The risky business of shooting dramas during the pandemic

A renowned director started the shoot of a television drama several days ago after conducting Covid-19 tests of members of his entire team.

But on the second day of the shoot, symptoms of coronavirus infection were discovered in a makeup artist and a senior actor. The director had to pack up the shooting. Then the results of Covid-19 tests of the duo came positive. Now the whole unit is in 14-day isolation. There are two renowned actor and actress in the group.

Now many artists are in fear of contracting the virus. All TV drama shoot had stopped from March 22 to May due to the coronavirus pandemic.Television channels had to entertain viewers during two important festivals – PohelaBoishakh and Eid UlFitr–with only dramas that had been made before the pandemic.

However, drama shoots started again on June 1. Associations related to TV drama gave permission to creators on the condition they maintain health guideline during shoots. But are health guidelines being observed?

According to TV actors, precautions and guidelinesare not being maintained during shoots.

Actress Urmila ShrabantiKor hasworked in 10-12 dramas since June 1. She said, "No shooting unit actually follows the health guideline in a true sense. Everybody has to take the responsibility of his or her own safety. I went to shooting spots with proper preparation. I put on face mask and carried hand sanitizers and my lunch box to the shooting spots."

When asked why she agreed to shoot in such a situation, she said several drama serieshad gotten stuck midway andshe had to complete them. Besides, she also did several dramas for Eid UlAdha. "How long can an artist stay home without acting?"

Tuhin Hossain, director andorganizing secretary of the Directors' Guild, said, "Actually, there is no scope to follow health guidelines during shoots. There is a tendency among members of shooting unitsto not obey the health rules. Nobody wants to wearmasks. Besides, the shooting houses are not safe. In this situation, it is very difficult to shoot the dramas."

Tuhin completed a drama titled 'DhadharThekeoJotil Tumi' several days ago. Sabila Nur and Jovan acted in the drama.

Following health guidelines is difficult not only in the shooting houses but also at the outdoor spots, according to Director HimuAkram. He said, "Suppose we have to shoot a scene in a grocery shop. Now is it possible to disinfect the whole shop? We have to do these sort of shoots in the outdoors. So there is no scope to follow health guidelines during shooting."

However, many directors have not started any shoots as yet. Many of them have cancelled shooting even after scheduling dates.

Though shooting resumed on June 1, it has picked up speed only recently. Shooting of TV dramas for Eid UlAdha and telefilms are going on in full swing now.

Actor Mosharraf Karim has worked only in one drama. The shooting was done at the studio of Deepto TV. AfranNisho has not started shooting as yet while Apurba has cancelled a shoot after starting it.

On the other hand, Chanchal Chowdhury and Zahid Hasan have begun working.

Director AnimeshAich started shooting a short film two days ago. The short film named 'To Let' will be aired during Eid UlAdha. The film featuresAshna Habib Bhabna.