Actor Tusshar Kapoor, whose love for Mumbai locals is quite known, recently posted a video of him travelling with his son Laksshya on the Eurorail. He captioned it: No matter what, even the slick #eurorail doesn’t compare to the satisfaction of travelling in the gritty Mumbai local trains! East or west India is the best!

While talking to us about his travel experiences, Tusshar shared, "I love travelling in Mumbai locals whenever I want to reach a place faster. I was not comparing Mumbai locals with Eurorail with reference to infrastructure. But I also feel that when taking the Eurorail, there are many rules and regulations that have to be followed, while in Mumbai, you can just hop on to the train when you want anywhere quickly. It is the best way to beat the traffic. Sometimes, it is tough to move out of your comfort zone and do something different, but it is definitely worth it and satisfying when you realise how good it is for you. That's why I said the Eurorail doesn’t compare to the satisfaction of travelling in Mumbai local trains!"

Tusshar added, “I would travel by local trains before I became an actor. Even recently, when I was shooting for a web project, Dus June Ki Raat, I took the train to Naigaon and it saved me a lot of time and I could reach my set on time."

Prashant Singh and Shreya Mukherjee (HINDUSTAN TIMES; June 25, 2020)

Soon after the Maharashtra government gave the nod for TV shows to resume shoots and issued guidelines for the same post the Coronavirus lockdown, makers and channels started prepping to return to work. In fact, two Hindi shows — Pyar Ki Luka Chuppi and Shakti - Astitva Ke Ehsaas Ki — resumed shooting on June 23. However, before others could follow suit, the Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) and Cine And TV Artistes’ Association (CINTAA) halted shoots stating certain guidelines weren’t met, including working hours, insurance cover etc. But after a meeting between FWICE, CINTAA and Indian Film & Television Producers’ Council (IFTPC) on Wednesday, shoots will now resume.

Pawan Kumar, producer-director of both these shows, says, “We’re adhering to guidelines. If there are any changes needed, we’ll try and incorporate. We can’t stop shooting because so many people right now need the job.” Kumar adds shooting for Santoshi Maa - Sunayein Vrat Kathayein and Jag Janani Maa Vaishno Devi - Kahani Mata Rani Ki and two upcoming shows will resume shortly and that all six are being shot in Ramdev studio, Naigaon. “The entire set and nearby areas are being sanitised every 30 minutes. Everyone is wearing masks, face shields except the actors. The cast and crew are staying in Naigaon,” he says.

Similarly, the cast and crew of Devi Aadi Parashakti reached Umbergaon, Gujarat, where they were quarantined. “Our two weeks got over on June 23 and we’ll start when everyone’s ready. We’re in a complete green zone and we’re taking extra precautions. Siddharth and Rahul (Kumar Tewary; producers of the show) are ensuring safety,” says actor Tarun Khanna.

J D Majethia, actor-producer and chairman (TV & web), IFTPC, shares they’ve received permissions from locations in and around Mumbai — Film City Chitra Nagari, Mira Road, Thane, Palghar etc. Hence, shooting for other shows may start from Thursday once they sort out insurance issues. “For now, we’ll avoid marriage and party scenes. In the long run, we’ll restructure the industry’s working pattern,” he says.

Meanwhile actor Rashami Desai might shoot for the finale of Naagin 4 on June 26. Next in line to resume could be Kumkum Bhagya. In fact, most are eager to resume shooting, but with caution. While actor Varun Badola is ready to shoot for Mere Dad ki Dulhan, he’s concerned as he lives with his old parents. “So, I just want everything in place on the sets. One person can infect anyone,” he says.

Echoing the concern, Amit Behl, joint secretary and chairperson, outreach committee, CINTAA, shares, “Shooting started in West Bengal, but they had to stop as things went wrong. It was the same in Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Kerala. Most studios in Maharashtra are in containment zones, a majority of studio floors are very cramped. So social distancing may pose a challenge.”

However, Tanusri Dasgupta, executive vice-president, Balaji Telefilms, confirms shooting of all their shows would start together and “we’ve already done mock drills to ensure there are no complications”. Others too contend “things have already been sorted” with insurance companies. They feel the idea “is to not just keep the cast and crew healthy but confident”. “And it’s very important because that will directly impact productivity and quality of work,” says Sumeet Mittal, producer of Barrister Babu and Shubharambh, which are expected to resume shooting today. “My crew for both shows will stay on the sets so there is minimal interaction with the outside world,” he says.

Tanvi Trivedi (BOMBAY TIMES; June 24, 2020)

While TV shows were scheduled to resume shoots from yesterday, the Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) and the Cine And TV Artistes’ Association (CINTAA) issued a circular on Monday (June 22), stating otherwise. The circular clearly stated that no shoots can start till issues pertaining to sanitation, safety, payment schedule, insurance and shift timings are sorted. However, the shoots of two TV shows — Pyar Ki Luka Chuppi and Shakti - Astitva Ke Ehsaas Ki — resumed yesterday at Naigaon.

Pawan Kumar, the producer of both the shows, told BT, “Yes, we have started shooting, as we have the necessary permission from Maharashtra government. We are taking all the necessary steps for the safety of our team. It is important that our staff, especially those on daily wages, get to earn their livelihood. We are sanitising the set every hour and taking all precautions.”

Aparna Dixit, who plays the lead in Pyar Ki Luka Chuppi, added, “Very few people were present on the set; the others were coming only when required. Everyone was wearing masks except us, because we can’t wear masks on camera. Our temperature was checked every hour, and we had to sanitise our hands frequently. I carried my own make-up kit, and since I was the only female artiste on the set, there was just one hairstylist and make-up person. It is natural to get apprehensive, but at the end of the day, the show has to go on.”
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Aparna Dixit, show’s lead informs that only 20-30 people were on location with mandatory face shields, masks, gloves
Akash Bhatnagar (MUMBAI MIRROR; June 24, 2020)

While other broadcasters are still mulling ways to get back to work, Dangal’s Pyaar Ki Luka Chuppi has become the first TV show to resume shooting in Mumbai on Tuesday. Produced by Rashmi Sharma, the show was filmed on a set in Naigaon with lead actress Aparna Dixit, who is happy to be back in action after three months. “It’s different and not as casual as shoots used to be before,” she admits, quick to add that we need to learn to live with Coronavirus and staying home is not helping economically.

The team was ready a fortnight ago, but the shoot was delayed because the makers wanted to ensure maximum safety.

“There are temperature checks at the entry and everyone on the set, except for the actors, are required to wear face shields. Masks are compulsory and sanitisers are all around. Sanitisation was happening every hour and even the two people present in the make-up room, with mandatory masks and gloves, were not allowed to touch our faces,” relays Aparna, who reported for work at 9 am and was done by 3 pm.

She took certain precautions on her own, like carrying her personal make-up, sanitiser and spray. “I kept touch-ups to the minimum, was conscious not to touch my face or talk to too many people. I sat in a corner with my driver sanitising my chair every time I returned to it,” she informs.

Talking about the arrangements on set, she shared that there were only 20-30 people present on location, with only one other actor, Shahab Khan, who plays her father in the show. “Everyone was kept out with the exception of the DOP and two light guys. My co-actor and I stood at a distance and between shots, I wore a face shield since I can’t wear a mask as it would spoil the makeup. I was quite comfortable,” she says.

Did she sign any documents regarding insurance cover, safety measures and other SoPs? “I haven’t signed anything yet, but I have spoken to the makers about it,” she signs off.

Asira Tarannum (MID-DAY; June 30, 2015)

Ashutosh Gowariker’s magnum opus Mohenjo Daro has suffered a setback workers refusing to construct the set at Ramdev Studios in Naigaon over payment issues. They have resorted to a ceasework since Sunday claiming that they should be paid one and half times their daily wage as they are working at a location outside Mumbai.

Gangeshwar Shrivastav, general secretary of Allied Mazdoor Union, says: “The producers have told us that the FWICE has recently passed a circular stating workers will only be paid their regular wages, and not 1.5 times of it as followed over the last 30 years. So workers have stopped the set work. I met them yesterday and am waiting for the makers to take a call on this.” The film’s line producer Lawrence D’Souza confirmed news of the ceasework, saying, "But as per FWICE’s instructions, we are paying them their regular wages.”

Interestingly, however, general secretary of FWICE Dilip Pithwa has a different version to offer. He claims that the workers are not only being given one and half times their pay but the set erection work has also resumed. “The work was stopped on Sunday due to illegal practices. The workers wanted to do their work, but some mischievous elements stalled it. The work has started and the workers are being paid 1.5 times their wages,” he adds.

Gowariker remained unavailable for comment.