Yoodlee starts filming new projects; Comedy Couple underway, to begin Zombivali next week

Saregama India’s indie studio Yoodlee Films has become one of the early production houses to begin shooting for new projects after the government of Maharashtra allowed film and television shoots to resume last month when the lockdown induced by the COVID-19 pandemic was relaxed.

Nachiket Samant’s Hindi film Comedy Couple (2020), starring Saqib Saleem and Shweta Basu Prasad, has already gone on the floor while shooting for Aditya Sarpotdar’s Marathi horror comedy Zombivali is set to begin in Latur next week.

Zombivali features Amey Wagh, Lalit Prabhakar and Vaidehi Parshurami.

In a press release, Yoodlee Films said the best possible safety measures have been put in place for both shoots. 'The production dynamics have been chalked out, right down to the most meticulous of details, with the sets being armoured with the most extensive of precautionary measures against the pandemic,' it said.

Sharing details about the safety measures, Siddharth Anand Kumar, Saregama's vice-president for films and events, said, “We have employed specialized personnel on the sets to see that all health and safety measures are followed to the T by everyone. Though we have masks, face shields, and sanitization tunnels in place, these COVID officers will reinforce our safety efforts. COVID is a reality we are all grappling with, but to mouth the cliché, the show must go on, albeit with a twist here and there!”

On how the unit would react if a crew member displays symptoms of COVID-19, he said, “We are always on the lookout for even the slightest of symptoms and we will tackle them on a war footing but with a calm, rational approach.”

Comedy Couple is Samant’s second feature film after the acclaimed Marathi movie Gachchi (2017). The filmmaker, who shared his experience of returning to work, said, “It’s a great feeling to get back on the set! Shooting in this time is a different experience; a curiously strange one given the situation we find ourselves in. But Yoodlee Films is taking all precautions. And safety for all to the highest standard is being ensured. The actors and crew are a great sport too, making it a unique and fun experience!”

The makers revealed that Comedy Couple was conceived during the lockdown. Most of the cast was selected through online auditions.