Rakul Preet Singh remembers entering the sets of her forthcoming Telugu film, directed by Krish, with a sense of gratitude.
“I just couldn’t wait to return to the sets and I thanked God because something was finally starting. I feel so good to be back at work,” exclaims Rakul.
Even so, Rakul agrees that it is a different experience while shooting during the pandemic.
“Who would have thought that we would all go to a film set wearing mask and shields, undergo temperature (thermal) testing and be sanitising our hands frequently before starting our day?” she states. “But that’s the best part about mankind — that we will slowly adjust to any situation, even this.”
Rakul tells us that the entire film crew of 50 members is staying in a bubble.
“We are shooting in a resort in a forest in Vikarabad, and the entire unit is staying in a bubble. The food too is being prepared here for the entire unit. I know this about food because my own team also eats here. So, I feel safe because no one needs to go out and come in,” she explains.
However, despite the worries of the pandemic, the Kick 2 star was apparently not apprehensive when director Krish asked her to commence shooting.
“Not at all! Apart from my role of a village belle and the storyline, which I cannot reveal right now, what excited me to get on the shoot was when Krish told me we can wrap up most part of the shooting in one go,” she says.
Not that she is looking for time off anytime soon, though, given the at-home days that lockdown compelled upon us. “No more Sundays and holidays; I guess we’ve had enough of them over the last five months,” says the actress with a chuckle.
Rediscovering herself
But despite forced time off her shooting schedules, Rakul tells us that she’s been busy during the lockdown with her workouts, cooking and other art forms.
More importantly though, the lockdown has been a time for introspection for the Sarrainodu star, as well as a period that taught her several life lessons.
“Significantly, many started to realise the importance of being empathetic, and that’s the quintessential trait everyone had to possess,” she says in explanation.
As much as Rakul is thrilled to be back in front of the arch lights, she admits that shooting during these times is rather challenging.
“How do we wear a mask and shoot while maintaining social distance? Moreover, the light men have been finding it difficult to carry the large cameras and the props wearing all the safety kits” she says.
“Nonetheless, we are all following the laid-down safety protocols while shooting because.” Interestingly, the actress, who has been getting COVID-19 tests done every week, had to shuttle between Mumbai and Hyderabad.
“I am simultaneously shooting for a film with Arjun Kapoor, for which I need to submit my COVID-19 reports to the filmmakers,” explains the actress.
Despite the challenges, what occupies Rakul’s mind presently is her shooting that’s happening in the lap of nature, right in the middle of a forest. “Breathing the fresh, clean air is like a detox in itself,” says, the Rarandoi Veduka Chudham starsigning off.
