What I am going through is horrible: Boney on film set damaged due to Tauktae
Even before the entertainment industry could recover from the blow dealt by the Covid-19 last year, came its second wave. And now, cylcone Tauktae. While it hit the western coast hard, particularly hit has been the set of Ajay Devgn-starrer Maidaan. Recently rebuilt by producer Boney Kapoor after it was dismantled last year, it will have to be rebuilt again
“Now, I will have to construct the set for the third time as due to the cyclone 70-80% of the set has been destroyed,” says Kapoor, adding, “What I am going through is horrible. I don’t want to be reminded of it. If I think about the pressure or feelings or loss, I will start crying. If I think about the budget overshooting and expenses piling up, I might go into depression. Mera dil hi nahin kar raha ke set dekhun abhi. All I know and I am doing is staying positive and thinking positive. Thank God, there was no casualty and no one was injured. Luckily all 40-50 people who were on the set were fine. It would have been worse had anything happened to anyone.”
When they built the set this year, they were able to shoot 50% of the matches for the film. Then the lockdown was announced and shoots were halted. Now, shoot for 20 odd days is left and it needs particular sets to shoot the matches. “Last year, when we dismantled, materials could be reused. But after destruction in a cyclone, hardly anything is salvageable. I had eight makeup rooms, 26 bathrooms, different sets, but most of it is gone. We had an eight-camera setup and specialised equipment to capture players while playing,” he shares.
As several films are stuck due to theatres being shut, Kapoor says he can understand what producers are going through. “Someone’s pain is bigger than others but we are all affected. Everyone is going through this painful journey. I might be the most affected person in the industry right now. It is not just about many projects of mine facing delay in release but also having to put up a set for the third time. Imagine that! I am a theatre person and will release my films in theatres. I am waiting for them to open,” ends the 65-year-old.
If I think about the expenses piling up and budget overshooting, I might go into depression. Mera dil hi nahin kar raha ke set dekhun abhi. BONEY KAPOOR,
Producer