TV shoots keep the show going for resorts

Facing near-zero occupancy, resort owners offer deep discounts to TV and OTT producers

With the Maharashtra government having ordered a complete halt on shooting of any television (TV) show, film or web series, TV show producers have moved their cast and crew to ensure the show goes on, albeit in strict bio-bubbles.

Resorts in Gujarat, Goa, and Dadra and Nagar Haveli, which would have otherwise seen nearzero occupancy due to the lockdown, have in particular benefited the most, given their proximity to Maharashtra.

Conversations with multiple TV producers reveal at least 50-60 shows, including daily soaps and weekend highlights, are being shot in Gujarat and Hyderabad.

Half of them are being shot outside Mumbai, including Daman, Silvassa, and Umbergaon in Gujarat.

For instance, episodes of Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah are being shot at Mirasol Resort in Daman, while episodes of Anupamaa, another popular TV soap, are being shot at Khanvel Resort in Silvassa. Shoots of reality shows Indian Idol and Super Dancer Chapter 4 are taking place at The Deltin in Daman.

While shoots of shows Punyashlok Ahilya Bai, Dance Deewane, Mere Sai-shraddha Aur Saburi are happening at Swastik Bhoomi, Umbergaon.

Albeit at a lower rate, the trend has kept the cash registers ringing at the resorts. Owing to bulk deals and continuous business, resorts are also offering deep discounts — in some cases at one-third rate.

“We have to give them a discount since they are used to lower rates in Mumbai. But we are not complaining,” said Nakul Jain, director at Khanvel Resort.

On average, the resort had 90 of its 200 rooms occupied in May and 50 in April. It expects a 40room occupancy till mid-june.

Jain wouldn’t divulge the extent of discount being offered, but conceded it was much lower than the regular room tariffs. Regular guests will have to cough up ~6,000 plus taxes for a night at the resort.

Still, TV producers estimate the cost escalation to be in the region of 25-30 per cent over shooting in Mumbai. The package includes board and lodging, and shooting on the premises.

TV producer J D Majethia, chairman of the Indian Film and TV Producers Council, said TV shoots have been on for 40 days and will continue till end-may.

Maharashtra is relaxing lockdown rules in June in a phased manner, permitting TV and film shoots to resume.

Some resorts expect to continue getting business from producers even in June.

Maruti Mahable, sales manager at Mirasol Resort in Daman, says among other shows, the resort was booked by producers of Dance Deewane - a dance reality show - from April 28 to May 28.

“They are coming back in June as Mumbai wouldn’t allow shoots till June 15,” said Mahable. The crew had booked 60 of the 200 rooms. The resort offered them a discount of 20-25 per cent on the normal rate. It included all meals.

"The guidelines for shooting in times of pandemic are stringent. We operate in a bio-bubble, implying the cast and crew cannot step out of the location where the shoot is happening. Neither can anyone from outside breach the bio-bubble,” says Majethia.

Social distancing, sanitisation, and rigorous testing are undertaken of the cast and crew. Barring the actors, the production staff during the shooting has to operate in protective gear and maintain social distance.

Around 60-70 people from the cast and crew are allowed at these shoots, which may emerge as an alternative model in the event Mumbai sees a third wave later this year.