Lights, camera, action for Telugu film units

Film units prioritise vaccination as they get ready to resume work after a forced break

On June 14, director Merlapaka Gandhi and his team resumed filming their new Telugu project Maestro, as lockdown restrictions eased in Hyderabad. Director Maruthi’s film starring Santosh Shobhan and actor Vishal’s new film Not a Common Man directed by Saravanan are also on floors. A few more units are expected to follow suit in a week or two. An important criteria to return to work has been to get as many members of the cast and crew — junior artistes, make-up, stunt, and others — vaccinated. The severity of the second wave of COVID-19 has prompted units to urge the cast and crew to strictly adhere to safety measures. In addition to frequent sanitisation, disinfection and mask compliance, visitors will not be allowed and actors will have fewer assistants on set.