"Shahid needs two weeks of cricket practice": Director Gowtam

As film and television industries slowly get back to work, there is cautious optimism around. In an interview Jersey director Gowtam Tinnamuri has spoken about Shahid Kapoor’s prep before shooting begins.

Shahid, who is essaying the role of a cricketer in the sports-drama, captioned the post with hashtags of ‘Jersey Sets’ and ‘I miss you’. The initial shooting of the flick was held in Chandigarh last year in December.

Jersey, a Hindi-remake of a Telugu film of the same name helmed by Gowtam Tinnanuri also stars Mrunal Thakur as the female lead. The Hindi version will be directed by Gowtam Tinnanuri, who also helmed the original film. The story is about a talented but failed cricketer named Arjun, who decides to make a comeback in his late thirties and play for India, in order to fulfill his son's wish.

The shoot of the film was halted back in March when the COVID-19 scare hit India. With releases postponed and pre-scheduled shoots stalled, producers and filmmakers are bearing the brunt of the losses of the investments made.

But now makers of Shahid's Jersey are looking forward to resuming the shoot as and when the situation allows. It will not be an easy ride as the actor will first get back to training and then work.

Director Gowtam said, “Now, there is a cap on the number of crew members who can be present on a film set. Whenever the government allows us to increase the number, following the health situation in the country, we would need about four weeks to be on floors. As for Shahid, he would need at least two weeks of cricket practice before we begin the shoot to get back into the groove. He is a good cricketer, so we have less to worry on that front.”

Elaborating on why Shahid will require some prep before he starts shooting, fitness coach Rajiv Mehra said

“Both, Shahid and I, feel that we need at least seven to 10 days of practice before the shoot starts again. We have to ensure that he doesn’t sustain any injury while practicing or shooting. It’s a very delicate situation to be in because now we will be working against a tight deadline.”