Pooja Entertainment became the first film production house to complete a feature film shoot from start to finish during the Pandemic. The Akshay Kumar starrer espionage thriller, 'Bellbottom' not only wrapped up shooting but also released a new poster and a teaser ahead of the release of the film early next year. Vashu Bhagnani, the founder of Pooja Entertainment, has now handed over the stewardship to next-generation producers Jackky Bhagnani and Deepshikha Deshmukh who pushed the creative envelope and finished the schedules in Scotland and England. The film directed by Ranjit M Tewari and written by Aseem Arrora and Parveez Shaikh stars Akshay Kumar, Vaani Kapoor, Huma Qureshi and Lara Dutta Bhupathi.
Jackky Bhagnani says, "The Bellbottom shoot was a challenge but it makes the film even more special for all of us because what we saw unfolding was pure, cinematic magic. There is a significant number of people dependent on the film industry so it was important that we restart the industry engines during the pandemic. Completing this film without a single case of ill-health was a big relief and it was important for us to show the world that it is possible to do what seems impossible with proper preparation and meticulous planning. I hope our example boosts industry morale and lifts spirits."
The safety protocols observed from the start included a chartered plane for over 200 members of the cast and production crew, a mandatory two-week quarantine in Scotland, on set sanitization precautions for everyone including, foreign junior artists on assorted locations. Social distancing, medical-grade masks and face shields, hand sanitisation stations, painstaking cleaning of all touch-sensitive surfaces, a mandatory wristwatch for all cast and crew members to constantly monitor their oxygen levels, body temperature, blood pressure, stress levels and pulse were part of the daily shoot. There was also a centralised dashboard constantly recording the parameters of the entire unit.
Akshay Kumar says, "The new normal has made us realise a different way of working that none of us could have imagined. As much as I’ve been happy to be back on the sets, it's also important for us to take care of everything around us. Pooja Entertainment laid down a water-tight safety plan for our shooting schedule in Scotland and England. These measures helped us accomplish a smooth and safe shoot. We were extremely glad to be able to start shooting for Bellbottom after the long lockdown. I hope this encourages film industries globally to do what they do best and start entertaining audiences again. I hope our shoot during the pandemic reassures others that it’s time to get things moving again.” 'Bellbottom' is set to release on April 2, 2021.
