12 actors tie up for home-shot short film on social distancing

In the time of a gruelling lockdown, a bit of entertainment is like a whiff of fresh air, especially when it is home-grown. And the merrier if it carries a message.

In one such effort, the Indian film industry has come together for a unique short film titled Family to spread the message of self-isolation amid the coronavirus situation.

The short film directed by Prasoon Pandey, released on Sony TV on Monday (April 6), seeks to spread awareness about the COVID-19 outbreak, stressing on the importance of social distancing.

Featuring 12 actors from seven regional film industries, the short film has been shot by them from their homes. The actors who feature in the film are Amitabh Bachchan, Rajinikanth, Mohanlal, Mammootty, Chiranjeevi, Priyanka Chopra, Ranbir Kapoor, Alia Bhatt, Prosenjit Chatterjee, Shiv Rajkumar, Sonalee Kulkarni and Diljit Dosanjh.

The film starts with Amitabh Bachchan, looking for his misplaced pair of sunglasses, and how the other chip in to help him in the quest. The film deftly weaves all the shots taken from different homes to give it the appearance of a single piece of narrative.

It concludes with Bachchan’s message where he urges people to remain indoors to control the spread of the coronavirus. “Every artist shot their own section in their own house. No one stepped out. You, too, please stay indoors,” he said.

T 3493 – When you see that the cause is greater than the idea you dreamt of .. there is just immense joy and gratitude for all my colleagues and friends in the making of this historic effort !

WE ARE ONE and WE SHALL OVERCOME ! Jai Hind ! https://t.co/WoquwkSyqT

— Amitabh Bachchan (@SrBachchan) April 6, 2020

He also called the Indian film industry a single “family” saying that the entire film fraternity will help those who are most affected by the COVID-19 lockdown.

While the short film was an instant hit on social media, many from the movie fraternity lauded the maker and the actor for their stay-at-home efforts.

“This is so amazing! So brilliantly and cleverly told! So rightfully said that we are one huge family! A family that creates and entertains! We stand by each other through thick and thin! Salute to Amitabh Bachchan and the entire team of actors and creators for making this!” tweeted filmmaker and producer Karan Johar.

This is so amazing! So brilliantly and cleverly told! So rightfully said that we are one huge family! A family that creates and entertains! We stand by each other through thick and thin! Salute to @SrBachchan and the entire team of actors and creators for making this!❤️❤️❤️ https://t.co/XcNbunGQCs

— Karan Johar (@karanjohar) April 6, 2020

In a similar attempt, several Bollywood actors including Akshay Kumar, Ayushmann Khurrana, Bhumi Pednekar and Vicky Kaushal came together to release a “song of hope” titled Muskurayega India. Sung and composed by Vishal Mishra, the music video just like the short film, has been shot from the actors’ home. It features Akshay, Kartik Aaryan, Tiger Shroff, Vicky Kaushal, Rajkummar Rao, Sidharth Malhotra, Kriti Sanon, Ayushmann Khurrana, Bhumi Pednekar, Kiara Advani and Ananya Panday, among others.

Earlier today, Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised the film fraternity for its attempts.

फिर मुस्कुराएगा इंडिया…

फिर जीत जाएगा इंडिया…

India will fight. India will win!

Good initiative by our film fraternity. https://t.co/utUGm9ObhI

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) April 7, 2020