Our very own 78-year-old Wagle aka Anjan Srivastav is itching to go back on the set but his age has come in the way of the actor’s will to work. Anjan Srivastav has been told by the producer of the show to stay at home due to the second wave of
COVID 19
which is more contagious than what it was in the first wave.
Anjan said, "They have tied me up at home although I am ready to work and I have been getting messages from people and fans of
Wagle Ki Duniya
who want to see me again on the show but my producers are worried about me. They are shooting in a bio bubble in Silvassa with minimal cast and crew."
Anjan has been lucky and has tested negative for Covid 19 all the four times but his co-star Bharati Achrekar has tested positive and is currently recovering. He said, "Bharati has tested negative but she still has weakness."
Anjan is also suggesting that the makers can shoot with him and Sumit Raghavan who plays his son in the show, but adds a rider saying, "Where will they shoot with us both Gujarat and
Maharashtra have banned senior citizens from coming on the sets which is not fair to us. Artiste kabhi buddha nain hota –agar woh senior citizen bhi aur agar use acting karne nahi mile toh who waise hi khatam ho jayega." (If a senior actor does not get to act he will die) He adds, "This time the virus is attacking the younger generation which is also a growing concern for us. I have heard of a surge in cases on shooting sets of Goa and other states where shootings are happening and Hyderabad units are worst hit."
Anjan also understands the government and producers' concern about senior artistes but feels one can easily work in a bio bubble and he has worked for
Abhishek Kapoor’s film where the unit worked efficiently in a bio bubble. He said, "Only a handful of them were on set and even assistants of the director would be standing outside the set and entered when needed."
Anjan remembers
Balasaheb Thackeray
at this time when the industry needs his support the most. He said, "Though our ideologies didn’t match as I belong to IPTA but I know he really respected artistes and would’ve have found a way for us having said that the state government is also doing a fine job of bringing down the number of cases and working towards the welfare of the citizens of Maharashtra."