The Covid-19 pandemic last year slammed the entertainment industry and grieved the loss of 1200 crore making the showbiz come to a standstill. This year also the same scenario prevails where several film shoots are halted and major film releases have been postponed. Mumbai being the hub of the entertainment industry employs lakhs of people who are badly affected due to the Covid surge.
In view of the rapid growth in coronavirus cases in Mumbai, the Maharashtra government announced the stoppage of films and TV shoots. As tightening of restrictions took place, film and TV producers have scouted for locations outside the state in a desperate bid to complete long-stalled movie projects and build up episode banks. As the state government clamped down further on movement, following its announcement that all shootings stand suspended to curtail the spread of the infection. As a result, the neighbouring state of Goa has become the hot spot for most of these TV shoots. Hyderabad, Surat, Jaipur, and Delhi are other places where shoot locations are being shifted.
Before the mini lockdown was announced, Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray and some film personalities had a meeting in which it was kept by the government that the shooting would have to be stopped for a few days and the upcoming films would not be allowed to be shown in cinema halls.
Recently, actress Jhanvi Kapoor was seen shooting an ad in Goa. Many TV shows are also shooting in Goa or Gujarat. Star Plus shows such as Yeh Hai Chahatein, Ghum Hai Kisikey Pyaar Meiin, and Aapki Nazron Ne Samjha are currently being shot in the coastal state. Zee TV has also shifted the shoot of its popular shows Kundali Bhagya, Apna Time Bhi Ayega, and Qurbaan Hua to Goa. Hyderabad is the location for Imlie and Mehndi Hai Rachne Waali, and Ek Mahanayak Dr B R Ambedkar has moved to Umergaon in Gujarat.
Stringent curbs in the state also include the complete shut down of cinema halls and multiplexes. This has also hit the release schedule of films. While many films are premiered on OTT platforms, some were held out waiting for things to improve before releasing them in theatres.