CAN FILM SETS COME CLOSE TO SOCIAL DISTANCING?
Bollywood, and those who work closely with the entertainment world, are sharply divided on the issue
With social distancing becoming the new normal, film industry federations and unions are also planning new working norms. The guidelines issued by the Maharashtra government to the film industry stipulate minimising physical contact, maintaining a minimum six-feet distance between people and wearing of masks and gloves by all on a set, except for those on screen.
But the industry is worried about implementing these on a film set which usually requires between 100-500 people.
A BIG ASK
Actor Radhika Apte says social distancing is difficult on a Bollywood set. “You have to accept it’s not possible, and take precautions. I know as much as everybody does, we need to find a way to survive till we find a vaccine,” she says.
Shooting particular scenes, especially crowd scenes, will be very difficult and filmmaker
Madhur Bhandarkar feels that the entire structure may have to be drastically reworked. “The nature of our business is such that we cannot do much of social distancing. For example if I have to shoot a party scene, a bar scene, a court scene or a fashion show, how am I going to maintain social distancing? Let’s see what template we have to follow, industry seniors, the associations the respective bodies will decide what we have to do,” he shares.
CONTACT-LESS, HOW?
According to the guidelines, PPEs should be worn by hair and makeup artists and others involved in activities involving person-to-person contact.
Makeup artist Pompy Hans, who works with actor Kareena Kapoor Khan, says he is very unsure how their work will go on with social distancing. “When it comes to makeup and hair, you have to touch people by brush and in many cases by hand when you have to do body makeup. I don’t know how it is going to be possible. You can’t expect the actor to do their own makeup. Film makeup is very different and anyway their job is to act, not do makeup and hair. This is not a practical solution,” he quips.
Echoing the sentiment, actor
Saiyami Kher says certain aspects require contact, so there is a long way before work can resume on a set. “I have a project which is 80% done but the makers and producers are saying they won’t take any risk even with social distancing in place,” she shares.
INNOVATION IS KEY
However, many feel work must resume. A spotboy on condition of anonymity says, “We haven’t seen any income for long. If the government has shared guidelines, the industry must follow them and start work.”
Designer Anju Modi, who worked on Bajirao Mastani (2015) feels things are not as challenging as they appear. “Costumes can be fumigated regularly. We can also limit people with access to wardrobes on a set,” she says.
Highlighting the need for “innovative ways”, producer Bhushan Kumar says, “Safety is paramount, we are working towards it...we’re trying to formulate a way forward.”