Creative prep enriches a film, believes Yami Gautam, something she always ensures to do. The actor has managed to pull off a slew of interesting films in the past few months, including OMG 2 aka Oh My God 2, a sequel to the 2012 fantasy-comedy that featured Paresh Rawal and Akshay Kumar. For the second instalment, Kumar joins forces with Gautam and Pankaj Tripathi. With a major portion of the shoot completed, the team now has only a few days of work left before wrapping the project.

Explaining the idea behind the sequel, Gautam says, “How they depicted and explained faith in the first edition was intriguing and beautiful. [We are] taking that essence of the power of faith and [showing] how it can co-exist [with diverse thoughts] ahead in a new set-up and story; the sequel was [thus] envisioned.”

Produced by Ashwin Varde, OMG 2 is helmed by Amit Rai. Proud of her progress as an actor, she says, “The idea of every role is to make myself as versatile as possible. I am proud of every project I am part of this year. Every piece of work I do has to do the talking. I hope the film resonates with the audience the same way it resonated with me when I read the script.”

The Coronavirus caseload may have seen a significant drop across the country in the past few weeks, but the virus is still wreaking havoc in pockets of the city. mid-day has learnt that seven members from the team of Oh My God 2 — which was being shot in suburban Mumbai — have tested positive over the past five days. As soon as the development came to light, producer Ashwin Varde stalled the shoot of the Pankaj Tripathi and Yami Gautam starrer for two weeks.

An insider reveals that a unit member had tested positive mid-last week. In adherence to the safety norms, the member immediately practised home quarantine, with the rest of the unit undergoing tests.

“Everyone tested negative, after which the shooting resumed. In two days’ time, however, three people started showing symptoms. The shoot was promptly put on hold, and a fresh round of tests was organised. At the time, six people were found to have contracted the virus. Both Pankaj and Yami tested negative, as did the director, Amit Rai. But it was only wise to control the outbreak at this stage, and the makers did not waste any time in calling off the shoot,” says the source. It is heard that work will resume by October-end.

mid-day texted Varde, who did not respond till press time.

It was raining release date announcements in Bollywood over the weekend, after cinemas were given a go-ahead to reopen in Maharashtra. But, for Akshay Kumar alone, there was this special line-up queued up. The actor announced release dates for not one or two, but five of his films — Sooryavanshi, Prithviraj, Bachchan Pandey, Raksha Bandhan and Ram Setu — that are all set to finally hit the big screens over the next one year. There’s also Oh My God 2 and Atrangi Re, both of which are likely to release next year. In an exclusive chat, Kumar talks about keeping up his pace of four films a year, ensuring all releases are spaced out, and how the entire film industry is finally hoping for good times ahead.

It’s a good feeling, having four-five releases a year, again. The life, as we all knew and have lived, is back now; things are getting back to normal, and I hope it stays that way (fingers so tightly crossed that they hurt). Since the past year-and-a-half, we’ve been waiting behind the scenes with bated breath for the right time to showcase and unleash the entertainment to the audiences.

If you’ve seen the release dates, they’re all spaced out, like how my films used to be before the Coronavirus pandemic... a film comes out after a span of three to four months, and that’s how it is even now. As for it being an overdose, I don’t think so. Since all the films belong to completely different genres, there’s something for everyone. As an actor, finally my films are going to be enjoyed again on the big screen, like how they’re meant to be. This is the most excited I’ve been in a long time.

Absolutely, and I think people have already started doing that, because till when can you stay cooped up at home, with life being at a standstill? Offices have started, people are working out... going to the gym, parks etc., eating out at restaurants, visiting malls if they are fully vaccinated, travelling and going on vacations. So why single out going to the movies? Films have been around to entertain you since decades, and now they need your support to revive and survive. And I’m sure together, we will manage to do so in no time. Though I’d still urge the audience to follow all the safety protocols that have been listed out by the authorities.

If I could say anything on behalf of the Hindi film industry, it is just that we are being hopeful, like we were before the second wave, and keeping our fingers very tightly crossed that the worst is over. We are just going with the flow. It has been a tough year-and-a-half for the entire film industry, with everyone bleeding money, but things are finally looking up with the reopening of cinemas in Maharashtra (from October 22). And, I hope audiences have missed watching us as much as we have missed them. I’m truly looking forward to a great year at the movies.

To be honest, I haven’t yet included Atrangi Re in the list (of theatrical releases), because we are still mulling over whether it should be a theatrical film or an OTT release. It has a fantastic, never-heard-before subject and storyline. For me, and (director) Aanand L Rai, it is critical that the most suited platform is chosen for the film. Also, for me, good content goes hand in hand with the platform. I am as much for OTT as for theatres. What’s best for the film should decide the medium of release. OTT may simply be the medium of choice for Atrangi Re, as it looks right now.

Blame it on the second lockdown that has left stars’ date diaries in a disarray, but Pankaj Tripathi is busy flitting from one project to another, honouring his commitments. Last month, the actor completed the Ladakh schedule of Raj-DK (Raj Nidimoru, Krishna DK)’s web series, Ashwalinga that sees him share screen space with Kunal Kemmu.

Before he could take a breather, Tripathi had to fly down to Mumbai to report to the shoot of Oh My God 2. With the social comedy — also starring Akshay Kumar and Yami Gautam — expected to be wrapped up by late October, the senior actor will be Ladakh-bound again for the second schedule of the Amazon Prime Video web series.

Juggling the two projects isn’t easy on Tripathi, who says, “I love working in different cinematic projects, and am grateful that good scripts are coming my way. The past few months have been hectic as many of my projects were lined up, and the schedules were jam-packed. I will try to slow down my pace once this year’s projects are wrapped up.”

A short break would be the perfect way to wind up the hectic year, feels the actor. “Physical and mental health are crucial, and one needs time-off from work.”