Coronavirus update: Zoya Akhtar's Made In Heaven, Anshuman Jha's directorial debut run into trouble

Zoya Akhtar's Made In Heaven has run into trouble due to the growing fear surrounding the global coronavirus pandemic. The crew was set to begin shooting for the second season of the Amazon Prime Original series in April, but will now be unable to do so as travel around the globe is restricted. 

The Amazon series, written by Reema Kagti and Akhtar, features Sobhita Dhulipala, Kalki Koechlin, Jim Sarbh, and Pulkit Samrat among others. The crew was to begin shooting next month in the parts of  Spain and Italy. However, with an advisory from the ministry of external affairs restricting international travel, unless extremely important, the shoot now stands to be postponed. 

In addition to Akhtar's web-series, Anshuman Jha's directorial debut, Lord Curzon Ki Haveli, has also run into trouble. The Love Sex Aur Dhokha (2010) actor was set to turn director with the project, featuring Arjun Mathur, Rasika Dugal, and Parambrata Chatterjee. However, the recent travel advisories in view of the coronavirus has led to the schedule being postponed for now. 

Speaking to he daily, Mumbai Mirror, Jha said, "We were to fly out on 16 March and start filming on 21 March in Kent. But given the scenario, we don't wish to put anyone at risk. The shoot is postponed for now. It's a hard but sensible decision." 

Currently, the Akshay Kumar-starrer, Sooryavanshi, is the only major film to have announced an indefinite delay in its release owing to the virus infection in India. There are also reports suggesting that the delay in Sooryavanshi's release might have a domino effect on the release calendar in India. One of the films that might be affected is Kabir Khan's 83, featuring Ranveer Singh. The film was scheduled to be released in theatres on 10 April. While there has been no official announcement yet, the trailer launch for the film has been postponed in view of the epidemic, with little promotional activity ongoing. 

As of Friday, the count of people in India infected by the coronavirus has increased to 75, with one mortality. Theatres in the state of Kerala, as well as the union territories of Jammu, and New Delhi have been shut till the end of March as a preventive measure.