We will bounce back with better content post lockdown: Mikhil Musale

The lockdown has put the entertainment industry in a difficult spot with most projects coming to a halt in March. And while various regional film industries are limping back to work, it’s a long road ahead before things become normal. In a situation like this, there are sure to be various challenges that the film artistes will face once work resumes.We talk to filmmaker Mikhil Musale on the way forward for the Gujarati film industry, why Dhollywood finds it difficult to get back into action and more.
The entertainment industry has been shut for over two months now, what are the challenges that you foresee?
This is a difficult situation for everyone and will continue to be so in the coming months. But the entertainment industry will suffer longer because it is not the priority for people when such a pandemic happens. And the biggest problem with our industry is that most people working in this industry work on daily wages or on project basis, so finance will be a tough thing to manage. But I am hopeful that we will bounce back with better content and good films when things return to normal.
Shooting a film won’t be the same after the lockdown is lifted. What kind of changes do you think will be implemented during post lockdown shoots?
This is a kind of work where people work in very close proximity with each other, so of course there will be challenges. So, it will begin in limited capacity for projects that can start working with smaller crew. But a full fledged shoot for a film will still take some time. But I see a lot of innovation happening and I am sure that we will find a way out of this.
While other regional film industries have resumed work. But Dhollywood is still to get into action. Why is that happening?
In a scenario like this, it will depend on how the state is reeling under the COVID-19 affect. And Gujarat is still in a critical stage. So, that is one reason. But we are also dependent on the film industry in Mumbai, so once work resumes in Mumbai, our industry will also get into action.