‘We will all miss this time, once the pandemic is over’

When Manoj Bajpayee went to Uttarakhand for a shoot, little did he know that it would turn out to be a much longer stay due to the lockdown. He is, however, glad that his family had accompanied him to Mukteshwar, or “it would have been quite stressful”. Bajpayee, 50, and his family feel that “being isolated there is better than any city, right now”.

“We are enjoying being with Nature, being alone and away from the hustle and bustle of the city. Sure, we can’t leave the place or be in contact with anyone, but we roam in the jungle nearby. That is better than being in a flat,” says the actor.

“All of us dreamed of staying at home, doing nothing. Everyone wanted some ‘alone time’ and now we have it. We all wish the pandemic gets over soon but this time is forced on us by Nature. I think we will all miss this time, once the pandemic is over,” he shares, adding, “I believe that one should always have a routine. I wake up at 6.30am, do some yoga and meditation, and later go for a run or a long walk. After a shower and breakfast, we all read or watch something. We have been going for two hours of trekking post lunch, and return in the evening.”

What has the pandemic taught him? “It has taught me to respect Nature, and not play around with it. I hope people learn a lesson from this calamity,” he signs off.

Bengali folk artiste Ratan Kahar (inset) on Wednesday said he was happy after talking to rapper Badshah, who had woven lines of the former’s folk song into his latest, Genda Phool, and is now looking forward to collaborate with him as well. After receiving ₹5 lakh from Badshah on March 6, Kahar said, “Yes, my son has confirmed ₹5 lakh from Badshah has entered my bank account. But money is not everything, I’m happy as he has credited me as the composer of Baro Loker Beti Lo, which he had woven into his Genda Phool.”

PHOTO: PRARTHNA SINGH