Akshay Kumar back on the sets with R Balki for public service campaign shoot at Kamalistan

Shooting resumed in Mumbai on Monday in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic when actor Akshay Kumar and director R Balki stepped out of their houses to film a public service campaign for the health ministry at Kamalistan studio. After the lockdown was imposed in March, all shooting activities have been suspended.

The short ad film will promote positive behavioral changes in hygiene and related practices in the fight against the novel coronavirus.

The crew had sought permission from the authorities to shoot the advertisment and adhered to all physical distancing norms and precautionary measures on the sets.

Balki, who had directed Akshay Kumar in Pad Man (2018), told the Press Trust of India news agency, "Akshay and I have shot this ad campaign for the government of India to make people aware of their responsibilities [after] the lockdown. Things might seem difficult but through this ad, we now know what precautions need to be taken to shoot in the post-lockdown era.

 "Our producer Anil Naidu made everything seem so effortless as we all maintained distancing. The shoot happened smoothly following all hygiene protocols, ensuring minimum crew with maximum efficiency and safety," the director added.

According to pictures and videos doing the rounds from the set, the crew had to pass through a disinfection tunnel, after which they were handed masks and face shields and had their temperature checked by medical personnel in PPE (personal protective equipment) kits.