Why was SRK's 'Pathan' shoot halted? Here's the real reason
A report recently stated that Shah Rukh Khan has gone into isolation after several crew members on the sets of Pathan tested positive for COVID-19. It was also said that the shoot of the movie has since been halted. The report understandably worried the fans of the 55-year-old superstar. However, a trade source has now rubbished the report, stating there's no truth to it.
Report claimed crew members tested positive, SRK was in isolation
Pinkvilla reported yesterday that King Khan had quarantined himself as some crew members of Pathan contracted the deadly virus. They went on to state that the affected persons were quarantining in the Andheri East area. Refuting the claim, Bollywood Hungama cited a trade source today to state that the team had halted shoot to wait for the state's new COVID-19 guidelines.
The team was awaiting Maharashtra government's lockdown announcement
The Yash Raj banner film, which also stars Deepika Padukone and John Abraham, was being shot in Mumbai for the past one month. As the Maharashtra government was scheduled to take a decision on lockdown in the state by April 14, YRF reportedly had instructed for a planned two-day break. Depending upon the announcement, the team was to decide their next move.
The source detailed YRF's 'efficient bio bubble' procedure
The source further dismissed reports of the crew testing positive by saying the studio had "an extremely efficient bio bubble" in place. "Tests happen regularly on sets and all crew members are staying in a hotel," they said before adding, "So, if there is anyone who tests positive, it would be before the schedule starts and automatically eliminated from the crew."
'They took a scheduled break to gauge the state's decision'
"Given that lockdown is imminent in Mumbai, Pathan crew had anyway taken a two-day scheduled break so that they can gauge the decision. It doesn't make sense to start a new schedule and halt it," the trade source told a portal.
Maharashtra government has now ordered halt in shooting from Wednesday
It seems like the Pathan team took the right decision in wrapping up the shoot as the state government announced yesterday that films, TV serials, and advertisement shoots will be halted in Maharashtra from today evening. This is part of the new guidelines released to battle the spread of the contagious virus. These rules will be enforced in the state till May 1.
FWICE has strongly reacted against the state government's call
The complete halt of shooting didn't sit well with the Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE). Its president BN Tiwari called it a "setback" and said they have planned to write a letter to Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray to allow them to shoot.
