Initially set to shoot John Abraham-Emraan Hashmi's Mumbai Saga in Hyderabad in July, director Gupta calls off-plan in light of rising COVID cases; hopes to resume work on August 15 in the city
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; July 17, 2020)

In June, Sanjay Gupta had told mid-day that he planned to film the last leg of Mumbai Saga from July 15 at Ramoji Film City in Hyderabad. The director had not only charted out the schedule but also hand-picked a crew of 30, including lead actors John Abraham and Emraan Hashmi, for the shoot. However, with most cities across India reporting a sharp spike in Coronavirus cases in the past month, Gupta has had to take the tough decision of calling off the Hyderabad stint.

The director informs that he took the call after a discussion with his leading men and the co-producer during a work trip to Mumbai last week. "The country recorded 30,000 cases in a single day. Moreover, the World Health Organisation's [WHO] statement about the possibility of the virus being airborne was alarming. It stated that the virus can remain in the air in crowded closed spaces. Of the 14-day shoot that I had planned, we were to film at three indoor sets for 10 days. That would have posed a risk. We wanted to shoot in Hyderabad, but now it's as unsafe as Mumbai. So, we might as well do it in our city," says Gupta from his Khandala home.

Now, the filmmaker hopes to revisit the universe of the crime saga by August 15, but admits the schedule could be pushed further. "John, Emraan and the rest of us were kicked about shooting [in Hyderabad], but we can't do so by putting everyone's health at risk. John was to finish the pending work on Mumbai Saga before moving on to his next. But with cases on the rise, we decided it would be best to take stock of the situation after a month. We will try to procure permission to shoot from August 15, and are eyeing three studios — Mehboob, Essel and Film City. [Given the current situation] the dates are tentative."

Abhimanyu Dassani on the USP of talent, being the driving force behind mom Bhagyashree’s comeback and why both his upcoming films will only release in theatres
Akash Bhatnagar (MUMBAI MIRROR; July 8, 2020)

If not for the Coronavirus-triggered lockdown, Abhimanyu Dassani’s second film, Nikamma, would have released in June. But a firm believer in ‘everything happens for a reason’, the actor used the downtime to acquire new skills.

“I learnt lathi, an Indian form of martial art, by watching videos online. Hopefully, I’ll get a chance to showcase it in an action film. I also worked on voice modulation as I like to change my voice as per the role. I don’t even have the same voice I did during my debut, Mard Ko Dard Nahin Hota,” he says, adding that he also wrote a script and hopes to be a part of it in a few years.

The actor says that he was adjusting to the lockdown, but it’s getting a bit much now. “My mom (actress Bhagyashree) was happy that I was spending time at home. But now, even my family has had enough of me,” he laughs, adding that his cooking skills have been a saviour. “I cook once every two days, and mom really enjoys it. She doesn’t tell me to cook, but just says, ‘I want to eat pasta today,’ and that is my cue,” Abhimanyu gushes. Bhagyashree is making an acting comeback with Kangana Ranaut’s Thalaivi and the actor informs that he was the driving force behind it. “She is good at what she does and this is the time when talent is getting noticed. You can look like me and still get lead roles. Also, if she spends too much time at home, she’d want me to get married,” he laughs.

About his part in Nikamma, Abhimanyu says, “It’s a coming-of-age action-comedy about a carefree boy who realises the responsibilities he has to take on for his family.” Five days of shoot is pending for the film, with two scenes and a promotional song. Many filmmakers are heading to Ramoji Film City in Hyderabad to resume shoots. Will the Nikamma team follow suit? “Who would do a 14-day quarantine for a five-day shoot? It’s better to wait for two weeks and complete it in Mumbai,” he responds, adding that both Nikamma and his next, Aankh Micholi (a family comedy revolving around a wedding), will wait for a theatrical release. “It feels good to have the producers’ confidence in our work. These are the types of movies you’d like to watch in theatres. Good family comedies haven’t come out in a while, and there is nothing releasing before Aankh Micholi this year,” he asserts, confident that theatres in India will open by Diwali.

Abhimanyu is all praise for Nikamma co-star Shilpa Shetty, hailing her as “a guardian, both on and off screen”. “She helped me mould myself into a new genre, worked out with me every day and even monitored what I ate during the Lucknow shoot. I have made a friend for life,” he smiles. Abhimanyu, who misses playing football in the rain, admits that he wants to do a sports film. “The dedication, sacrifice and discipline required to be a sportsperson, is unparalleled. I’d jump at the opportunity of doing one. I am even willing to wait outside filmmakers’ offices,” he insists, adding, “Unfortunately, I don’t look like Bhaichung Bhutia or Sunil Chhetri, but I would love to do a film on football. Even Virat (Kohli) has had an amazing journey, or maybe Dhanraj Pillay, although I don’t have long hair.”

Alia Bhatt to resume shoot for her mafia act in Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Gangubai Kathiawadi, based on Hussain Zaidi’s book
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; June 28, 2020)

Following the guidelines of the Guild, a few filmmakers are determined to kickstart pending shoots. Sanjay Gupta has decided to fly down about 30 crew members to Hyderabad’s Ramoji Film City to complete the patchwork on the John Abraham and Emraan Hashmi-starrer Mumbai Saga. Meanwhile, sources inform that shooting for Alia Bhatt’s Gangubai Kathiawadi is set to resume in the latter half of July. Helmed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali, the film’s set in Mumbai’s Film City has been lying unused since the Coronavirus lockdown was announced in March.

Adhering to the current regulations, the makers are prepping for a controlled and limited shoot environment. A source informs, “Thirty per cent of the film’s shoot remains. A part of the film’s set is standing in Film City and will probably be the only venue for the remaining shoot. With work in the post-COVID world moving slowly, the team is looking for a month-long schedule to wrap up the project by August end.”

Based on a chapter in Hussain Zaidi’s Mafia Queens of Mumbai, the film is Bhatt’s first collaboration with Bhansali.

All about actor’s role in S S Rajamouli’s next, also featuring Jr NTR, Ram Charan, Alia Bhatt; makers targeting April-end release, like Baahubali 2
Himesh Mankad (MUMBAI MIRROR; June 24, 2020)

After giving the voiceover for S S Rajamouli’s game-changer, Makkhi, Ajay Devgn has reunited with the Bahubali director for his next, RRR: Rise Revolt Roar. A period drama set in the 20th century, the film features Jr NTR and Ram Charan as real-life Indian freedom fighters, Komaram Bheem and Alluri Sitarama Raju. Buzz is, Ajay plays a nationalist and the duo’s guru in their early years.

“Ajay has shot for around 10 days at Ramoji Film City in Hyderabad, where Delhi from the 1900s was recreated. He appears in the flashback scenes,” revealed a source close to the development, adding that several Bollywood actors were in the running for the role, but Ajay was the unanimous choice. “Rajamouli paid a tribute to him in Makkhi and the two have been good friends since. Ajay gave the nod within minutes of the narration. Though it is an extended cameo, his track will remind one of his National Award-winning performance in The Legend Of Bhagat Singh and sets the tone for the drama involving the two leads.”

The period drama also features Alia Bhatt in a pivotal role. The actress was gearing up to start shooting in April, but the Coronavirus-induced pandemic has hit all plans for a six. She plays Sita and has a significant part in the ideological fight between Jr NTR and Ram Charan. “Alia has been prepping all this while, even learning Telugu with a local tutor to understand the nuances of her character better,” the source informed, quick to add that RRR will be among the films Alia will start once she decides to get back on the set. “Around 25 per cent of the shoot still remains. With Ramoji Film City and other studios in Hyderabad opening up for shoots, Rajamouli is expected to resume work as soon as SoPs are in place. Given the scale, it’s a difficult film to shoot and the makers are exploring different options. They are planning a two-day test shoot in Gandipet without the lead actors later this week.”

RRR is being touted as one of the most ambitious pan-India films on the floors. It was scheduled to release on January 8 but now is expected to arrive only in the summer of 2021. “The team is figuring a release towards April end, like Baahubali 2: The Conclusion which was unveiled on April 28, 2017. Of course, this would depend on when the shoot resumes and how long post-production takes.”

Even as state government allows shoots, Mumbai Saga director charts out a plan to film the last leg of John Abraham-Emraan Hashmi starrer in Ramoji Film City
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; June 18, 2020)

Nestled in his Khandala home, director Sanjay Gupta is charting out the final schedule of Mumbai Saga that will kick off in Ramoji Film City in Hyderabad, next month.

With filmmakers gradually planning to resume shoots in Mumbai, the director had initially considered giving finishing touches to the John Abraham and Emraan Hashmi-fronted crime thriller in the city. "But shooting here is way too risky. Public transport hasn't opened up completely yet, so it's impossible to bring the crew to the set daily. This is why T-Series [producer] and I have zeroed in on Ramoji Film City, which is a self-sufficient studio with lodging facilities. We will have our unit tested before flying down," explains Gupta.

The filmmaker, who plans to charter a plane to Hyderabad, has zeroed in on the 30-member crew, including leading men Abraham and Hashmi. "We have 10 to 12 days' work left on the film, including shooting two songs and a portion of the climax."

Gupta agrees that the songs as well as action scenes will have to be reimagined, given the restrictions on the use of background artistes. "Minimising is the way forward on the songs. Rajeev Surti [choreographer] and I are reducing the number of people we can have in the frame and reworking the dance sequences. One of the songs is similar to Ganpat [Shootout At Lokhandwala, 2007]. We have a patchwork shoot with John, Prateik Babbar and Gulshan Grover. Here too, we will eliminate the [background] fighters and keep it focussed on the actors."

Ask him if the actors are comfortable going back to shoot, and Gupta states, "Actors need to have faith in the director and the producer. We have assured them that we will look after them and take precautions. John and Emraan are looking forward to the shoot. We hope to start working on July 15."

Suresh Babu, Rana Daggubati reveal A-list filmmakers want to rent their studios, which also offer accommodation, equipment, production services
Akash Bhatnagar (MUMBAI MIRROR; June 18, 2020)

Bhushan Kumar confirmed to Mirror (June 11) that next month, the Mumbai Saga team will head to Ramoji Rao Film City in Hyderabad, with actors John Abraham, Emraan Hashmi and Suniel Shetty, among others, to wrap up its shoot. On Tuesday, he announced that another John-starrer, Satyameva Jayate 2, will roll in August, even though they have yet to fix the location.

Meanwhile, veteran producer and studio owner Suresh Babu informs that he’s been approached by several Bollywood filmmakers to rent out their three studios, two in Hyderabad and one in Vishakapatnam, for shoots.

“Producers want their team isolated together during shoots to mitigate risk of infection. When you are filming in your city, you’d want to return home to your family, which is why makers are looking at locations outside the state,” he reasons, pointing out that they wrapped up a small-budget Telugu film at Ramoji a few days ago.

On the makers who have reached out to him, he says, “My son Rana (Daggubati) is close to Sajid (Nadiadwala) and Karan (Johar). If they need anything, as studio owners we will go out of our way for them. This is not the time for balance sheets but to help the fraternity move forward.”

Rana adds that they are ready to welcome filmmakers from across the country. “Shoots for TV and web shows have already begun according to government guidelines and several more will kick off in the next few weeks. Around next month, we should see some Hindi films readying for shoot across Telangana and Andhra Pradesh,” he shares.

The actor points out that between the three studios, they have 50-55 acres of land to erect sets and standing sets, along with a lake and in Vizag, a picturesque ocean nearby. “The studios offer end-to-end solutions, from accommodation to shooting, for which equipment including cameras can be rented, and post-production work. We have fully functional editing and dubbing rooms, recording studios and VFX facilities. Even in-house technicians are available,” Rana informs.

With Bollywood producers moving in, won’t Telugu film shoots get affected? “The big Telugu films are yet to take a call but even if Ramoji fills up, we can quickly set them up at other studios in Hyderabad,” Suresh Babu assures.

One of the most disputed guideline in Maharashtra is that actors over 65 are not allowed to resume work. In Andhra and Telangana, they have left the call to them. “If an actor needs to finish a shoot, they can come quietly and do it quickly. There won’t be officials monitoring every shoot,” Suresh Babu reasons. But with cases going up in Maharashtra, aren’t they worried? “I have a wedding coming up in my family and I am concerned on a personal level. But as a city and state, we are happy to host filmmakers from across the country,” says Suresh Babu.

The groom-to-be points out that it’s mandatory for the whole unit to be tested before shooting starts and PPE kits and sanitisation is compulsory. “We will keep units isolated during schedules, with medical support on the set. We are following a Comprehensive Sanitation Protocol Solution as outlined by the MHA guidelines and using formulations that are more effective than regular disinfectants. We are also adopting smartphone-based technologies to manage meetings, resources and inventory. We are confident of providing a safe environment for work,” Rana adds.

Their gangster drama, among first films to emerge from lockdown, gearing up for 12-day schedule in Hyderabad’s Ramoji Film City in July
Himesh Mankad (MUMBAI MIRROR; June 11, 2020)

Following the Coronavirus outbreak, which led to a nationwide lockdown, the shooting schedule and release dates of many films got hit for a six. Sanjay Gupta’s gangster-drama, Mumbai Saga, fronted by John Abraham and Emraan Hashmi, with Suniel Shetty, Jackie Shroff, Gulshan Grover, Rohit Roy and Prateik Babbar, was nearing completion and targeting a June release when work came to a halt. The team was shooting an action-packed confrontation at a real location in Mumbai when they hit the Covid-19 roadblock. Now, Mirror has learnt that the Bhushan Kumar-Anuradha Gupta production is going to be among the first films to get back to action next month. After getting the go-ahead from the Telangana government in-sync with the guidelines laid down by the Producers Guild of India and the state, Gupta will take off to Hyderabad with his actors soon to complete the shoot.

“Yes, we are planning to shoot in Ramoji Rao Film City as they have all the facilities and equipment required, including an in-house crew and technical staff, along with hotels for the team from Mumbai. It’s all contained within the studio premises and that cuts down on the risk,” Gupta confirmed.

Ten-12 days of work on the film remains, for which the entire ensemble cast is required to be present. Gupta informs that all the actors have reacted positively to the development. “They have all worked really hard on the film and are happy to finish it on time so that we can present it to the audience,” said director Gupta, assuring that “the well-being of the team is paramount.”

During the lockdown, the team has been working from home on the visual effects and editing. “Yes, we’ve been working in a limited way, but we still need around four months, from the time we complete the shoot to lock the final print,” admits Gupta, who has previously directed several gangster dramas, including Kaante, Musafir, Shootout At Wadala, and written Shootout At Lokhandwala. His next is based on a real incident, with Emraan playing a cop and John a gangster from the ’80s and ’90s, and narrates the story of how Bombay became Mumbai. “It’s a commercial action entertainer and the audience will get their paisa vasool,” he promises.

Meanwhile, Bhushan is happy that his team is gearing up to take the multi-starrer back on the floors. “It’s a very difficult time for the industry, but with the government’s support and approval, we can look at completing our films. I am grateful to the Telangana government for agreeing to let us fly our cast and crew to Ramoji Rao Film City to shoot,” stated the producer, who is currently working out the safety measures which would be followed during the shoot. “The health of everyone working on the project is our foremost concern. I am happy our supportive cast and crew have agreed to shoot next month,” he concludes.

Rachana Dubey (BOMBAY TIMES; June 11, 2020)

While the national Coronavirus lockdown began on March 25, Bollywood filmmakers had voluntarily stalled all their shoots by March 17, owing to safety concerns. Production and studio offices, too, pulled down shutters. The Maharashtra government’s resolution to commence shoots, which arrived on May 31, filled the industry with hope. However, before the units go back on the floors, there are a lot of logistics to be worked out, which, most filmmakers say, will be a humongous task. To begin with, it’s too early to say whether most actors will be comfortable stepping out to work right away. There is also the responsibility of ensuring that every unit follows the health and safety regulations. Apart from that, the onset of monsoon in Mumbai calls for another level of planning.

Before the lockdown, films like Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2, Prithviraj, Atrangi Re, Nikamma, Mumbai Saga, Maidaan and Gangubai Kathiawadi were underway. Some films had just a few days of shooting left, but others had only reached the halfway mark.

‘SHOOTS WON’T COMMENCE BEFORE JULY’
Ashok Dubey of the Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) told BT, “We recently had a conversation with the Cine And TV Artistes’ Association (CINTAA). There is no clarity over the insurance cover for workers and their safety on sets. Their outstanding dues, too, have to be cleared. We have scheduled a meeting with the Indian Film and Television Producers Council (IFTPC) to find a solution. Without any clarity on the insurance coverage, we can’t ask workers to return to work. Helmets, harnesses, gloves, masks, sanitisers and various other points mentioned in the Government Resolution (GR), too, have to be complied with. We want a supervisor on every set to monitor this. Right now, there are only two film units set up in Film City — Gangubai Kathiawadi (starring Alia Bhatt) and Bosco Martis’ next. These could be among the ones to commence shooting. The question is, are stars ready to come out? I don’t see film shoots commencing before July.”

‘WE SHOULD NOT RUSH INTO ANYTHING’
Amit Ravindernath Sharma, director of Maidaan, said, “We had finished about 55 per cent of the film by March. We have football matches left to shoot, and for those, we had built a huge set in Madh Island. We had done a lot of groundwork, including erecting rooms and setting other amenities, which will have to be dismantled now since the rains have arrived. Depending on the condition of the turf, we will start work on the set post monsoon.”

Filmmaker Anees Bazmee’s Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2, starring Kartik Aaryan and Kiara Advani, was underway in Lucknow when the pandemic struck. He said, “We will have to go back to Lucknow to shoot, because there needs to be continuity. Right now, I can’t put a date on when my film will start rolling again.”

Meanwhile, Sanjay Gupta, who has a few days of work left on Mumbai Saga, starring Emraan Hashmi and John Abraham, said, “Hopefully, by mid-July, we will be ready to fly out to Hyderabad. Ramoji Film City has not allocated space to us yet; they are also gearing up to start work. I will fly with a small team and hire technicians there. I’ve discussed the plan of work with the actors and everyone’s given a go-ahead.”