These testing times are taking a toll on the health of the members of our TV industry and well, for sure it’s bringing down the morale as well. In a shocking turn of events, it has come to light that a staff member from TV show Bhakarwadi, produced by JD Majethia, passed away due to coronavirus on July 21. Producer JD Majethia confirmed the news to a leading news portal. He even went on to reveal that 8 others have also been infected with the virus, but they are in quarantine and undergoing treatment.
Talking about the incident JD Majethia shared to BT, “A sad incident took place on the sets of Bhakarwadi. The tailor, who passed away, was normal and his parameters were also normal from July 1st. But when he experienced little weakness on July 11 the nurse present on the sets asked him to see a doctor who diagnosed him with viral and gave medicines for cold and weakness. He felt all right and worked on July 12th as well. On July 13, he asked for a leave as he wanted to go home. As per a rule set by our production house we stay in regular contact with people who are not well or have taken a leave. They also have to produce a Doctor’s certificate of their well being at the time of resuming the shoot. He was reminded on a group chat on July 10 via message as he had not replied to our calls. He went for a test on July 20 and we were shocked to hear about the news of his demise when we called on July 21st. We are in touch with his family members and doing the needful.”
The Production house immediately arranged for a swab test for the rest of the cast and crew, “The next step was to identify the people who came in close contact and we got them all tested. One person tested positive out of them and we knew we were in a very challenging situation so went for consultations of the best of doctors at Kokilaben Ambani hospital. We spoke to Dr Sushant Joshi who is almost like an authority on this issue for the state. He did the swab test of more than 70 people with a reputed diagnostic centre which included actors, technicians, workers, substitutes resting at home , day today actors, drivers, studio staff, suppliers etc. and a few of them have tested positive for COVID-19. They have been taken care of and are quarantined as per the required government guidelines. Shoot was stopped for three days again as per government guidelines and to be on safer side will not shoot tomorrow also for the 4th day. We all need to put in collective efforts to fight this situation. We will share more learning from the experience so that others can benefit from it. We are surprised and shocked with the kind of young people who have tested positive. There were no symptoms in most of them and they are hale and hearty. But such is the character of this virus. We request each and every one to not forget three things for a split second also, Mask, sanitizer, and social distancing,” he shared.
JD Majethia, who has produced several hit shows like Baa Bahoo Aur Baby, Khichdi, Sarabhai vs Sarabhai, shared that they followed all the norms but still the virus took away a life, “We too followed every requirement and care but the virus takes just a split of second to defeat you. Our unit will be more vigilant when we resume our shoot next,” he said.