Biju Sopanam: TV teams are trying innovations to restart work

When Biju Sopanam was shooting in March for

Djibouti

, which was being filmed in the east African country, the Uppum Mulakum-makers asked him to return to Kerala. The actor had just decided to hang out with the film crew and started out with a bit part, but because of the comedic value that he brought to it, it had grown into a bigger role.

He then quickly wrapped up his bit and returned to reprise his much-loved role of Balu, in the hugely popular TV show. “Its humour is not so in-your-face. It actually works so well because everyone finds the situations very relatable,” he says, about his deadpan style on the show.

The lockdown had just been declared and after his quarantine period, the series makers decided to produce a lockdown special episode in April with all the actors shooting in their own homes. And since the restrictions were lifted on shooting in June, Biju and his co-actors have been working under the new protocols.

“In the earlier days, I could say, if things didn’t work out, I’ll just go back to being a theatre actor. Under these circumstances, one can’t even say that with films and stage shows taking a hit. People are trying to do creative programmes on social media, but even for that to click, you have to have popular appeal,” he says.

Uppum Mulakum

now has shoots on all seven days of the week, but Biju says that can be a strain on the actors, particularly since they, as a sitcom, improvise on the script, and feel it is better if the shoot gets back to old schedules.

“Since Uppum Mulakum is a small set, we have been able to restart shooting with the recommended restrictions. We can make the show with just a couple of people. It isn’t so easy with other serials, where a supporting cast is needed to establish one person’s character; then, there are the sets and costumes. It might not be viable to shoot on such a grand scale under the circumstances. There is a general sense of despondency among artistes and technicians, because no one has a sense of when things would get going again. Various TV teams are trying to bring innovations to be able to continue work,” he says, adding he and other actors have done awareness videos for the police and health departments.

Biju says there is a slight sense of fear on the sets, so the team now comes to the location in their own cars, there are no camera assistants, associate directors and no viewers are allowed. The make-up artiste wears gloves and uses long brushes. “There is a safety officer to ensure that norms are followed. We have to keep our masks on till we face the camera. Unlike before there is no joking around with each other anymore, as social distancing has to be maintained as much as possible,” he says.