Because of the lockdown in Maharashtra, the shoot for TV shows has come to a halt and hence makers have decided to move their base to other states. The makers of Hamariwali Good News have also decided to shift their base to Manesar, Haryana. The cast and crew are all set to fly to the new shooting venue. In an interview with BT, Shakti Anand talked about the development and said, “We will be stationed in Manesar, Haryana, for a month at least. I am flying there tomorrow. I will miss Nakshatra (his nine-year-old daughter) the most. She keeps telling me to call her once I have settled in (laughs!).”
Talking about the efforts the writers have to put in because of the cast being in quarantine, he shares, “ Kahiin kidnapping ho rahi hai, kahiin koi gaayab ho gaya hai ya kisi character ki death dikha dee hai. Every show has become like an episode of Savdhaan India since the past one-and-a-half month owing to several actors testing positive for COVID-19. In fact, my co-actor Srishti Jain resumed the shoot two days ago after recovering from coronavirus.”
Talking about the arrangements in Haryan he shares, “We will be living in a bio-bubble. We will stay and shoot in the same resort. Nobody will be allowed to enter the bio-bubble and there will be no contact with the outside world. It will be strict. If you step out even for a few hours, you will have to undergo a series of tests and be in isolation for four days. I have already undergone a test in Mumbai and could be asked to take one in Delhi. It’s not safe to travel right now, but I am taking all precautions, including inhaling steam, wearing a mask and drinking hot water. You can’t do anything beyond it. Everybody is cautious and careful.”
Shakti further adds, “Given the massive surge in COVID-19 cases, I am worried about going away from my family for a month. Quarantine period itna lamba hota hai. 14 din ke liye koi bhi gaayab ho jaata hai. But kaam toh karna hai. We should feel fortunate to be working when many people are struggling to find a job. It’s heart-breaking. Bure waqt mein kaam karke kama rahe hain kuchh log,” he says, adding, “My rakhi sister lives in Gurgaon, which is about nine km from the location of the shoot. I can’t visit my home in Delhi and my friends can’t visit me either. My mother, who stays in Delhi, wanted to meet me. I feel terrible that I won’t be able to meet her. But I can’t take a chance, as it’s riskier for her. I have also dissuaded my friends from visiting me. Maybe, next time,”