Challenges of shooting in pandemic are many, says Faruk

There is a lot of back-end planning that goes into conducting shooting during Covid-19 times,” says filmmaker-writer Faruk Kabir, who has been shooting for his next in Lucknow for over a month.

Working amid the ongoing pandemic is no cakewalk, but Kabir states that he and his team are doing everything possible to keep the set Covid-19 free. “One has to maintain strict vigilance on set and follow the new standard operating procedures and protocols. We sanitise the set constantly, do daily health and temperature check-ups of the cast and crew members and ensure everyone is wearing a mask, always,” he explains, adding that they have an emergency ambulance on standby with doctors every day on set and conduct rapid antigen tests regularly.

When the second wave hit, they had to stop shooting and take the tough decision to push the shoot by two-and-a-half months. Kabir shares that due to the break, everyone got enough time to get the second jab.

Kabir, who is currently shooting with Vidyut Jammwal, admits that the third wave is a matter of concern.

“Each individual should be vigilant, so that everyone around them is taken care of. We are making sure that we don’t shoot with a large crew. We are also giving actors different call times, in order to avoid overcrowding. Most importantly, sets are being sanitised and fumigated. It is tough to constantly wear a mask due to the hot weather, but these are a few sacrifices one has to do. We hope everyone remains safe,” ends the (2020) director.

◄ Faruk Kabir