MUMBAI: Television industry has been one of the worst-hit sectors due to the pandemic followed by the subsequent lockdown. Now, when the shoots have finally resumed after a hiatus of four long months amid all SOPs and safety measures laid down by the government, many celebs are working with a sense of fear.

aAmpere Analysis projected that the pandemic had delayed at least 60 per cent of scripted television programming worldwide, including at least half of the programming originally scheduled to air in the second half of 2020. There had been a noticeable increase in non-scripted productions—including smaller-scale series capable of being produced remotely—that can be used to fill schedules until scripted programs resume production (noting that audiences may eventually become tired out by pandemic-themed programming).

Shailesh Lodha, an Indian actor, comedian, writer, and best known for playing the role of Taarak Mehta in India's longest-running sitcom serial Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah, in an interaction with Governance Now MD Kailashnath Adhikari talks about challenges faced by the television industry, actors and much more. 

According to him actors especially who also do brand endorsements, live shows and appearances are facing the brunt of pandemic.

LodhaShailesh shares, “I belong to show business, which has been severly impacted due to pandemic. There are no events or live shows. Thankfully television shooting started last month. So professionally speaking there were no activities during pandemic. I did quite a few online shows, but they don’t give you satisfaction. You don’t feel like you are performing.”

He mentions that it is difficult to predict when the normalcy will return but according to him situations are better than before. However, he believes that the turmoil caused by the pandemic has instilled the sense of fear among people. He said that while entering the set when someone sees cast and crew members in masks, PPE kits, and gloves it creates a fearful environment. He also thinks that India is doing considerably better, with recovery rate at 72 percent and death rate at 2 percent.

Kailash Adhikari raised a question to Lodha if production houses broadcasters are partially responsible for the issues faced by  artists, hair and makeup artists and technicians.

Lodha quipped that the challenges faced by the entertainment industry is no different from other sectors. It is just that the entertainment world is glamorous, and people are more attracted towards entertainment news, hence the media stays in the limelight. But he believes there are various issues and it is going to be in every section of the society and entertainment world is no different from that. He suggests operating business to create job opportunities and strengthen the economy.

As far as the industry’s responsibility towards daily wage earners is concerned Lodha said, “I think if we had taken our responsibility towards the lower section of the society more seriously, it would have been a much better situation.”

As the daily soaps went out of stock, broadcasters resorted to popular reruns of their shows. However, TV reruns might have attracted viewers but not advertisements. Despite viewership no shareholders have been benefited. But during the conversation with Adhikari, Lodha sparks a larger debate about royalties. He said, “Why artists are not benefited when reruns or repeat telecasts are happening. In most of the instances, we look at what is happening in the West, but I think it is high time when artists should also get the royalties of the show. There should be some provision’s under IPRs (Intellectual Property Rights).”

Actors who are part of endorsements, appearances and live shows are severely impacted with their earnings being hampered by the pandemic and lockdown.

Lodha who is a renowned poet and worked in SAB TV’s Waah Waah Kya Baat Hai and several other shows notes that for an artist it is important to have a live audience. Looking at the audience’s reaction gives a certain amount of happiness. But to the pandemic there are no live shows, you are not able to see audience reaction. 

He adds, “As a writer and a performer I can say there is not much earning, and whatever is there it is biased earning. In a biased market there is earning but no satisfaction. People are arguing to reduce rates as things are happening virtually, but the artist remains the same. I think it will take one year to get back to normal.”

Finally, film and television shootings have started with a lot of restrictions and limitations. Speaking about the same Lodha highlights that it is the new normal. However, he points out that shooting is more about precautions and less about limitations. He thinks that technology will have to play a much bigger role.  Production houses are heavily dependent on chroma, special effects and VFX  to shoot crowd scenes.

Recently, a blanket ban was introduced in the industry where actors, technicians and crew members above the age of 65 years were not allowed on the film and television set. However, as per Bombay high court’s verdict the ban is now lifted. Lodha thinks at that time it was justified to impose a ban considering elderly citizens were at high risk.