Naagin 5’s Sharad Malhotra to Choti Sardarni’s Nimrit Kaur Ahluwalia; celebs talk about shooting romantic, intimate scenes amid coronavirus pandemic

It has been almost three months since the shooting of TV shows resumed. With fewer crew members, wearing masks, face shields and constant sanitisation, everyone has become extra cautious. To add to this, makers seem to be making efforts to avoid romantic scenes, which require hugging or intimate conversations between the actors. TV actors share what it takes to shoot intimate and romantic scenes amid the pandemic. (By: Richa Shukla, Neha Chaudhary)

Sharad Malhotra, who is playing a shape-shifting eagle (Cheel) Veer Singhania in Naagin 5, says, “If the script demands, actors have to drop their apprehensions and perform to the best of their abilities. In our show, the scenes between Surbhi (Chandna) and me are being appreciated, and our onscreen chemistry is already a big talking point for the fans. To show the intensity between the two characters, we have to explore the bond.”

While makers ensure that all the guidelines are followed on sets, actors are also being extra cautious. Ssharad shares, “Protocols are followed by everyone to ensure our safety. I am very particular about it, and so is my co-star.”

The on-screen chemistry between Sarabjeet Singh and Meher Kaur in Chhoti Sarrdarrni is a major draw for the audience. Nimrit Kaur Ahluwalia, who plays Meher, says, “Slowly and gradually, the relationship between Meher and Sarab is getting emotionally stronger and to establish it, there are times when we have to emote while being quite close to each other. Recently, during a wedding sequence, Avinesh (playing Sarab) was required to lift me in his arms. We were both apprehensive but to show the couple’s love blooming, we had to shoot this. We didn’t do any rehearsals and thankfully, it was okayed in just one go.”

Nimrit adds, “Now, everyone is more careful about safety and I keep sanitising my hands on the set, especially when I have to shoot very closely with my co-actor.” Everyone is maintaining basic hygiene and sanitising themselves time and again.

Jaladh Sharma, director of Choti Sardarni Says, “Definitely, it’s very difficult to shoot romantic situations in such times. Even if some sneezes on sets, it creates panic all around. This thought has become like a nuclear bomb in our minds. The difficult part to shoot romantic scenes now after Covid is that I have to put extra efforts to convince both the actors -to come close, hold hands, just kiss on the head, or hug. At the same time, I also have to properly ensure that their temperatures are properly checked before we start shooting. At the end, the support of actors, cast and crew makes such romantic scenes possible in this time.”

Adnan Khan, who plays Kabir in Ishq Subhan Allah, tells us, “As per the script, romantic scenes require two actors to be close and even during this pandemic and social distancing, an actor has to give his/her best shot. We need to maintain basic hygiene and sanitise ourselves frequently to ensure safety.”

Mahesh Pandey, the writer of shows like Kasautii Zindagii Kay, Kasamh Se, and Vidya, says, “Unless it’s absolutely necessary, we are not writing scenes which require actors to be very close to each other. But if the script demands, actors understand the situation and co-operate. We make sure that such scenes are shot with a lot of precautions, and SOPs issued by the government are strictly followed. At times, it is difficult but we manage to find a solution. The nature of our job is such that we can’t avoid doing romantic or intimate scenes.”

Savi Thakur, the new male lead Agastya Birla in Guddan Tumse Na Ho Payega, admits that no actor is comfortable to do such scenes now. But then, the show must go on. “We have to do it and the solution is that we always keep ourselves sanitised. There is a doctor on set for regular checkups, and even we take all precautions. So, there is nothing to worry about,” he says.

Kanika Mann, who is playing Choti Guddan in Guddan Tumse Na Ho Payega, says, “Unlike movies or web series, TV shows don’t have many intimate scenes. Right now, the writers are making sure that they write scripts keeping the current situation in mind, where everybody is following social distancing. But in case the script demands intimacy, I will not have any problem while performing such scenes, as the set is properly sanitised and the production team makes sure that all the safety measures are in place. We have also been provided cars so that those who don’t have their conveyance wouldn’t have to use public transport. As actors, we regularly sanitise ourselves.”

Mohit Malik, who is playing the character of Dhruv in the show Lockdown Ki Lovestory says, “In the current scenario, writers are keeping in mind the safety of the actors and not writing scenes where actors are required to get too close to each other. Though, if the script demands, I don’t have any apprehensions in performing such scenes. But we make sure that all of us on the sets take proper safety measures. It’s a love story and there are scenes where Sana (Sayeed) and I are required to get close to each other. Since I know and believe that Sana is also taking the required safety precautions, I am comfortable performing such scenes. But having said that, we are limiting (intimate) scenes. If the intimate scenes are giving depth to the show, only then we are incorporating them in the storyline.”