Lockdown 2021: Meera Deosthale to Sanjay Gagnani; celebs say work is going to take a hit once again with shooting stalled

Maharashtra CM Uddhav Thackeray announced on Tuesday a 15-day curfew in the state according to which no shooting of films, television shows and ads can take place. The restrictions will be implemented from April 14 across Maharashtra from 8 PM. Producer JD Majethia, Chairman of Indian Films and Television Producers Council (IFTPC) told ETimes TV: “As of now we are going to abide by the restriction, but very soon we will approach them again. We are with him on this and we are going to go through the order fully once.” ETimes TV spoke to actors on this lockdown, how it is going to affect work and more.

I was expecting this to happen and wanted this to happen. I am not saying that I am very much happy sitting at home. But they way people had been stepping out, following no rules and wearing no masks like nothing is going to happen to them… it was bound to happen. I have just stepped out for work. Just last week I was in Juhu when I saw at 3 pm the beach is crowded like anything. I just kept wondering what is it with people? Then recently we saw the crowd at Kumbh mela. It is not healthy, not everyone is vaccinated. I was waiting or our CM to announce lockdown. It is though going to hit the entertainment industry. It will affect and we cannot deny. There might just be 3-4 episodes in the bank as it’s not possible to create so many episodes on TV. Our team had suffered last year (Udaan). Looking at everybody’s health and safety, it is good. If we look at the financial side, then of course channels and producers will suffer due to this. There will be losses. It is a dicey thing and you can’t do anything about it. Had we been more responsible citizen, then we could have avoided this. I just told mom a few days back to prepare for another lockdown.

It was very uncertain, coz we had planned so much. We didn't have much bank also, and we signed up for Saturdays too. We were just catching up when they announced it yesterday. It is a shocker was everyone, since we all were taking extra precautions still this happened. But hopefully we will continue shooting back soonest.

The current status is actually really unfortunate and sad. With the cases increasing and the beds not being available at hospitals. Implementing a lockown is like a double-edged sword. You have to do it to save lives, but when you do it, so many people lose their livelihoods. But yes, it's being done for the greater good, so that's what's best for us all in the longer run.

We are going through a very tough and challenging times since a year now. We all witnessed how badly every human in the entire world suffered during the last lockdown and there after we saw a ray of new hope in the beginning of this year with the vaccines coming out, hoping that all will be well soon and we would never witness another lockdown as we were under the unlock phase. But the second wave of covid washed away not just hopes but a lot of lives. It has become uncontrollable and hence, the administration had no other option but to impose a lockdown to break the chain of the virus once again. Once again, the city never sleeps would be partially asleep. Shootings will be stalled in the state and life would come to a halt. These are really tough and challenging times. I’m scared, not just for myself but everyone around, the entire humanity. As everyone is suffering. By now, everyone knows what precautions have to be taken to be safe. I would urge everyone to take precautions, follow guidelines and never lose hope. Life is a battle and change is inevitable. There will be a time when covid and lockdowns would be a thing of the past. As of now, we all should be united to help each other and be there for each other to tackle these difficult times.

It is really very disturbing. I have shoot in Hyderabad for 2 days and got special permission. But my building is sealed. There was quite of flying in and out due to the schedule. But my society is not allowing me and I had a word with the VP of our building. Even to step out of the house, I have to show Covid-19 report. I am dealing with all this. In the entertainment industry lot of money is involved. If we as artists have committed to something, we have to go and shoot. The production houses have also taken equal precautions. Just like last year, we might have to shoot from home. We have back to square one and it is saddening.

We just started shooting and somehow we really sensed looking at the situation that lockdown can be imposed. Even after so much of precautions and following all the covid-19 guidelines so many actors and people on shoots were testing positive. Hope the phase of lockdown last for small time and we resume our work the soonest. We are already missing the shoot vibes.

Because of the new restrictions, we are not shooting from tomorrow (April 15). It is a big blow for a lot of people. After last year’s lockdown, channels and production house lost out on revenue. If there are no fresh episodes, even ads get pulled out. In daily soaps, you can create only 2-3 episodes’ bank. In 15 days, if episodes are not aired with fresh content then it will be a problem. A lot of effort and investment goes into making of any show. It’s a year’s hardwork and then a show comes on-air. We all are fighting against the pandemic and we will stand united to beat it.

Covid 19 is an eminent subject matter since the last year and the second wave, is a great disturbance to the system in every aspect. The great revelation of the norms applied to combat the situation may seem to be grinding but for whose welfare are they to be enforced? The pandemic is profusely damaging in ever growing numbers. Thus, in order to administer the monstrosity of it, the department in control has taken some crucial routines and we as responsible countrymen must support the movement. Wear masks, sanitise, leave homes just when in need. The industry will be shut till the scenario improves, earlier too all the major precautions were taken to hand by all on the sets of “Ranju Ki Betiyaan”. My personal take to the present state of affairs is for everyone of us is to take charge of our personal actions. I base my thoughts on the epic phrase “Jaan hai toh jahan hai”. Indeed, each one of us will have to face financial and emotional breakdowns but we are all together in this. Lets stand strong as a squad, we all standing abreast against the prevalent circumstances.

It is quite unfortunate that shooting has been stalled. If you look at the brighter side, it is important as you have seen in the recent times, so many actors and technicians have tested positive for Covid-19. The second wave has affected many and this step was necessary to curb the wave. We have to support the Government and cope up with the regulations. If we neglect the pandemic and don’t follow rules then we can never control it. We should see at the betterment in long term.

The Bigg Boss 14 contestant tweeted, “So this lockdown is like “hey I want a cheese burger without cheese” #lockdown but #nolockdown”