Shoots getting stalled can be demotivating, as mine was a new show: Vijayendra

With the shutdown in Maharashtra, the situation has turned grim again for the entertainment industry. For actor Vijayendra Kumeria, it’s all the more infuriating as his new show went on air just a month ago. “It’s the worst thing that could have happened. And it happened because everybody was very careless, not just the people who shoot, but the public in general. Having said that, yes, we have to take a lot of care. It can be demotivating, as mine was a new show. The initial months are the time to grip the audience and create a base,” he says.

First, the night curfew, followed by weekend curfew and now a 15-day lockdown has led to shoots being stalled till April 30. “We had done double shifts so that we would have some bank of content to keep entertaining people. Let’s see how things pan out now,” adds the 34-year-old, known for shows such as Chhoti Bahu, Tumhari Paakhi, Udaan and Naagin.

When he was shooting for his new show, Kumeria reveals that all actors and

As actors, we have to remove our masks and shoot. It makes sense that we get vaccination on priority. VIJAYENDRA KUMERIA, Actor

crew were tested regularly on set. “The protocols were always followed. We did temperature checks thrice a day. That, I think, is going to continue for a year or so. I’m quite used to it now,” he admits.

Another aspect of the pandemic that worries Kumeria is the fact that the vaccination process didn’t start for all age groups right from the beginning. “We’re also entertainment warriors as we provide entertainment on TV. As actors, we have to remove our masks and shoot. It makes sense that we get vaccination on priority. I don’t know how people are going to think about this, but I do feel so. We should get that kind of cover,” he concludes.