The coronavirus outbreak has brought the Indian entertainment industry to a standstill with production work being called off and movie releases being pushed indefinitely. In what will come as a disappointment to fans of reality show Bigg Boss, the ongoing season 2 of Bigg Boss Malayalam will be called off.
Confirming the news, Asianet which airs the show, said in a report that the decision comes as the team has to ensure health and safety of the contestants and the large production crew involved with the show.
The show is being hosted by superstar Mohanlal. An official confirmation of the same is expected shortly. Season 2 of the show has crossed 70 days.
Endemol Shine India, producers of the reality show, tweeted on Tuesday that in the midst of the coronavirus scare, they were suspending their 'administrative and production department' until further notice.
In light of the ongoing global health crisis, we wish for everyone to stay calm and stay safe.#LetsFightCorona pic.twitter.com/xML1sfVjyd
— Endemol Shine India (@EndemolShineIND) March 17, 2020
“The measures have been taken in an abundance of caution and the company has not experienced any confirmed cases of COVID-19 within the organisation,” Endemol Shine India tweeted. “”We hope to be back to entertaining you soon,” they stated.
The decision also comes in the wake of the decision by film bodies in India including Federation of Western Indian Cine Employees (FWICE) and Indian Film & Television Directors' Association (IFTDA) to put shootings of films, TV shows and web series on hold from March 19 to March 31.
The show was in the news over the past few days after with a case being registered against ousted contestant Rajith Kumar and 78 others who gathered at the Kochi airport on Sunday night to welcome Kumar. The mass gathering took place while the coronavirus restrictions are in place in the state. Kumar was taken into custody from his home in Attingal in Thiruvananthapuram on Tuesday.
Ernakulam district collector S. Suhas had taken to Facebook on Monday to condemn the act. In the Facebook post, he wrote that this show by a fans association of a TV show is shameful for every Malayali, at a time when the whole world is taking precautions against the coronavirus outbreak. “The law cannot close its eyes against such blatant breaking of the rules when religious, political and social groups are all avoiding every kind of gathering as part of the precautions to keep the people safe,” he wrote. He further stated that such star worship is generally not part of Malayali culture.
