Another place, another lockdown! Television shows face yet another hurdle

A still from Yeh Hai Chahatein

The lockdown in Maharashtra made producers of several shows, including Ghum Hai Kisikey Pyaar Meiin, Aapki Nazron Ne Samjha, Shaurya Aur Anokhi Ki Kahani, Kumkum Bhagya and Yeh Hai Chahatein, starring Abrar Qazi and Sargun Kaur Luthra, shift their units to Goa to continue with the shoot. To curb the rising virus cases, a lockdown has been announced in Goa till May 3, which came into effect on Thursday evening. This has made some makers halt the shoot, but those units in a bio-bubble, who are staying and shooting in the same hotel, remain unaffected.

Chief Minister Pramod Sawant also urged tourists not to travel within the state during the lockdown, saying tourism activities in the state, including casinos, will be shut. The Chief Minister has also urged the migrant workers not to leave the state, assuring them that the lockdown would be lifted on Monday. "Essential services, like grocery stores, pharmacies, hotel and restaurant kitchens, and industries will continue to remain open. However, public transport will be stopped," the Chief Minister said.

Goa has seen a surge in Covid-19 mortality rate over the last few days with an average of more than 30 persons dying every day due to Covid related complications.

With shoots coming to a halt in Maharashtra owing to the resurgent wave of Covid cases, the TV industry has been the worst hit. Episode banks are fast drying up, and although many shows have moved out to alternative locations as Goa, long-term sustenance of such a plan of action may not be feasible for all producers, given the fact that television is a platform that demands a regular flow of content.

Under the present circumstances, there are rumours that many producers are considering ending their shows, especially the ones with low ratings.

Among shows that moved out of the state are "Hamari Wali Good News", "Kundali Bhagya", "Kumkum Bhagya" and "Qurbaan Hua". According to sources, "Shaadi Mubarak", starring Rati Pandey and Manav Gohil, is on a break. They aired new episodes till April 20. The break was prompted after Manav tested positive, which made the producers decide that the cast shouldn't travel because there were kids.

Popular shows such as "Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah" and "Bhabiji Ghar Par Hain!" are so far relying on episode banks created before lockdown to keep fresh episodes rolling. However, the makers are not sure about how to continue once they run out of fresh content.