Actors Akshay Kumar and Vani Kapoor starrer Bell Bottom has commenced with the shoot in the UK on Thursday. The retro-drama helmed by Ranjit M Tewari is being jointly bankrolled by Vashu Bhagnani, Jackky Bhagnani, and Deepshikha Deshmukh’s Pooja Entertainment and by Monisha Advani, Madhu Bhojwani, and Nikkhil Advani under their Emmay Entertainment banner.
The team had flown to the UK recently on a chartered flight with ‘top-grade medical facilities’ and necessary precautions and has now begun shoot. It is the first Indian film to shoot abroad after the post-lockdown situation in India.
Also Read: Akshay Kumar On Shooting For Bellbottom
Akshay Kumar took to Twitter to share the news. He was seen wearing a mask and clapping the clapperboard while announcing the commencement of shoot. Puja Bhagnani, the wife of Vashu Bhagnani had reportedly clapped the clapper for the ‘muhurat shot’.
Lights, Camera, Mask On and Action🎬Following all the new norms and filming on for #BellBottom! It’s a difficult time but work has to go on. Need your love and luck 🙏🏻@vashubhagnani @Vaaniofficial @humasqureshi @LaraDutta @ranjit_tiwari @jackkybhagnani @honeybhagnani pic.twitter.com/NgklPjQims
— Akshay Kumar (@akshaykumar) August 20, 2020
SHOOT BEGINS… #PujaBhagnani – wife of #VashuBhagnani – sounded the clapper board for the mahurat shot of #BellBottom in #UK… #AkshayKumar, #LaraDutta, #HumaQureshi, director #RanjitMTewari and producers #VashuBhagnani, #JackkyBhagnani and #DeepshikhaDeshmukh were present. pic.twitter.com/7CxRTC3hkp
— taran adarsh (@taran_adarsh) August 21, 2020
The espionage thriller set in the 80s also stars Huma Qureshi and Lara Dutta in important roles. The two actors have also joined the sets in the UK along with the lead actor and producers. Lara Dutta shared the same on her social media.
And it begins!! I’m claiming one for the girls! 💪🏼. As a 42 year old female actor, in this Covid period, it feels AMAZING to be the first to be back on set of a Bollywood film!Thankyou @poojafilms for creating a safe environment for us 🙏. #BellBottom @akshaykumar @ranjit_tiwari pic.twitter.com/QWffpR5CK7
— Lara Dutta Bhupathi (@LaraDutta) August 20, 2020
Huma Qureshi, on the other hand, had shared a boomerang (an Instagram video format) with the entire team, when they landed in the UK earlier this month.
The makers earlier said in a statement that they had been working on the safety protocols for a while to ensure a safe and healthy environment for the cast and crew. They are equipped with medical-grade masks and face shields and have also made it mandatory for all cast and crew to wear a wristwatch that will constantly monitor their oxygen levels, body temperature, blood pressure, stress levels, and pulse. A centralised dashboard has also been set up to constantly record the parameters of the entire unit and keep a check for any changes in readings.
The whole cast and crew have been informed about the rules and guidelines to be followed. Maintenance of social distancing for not less than 6-feet, hand sanitising stations throughout the sets, and frequent spraying of disinfectants on all surface areas and equipment with alcohol-based sanitisers before and after every shoot is also part of the precautionary measures.
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Speaking of the same, Jackky Bhagnani had earlier said, “As a producer, the health of my unit is of utmost importance to me. I am grateful to Akshay sir without whom this film and this shoot would have been impossible. It is only after every department and every individual was assured of the measures taken that we are embarking on this journey. From a doctor on the set at all times to keeping the entire set disinfected at all times, ‘safety first’ is our mantra. It’s a challenge but it makes Bell Bottom even more special for all of us.”
Akshay Kumar said, “The new normal has made us realise a different way of working that none of us could have imagined. As much as I’m happy to be back on the sets, it’s also important for us to take care of everything around us. We hope these measures help us accomplish a smooth and safe shoot.”
Director Ranjit M Tewari had said, “The shoot will be challenging, but I am confident of the health and safety protocols that have been put in place by Pooja Entertainment.”
While the rest of the cast and crew is yet to be revealed, Rajeev Ravi will be handling cinematography.
Bell Bottom is slated for release on 2 April 2021.
