Tollywood celebs head back to the sets as film shootings resume post-lockdown

As Telangana unlocks after the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Telugu film industry is slowly inching back to normalcy.

Although theatres are yet to reopen, film shootings have resumed and are taking place in full swing, with all safety precautions in place. Actors like Ram Charan, Nithiin, Ravi Teja, Venkatesh, Nani, Allu Sirish, Anu Emmanuel, Naga Shaurya and Ritu Varma have commenced shooting in Hyderabad.Other actors like Rashmika Mandanna and Pooja Hegde have flown to Chennai and Mumbai respectively to resume shoot. In the days to come, other big ticket films like Varun Tej’s Ghani and Vijay Deverakonda’s Liger are set to start shooting.
No shot, no shoot, say Tollywood filmmakers
Although shootings are taking place in full swing, Tollywood filmmakers insist that everyone get vaccinated before they begin. Director Rahul Sankrityan, who’s shooting for the final schedule of Shyam Singha Roy, says, “We had to halt shoot previously because our co-director and assistants tested positive for COVID. It was a difficult time for all of us. Now, we’ve resumed on the condition that everyone is vaccinated. The pandemic has been hard for us as we’ve also suffered from damage to set due to the heavy rainfall in Hyderabad.”
While acknowledging that it’s still not fully safe to shoot, the director says it’s a risk they’re willing to take at the moment. “We realise how lethal the virus can be now, so we’re being more cautious than usual. Nani will wrap up his portion in six days, Sai Pallavi in three, Krithi Shetty and Madonna Sebastian too will wrap up their parts soon,” he adds.
The pandemic been particularly scary for actors and most of them insist that the entire crew get their vaccine shot before commencing shoot. Actor Siddhu Jonnalagadda, who recently joined the sets of Narudi Brathuku Natana says, “We are being more cautious than we were during the first wave. Most people on sets, including me, are vaccinated. We want to wrap up the shooting without any breaks in the schedule to ensure we finish the film on time. It’s still a risk so I’ve also gotten used to having a disinfectant spray on me at all times because as actors, we’re the most vulnerable lot on the set.”
Filmmakers downsize crews to follow COVID protocols
Apart from vaccinating the cast and crew members, Tollywood filmmakers have had to drastically reduce their crew due to the COVID-19 guidelines. “We usually shoot with a crew of 250, we’re currently shooting for Hero only with a crew of 120,” says Sriram Aditya, the director of Ashok Galla’s debut film. “We have only four days of shoot left so we’re avoiding public locations and shooting only in controlled atmospheres. I’ve noticed the people on set are also careful this time around and have gotten used to the routine of mask, sanitising, distancing,” he adds.
What’s more, having less number of people on set also means fewer extras. During such a time, the directors are forced to rely on CGI and VFX even if they don’t like it. Director Sarath Mandava, who is helming Ravi Teja’s next, says, “Even if actors are vaccinated, we never really know when it comes to the extras. I have to think twice now before setting up a shot. Right now we’re canning drama sequences but when it comes to action, we might have to rely on VFX. Any filmmaker is comfortable with having a scene play out with people in front of the camera, but the pandemic has forced us to change the way we shoot films. These shots will also cost more than usual. There are limitations, but it’s good to be back on sets.”

Director Kiran Korrapati will also kick-start the final schedule of his upcoming sports drama, Ghani with Varun Tej from July 8. A massive stadium set has even been erected at Annapurna Studios for the same. “Varun Tej, Suniel Shetty, Jagapathi Babu and Naveen Chandra will be part of the schedule that will go on till September 10. This is the climax portion of the film so we’ll ensure there are fewer extras in the crowd with seating gap in between them and we’ll fill in the gaps using CGI to show a packed stadium,” says Kiran, adding, “We’re all vaccinated and Hollywood stunt choreographers Larnell Stovall and Vlad Rimburg will remain in quarantine before joining the sets. While I look forward to being back, I hope everything will return to normalcy soon for the sake of daily wage workers in the industry.”

Maestro shoot wrapped up
Merlapaka Gandhi’s Maestro was the first film to go back on sets after the second wave with Nithiin and Tamannaah wrapping up the film in less than a week. The shoot was held in a specially erected hospital set in Erra Manzil.

Dhanush shoots for #D43 in the city
Dhanush was recently spotted in city, all smiles behind his mask and clearly happy to return back to sets soon. The actor is shooting for a film with Karthick Naren and Malavika Mohanan.

Post-production works commenced
Post-production work has also commenced for films wrapping up shoots with actors like Sai Dharam Tej and Sudheer Babu heading to studios to dub for their parts. Actors Ram Charan and Jr NTR have also started dubbing for their highly-anticipated film, RRR.
The new normal on Tollywood sets
- All cast and crew members vaccinated with at least one shot
- People on set cut down to a bare minimum
- Usage of VFX to fill the gaps and avoid crowding on sets
- More dependence on masks, sanitisers, social distancing and rapid testing
- Shooting on controlled sets preferred to public places
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