Shooting for Bell Bottom was surreal, hope this is not the new normal, says Lara Dutta Bhupathi

Shooting for the Akshay Kumar-starrer Bell Bottom, directed by Ranjit Tewari, was completed last month in just 40 days after the COVID-19 pandemic-induced lockdown restrictions were eased. The team shot for the film in Europe, mostly in the United Kingdom.

Bell Bottom marks the comeback of actress Lara Dutta Bhupathi to the big screen after a gap of four years. She shared her experience of shooting for a film during these difficult and anxious times.

“Initially, it was normal to feel a little anxious considering that COVID-19 cases are rising rapidly in India," Lara Dutta said in a statement. "But I felt immediate reassurance and confidence when I saw the many protocols in place and how correctly things were being handled.

"Ours was the first film to be shot after the lockdown, but despite the nervousness, we were all eager to get back to work," the wife of former tennis star Mahesh Bhupathi continued. "We were all taken by a chartered flight to Scotland to retain the safety bubble.”

Lara Dutta added that she, leading man Akshay Kumar and producer Deepshikha Deshmukh had brought their kids along so the occasion also doubled up as a family outing.

Despite the anxiety of shooting in this period, Dutta was excited to be a part of the project. “When shooting finally began, I was the first actor on the sets," she said. "To be part of the first film to be shot after the lockdown felt hugely gratifying. I felt grateful to be on a set where every single precaution possible was being taken, sanitization was meticulous and the cast and crew were checked every day.  Everything was secure, right from the food delivery on sets to the drivers who took us to and fro.”

Though the actress is happy with the way things were handled by the production team, she does not want this to be the new normal in filmmaking.

“It was a surreal experience," Lara Dutta said, "and I hope this is not going to be the new normal. I felt immense gratitude towards Pooja Entertainment and every member of the crew for taking such good care of us. We have done some good work and am excited to see how the film turns out.”

Bell Bottom, which also stars Huma Qureshi, Vaani Kapoor, Adil Hussain and Denzil Smith, is slated for release on 2 April 2021.