I have been replaced on shows and it hurt, says Sunil
The Covid-19 pandemic caused Bollywood film productions to come to a standstill in mid-march. While TV shoots resumed shooting in June, films and web series were still waiting it out, until recently. Now, as shoots are resuming, actor Akshay Kumar has left for London, UK to start his film, Bellbottom. He was accompanied by the film’s cast Huma S Qureshi, Lara Dutta and others.
Incidentally, Kumar was also one of the first actors to shoot a commercial during the lockdown. Talking about resuming work, Kumar recently told Hindustan Times, “I don’t think I’ve ever stayed away from the camera for this long and now, there’s a newfound excitement.”
Actors Dhanush and Sara Ali Khan are also set to begin shooting for director Aanand L Rai’s romantic drama Atrangi Re in Madurai, Tamil Nadu. Khaali Peeli, starring Ishaan Khatter and Ananya Panday, is also set to resume shoot soon. Late last month, Yoodlee Films became the first production studio to start shooting for two fullfledged feature films Comedy Couple and Zombivali.
“Shooting in this time is a different experience all together. But the production house is taking precautions,” says director Nachiket Samant, who is helming Comedy Couple.
Precautions and safety measures are paramount for those who have resumed work, says Siddharth Anand Kumar, vice-president, Films and Events, Saregama (Yodlee Films). He adds, “Things are a little more expensive also. But that’s okay. We are shooting, and things are going well. This period is a testament to the adaptability of humans.
Not just films, shoots for web series, which are not less grand than a film shoot have also begun. Director Ken
Ghosh, who is helming
Abhay 2 admits that these are indeed difficult times but that does not mean that people will sit at home. “There were a few rejigs required because some part of the series was shot before lockdown and some parts had to be shot post it. A web series is no less than shooting a film and that is always a challenge,” he says.
Actor Chunky Panday, who stars in the series, says, “It is a challenge to work with fewer crew members, but it was smooth. There will always be a fear among all of us but we have to move on.”
So, is it at all challenging for actors to adapt to this new way of shooting? Actor Aftab Shivdasani, who has started shooting Poison 2, doesn’t think so. “I didn’t have any problems at all. The day prior to the shoot, the crew had set up everything, and all of it was done before the actors came on set,” he explains.
Bollywood isn’t a dark world. I haven’t experienced anything wrong here. This industry gives you the chance to prove yourself and make a mark. If you have talent, you will find your niche,” says actorcomedian Sunil Grover, who has had a long career in entertainment.
Talking about his experiences and struggles in the industry, he shares, “I didn’t have any connection to the entertainment world when I started. As the acting bug had bit me, I did theatre — mostly serious plays — but I also loved to make people laugh. Even today, I feel mujhe itni comedy nahin aati. In the beginning, maine bahut dhakke khaaye, which is natural as a newbie has to learn the ways of a profession. I have been disappointed so many times.
Yes, there were times jab main bhi shows pe replace hua hoon and of course, it hurt. It made me sad, but I have learnt that one has to keep trying. Maybe, those people felt that they could get someone who was more commercially viable. Luck matters here. But yeh darindo ki industry nahin hai.”
The actor admits that he has got a lot of love from the industry and one just has to prove their talent here. “No one forces anyone to join the industry but if you do, you have to go through the grind. I feel horrible for the people who have had harsh experiences in the industry,” he says.
Grover, 43, is happy to be back to entertaining people, and will soon be seen in a comedy show. “I had a lot of work lined up including a film and a web series, and I thought I won’t be at home at all, this year. But God had other plans.”