If we don't act, will die even without Covid: 'Wagle Ki Duniya' actor Aanjjan Srivastav on senior citizens missing shoot

Amid the second wave of COVID-19, when Maharashtra imposed stricter restrictions, several small screen show makers decided to move shooting outside the state to Goa, Gujarat, Jaipur, Silvasa among other places. 

And even though the entire cast and crew of a number of serials relocated to continue shooting to bring the audience their daily dose of entertainment, senior actors have been unable to join the units of their shows and are forced to be without work amid the pandemic.

Aanjjan Srivastav, 73, who stars in 'Wagle Ki Duniya' (WKD) told Hindustan Times in an interview, "I have acted all my life and now if I can't, then what will I do? We want to act till we live. Whoever wants to work should be allowed to work. If we don't act, we will die even without Covid. Some actors act for the money while others perform for the craft and enjoy the process. I can't wait to go back to the sets. The moment the govt allows us or the lockdown ends, I want to work."

Not just Aanjjan, there are several industry veterans who are missing shoots due to the pandemic. From Anupam Shyam who stars in 'Mann Ki Awaaz Pratigya 2', Bharti Achrekar who portrays the role of Radhika Wagle in 'Wagle Ki Duniya' to Swati Chitnis from Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai, most seniors have been confined to their homes while their units continue to shoot amid the pandemic. 

In fact, recently when 'Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah' actor Ghanshyam Nayak aka Nattu Kaka wasn't seen in the show, reports of him suffering from financial crisis had surfaced. However, he dismissed all such reports and said that he has not taken a break from the show. He in fact added that he is hoping to resume shoot soon after the coronavirus situation comes under control and everyone is back on the sets. Nayak even mentioned that due to safety protocols, senior actors are not shooting outside Maharashtra amid the COVID-19 pandemic. 

According to reports, the cast and crew of 'Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah' have been shooting in Vapi. 

In an interview ith a leading daily, Nayak clarified saying, "I don't understand why people pass such negativity around? I have not taken a break from the show. The circumstances are such that senior actors are not shooting outside Maharashtra. We are following safety protocols and it is in our own interest that the makers have taken this decision. I am not unemployed, the team is looking after us. And I hope to resume shooting as soon as they move back to Mumbai."

"I am not suffering from any financial crisis. I am enjoying my time at home with my grandchildren and my children are actually helping people who need any kind of help. I am neither unemployed nor suffering from any financial woes," he added.

Meanwhile, Rajendra Chawla, 52, who is not shooting for his show 'Tera Yaar Hoon Main' keeping in mind the safety protocols said that his team had found a way for him to be seen in the episodes. He told HT, "The team has revised the script in a way to show my character via video calls on the show. I shoot short videos and send them. It is not the same as shooting but I am happy to be doing something. I am missing my unit and talk to them daily. Earlier, I wouldn’t watch the show regularly but now I watch every episode." 

 Arvind Vaidya, 81, who is all geared up to join his show Anupamaa in Silvassa told HT, "I was feeling really bad that I was unable to go to shoot. I have acted for 56 years of my life and for me acting is not my bread and butter but my saans (breathe). I understand the issue at hand and I didn't want to take any risk. I spoke to producer Rajan Shahi who allowed me to take a break and now that I have got both doses of the vaccine, I hope to join them soon."