As the relaxations are slowly being initiated amidst the coronavirus pandemic, things are slowly returning to the new kind of normal. The shooting of television shows has begun while all of the crew members are following immense safety protocols like wearing gloves, masks and so on in between takes.
Due to the pandemic, India went under lockdown in late March and everything was put on hold, including the entertainment industry. Sometime in June, after certain relaxations got initiated by the Government, television actor and actresses began to go shoot their respective prime time serials.
Known for serials like Bepanah Pyaar and Pavitra Rishta, actress Aparna Dixit has said that her first day on set was very exhilarating. She further mentioned all the precautions she took while filming, “My first day on set after the lockdown was unlike any other shoot day of my career. I was very excited to be finally in front of the camera but was also cautious about my safety. From carrying my personal sanitiser to my make-up, I did everything that I could possibly do to minimise my interaction with others. I also called for the script on my phone as the hard copy would have been touched by multiple people.” She is currently portraying the role of Shrishti Yadav on the show ‘Pyaar Ki Luka Chhupi”.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CCKyLblh61M/
Another actress, Gracy Singh said that she too was quite excited when some of her shoot dates got confirmed for her, “I prepared my bag with the required accessories and make-up items properly sanitised and even kept aside the character outfit that I wore from home to the sets. Only the touch-up was done on the sets once or twice.” She further explained all the safety measures the team took during the time of the shooting, “The moment we reached the sets, our temperature and body oxygen levels, were screened. We welcomed each other in our traditional Indian style, i.e. Namaste, followed by a quick catching up session. There were limited people on sets and were wearing masks, including me. At every point in and around the sets, there was umpteen number of sanitiser bottles and sprays. It was quite a distinct experience, but I am sure with time, we all will get used to it.” She stars in the show ‘Santoshi Maa – Sunayein Vrat Kathayein”.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CCQe-0TJV5W/
Known for shows like, ‘Chandragupta Maurya’ and ‘Devi Adi Parashakti’, actor Tarun Khanna mentioned that how the team was strictly told to be in quarantine for 14-15 days before the shoot began. He said, “It was compulsory for all the actors and the crew to be quarantined for the said period. Our producers are taking very good care of us. They have ensured that a doctor visits every team member’s room twice a day to get his or her temperature and pulse checked. Right outside our studio, we all are made to go through a sanitisation tunnel after which our temperatures are checked again. And all the other protocols are taken care of.” Tarun currently stars in the show Tenali Rama.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CA-K4fFp4Ep/
Kinshuk Vaidya from the show ‘Radha Krishn – Krishn-Arjun Gaatha’ has also begun work and mentions that the whole shooting process has changed because of the involvement of safety protocols, “here are very limited members on set, especially when the artiste is shooting, there are hardly eight people on set. No one is scared, everyone is very enthusiastic. They have accepted the change very well. Everyone has been given masks, gloves, face shields and protective clothing.”
https://www.instagram.com/p/B9BY-4aH4TR/
