Shot extensively during the lockdown, the documentary takes on a journey, providing a rare glimpse into all key steps being taken across the country to battle the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. It tells the story through interviews with subject matter experts, front line workers, patients, migrant workers, and others working tirelessly behind the scenes to arrest the spread of this deadly disease. The documentary also features several scientists, doctors, ministers and government officials on the forefront of the coronavirus battle.
Following both, the global and the Indian timeline, the documentary will give insights about how the virus spread and will highlight the important developments that have taken place ever since country’s first coronavirus victim was detected in Kerala in January. The film will also provide information about how innovation and technology is being used to combat the virus.
Talking about the documentary, Manoj Bajpayee said, “Meaningful cinema, meaningful projects have always endeared me, and I believe such specials are relevant not just for today but will continue to engage our future generations as well,”. He further added, “This is an important story and needs to be told in an impactful manner. I and proud to be part of this monumental project and target to bring all my experience into play for the narration in Hindi language.”
According to Gautham Vasudev Menon, “The fact that we all have been directly impacted by the pandemic makes this project different from others I have been part of. You almost relive part of your life as the reels go by but at the same time the documentary shines light on so much that you weren’t aware of. That is why documentaries, as an entertainment tool, in my view, will always have a special pride of place”. He also added, “It is a valiant effort. I could not have asked for a better debut as a narrator, especially in my mother tongue Tamil, and coincidentally this marks my first documentary ever.”
The documentary will be available exclusively on Discovery Plus on July 16 at 8:00 pm; Discovery Channel and Discovery Channel HD will premiere it at 8:00 pm on July 20.
Discovery Plus has explored stories related to the pandemic in three other documentaries – “Invisible Killer”, “Pandemic COVID-19” and “The Zoo: Covid-19 & Animals”.