Kannada TV industry Plan for COVID LOCKDOWN

[welcomewiki]

The show must go on: Kannada TV industry treads carefully in the COVID pandemic



When lockdown relaxations were beginning to be announced last year, showbiz was one industry that got a breather, although with strict protocols, including limitations in the number of people on set, etc. Eager to get back to work, most teams adapted to this new normal and just when everyone thought things were getting better, the second wave of the pandemic hit with Karnataka witnessing a surge in cases. In response, the government has already announced a string of restrictions, but has so far omitted showbiz. While there was uncertainty initially about how to continue working, the television industry is looking at tiding over this time without affecting continuity of shows, as it did last year during the lockdown. While serials are being shot almost round-the-clock to help teams bank episodes in case of a complete lockdown, reality shows are being conducted amid tight safety protocols.

SERIALS WORK OVER TIME

Actor Darshak Gowda says,

“We are currently shooting to can as many episodes as possible. However, in doing so, we are also ensuring that it is being done with minimal crew and mandatory RT-PCR tests for everyone on set. As an actor, I am worried if another lockdown is imposed, as shows can end abruptly and we’ll lose our jobs again.”

On condition of anonymity, a young actor says,

“The situation is different from the first wave of Coronavirus. We are all working on the set with fear, as there are no beds and oxygen facilities available in Bengaluru hospitals. If we quit, we might not get a chance to act again. We have requested the channels to tighten safety measures on the set.”

However, some teams have decided to take a temporary break. Sangharsha’s lead actress Tejaswini Shekar says, “We need to reassess the safety measures before we begin the shoot, as we can’t lower our guard against COVID.” REALITY SHOWS

STILL GO ON
While serials are being shot with skeletal teams, the case is different for reality shows where crew and contestants make up for larger numbers. Rak****ha Prem, who is a judge on two reality shows, says,

“The efforts to keep everyone safe are commendable. Everyone is being tested every three days and utmost sanitisation and precautions are in place. If it weren’t for that, I’d not have been comfortable to take off my mask and shoot there. I am glad I have a responsible team. As for my routine after shoot, steam inhalation, kadhas and ensuring I bathe the moment I get home is part of it, apart from ensuring I keep some distance from my son.”

NEW SHOWS DEFERRED
The shoot of new serials like Hitler Kalyana, Mathe Manvanthara and Puttakana Makkalu, which were supposed to go on air in May have been put off because of the current situation. A source from the channel says,

“If lockdown is implemented more strictly, the soap operas will lose their connect with viewers, so we have chosen to wait and watch.”

CAN TV Survive ANOTHER LOCKDOWN?
A serial director says,

“During the first lockdown, dubbed shows flooded television channels and over 20 Kannada serials went off air. Yet, we managed to survive with our content. If another lockdown is imposed on us, it will have a devastating impact on all of us, as many will again lose their jobs.” A TV producer adds, “It’s hard to work with minimal staff, limited resources and cast, especially if some are worried about being on set. A break could impact the popularity and ratings.”

Similar Threads:

• Bollywood New Plan for Covid wave 2 Lockdown
• Telugu TV Stars NOT HAPPY for Lockdown
• Sonakshi Sinha Has A Crazy Plan To Execute After The End Of Lockdown & We Can Feel He
• BSNL Vasantham Gold plan availability extended by another 90 days: Check tariff and o
• Airtel promotes 15GB postpaid plan for Rs 100 for Work from Home customers

[welcomewiki]

Kannada serial teams head to Hyderabad to continue shooting



As TV shoots remain suspended in Karnataka due to the lockdown, teams of serials like Geetha, Gini Rama, Naagini 2 and Mangala Gowri Maduve, shifted location to Ramoji film city in Hyderabad, last week. Gattimela, Jothe Jotheyalli and Sarasu followed suit to ensure they don’t run out of banking episodes. Director and producer of television shows like Geetha, Naagini 2 and Mangala Gowri Maduve, K S Ramji says, “We are all fighting for survival and that's forced us to shoot in Hyderabad. Before stepping into Ramoji film city, we get an RT-PCR test done for all the team members. Only after they test negative, they join the team. Except for actors and main technical crew members, we have hired local people to work in the technical wing. We are planning to shoot for 15 to 20 days to have as many banking episodes as possible. After the Karnataka government allows shooting, we will resume shooting in Bengaluru. Covid safety protocols like temperature check and sanitizing of shooting areas are done regularly to ensure no one on the sets gets infected.”

Ramji further adds that production cost has doubled, as the expenditure to rent a shooting floor, food and stay is more expensive than in Karnataka. “We don’t have any alternative in the current situation, because if the show discontinues many will lose their jobs. Despite facing financial difficulties, we have to continue to shoot."

Protagonist of the serial Ginirama, Ritvvikk Mathad says, “A bio-bubble has been created, so even after the shoot we have to stay in Ramoji film city. As many as 21 people from Bengaluru have camped here from our team. We don’t have clarity on how long we will shoot here, but we are trying to shoot as much as possible so that serial is not taken off air due to lack of fresh episodes.”

Supritha Sathyanarayan, who will be heading to Hyderabad to resume shooting for Sarasu soon, says, “My team has asked me to be ready to travel to Hyderabad for the shoot. I have completely recovered from COVID-19, so I am ready to shoot. It is tough for all of us as we have to save our lives and at the same time, we can’t let go of our work.”