Tota Roy Choudhury
Going into the shoot of Sreemoyee, how confident were you about the safety measures?
Strict guidelines are in force so I was quite confident. I also carried hand and surface sanitisers, wore my mask at all times except while shooting and as is my practice, carried my food, water, electric kettle and cup along with my sachets of milk, coffee and sugar. Practically, I have left nothing to chance.
How did you feel when removing the mask for a shot?
To my surprise, quite confident! Seeing that all checks and measures are in place I had no second thoughts.
How would you sum up the first day?
It was a busy day. Oh, how I missed my craft, all these days! It was a true pleasure getting back to doing what I love most in this world. Initially, probably, I would have to be present every day to make a bank of episodes. Once it’s done then I believe that my schedule would be more relaxed. It was getting back to Ground Zero — where everything begins and is a hotbed of activity. All my apprehensions vanished once I entered the premises. See, I am a blue-collar actor. For me, work is where my heart is. To me, work is worship so I was happy to be back doing what I love doing most and meeting my extended family of everyone who is involved with Sreemoyee.
What did you do once you reached home?
I asked my wife to open the gate over phone, left my footwear outside, sanitised my feet before entering my apartment and straightaway went inside the bathroom with EVERYTHING that I was carrying. There I washed and sanitised all my clothes, including the ones that I wore for the scenes or will wear for the future scenes; watch and glasses that I had to wear as the character and all bottles, meal boxes, cups, etc. and took a hot shower, carefully lathering, especially my arms, feet, face, neck and hair. It was tedious but a must, for the next few months.
Swastika Dutta
Going into the shoot of Ki Kore Bolbo Tomay, how confident were you about the safety measures?
I am pretty impressed with all the precautionary measures. Every 15-20 minutes people are cleaning and sanitising the make-up rooms and all technicians are wearing masks and gloves.
How did you feel when removing the mask for a shot?
Initially, I felt a bit nervous but I made sure when I removed the mask all the others except the artistes were wearing masks.
How would you sum up the first day?
Well, the shooting pattern has changed a lot but the quality is still the same. That’s on our priority list. We are maintaining social distancing and performing! Earlier in between the scenes co-actors used to have a cup of tea together with maybe the director but things have changed, so I will cope with this new mindset and proceed.
What did you do once you reached home?
I sanitised my car seats, my make-up boxes, bags outside my doorstep, and went directly to the washroom to freshen up. I am really looking forward to a normal morning.
Prriyam Chakraborty Sourced by the Telegraph
Prriyam Chakraborty
Going into the shoot of Netaji, how confident were you about the safety measures?
There is no measure that can guarantee complete protection from the virus, but having said that, we are ensuring the maximum protection we can get. It is the question of earning our bread and butter. So it’s like walking on a tightrope for all of us. We must maintain the balance at all times. It feels really good to see everyone working with so much positivity, energy, discipline and a sense of purpose.
How did you feel when removing the mask for a shot?
In the past few months, the habit of wearing a mask in front of anyone other than the family we live with has became a custom. But wearing a mask is never like wearing an ornament. It’s not an accessory that you can choose to put on or off based on your mood or look. It’s quite uncomfortable for day-to-day use yet your life depends on it. I know it’s just for the shot, I know it’s not real beyond the shot and the moment without the mask is just the moment of your act that you are portraying someone living a perfectly normal life, and you know that the moment after you hear the word ‘Cut’ you have to go back to the real-life dystopia. In short, it’s a confusing feeling.
How would you sum up the first day?
Exciting, reassuring, with a lot of team bonding, and a sense of togetherness. It felt almost like the first day of my career on the set. More challenges are lying ahead and the fight is just beginning. I’m ready for this round.
What did you do once you reached home?
Took a nice bath, made some warm tea, sat in my balcony and smiled back at the sky, thanking the one who made me believe no matter how bad things get in life, he is there to make everything alright at the end of the day.
Priya Mondal Sourced by the Telegraph
Priya Mondal
Going into the shoot of Sajher Bati, how confident were you about the safety measures?
It was wonderful to be back to our new normal and back to where I belong. All kinds of safety measures were there and everyone was very disciplined and sincere.
How did you feel when removing the mask for a shot?
I felt a bit tense while the camera was on and we had to remove the mask but immediately after cut we, maintaining social distancing, put on the mask after spraying sanitisers on it.
How would you sum up the first day?
Soon after I entered the studio I felt that I have got back my life and realised how I had missed everything. I was so happy to be there again.
What did you do once you reached home?
I just kept all the belongings aside and sanitised everything properly. After that I took a proper shower and had some ginger tea.
Manali Manisha Dey
Going into the shoot of Nakshi Kantha, how confident were you about the safety measures?
Initially, all kinds of thoughts were going through my head when I first heard that we would begin shooting again. I have elderly people at home. I was concerned. But at the same time we were sitting at home for a long time and I wanted to get back on the sets. Once I reached the sets though my fears were allayed. I felt confident.
How did you feel when removing the mask for a shot?
The floor was being sanitised constantly. Everyone was maintaining social distance, so I did not think twice about removing the mask.
How would you sum up the first day?
Good. All the safety measures and necessary precautions were in place. I felt protected and safe on the sets. It felt so good to be back on the sets again.
What did you do once you reached home?
It’s taking a while to sanitise and wash everything and then freshen up but this is high on the priority list and will have to be followed every day once I reach home from shoot. I have to get everything ready for the next day also.