Twenty-two-year-old sociology graduate and theatre artist Darshana Choudhary had grown up listening to old Hindi songs, courtesy of her parents. One of the albums that played the most in her house was ‘Guide’, which had gems such as ‘Tere mere sapne ab ek rang hain’ and ‘Aaj phir jeene ki tamanna hai’. However, despite her fascination with the album, Choudhary had never watched the 1965 film. So, when it was announced that the film would be screened across multiple theatres in India to commemorate Dev Anand’s 100th birth anniversary, along with ‘CID’, ‘Jewel Thief’ and ‘Johnny Mera Naam’, she booked tickets instantly.

“I realised that such movies require the audience to surrender to them. I couldn’t do that on YouTube,” says Choudhary.

Like her, many young and old moviegoers across the country are filling up theatres to catch a rerun of films first released years ago. Like Dev Anand, similar screenings in PVRs and single screens have been held by the Film Heritage Foundation (FHF) to commemorate iconic films of superstar Amitabh Bachchan and Dilip Kumar. To celebrate his 45 years in Bollywood, director Vidhu Vinod Chopra’s best films hit the big screen on Friday.

Shivendra Singh Dungarpur, archivist and founder of FHF, is leading this initiative. “My dream was to make classics accessible to the public, and not just restrict them to film festivals. Most of these films are available on OTT platforms but I always felt that the films made with so much effort are our heritage, and deserve to be screened on the big screen,” says Dungarpur.

Ahead of Big B’s 80th birthday last year, Singh reached out to PVR, producers, and the actor himself, to figure out a way to screen films such as ‘Deewaar’, ‘Don’, and ‘Mili’. Most of the responses were skeptical, he says, including that of Bachchan, who very politely asked why people would pay to see such old films in the theatre again?

However, FHF’s persistence paid off and some exhibitors agreed to screen the films across three days in October. The event was a huge success, with most shows sold out. It was followed by similar screenings to pay tribute to Dilip Kumar in December last year, and then Dev Anand this September. The ticket prices ranged from Rs 100-150, and the posters were redesigned to appeal to the young and old.

The trend began last year, when theatres were struggling to bring back audiences after the pandemic, but has now taken a life of its own. “For Mr Bachchan’s films, we had screenings in 17 cities. For Dilip Kumar, it increased to 27 cities, and for Dev saab, we were able to reach 30 cities and 58 cinemas!” says Singh, with pride.

From big production houses such as Yash Raj Films bringing back their biggest romantic hits for Valentine’s Week this year to small-budget films with a cult following, there’s room for multiple genres and stories today. Among the upcoming releases is Kamal Hassan’s 1987 silent black comedy ‘Pushpak’.

Director and writer Pawan Kumar’s landmark Kannada film ‘Lucia’ was re-released in September, ten years after its initial run at the box office. This small-budget debut venture has been lauded by fans and critics for its alternate style of filmmaking. However, the director never thought that he’d see people buying tickets for it again. “Even at a time when shows of a big film like ‘Jawan’ were running housefull, people agreed to give a few screens to us. I took my daughter to see the film; she was not even born when it was first released,” Kumar says.

It’s the coming together of commerce, nostalgia, and heritage. Above all, it’s an excellent way to reach two generations, says Vebhuti Duggal, film studies professor at Delhi’s Ambedkar University. “For the generation that has seen the films and stars on screen, rewatching them with their family holds value and nostalgia. Then, there’s a generation that has only watched them on television or on YouTube, and has been curious to see them on the big screen,” she says.

Film producers and multiplexes are also waking up to the commercial value of classic films, like music labels did decades ago. “When the trend of remixing old songs or creating new renditions became popular, music labels such as HMV and T-Series remastered old tracks, and re-released them online, via cassettes, and vinyls,” she says.

For PVR Pictures’ chief executive Kamal Gianchandani, the trend is a sign of the value that the moviegoing experience holds even today. “It’s a big validation of theatres because all these films are freely available on so many platforms, and yet people choose to buy tickets. It also makes business sense because on a long-term basis, this is helping us get new customers. And as for those ones who already come to the cinema, this is helping us increase their frequency,” he says.

Beyond the commerce, Durganpur says the films are also helping drive conversations around the importance of preserving film heritage. More and more youngsters are attending workshops to know more about the process, and flocking to see screenings of rare prints of black and white films such as Kamal Amrohi’s Mahal (1949).

Choudhary says that a crucial part of the experience of watching old movies in a theatre is a sense of community. “We are together to celebrate a film that we love.”

After the state government imposed restrictions on April 15 owing to a surge in Coronavirus cases, shoots of TV shows, films and web series came to a halt. Many TV shows relocated to different places outside Maharashtra. While most of them relocated to Gujarat (Vapi, Umbergaon, Ahmedabad, Surat and Rajkot), a few relocated to Hyderabad, Jaipur, Bengaluru, Silvassa, Delhi and Daman. Around 12 shows had relocated to Goa, but after a lockdown was announced there on May 6, TV shows had to shift base again.

Working in a new location and churning out fresh content is a huge challenge faced by the TV industry in the current scenario. Here’s a look at how production houses are managing to keep the show going amid the pandemic.

Moving an entire unit to a new place and setting base there incurs a lot of cost. Production houses have been shooting at resorts, bungalows and studios, due to which expenses have escalated. That apart, makers have to shell out money to maintain their existing sets in Mumbai. Producer Nitin Vaidya says, “Two of my shows, Punyashlok Ahilya Bai and Mere Sai — Shraddha Aur Saburi, have moved to Umbergaon. I have to maintain two sets and pay for the upkeep. Nobody wants to air re-reruns like last year, so we moved to a new location.”

Producer Nitin Vaidya adds, “We understand that cases are rising and restrictions are important, but there has to be a solution to this.”

Producer Pawan Kumar’s shows, including Saath Nibhaana Saathiya 2, Santoshi Maa Sunayein Vrat Kathayein, Shakti – Astitva Ke Ehsaas Ki, Ranju Ki Betiyaan and Sasural Simar Ka 2 that are on air, are being shot at different locations. He says, “It’s not a joke to move so many shows out of Maharashtra. We are churning out fresh content every day, but following safety protocols, sanitising the sets and operating from different locations is adding to the challenges.”

With COVID-19 cases rising across the country, producers are constantly worried about restrictions being imposed, due to which they would have to move to another location. This is exactly what happened in Goa, where units had to stop shooting after a lockdown was announced on May 6.

Says a source from the TV fraternity, “Production houses are managing to air new episodes, but it is getting tough because there’s no certainty that shoots can continue uninterrupted given the rise in the cases across the country. Everyone’s hoping that things get better in Maharashtra and shoots are allowed to resume in Mumbai at some point.”

From a creative point of view, too, shows are struggling. Pearl Grey, creative producer of Mann Ki Awaaz Pratigya 2, says, “Storylines have to be tweaked and our senior actors, too, haven’t been able to join us. So, of course, relocation hasn’t been easy. Creativity is suffering.”

Makers say that the bio-bubble kind of a format, which they are following, has worked for them so far. Asit Kumarr Modi, producer of Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah, says, “We are shooting in Vapi, and the bio-bubble format is working for us in the current scenario.”

Nitin Vaidya adds, “In the case of IPL, there were COVID cases because they moved from one place to another, but in the case of a TV show, we are not doing that. We are stationed at one place and are regularly testing people. The actors and the entire crew stay in a bubble.”

The problem arises when actors or judges (in the case of reality shows) need to return to Mumbai to be with their family for a few days. Ranjeet Thakur, producer of Super Dancer, shares, “We test them every time they come back and before they enter the sets. We don’t let anyone shoot before we get their test results.”

Rashmi Sharma, one of the most successful producers in the television industry, is all set to make her debut as a Bollywood producer with Pink. The film, which she is co-producing with Shoojit Sircar and Ronnie Lahiri, has Amitabh Bachchan in the lead and also features Taapsee Pannu, Kirti Kulhari and Andrea Taring. Rashmi kick-started her career as a creative director. Later, she followed her dreams along with her husband Pawan Kumar (the brain behind the success of their company Rashmi Sharma Telefilms) and became one of the top producers with a diverse and interesting range of serials. She has now expanded her horizons and forayed into Bollywood.

Talking about Pink, which is directed by Aniruddha Roy Chowdhury, Rashmi says, “Pawanji and I are glad to have this opportunity to tell stories through the medium of cinema. Like television, cinema too has been going through a lot of changes in the way it presents its story. So, it's essential that you have complete faith in what you invest in.Considering the content we put out on television, it is of utmost importance that we maintain the same legacy in films too. And working with some of the finest talents like Mr Bachchan and Shoojit Sircar, who purely believe in content, the synergy helped us to communicate and understand each other's thoughts. Pink is an interesting film that has a good mix of entertainment and a powerful message. Rashmi Sharma Films is proud to announce this as its first movie and we consider it an honour to be associated with talented personalities and the entire team who has worked on it.“

Meanwhile, Rashmi also has a number of other film projects lined up which will be announced in the course of the year.

Pink releases on September 16.

In these times of content-driven cinema, with a developing aesthete audience, 2016 will see a unique offering - PINK starring the legend Amitabh Bachchan along with Taapsee Pannu, Kirti Kulhari and Andrea Tariang. What is interesting is that two creative minds from the entertainment industry, who are path-breakers in their own right, have joined hands for this extremely curious film. Rashmi Sharma, a well-known name in the world of television, who has to her credit a number of hit TV shows and Shoojit Sircar, who is known for his unconventional cinematic point of view as seen in his films Vicky Donor, Madras Cafe and Piku. Shoojit says, “This film is my next with Mr Bachchan after Piku and I'm extremely happy that Rashmi Sharma and Pawan Kumar share our mindset and vision and have come on board to join me in my film journey ahead with PINK. I'm looking forward to our association in the months to come.“

Talking about their collaboration, Rashmi says, “It's a coming together of creative minds. My husband Pawan, Shoojitda and I have one thing in common - a passion for our work. Our goal is to make a good, clean and entertaining film that can be watched together by the whole family.“

Rashmi's foray into Bollywood couldn't have come at a more opportune time as it is her birthday today. “I always get some pleasant surprises on my birthday. This year, it's PINK,“ she says. On this occasion she speaks to BT about her future plans in tellyland and her decision to get into films...

Why did you decide to venture into films?
Every creative person has a dream to get into films after doing TV. I have been wanting to be a part of such a subject since a long time. I'm sure a subject like this will stand out because I could relate to it. I can't reveal any more about the film, but all I'd like to say is that we are very happy to be making our foray into Bollywood with such an exciting movie. This is Pawan's dream and we are fulfilling it along with Shoojit. It is a fantastic platform for us. Given the pace at which we are making the film, our hard work will be out there for everyone to see soon. We are actually looking at releasing it on September 16 tentatively.

How does it feel to have Amitabh Bachchan in your very first film?
Mr Bachchan is a legend. Working with him on our first film project is a dream come true. The feeling cannot be expressed in words. He is a very down-to-earth person, despite being so famous. Pawan and I are very excited.

The daayan concept that you introduced in your show last year has been used by others in their shows. Are you now looking at something new?
Yes, today many serials have the daayan track. We are ready with some new interesting shows that will launch on TV soon. lt's going to be a new way of storytelling. It's unique. I can't reveal much because the promos haven't gone on air yet. We are also working on some love stories. In the present scenario, the dynamics of love has changed.

What are your birthday plans?
Birthdays are always special to me. And all my birthdays have added a new chapter in my life. It's the day of new beginnings for me and Pawan ensures that each time it gets better. This year, it's special because I have PINK in my life.

Any birthday wish?
When a girl is born, her life is almost planned. It's taken for granted that eventually she will get married and have a family. I believe that every girl should be allowed to do what she wants to. She should be given the freedom to plan her life. I have been fortunate to carve my own path. My parents encouraged me to do whatever I wanted to do. My husband has been very supportive. I wish every girl gets a chance to be the decision-maker of her life.

You have come a long way from being a creative head to a producer. What changes have you see on TV in the past 10 years?
TV is changing which is a positive sign and is moving towards a progressive medium. Earlier, it used to be a medium which people would watch for specific hours. But now there is so much variety of channels and shows that viewers get to watch different stories at the same time. Also earlier, they would watch one show religiously, but now if they don't like a particular track they can immediately change the channel. For us, now the challenge is to sustain our audience.

There is a lot of healthy competition around. TV is no less than films when it comes to production values and content. Ideally, how would you like to portray a woman on your show?
In our serials, we like to show women who become an inspiration for everyone. Viewers who are watching the show should connect to the character and get a positive message. TV has seen women in all her forms. But as makers, we should draw a line when it comes to portraying them. I want to show women in a dignified manner, whether on TV or in films. The protagonists should be progressive.

But the vamp on the small screen is always very negative.
Who is a vamp? Somebody who is a mother, bhabhi or girlfriend, whose actions spice up a show. They are mere puppets created because of some situation. There's a fine line, as I said, which one shouldn't cross. Maintaining the sanctity of relationships in a show is important.

Would you like to ever direct a movie?
I have lot of thoughts in my mind. If one day I feel that there is a story I would like to tell and bring it forward to the audience, I would love to direct that subject.

Tell us something about Rashmi the person.
Since I come from a middle-class back ground, I have a lot of values and am passionate about my work. I like to lead a simple life with my family.