IS IT TIME TO UNLOCK REALITY SHOWS?
Health checks and quarantines for performers, sanitisers and safe distances — makers are all set to resume shoots
After getting a nod from the Maharashtra government, daily soaps on TV have resumed shoots after nearly 100 days. But reality shows are still figuring out the way ahead amid social distancing norms.
While shows such as Fear Factor: Khatron Ke Khiladi (KKK), Sa Re Ga Ma Pa L’il Champs, India’s Best Dancer, were on air in March when the lockdown was announced, Roadies held online auditions for the wild card entry and Kaun Banega Crorepati’s selection too went digital.
According to producer Hemant Ruprell of Frames Production Company, India’s Best Dancer is expected to go on floors in mid July. “The onset of the monsoon is a challenge, so is cutting down the crew by 66%. Unlike 350-450 people, we’ll now have to work with 150. The format of the show won’t change, so we’ll take precautions like quarantining performers, doing health check-ups after they perform together on stage,” he says.
For Geeta Kapur, one of the judges of a dance show, everything else would be fine. “One thing that would change is the way I express myself physically. I hug and dance with a contestant... now I’ll have to control my emotions. Then there are other concerns like costumes. Thankfully I have a few of them ready.”
Talking of their upcoming shows, Dance Plus and Super Dancer, Ruprell adds crew members would now operate in separate marked zones to maintain social distancing. “Also, there would be no studio audience. People who’ll be running around the most would get PPE kits. There will be a disinfection tunnel, sanitisers and temperature guns etc available,” he shares.
Ferzad Palia, head, Voot Select, youth, music and English entertainment, Viacom18, says they’re exploring shoot locations for their shows, especially Roadies, given that it’s an outdoor format. “We’ll ensure that SOPs directed by the authorities are followed. Since half the show was shot, we finished editing and have started airing fresh episodes from June 27. We have content ready till about September,” informs Palia.
Meanwhile, according to sources, participants of Sa Re Ga Ma Pa L’il Champs are back in Mumbai, and shoots are expected to resume soon.
Amid all the worries about shooting reality shows, producer Preeti Simoes feels shooting fiction is tougher as actors shoot in close proximity for scenes. “But in reality shows, people usually are at a distance and camera angles do the needful. Also, reality shows shoot two episodes a week,” says Simoes, looking forward to start shooting her next show.
Participants are raring to start shooting. Actor Tejasswi Prakash, a participant of KKK, shares they finished shooting the show last year in Bulgaria, only the finale is left, which might be shot in Mumbai. “We’re told they’re planning to resume on July 15. I know the team will take care of our safety,” she says.