On December 2nd, ZEE5 will debut its newest original movie, “India Lockdown.”

The direct-to-digital film, which Madhur Bhandarkar directed, is the first Hindi feature film to examine the Covid pandemic and its effects on Indian society.

Amit Agarwal, the founder of Adarsh Telemedia, organized the Kolkata Premiere of India Lockdown for his friend and director Madhur Bhandarkar. Amit in the past has backed films like M.S. Dhoni – The Untold Story and has produced films like Simran starring Kangana Ranaut and Astra (Bengali).

The movie, which was shot in 2021, tells the story of four different persons in parallel who are thrust into extreme situations by the lockdown brought on by the Coronavirus.

A sex worker in Mumbai’s Kamathipura named Mehrunissa is compelled to try new internet business models in order to adjust to the lockdown’s effects. Moon Alves, a pilot used to flying high in the sky, is abruptly grounded for several months and experiences what it’s like to have her wings chopped for the first time. Migrant laborers Madhav and Phoolmati lose their main source of income due to the pandemic and are forced to hunger or walk home because trains and local transportation are shut down. Aged Nageshwar is stranded in a foreign city from his daughter at a crucial juncture in her life. Frightened and powerless, will all of them survive the lockdown in India?

Written by Amit Joshi and Aradhana Sah with Madhur Bhandarkar, the ZEE5 Original film stars Shweta Basu Prasad, Aahana Kumra, Prateik Babbar, Sai Tamhankar and Prakash Balewadi in lead roles and Hrishitaa Bhatt in a cameo.

Produced by Dr. Jayantilal Gada of PEN Studios, Madhur Bhandarkar’s Bhandarkar Entertainment, and Pranav Jain’s P J Motions Pictures, India Lockdown had its global premiere at IFFI Goa on 21st November and received an overwhelming response.

‘India Lockdown’ is all set to premiere exclusively on ZEE5 from 2nd December 2022.

Priyanka Dutta