Lockdown in GOA; Will TV shoots Continue?

The country is facing the second wave of COVID 19 and lockdowns are happening all across. Due to restrictions imposed in Maharashtra since April 14, TV shoots have come to a halt and many have moved locations too.  Around 7-10 TV shows relocated to Goa during this time and resumed shooting to continue with the smooth flow of episodes.

But now with cases rising in Goa, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant announced today that the state will impose a lockdown from 7 pm on Thursday (April 29) night till early Monday (May 3) morning. And this lockdown in Goa will bring a new set of problems for the makers of TV shows. Shoots will be at halt and producers are unsure if they can re start the shoots in Goa itself.

Pradeep Kumar, producer of Ghum Hai Kisike Pyaar Mein, said, “As of now the restrictions are imposed in most parts of North Goa. We are staying near South Goa and have rented a bungalow to continue shooting. However, the CM’s decision today will affect the entire industry in many ways because most of the TV shows and films are shooting here. We are thinking of ways to figure out what can be the solution to this. It is not clear for most of us and currently, we are all hoping and praying to find out an amicable solution to this.”

Actors too are keeping their fingers crossed. Actor Sehban Azim, who is shooting in Goa for his TV show Tujhse Hai Raabta, said, “We are shooting in a resort and living in a bio bubble-like format. There is no restriction yet for tourists staying in a hotel or resort. As of now, we will continue to shoot, but the final decision will rest on the makers; they will decide what their next course of action will be. There is no restriction yet on shooting in a resort.”

After April 14, TV shows including Kumkum Bhagya, Ghum Hai Kisikey Pyaar Meiin, Aapki Nazron Ne Samjha, Shaurya Aur Anokhi Ki Kahani, Yeh Hai Chahatein, Kundali Bhagya, Apna Time Bhi Aayega, Tujhse Hai Raabta and Qurbaan Hua relocated to Goa and while most of them are living in a resort and shooting in it, some have rented villas or bungalows for shooting.

With the possible restrictions being further extended in Maharashtra for another 15 days, TV show makers cannot think of returning to Mumbai for another month. A source close to a production house said, “There is no clarity on shoots yet. It’s a wait-and-watch situation for everyone right now.”