More and more Tellywood sets are travelling to locations far away from Mumbai with producers of big budget shows wanting to clock in real outdoors and big spaces. With the entire crew being made to live for long periods at location, the programming and production teams have had to deal with the resultant high rate of attrition, expenses and logistics issues. Actors, too, are reporting homesickness and stress. But they say how the popularity of the show and the hope that it would give them future projects keeps them going. Deebashree Mohanty tells you more about the fallouts of this new trend
As if hectic schedules and shooting bulk episodes much in advance was not enough, actors are now getting bogged down by the trend of shooting away from Mumbai. Most agree that they continue to take this away-from-Mumbai stress mainly because of the big-banner ticket to stardom. But doesn’t this long stay away from the hub of the industry limit their career optionsIJ
“Not really. If you are playing a lead character or a semi-lead (part of a serial for 500 episodes) then it is difficult to even consider endorsements, forget about doing a parallel show. The idea of doing a cameo in another serial doesn’t exist. But it is better to do one big show rather than seek out five not-so popular shows. Jodha Akbar is my dream project and I am going to optimise this opportunity,” Paridhi Sharma who plays Jodha in Zee TV’s flagship historical drama, says. Sharma has kept her fans guessing with her kabhi haa aur kabhi nahin attitude which lasted over two months but the Mumbai girl now says she has matured with the show. “I am not going anywhere,” she says.
She is not the only queen who is pareshan with locales outside of Mumbai. Only a few weeks earlier, Rajshree Thakur was in two minds whether to continue with Maharana Pratap (Sony). She almost gave up the best role of her life due to failing health, a state she blames on the hectic shoot and travel schedule. While Jodha Akbar is shot in Karjat which is a good three hours away from Mumbai, Thakur’s show is shot in Amgaon on the border of Gujarat and Valsad. “I spend a lot of time travelling. Apart from feeling frustrated about this, I started keeping bad health too. That’s when I decided to take a break and move on. But the production house reduced my work load and gave me some free time. So, I am not quitting,” Thakur says.
There are many like Sharma and Thakur who have not signed on contracts because the set location did not suit them. Toral Rasputra (Anandi of Balika Vadhu) was offered a role in an epic drama to be shot at an undisclosed location 12 hours from Mumbai. She refused the ‘wonderful script’ because she was busy with Balika... on Colors and also the location was not to her liking. “I have to travel daily for two hours to get to the sets of BV which stresses me out. But because I have been with the show for over a year, I have got used to it. I am against shooting for a soap in a faraway place. This is not a film which will get over in a few months. Daily soap on TV run for years,” Rasputra points out.
If it is not just daily travel time and related problems which act as a deterrent for actors. They are also worried that in this mad rush to the set they get to spend very little time with the family. “My family thinks I treat my home like a guest house. I come on weekends for a few hours, sleep all the time and then get up and head out to work the next day. For me, the biggest challenge is shooting at a faraway locale,” Sharma says.
While endorsements become a distant dream for many TV actors who shoot at a distant location, it is the being away from family and friends that hurts them the most. Some prefer to stay on the sets to escape hectic travel but that only makes matters worse. “Staying away from loved ones for long periods takes its toll on work too. But it is a bitter pill you have to take as you know there could be side-effects but the final result are worth it,” explains Gaurav Gera, who has temporarily shifted to Delhi as the lead of Jhumroo, a show running at the Kingdom of Dreams for the past two years. Hussain Kuwajerwala had to also shift to Delhi while playing Zangoora three times a week. The phase was painful, he admits but the love of his fans kept him going.
“There are hardships in every industry. Zangoora gave me a platform which I couldn’t have gotten easily had I been limited to serials. I have no regrets of spending a few years of my acting life on dance theatre. Now, I have a comparatively relaxed schedule and the offers are coming in. I don’t think I have missed out on anything major,” Kuwajerwala says. It is during his time as Zangoora that he bagged his Bollywood debut film Shree.
Talented Faisal Khan admits he has fun on the sets of MP. It is a family away from family. Sometimes he can’t hold back his tears when he remembers his family but it is the love of his co-stars that make up for this. “It is a gamble to be shooting for one serial when one can do three cameos across channels and also take time out for a reality show in between. But none of this could have given me the job satisfaction and popularity that MP has,” Khan tells you.
While actors say they are getting used to this new “far-away” trend, producers and programming heads have been dealing with their own set of problems. “Periodicals and historical drama need grand sets and lots of open spaces, something almost impossible to find in Mumbai. So, we are left with no option but to scout for outside areas. In Amgaon, our set sprawls over 25 acres giving us scope to do things on a massive scale. However, it is an expensive proposition and a logistics nightmare. Nothing is unmanageable though and we do this for the greater good — the show should look and feel periodic,” Abhimanyu Singh, co-producer of MP, says. In this industry for two decades, he feels actors don’t suffer from stagnation at all. A grand show being shot anywhere in India always gives them a huge platform for future offers — something which being in Mumbai can’t ensure, he insists.
Indeed, historicals have taken TV by storm. With MP, Jodha Akbar and Mahabharat topping TRP charts (MP got a whopping 9.7 rating the first-ever in TV), other daily soap are inspired to experiment in the same vein.
“Sets in Mumbai limit you to certain kind of shows. Nowadays, creative directors are coming up with plots that require space. It is not fair to shelve a good script because it cannot be shot in the heart of Mumbai. Actors should realise this,” Singh says.
So, are we looking at mini TV industries in other parts of the countryIJ Director Imtiaz Punjabi has already taken that leap of faith and established one in Mohali. “With Nadaan Parindey Ghar Aaja on life OK, we have started a trend. My actors have taken this relocation quite well. let’s see how it pans out,” Punjabi, who has shifted bag and baggage with the crew to a new set near Chandigarh, says.
I miss my family and friends. Some days I feel depressed but the show must go on. I am Maharana Pratap and the rigorous shooting schedule helps bring out the best in me
Faisal Khan, lead in Maharana Pratap
Travel is a killer and being away from family for days a dampener. But the show has taught me how to be patient. I am here because MP is a big platform which will give my resume a boost
Rajshree Thakur, Rani Jaivanta in Maharana Pratap
I miss being with my family. But kya karein, kuch paane ke liye kuch khona padta hai. Jodha Akbar has made me a more mature person
Paridhi Sharma, Jodha in Jodha Akbar
The idea of leaving my family behind gave me cold feet but, somewhere, I wanted to be with Nature so I welcomed the temporary shift to Chandigarh. Nadaan Parindey has taught me team work and how to work without the pressures of a busy city. It has helped calm me down
Gulki Joshi, Mehek in Nadaan Parindey
leaving Mumbai was a tough decision and yes my projects have taken a serious beating. But Jhumroo has got me into a different league altogether. It has taught me not to be greedy and accept opportunities as and when they come
Gaurav Gera, Jhumroo, dance theatre