Due to a spike in Covid-19 cases, the Maharashtra government had ordered a complete halt on shooting of all television shows, films or web series, starting from 15 April till the lockdown in the state, in its effort to contain the spread of the pandemic. As the state has once again gone into lockdown from 16 May to 31 May, the major question that is being asked is: What’s next for shooting in the entertainment industry?
In an attempt to keep the show going, several daily soap shows had moved to Goa from Mumbai for shooting, but due to the lockdown in Goa, too, shooting for these have now been hugely affected. Unable to shoot in Maharashtra and Goa, those in the TV and film industry, including filmmakers, actors and producers, are a worried lot.
TV shows like Balaji Telefilms’ Kumkum Bhagya, Kundali Bhagya, Molkki and Yeh Hai Chahatein have not finalised a new location. They also said that given the risk factor involved in travelling, the team has decided to stay put in Goa till the time a new
location is finalised. While the shoot of Star Plus’ Ghum Hai Kisikey Pyar Meiin and Shaurya Aur Anokhi Ki Kahani will move to Hyderabad, the team of Aapki Nazron Ne Samjha has decided to move to Silvassa. Dance Deewane 3 has also shifted out of Bengaluru to Umergaon.
Two of the most popular shows, Taarak Mehta ka Ooltah Chashmah and Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai, are shooting in Vapi. TV show producers have shifted their cast and crew outside the state to ensure that the show goes on. With multiple production houses picking it for its proximity, as well as infrastructure, Gujarat has benefitted the most from this shift. Other locations include Rajkot where Tera Yaar Hoon Main shooting is going on. In Surat Sab TV show, Hero: Gayab Mode On is shooting and in Valsad, Kaatelal & Sons is being shot. Mere Sai: shraddha Aur Saburi is being shot in Umergaon currently.
While Star Plus shows Imlie and Mehndi Hai Rachne Waali have shifted base to Ramoji Film City in Hyderabad, Pandya Store is working round-the-clock in Bikaner. Zee TV has Teri Meri Ikk Jindari shooting in Rajasthan and Hamariwali Good News in Haryana.
Daman is now home to the contestants and judges of Super Dancer and Indian Idol, while Silvassa is where the highest-rated show Anupamaa is being shot, along with Wagle Ki Duniya—Nayi Peedhi Naye Kissey, Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai and Mann Ki Awaaz Pratigya 2.
Choti Sarrdaarni is shooting in Delhi, while Sasural Simar Ka and Shakti are being shot in Agra, as is Saath Nibhaana Saathiya 2. Goa, where more than 10 TV shows were shot, imposed a strict curfew until 23 May, cancelling shooting permissions at the last minute after recording the highest positivity rate in the country. It meant the return of hundreds of actors and workers—of shows like Ghum Hai Kisikey Pyaar Meiin, Aapki Nazron Ne Samjha, Shaurya Aur Anokhi Ki Kahani, Yeh Hai Chahatein, Molkki, Kumkum Bhagya, Kundali Bhagya, Apna Time Bhi Aayega,Tujhse Hai Raabta, Bawara Dil and Qurbaan Hua—to Mumbai. The hunt for an alternative location is on. There are shows which have remained unaffected by the Maharashtra lockdown, like Colors’ Udaariyaan, which is being shot in Chandigarh.