Global film industries are facing the tough situation due to the outbreak of COVID-19. Let’s start from the beginning, few months ago due to the outbreak of the deadly virus, which is also known as coronavirus. Because of this pandemic virus all the production of films had been lockdown officially and all the talented people who were working front of the camera or behind it were all quarantined. As the movie studio is filled with hyper active people who works in the close range of proximity and are regularly having physical contact, like in the department of makeup, hair and costumes where the equipments are frequently passed over the crew. All the events such as film festivals or any award ceremony were cancelled. Even the cinema halls were closed (it’s still closed) and the entire industry faced an uncertain financial future.
As cinemas are closed, many big starrer films had chosen to release the film in OTT platform instead of chosen traditional path to theatrical release which is impossible as of now. Films like Amitabh Bachchan and Ayushmann Khurrana-starrer Gulabo Sitabo which was released in Amazon Prime, Vidya Balan’s Shakuntala Devi which was released in hotstar, Shushant singh rajput’s film Dil bechara was released in Disney plus, few days after the demise of him and Gunjan Saxena: The Kargil Girl starring Jhanvi Kapoor will release in Netflix. Akshay Kumar`s Laxmmi Bomb is also set to release in Disney plus hotstar, Abhishek Bachan starrer The Big Bull will release in Disney plus Hotstar. and many other films like Anurag Basu`s Ludo, Sidharth Malhotra`s Shershaah, Kiara Advani`s Indoo Ki Jawaani, Ishaan Khatter and Ananya Panday`s Khaali Peeli may or may not release in digital platform in near future. For many members in the film industries are facing financial difficulties due to the lockdown but with the direct-OTT release not only it will push the Indian market with the digital medium but also it will give some relief for many members of the industry.
By the time of May, proposed by the Producer Guild of India, 37-pages of guideline that can give permission to resume shooting which is granted by the government. On 27th May, Chief Minister of Maharashtra Uddhav Thackeray allowed TV industry to resume shooting with conditions applied. This comprehensive report offers guidelines to all the department and professionals at TV and Film shoots. According to the various news sources, Film shooting won’t start before the month of July.
It will be a big change, the way industries will work as in the guidelines; there will be no handshakes, hugs, kisses or any other physical greetings, wearing a triple layer medical mask, above the age of 60 no workers are allowed, The masks must not be left unattended and would need to be disposed off in the bins provided on location, before entering into the set, every cast and crew members should go through temperature measurement with a contactless thermometer, the advisory states. All the talents and crew members should sign or submit a fitness or declaration form, informing the production team about their exposure to COVID-19 and health status by the time of signing-up a project or booking and again they have to repeat on arrival at the set. Every person should maintain a record every day throughout the shooting schedule and it is also includes work-from-home where possible, limiting the number of cast and crew, downloading of the Arogya Setu app on phones, avoiding outdoor shoots, and in two different shifts having a medical team on sets for initial three months when shoots begin.
The document also recommends advises that the setting up of an isolation zone, away from the main filming area. Anyone indicating COVID-19 symptoms must not be allowed on set. If anyone growing symptoms while at work, he or she should right away be isolated in the designated isolation room on set, and also have the set of medical team monitor them for symptoms and advising the necessary authorities. Ambulance should be there on stand-by at all the time. A certified nurse and two junior-level doctors must be there on set in two different shifts for an initial three months.
By the time of June, the lockdown had been lifted the Television shows have resumed production of daily soaps in different parts of the city with producers following guidelines to ensure the safety of the cast and crew amid the scare of COVID-19 and the TV shows and films, which had stopped production in mid-March, have been allowed to resume shootings in non-containment zones with conditions to adhere to the state government led safety guidelines. Actors are also coming prepared with their own safety kits.
Channels like Star Plus shows Ye Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai, Kasauti Zindagii Ki, Yeh Rishte Hai Pyaar Ke and Ye Hai Chahatein have resumed shooting. Star Bharat channel show RadhaKrishn – Krishn Arjun Gatha has also started the shoot. Zee TV’s popular daily soaps Kundali Bhagya and Kumkum Bhagya have restarted shoot with a limited crew. Sab TV’s show Bhakharwadi featuring Deven Bhojani in the lead, too have resumed shoot.
Now, the popular shows like the kapil Sharma show has already started to air on TV and the first episode was aired on 1st august with Sonu Sood as the special guest of the show. Last Month, He (Kapil Sharma) shared some videos on his social media sites, informing fans about the beginning of the show as in the video various safety precautions were taken in the place of shooting. In the sets Bharti Singh was being sanitised, the actor’s temperature and oxygen levels were tested before entering the sets as shown in the video. Many other television shows are all set to release in the near future.
The Illuminate 