Over a month into TV shows airing fresh content, IFTPC member-producer Majethia says the audience has "moved on" to OTT platforms, news channels post the lockdown
Uma Ramasubramanian (MID-DAY; August 15, 2020)

With film and TV shoots suspended during the first three months of the Coronavirus lockdown, the audience had turned their attention to OTT platforms for their daily dose of entertainment. News channels also witnessed a sharp spike in viewership as people kept abreast of the latest developments amid the pandemic. It marked a shift in the entertainment consumption pattern of the population that had considered daily soaps their primary source of entertainment for long. However, the true impact of the shift can only be gauged now as serials and reality shows have returned to the tube in the past six weeks.

J D Majethia, chairman, Indian Film and TV Producers' Council (IFTPC), TV and web wing, says television viewership has dipped post-lockdown. "Almost 20 per cent of our viewers have not returned to television. The TRP of my show Bhakarwadi was 0.7 in March, now it stands at 0.4. Similarly, shows like Kumkum Bhagya, Kundali Bhagya and Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah have not been able to match their original ratings. The dip in the numbers will continue for some time as the Indian Premier League will begin soon. Several shows may go off air or will be replaced," he explains.

While streaming giants have become a worthy rival, Majethia states that news has emerged an unlikely competitor. "The audience is glued to OTT, movies and news. They have not been able to connect with daily shows. Plus, due to the ongoing Sushant [Singh Rajput] case, primetime news has become like a one-hour maha episode that the entire nation is watching," he says.

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.

Akash Bhatnagar (MUMBAI MIRROR; July 13, 2020)

On Sunday, Ekta Kapoor’s leading man Parth Samthaan, who plays Anurag Basu in the Kasautii Zindagii Kay reboot, tested positive for Covid-19. The actor took to social media to confirm the same, and urged people, who have been in close proximity with him over the last few days, to get themselves tested too. He added that he is in self-quarantine as per the doctors’ instructions.

Acknowledging the news, a spokesperson from Ekta’s production house issued a statement, which stated without naming the actor, “Our first priority is to help protect our talent, production crew and employees. We are taking all the precautions detailed in the guidelines. We were and will continue following all medical protocols set by the authorities and have implemented guidelines concerning social interactions, hygiene, travel and visits to the sets.”

As per guidelines, shooting has been halted for the next three days, during which the cast and the crew will be tested and the set will be sanitised.

According to a source, the actor, who resumed work on June 26, was showing Coronavirus symptoms on Friday, his last day of shoot. “Parth had high fever and got tested the next day. He is still feeling weak,” informed the source, adding that since they got back into action, Parth has shot with only two actors, Pooja Banerjee, who portrays his sister in the show, and the new Mr Bajaj, Karan Patel.

Karan, the latest entrant in the show, started shooting on Tuesday. He hasn’t shot for the last three days but will take a swab test at home as a precautionary measure, keeping in mind not just his own safety but also others’, including his family. He was excited about playing the businessman who re-enters Prerna’s life to help her destroy her ex-husband Anurag while rekindling their romance.

When speaking to Mirror (July 7), Karan had said he was not unduly tense about shooting in the midst of a pandemic. “We have to behave responsibly. As long as everyone takes care, we should be okay,” he had asserted.

J D Majethia, chairman of the TV and web wing of Indian Film and TV Producers Council, says Parth testing positive has not come as a shock. “When we resumed shooting, we were mentally prepared for a few cases. We are ready to help and support the producers in any way we can, while ensuring that the government-mandated guidelines are being followed. We just hope these cases don’t become too many, because then we will have to make some changes in our system.”

Amit Behl, joint secretary of Cine and TV Artistes’ Association, adds that from the reports they have been getting, everyone has been following the guidelines. “Even if we decide to halt the shoots for 15-20 days, what is the guarantee that there won’t be a new case after that,” he reasons, adding that all they can do is work out more precautions.

Behl shares that there are senior actors who are tense because they are unable to work. “So, on one hand, you have mental stress and on the other, the risk of contracting Covid-19. It’s a Catch-22 situation,” he maintains, saying producers and broadcasters will be taking care of the treatment of the cast and crew under Covid cover. “What else can we ask of them? Shoots have started in the West. They are trying to find new norms and so are we. There will be some collateral damage, but I believe Parth will recover soon.”
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Balaji puts filming of the popular show on hold, urges crew to get tested after Parth Samthaan is diagnosed with the infection
Uma Ramasubramanian (MID-DAY; July 13, 2020)

On Sunday, creator-producer Ekta Kapoor called off the shoot of Kasautii Zindagii Kay as soon as lead actor Parth Samthaan informed her that he was diagnosed with the Coronavirus. A source from the set reveals, "Pooja Banerjee and Shubhaavi Choksey were shooting their portions at the Andheri studio when word about Parth's health came in. On Ekta's orders, the production house immediately cancelled the day's shoot, and requested the cast and crew to self-quarantine. They also urged those who were in close proximity to Parth to get themselves tested."

As per procedure, the studio was promptly disinfected. The actors were also notified that filming would be suspended for three days, following which the production house would take a call on the way forward. The source adds, "The shoot of Kumkum Bhagya, Kundali Bhagya and Pavitra Bhagya have been cancelled as they are filmed in the same studio." Soon after, Samthaan shared the news on social media.

When mid-day contacted Balaji Telefilms, the spokesperson confirmed the development, stating, "Our first priority is to protect our talent, production crew and employees. We are and will continue following all medical protocols set by the authorities and have implemented guidelines concerning hygiene, travel and visits to the sets."

Hiren Kotwani (MUMBAI MIRROR; June 23, 2020)

It has been three weeks since the state government issued General Resolution for resumption of shoots in Mumbai. As many as nine shoots, including Kumkum Bhagya (right), Kundali Bhagya (above), Tujhse Hai Raabta, Qurbaan Hua, Sa Re Ga Ma Pa L’il Champs and Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Punjabi, were to resume today. But because there is still no clarity on key issues like sanitisation, safety, payment schedule, insurance and shift timings, they have been called off. CINTAA (Cine and Television Artistes Association) and FWICE (Federation of Western India Cine Employees) had an online meeting on Monday and issued a statement to the effect. Work has been at a standstill since March 19 and the TV fraternity was hopeful about getting back to work after the government-issued Standard Operation Procedures (SOPs).

Several actors received ‘Declaration Forms’, a copy of which is with Mirror, from their producers. However, CINTAA issued a notification to its members, not to sign up. Amit Behl, senior joint secretary and chairperson, CINTAA, said, “If I’m not going to shoot until these concerns are addressed, how can I expect my association members to resume work?”

Aayam Mehta (left), an actor in Qurbaan Hua, informs that the soap kicked off on February 25. After 19 episodes, it stopped, following the Coronavirus lockdown. Pointing out that discussions between actors, producers’ associations and broadcasters have been on for a while, he reasons that 80 per cent of the unit are daily wage earners and their interests need to be taken into consideration. “As soon as certain issues are resolved, we will start shooting. But till then, we will have to wait a little longer,” he says.

Amir Jaffar, producer of Tujhse Hai Raabta and Qurbaan Hua, added that as of now, TV shoots are scheduled to resume from June 25, subject to all state-mandated SOPs being adhered to, including insurance cover for the cast and crew.
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A day before TV shows were to go on floors, FWICE, CINTAA call off shoot; claim IFTPC has failed to meet insurance demands
Upala KBR (MID-DAY; June 23, 2020)

With the managing director of Maharashtra Film, Theatre and Cultural Development Corporation (Film City) having granted approval last week, the shoot of several television shows — including Kumkum Bhagya, Kundali Bhagya, Guddan Tumse Na Ho Payega and Sa Re Ga Ma L'il Champs — was to begin today. However, only 24 hours before the cameras were to roll again — thus marking the end of the three-month-plus industry shutdown — the Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) and Cine And TV Artistes' Association (CINTAA) called off the shoots. Their bone of contention was that the Indian Film & TV Producers' Council (IFTPC) had not met their demands of working in eight-hour shifts and providing insurance cover of Rs 50 lakh for workers.

Birendra Nath Tiwari, president, FWICE, reveals that these conditions had been put on the table in May. "Some of our demands, including the settlement of dues and timely payment, have not been met by the IFTPC. They announced Rs 10 lakh insurance cover instead of Rs 50 lakh. So, the FWICE and CINTAA jointly decided that technicians and artistes will not report to work."

Amit Behl, joint secretary and chairperson, outreach committee, CINTAA, indicates that the IFTPC declared that producers can resume shoots between June 23 and June 25, without consulting other cine bodies. "After we discussed our concerns with the IFTPC and broadcasters in a meeting last week, we were waiting to hear from them. The broadcasters had asked for discounts citing lack of advertising revenue, but the budget cuts were not discussed at length. There was no clarity on the COVID cover. [Amid all this] the IFTPC and the broadcasters took the call of resuming work."

J D Majethia, president, TV wing, IFTPC, conceded that the shoots wouldn't take place on Tuesday. "We will decide the insurance cover [soon] and the shoots will begin after that. Working in eight-hour shifts is not possible. The business is built on working 12 hours a day. The producers will take care of every aspect — from monitoring temperature to having medical aid."

News and film channels have shown the maximum growth; in GECs, Ramayan, Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah and Khatron Ke Khiladi are superhits again
Himesh Mankad (MUMBAI MIRROR; April 4, 2020)

On March 25, after Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced a 21-day national lockdown due to Coronavirus, the entertainment industry came to a standstill, with the exception of TV. As TV tracking expert Shailesh Kapoor informs, there has been a spike of 42 per cent in TV viewing. “News and film channels have shown the maximum growth. GECs (General Entertainment Channels) haven’t grown much because they are running out of original content,” he shares.

There has been an increase in the overall consumption of films across the country, with Sony Max, Star Gold and Zee Cinema leading the race. “Star Gold benefitted through the world TV premiere of Hrithik Roshan and Tiger Shroff’s War, which premiered on the same day as Janta Curfew. Deepika Padukone’s Chhapaak also premiered in the same week on Star Plus,” informs Shailesh. Meanwhile, Sooraj Barjatya’s Hum Saath Saath Hain continued to grab eyeballs 21 years after its release. Sajid Nadiadwala’s more recent comic caper, Housefull 4, is another hit, with consistently high ratings despite repeat runs.

On the GECs, Rohit Shetty’s Fear Factor: Khatron Ke Khiladi, with a bank of original episodes, is the top show while Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah continues its historic run despite repeat telecasts. “Sab TV is the only GEC channel that has shown a significant growth during the lockdown because of Taarak Mehta’s repeat value,” says Shailesh.

The other TV shows that are doing well are Kumkum Bhagya and Kundali Bhagya on Zee TV, Naagin 4 and Choti Sarrdaarni on Colors and Kasautii Zindagii Kay on Star Plus. Shashi Shekhar, CEO, Prasar Bharati, recently tweeted that Ramayan re-runs on DD National have recorded the biggest rating for a Hindi GEC show since 2015.

Titas Chowdhury (HINDUSTAN TIMES; February 14, 2020)

"I’m a 100% romantic at heart," says Mrunal Thakur. Highly influenced by Bollywood love stories, love was a gossamer dream for the actor. On Valentine’s Day, she says that it’s the small things and gestures that count, her family being the true epitome of the emotion for her and not being a big believer in dating apps. Excerpts:

How would you define romantic love?
Romantic love is about being emotionally involved with someone, getting butterflies in my stomach and going weak on my knees when I see or think about that person. You know you’re in love when you have unconditional love for a person, your world revolves around him and you’ve a special emotional connection with him. When in love, one goes out of their way to do things for the people they love.

Are you a romantic at heart?
I’m an insane and hopeless romantic, who loves doing small things that someone would never expect. For example, I like leaving a note in someone’s wallet, booking a spa, ordering lots and lots of food, taking them out on surprise dinners and having crazy conversations. I love making a person blush harder and smile wider by sending texts where I compliment their smiles.

As a teenager, what was your definition of ideal love?
It was quite simple and sweet. I thought that the first person I would first kiss I’ll fall in love with.

Growing up, how much has Bollywood love stories influenced you personally?
They’ve taught me that love wins in the end. I loved Saathiya (2002) and how it shows a romantic, sweet and simple love story evolving in local trains. I also love Rehnaa Hai Terre Dil Mein (2001) and Hum Tum (2004). Bollywood made me fall in love with Switzerland.

What do you love the most about life?
I love the fact that I come back home to the people I love and who love me unconditionally. My family shows love through support. They understand me really well. They are around me when I need them the most. They inspire and motivate me every day and they make sure that I’ve a good, healthy meal when I’m home no matter how late it is. They are always there to check on me if I’m happy.

Do you remember your first date?
My first date was with my colleague-cum-best friend, Madhu Raja, who was my co-actor in Kumkum Bhagya. She used to play my grandmother in the show. I went on a movie date with her. Thereafter, we went to a lovely restaurant called Soam close to Babulnath in Mumbai. We had a wonderful time.

How much do you think social media and dating apps changed the concept of ‘love’ today?
Love is still the same for everyone. It’s just the way of approaching someone that has changed. Technology, today, helps loved ones to stay connected. And that’s one of the reasons why long-distance relationships work. I, honestly, don’t believe in dating apps, but what I believe in is the fact that technology has helped people find the right partners.

As told to Ankita Chaurasia (MUMBAI MIRROR; December 3, 2019)

I was in a negative space, having just quit a TV show, Kumkum Bhagya, while also battling heartbreak. That’s when I came across a speech by Meryl Streep in which she said, “Take your broken heart, make it into art.” Coincidentally, around the same time, someone told me about this role and from Versova I rushed to Bandra, where the auditions were on. I connected instantly with the character because even I had been away from my sister for a while and missed her terribly. I didn’t know who the filmmakers or even my co-stars were, but when another film I was supposed to be a part of didn’t work out, I gave the nod to Love, Sonia. Since I had been losing weight for the earlier role, I could convincingly play a 17-year-old in my debut film.

My first shot was a test shot taken during a recce. I was told to play in the field and they shot me in silhouette. When I watched the final cut, I realised that the shot was retained as the final scene in the film. My actual first shot was with Adil Hussain in the field as I jump to the rescue of my little sister when she spills the grains while playing and is being scolded by our father. Before we faced the camera, Adil asked me if I’d done theatre and I had to admit I hadn’t. It was playing on my mind while we were enacting the scene and it made me conscious. Fortunately, I remembered I had done TV and hence I am spontaneous in front of the camera. But I was still thrown off when Freida Pinto whacked me on the face with an unbelievably hard roti. It had always been a part of the script, but I had not understood the word ‘whack’.

Another first was dubbing on the fly. We had just shot the scene where my character loses her virginity. Since I was raw and smarting from the mix of emotions, our sound engineer, Resul Pookutty, decided on the spur of the moment that this was the best time to get me to read out the lines of the letter that connects the story. I flew business class to Los Angeles and on the very first day, shot with my idol, Demi Moore. It was incredible!

I was waiting for Love, Sonia to release when I heard that auditions were on for Super 30. I went for them and then forgot about it till they called me a few months later. Several auditions followed and after a while, I broke down and called a friend from outside the Phantom Films office to ask her if I was really so bad an actress that they had to test me so many times. Then, one day, I was told I was on board. By then I had convinced myself that they really didn’t like me so I refused to believe that I was doing a film opposite Hrithik Roshan, till the film released.

My first scene in Super 30 was on the Ganga Ghat, when Hrithik’s character tells me to marry someone else because he can’t. Since Supriya is in love with his Anand Kumar, I was supposed to smile and cry at the same time. I was really nervous and walked to Hrithik’s vanity van, told him I was terrified of doing the scene with someone who’s such a good actor. I also insisted that I wouldn’t call him ‘sir’ as that would make it even more difficult for me. He laughed and told me that he had been freaking out because he thought I was too calm and collected for a newcomer. Now that I told him I had the jitters, he was feeling better. Immediately, the ice was broken.

Neha Maheshwri (BOMBAY TIMES; December 18, 2018)

Six months after her last show Chandrakanta - Ek Mayavi Prem Gaatha, Madhurima Tuli is all set to join the cast of another supernatural fantasy show, Qayamat Ki Raat. She will be seen playing a chudail post the reincarnation track. The actress says, “I would rather take up a fantasy drama than a typical daily soap. I want to play different characters. Also, a daily soap has to excite me, as it’s too long a commitment. I like fantasy because of its grandeur; it’s like a fairy tale and like every child, I, too, have grown up watching and reading fairy tales.”

Tell her how supernatural shows featuring daayans and chudails are considered regressive and she explains, “I agree that they are regressive, but they highlight the existence of negative and positive energies. More importantly, the supernatural genre is extremely popular. They have taken over daily soaps, which reflects the fact that the audience is bored of family dramas.”

Madhurima quit her TV show Kumkum Bhagya for the film, Baby (2015). Ask her why that didn’t materialise into more work in cinema and she replies, “I was offered a couple of films, but they didn’t pique my interest; one of them was a three-heroine project. Instead, I preferred to do Chandrakanta, on which I played the titular role. Baby was a big break, but unfortunately, it didn’t give me the mileage I was expecting from it. Now, looking back, I feel that it wasn’t the right time for me to enter films. I should have been more mature, focused and responsible; there was no one to guide me. I left Kumkum Bhagya for the film, though there was still a lot to explore as Tanu on the show.”

On the personal front, Madhurima and Vishal Aditya Singh, her co-actor on Chandrakanta, called off their relationship two months ago. She says, “Some things are not meant to be. Our first break-up happened two months after we started dating. It was always an on-again-off-again relationship. The last time we broke up, Vishal called my mother to convince me to give it another chance. I did because I, too, was missing him and there was a lot of love. However, a relationship works only when there is respect for each other; otherwise, it just limps. There seemed no point in being together, as the respect was missing. It took me time, but I am over it now and I am happy about it.”

Ask her about falling in love again and she replies, “I am scared of falling in love, I don’t think about it anymore. As of now, I am focussed on work. Love, for me, is strength, understanding and letting each other be. Most importantly, you should feel at home when you are with your partner. I have never thought about what my ideal man would be, but I know the traits that I don’t want in my man.” 

Neha Maheshwri Bhagat (BOMBAY TIMES; May 14, 2014)