Your Health is a Production Asset.
I have seen entire schedules collapse because a Key Talent decided to try the street food on Day 1. India is an assault on the senses, and that includes your immune system.
The "Western Stomach" Protocol
When I run a shoot, I enforce strict hygiene rules for my foreign crew:
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Sealed Water Only: Even for brushing your teeth. If the seal clicks, you drink. If it doesn't, you don't.
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No Street Food: It smells amazing. It looks delicious. Do not eat it. We provide high-end, hygienic catering that is safe for western digestion.
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Sanitize: Hand sanitizer is not optional. It is mandatory before every meal.
Mosquitoes & Malaria
In the evenings, especially in the tropical south (Goa/Kerala) or the humid north, mosquitoes are the enemy.
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Dengue is a real risk in cities during the day.
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Malaria is a risk in rural areas at night. My Fix: We stock the unit with high-strength repellent. Wear long sleeves at dawn and dusk. It’s a simple discipline that saves weeks of misery.
Medical Evacuation
If the worst happens, you need to know where to go. In major cities (Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore), the private hospitals are world-class—better than the NHS in many ways. In remote areas, we plan air-evacuation routes before we start shooting.