Many TV show producers moved their units to different states after shootings in Maharashtra came to a halt in mid-April due to the spike in Coronavirus cases. Now, with the new government resolution (GR), which will mark the unlock phase in various stages, makers are looking forward to returning to Mumbai. However, confusion regarding the shooting hours has them hit the panic button. According to the GR, shoots will be allowed to take place from 7 am to 5 pm in a bio-bubble. The producers are of the opinion that they would need a full shift of 12 hours to meet the telecast demands and deadlines.

Talking about the challenges that makers are bound to face, J D Majethia, who is the producer of Wagle Ki Duniya - Nayi Peedhi Naye Kissey and also the chairman of Indian Films and Television Producers Council (IFTPC), says, “We hope shoots resume in Maharashtra later this month. We are waiting for an official announcement from the state government regarding the date. While other challenges like winding the current storyline that was tweaked to accommodate the change in the location, and shooting in a bio-bubble, can be dealt with easily, our biggest concern is the number of shooting hours. It’s practically impossible to shoot an episode in 10 hours when the show is telecast six days a week.” 

He further adds, “We should not forget that the monsoon is all set to arrive in Mumbai, which tends to delay the shooting process. We hope that the authorities will take our request into account and extend the number of hours.”

Show makers are keen to return to Mumbai, but there are various production matters that need to be taken care of. Amir Jaffar, who has three shows on air (Tujhse Hai Raabta, Aapki Nazron Ne Samjha and Qurbaan Hua), shares, “Everyone is eagerly waiting to return home. It will be good to be back, ghar toh jaane milega sabko. However, before that, we have to take stock of a lot of things. First and foremost is the renovation of the set owing to the damage caused by Cyclone Tauktae. Apart from that, we still need clarity over the shooting hours. One would need a full shift to finish work and meet the deadline.”

Sumeet Mittal, producer of shows like Barrister Babu and Kyun Utthe Dil Chhod Aaye, says, “I have heard that the issue of shooting hours is going to be reviewed soon. The practical aspect of shooting will be put forward to the authorities again. While I am not certain about the date when the shoot will resume in Maharashtra, I hope we are granted sufficient shooting hours. We will be shooting in a bio-bubble and strictly adhering to the protocols.”

However, Saurabh Tewari, the producer of Pinjara Khubsurti Ka, says that a bio-bubble isn’t a foolproof way of working. He adds, “It’s not possible to make actors stay on set, and one can’t be certain that there will be no contact with the outside world. Since there are a lot of uncertainties around the resuming of the shoot in Maharashtra, I believe that most producers will continue working the way they have been for the past one-and-a-half months for some more time till we get clarity and shooting resumes in Mumbai. We will have to wait to see what kind of restrictions come into force. It’s better to return home when the restrictions are minimum and the situation is better and under control.”

Last year, even after shoots were allowed to resume, the government guidelines had barred senior actors above 65 years from shooting due to Coronavirus. Later, when things got better, the dadidadas and nana-nanis joined the shows. However, now with the surge in cases and the recent stalling of shoots in Maharashtra, after which TV shows have shifted base to other cities, senior actors will again go missing from daily soaps.

Production houses feel it’s safer not to have them travel to different locations in the current scenario. Hence, storylines are being tweaked to justify their absence for now. The actors are naturally unhappy, but they understand that it is in their interest.

Senior Wagles, Aanjjan Srivastav and Bharti Achrekar from Wagle Ki Duniya - Nayi Peedhi Naye Kissey, are not travelling to Silvassa, where the shooting is currently taking place. Srivastava says, “I am eager to get back on the sets, but what can we do? Many crew members had tested positive earlier, and though they have tested negative now, I feel it is better to wait till the situation improves.” Ghanshyam Nayak, aka Natukaka of Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah, says, “I miss being on the show, and I hope that they start my track as soon as things improve. But the situation is scary, and I can understand why they are delaying my entry.”

Some actors themselves have chosen to stay away. Like theatre and TV actor Arvind Vaidya, who’s a part of Anupamaa, has informed the production house that he will not shoot for the show till the COVID situation improves and the production house has also supported his decision. He says, “Many people from the team tested positive a few weeks ago. Since I had tested negative, I continued shooting for a while. I have to look after my health, so I informed the production house that I won’t be able to shoot. Sometime later, after the state government imposed restrictions, the shoot was shifted to Silvassa. I am a senior actor and if I want to continue living a healthy life, it is important that I don’t travel to another location or shoot in the current situation. I am happy that the production supported my decision.”

Anupam Shyam, who plays an important role in Mann Ki Awaaz — Pratigya 2, has also refrained from travelling to Silvassa. He says, “I have health issues and everyone is aware of it. I have to undergo dialysis and so it’s not possible for me to relocate to another city. I will resume when they come back here.”

Himani Shivpuri, who is currently seen in Happu Ki Ultan Paltan, feels that it’s best to be patient in the current situation. Shivpuri, who had tested positive a few months ago, says, “It is scary to step out and relocate to a different city right now. Last year, I got COVID-19 because I continued shooting and did not want to hamper work, but this year, I will have to wait and see how things go.” Some of the senior actors, who took their first dose of vaccination, are now waiting to take the second.

Swati Chitnis, who plays Kartik’s grandmother in Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai, says, “I am waiting for my second jab and if I travel outside, how will I take it? I don’t want to delay the vaccination process. I am happy that the production has supported me in this decision. I tested positive last year and I want to follow all safety protocols because of my age.”

Moving to a new place can be very inconvenient for the senior actors, makers say. Producer J D Majethia says, “I don’t think it is safe for them to travel outside Mumbai during the pandemic. Also, it may not be very comfortable there like it is on the set, where we shoot with an airconditioner. So, during summer, it is avoidable. Secondly, if the shoot is at a resort, it requires a lot of walking around. The food, too, may not be right for senior citizens. We will wait to see how things pan out after a week or two.”

Over three decades after his career-defining role in Wagle Ki Duniya, Aanjjan Srivastav is reliving his character in Wagle Ki Duniya - Nayi Peedhi Naye Kissey. He has started shooting for the rebooted version and hopes “it appeals to today’s youngsters and I live up to the expectations.”

At 73, Srivastav features in the upcoming Ayushmann Khurrana-starrer Chandigarh Kare Aashiqui and in the second season of the web series, Out of Love. “I will continue acting for as long as I can,” says the actor, who was last seen on the small screen in Na Bole Tum Na Maine Kuch Kaha (2012). “Shooting for a daily television show is hectic,” he admits, adding that despite his “diabetes and blood pressure, I am managing”, which includes the daily commute to the set at Mira Road. 

The show, penned by Aatish Kapadia and directed by Sameer Kulkarni, takes a time leap forward with the new generation of the Wagles. Besides Srivastav, the show features veteran actor Bharati Achrekar, who also featured in the original, Sumeet Raghavan, Pariva Pranati, Sheehan Kapahi and Chinmayi Salvi. “The series will continue to portray the daily life and issues of middle-class, keeping [the show’s] true essence intact,” says Srivastav, who now plays the retired Wagle with his son, played by Raghavan. “Initially, when producer J D Majethia approached me, I had my reservations about doing television again. But there was no way I could refuse Wagle Ki Duniya,” says the senior actor.

The original, which ran from 1988-90 on Doordarshan, was directed by Kundan Shah. “I had been part of his earlier sitcom, Yeh Jo Hai Zindagi, which led me to be part of Wagle. Later, Kundan cast me in all his projects. I owe my career to him,” says Srivastav, adding that cartoonist-writer R K Laxman was involved at every step of the making, while V Shantaram gave claps. Among those who did a cameo in the show was Shah Rukh Khan, who agreed to be part of the sitcom while prepping for Kabhi Kabhi Haan Kabhi Naa (1994).