Anil Sharma: Theatres shut, why rush to wrap up film?

Apne 2 director Anil Sharma defers April shooting schedule amid soaring cases as Dharmendra’s safety is his priority; eyes London leg in July.

Anticipation around the next edition of Apne, —13 years after the Dharmendra, Sunny and Bobby Deol starrer hit cinema halls — has been growing ever since news of the development hit headlines. Director Anil Sharma, who was to start filming in the month of March, is now eyeing a schedule in London, where a certain extent of normalcy has been restored. 

“How can we release it in Diwali when we have not begun shooting for the movie? What can we do when cases are on the rise and we need a large unit? It’s impossible,” says Sharma, addressing the initial plan to release the film this year. “We were to shoot across Punjab, but now we are planning to begin the first schedule in London in July, if things get better. I have not stepped out my home, choosing instead to  fine-tune my scripts, with my actors.”

Anil Sharma and Dharmendra

With each day presenting a new set of restrictions, he admits that decisions about filming can no longer be made in advance. “We will take another call after May 15. We have not even done a recce in London because we are not getting visas. If we begin to shoot in London, it will be over a 45-day schedule. Then we will return to Punjab and Mumbai.”

Considering the current circumstances, he admits that the decision to impose restrictions is ideal, and that film-making can be postponed till the situation is favourable. “Theatres will open only after a few months. So what is the point in completing a movie now? One’s health is of utmost importance. I know so many who have contracted the virus. The next two weeks are crucial for all of us. We have to be careful about his [Dharmendra’s] safety and health. It’s not important for Apne 2 to release in Diwali. What is important is that everybody stays healthy.”    

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