HT-M - No off days for TV actor-Keerti

It is common knowledge that TV actors spend long hours — about 12 to 14 — on their sets everyday. But what happens when they fall ill? How do the makers of the TV shows handle the tricky situation of an absent or an injured actor?

A while ago, Keerti Nagpure of Parichay suffered facial injuries due to a road accident. Since her recovery would have taken over a month, the makers brought in some creative changes so that the show wouldn't suffer. Her character Siddhi was shown to have met with an accident and suffers similar injuries. Recently, Ekta Kaul hurt herself and had to wear a sling around her arm. Taking a cue from this, her character Sahiba in Rab Se Sohna Isshq was shown wearing one too. Similarly, when Sharad Kelkar underwent a knee surgery, his character Ashutosh in Kuch Toh Log Kahenge was shown wearing a cast.

On the other hand, actors who've injured themselves while being part of reality shows have invariably had to quit. Isha Sharvani exited Jhalak Dikhhla Ja after sustaining serious injuries while shooting for the show.

Nothing is harder for the makers than finding creative solutions to the problems that arise when an actor cannot make it to the sets due to illness. Although producers try the usual tactics — from tweaking the story to bringing the peripheral characters at the forefront — such measure cannot be exploited all the time. Sometimes makers have even had to shoot in the homes of actors who've been down with poor health.

In that situation, they end up taking the actors' close-ups for reactions and dialogues even as they do a 'cheat shoot' with a body double on the set.

When Shubhangi Atre was bedridden after falling off a train while shooting for Do Hanson Ka Joda, she had to film from the confines of her house. Other actors, such as Smriti Irani (during her pregnancy), Karan Tacker, Mouli Ganguly, Kunal Karan Kapoor too have shot certain crucial portions at home.