecast and ratings are still under discussion. A decision will be taken after a meeting between the producers and broadcasters, which is slated to take place soon. For now, we are working at breakneck speed to create a back of episodes. On March 30, we shall a take call on the next course of action after analysing the situation.

— Sumeet Mittal, producer of Shubharambh
------------------------------
The health and safety of our team members are of paramount importance. I am not even taking into consideration the monetary loss or ratings. All that is secondary when it comes to human lives. In fact, along with the broadcaster, I have postponed the launch of my show, Anupamaa. For now, I have a bank of fresh episodes of Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai, which will last for a week. At a time like this, we can’t have double standards. We can’t have our families stay safe at home and expect the unit to work. I am sure the broadcasters and producers will devise an alternate plan for their respective shows. We can’t have fresh episodes and reruns going on air together.

— Rajan Shahi, producer of Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai and Yeh Rishte Hain Pyaar Ke

Chhaya Unnikrishnan (DNA; April 5, 2017)

Shilpa Shinde, who has accused producer Benaifer Kohli of mental torture and filed sexual harassment case against Sanjay Kohli has found support in actress Sameksha. She was recently seen in Nikhil Advani’s POW-Bandi Yudh Ke. Sameksha has several South films to her credit, and had made her TV debut with Zaara, a decade ago, playing the title role. The serial was produced by Benaifer and Sanjay. Sameksha says that even she has suffered harassment from Benaifer, the reason she has come out in support of Shilpa.

She says, “Zaara was my first TV show and at that time I didn’t know how the industry functioned. But the atmosphere on the sets was very bad. The director Pawan Sahu would use a lot of abusive language and when we complained to Benaifer, she would say, this is how it is. The director on his part told us that he was instructed by Benaifer to treat actors like that else they will ‘sit on your head’. Also, she would take our close-ups for 10 days and then use a body double to shoot the scene. That way she would reduce the number of days of our shoot and save money. The performance would suffer because of that.”

Sameksha also shares that the payments were delayed and at times deffered. “If she had to pay Rs 10 lakh she would give only Rs 2 lakh and say ‘take this if not you won’t even get that’. She would say the TRPs are low or the payment hasn’t come from the channel. I had even gone to CINTAA, but she falsely blamed me saying I had torn the clothes on the sets. She even showed a news paper cutting to the effect. Till date I haven’t got my dues. Even my co-actors have suffered and are willing to talk about it. After a year of this harassment I quit the show telling her to find my replacement,” she says.

When asked if she has spoken to Shilpa she says she messaged her, “Shilpa thanked me, but I told her I am doing it because even I have gone through the trauma.” When contacted Benaifer denied all the accusations. She says, “I was very fond of Sameksha and had a good working relationship with her. If she found any issues with the director, she should have brought it to my notice then. Also, I have paid her all her dues. Besides, everybody is well-behaved on my sets. I am surprised that she is saying this now.”

Shaheen Parkar (MID-DAY; March 25, 2017)

Shilpa Shinde, best remembered as Angoori bhabhi from daily soap Bhabi Ji Ghar Par Hai, has filed a sexual harassment case against the show’s producer Sanjay Kohli. Sanjay and his wife, Benaifer, run Edit 2 Productions, which makes Kavita Kaushik starrer-FIR and comic caper Madam, May I Come In? The FIR, a copy of which is with mid-day, was filed at Waliv police station in Vasai. “In the past year, I battled depression and medical issues. I spoke out since it was getting to me. I know many women from the industry are afraid to speak up, but I want to, on their behalf.”

Shilpa, who was part of the show for over a year, claims in her FIR that Sanjay would call her “sexy”, hug her forcefully and touch her waist and breasts. “Once make-up man Pinku Patwa saw him harassing me. Pinku was sacked the next day. When I spurned his advances, he sacked me from the show,” says Shilpa.

Shilpa says she had a tough time filing the case. “I went to the police station thrice this week with my lawyer. The cop, Mahesh Patil, was indifferent and insensitive.”

After her exit from Bhabi Ji Ghar Par Hai, Shilpa accused the producers of torture. CINTAA stepped in and she wasn’t allowed to take up any other show. The Kohlis sued her for Rs 12 crore, but Shilpa claims they owe her Rs 32 lakh. Binaifer rubbishes her claims. “We’ve a strong case against her for the damages she caused; that figure runs into crores. But I have full faith in the judiciary; we will see her in court.”