Not working for a long time did get frustrating, admits Aftab
Many actors are resuming work as showbiz tries to regain its footing amid the pandemic. Aftab Shivdasani, too, is back on set, shooting for his new web series, and he feels rather nice to get back to the grind.
“For everybody, including me, the lockdown has been a frustrating period because we weren’t able to work. Everybody wants their freedom as well to go out and work,” shares the actor, adding that while it’s exciting to be working again, one has to take a lot of care and precaution.
But even with work resuming, the social distancing guidelines shared by the authorities have to be followed by all to avoid the spread of the virus. So, has it been challenging to work with a smaller crew? “I think it’s fine. I didn’t have any problems. The day prior to the shoot, the crew had come and set up the shot... The lighting was done. All of it was done before the actors landed up on set the next day,” shares the 42-year-old.
Shivdasani adds that while work is essentially still the same, there were adjustments he had to make on set. “In terms of getting ready, I’m making sure that there aren’t many people around me. Only one person can work on me at any given point of time, do my hair and makeup. They come in turns. Everyone is sanitised, they’re wearing gloves. I have my staff with me, but they’re socially distanced from me and each other, too,” he explains.
Getting into the new scheme of things hasn’t been much of a hassle for the actor as he shares that he has often worked with a smaller unit, even before the pandemic. “We sometimes do guerrilla type of shoots, which means you work with a smaller crew when you shoot at certain locations, especially airports or high security locations. So, it’s not something new to me,” he adds.