‘We still get calls from migrants asking for help’

Since early May, actor Sonu Sood has been helping migrant workers stuck in Mumbai due to the lockdown, return to their home towns in various states of the country. He arranged for buses, train travel and even flew some of them from Kerala to Odisha. But, it was surprising to know that even post Unlock 1.0, and relaxed regulations, the good samaritan is continuing to send people, who can’t afford it on their own, back to their home towns. As recent as last week, he arranged for 2,000 people to go to Uttarakhand and later, 2,400 people to go to Bihar.

“There are many people who, even today, want to go back home as Maharashtra hasn’t opened up completely.

They are struggling while living in confined spaces, with eight to ten people in one room, and want to go back to their villages,” says Sood.

The actor’s Twitter handle and a helpline number that he shared have been getting numerous requests. “We get hundreds and thousands of calls every day, even today, requesting us to send them back as Mumbai might not completely open very soon. There are a number of people in shelter homes and others stuck in places such as Nalasopara, Vasai and Palghar, who are asking for help. We check their details and make arrangements, accordingly.”

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While people are leaving the city, once the lockdown ends, they might also want to come back. Sood, 46, admits that the people leaving Mumbai do want to return to the city, but only once they have their jobs back. “If need be, I will help them get back to Mumbai, too,” Sood says, adding, “I feel really blessed whenever I go to see them off at railway stations and bus stops. I must have done something good in life that I got the opportunity to help all these people. This is one of the most special phases of my life and I can’t put it in words. I feel like I have families across the country now.” ngry India Goddess’ and ‘Marzi,’ star Pavleen Gujral is raring to go back to the sets and resume work. She is happy for herself as well as all the other actors who are able to find work in this tough phase.

Pavleen shot for an advertisement at her home recently and also got offers for new projects that will happen in coming months, “Actors are attentively exploring new avenues. Earlier, brands were largely tapping bloggers and influencers for their digital promotions. But now, actors are able to find time for the same which they earlier preferred to give a miss. So it’s a win win for both the brand as well as the artiste. Though the payments made are not that big an amount but then we too need to keep on working and get going.”

Besides, money it is also about reinventing ones craft. “Every day we get to see so many cooking and workout videos being posted by actor and other celebs. It’s not only about money always, as actors we also need to keep ourselves active and busy. It’s about keep working on your craft and propagating your talent,”

She feels such projects where you get to connect with audience is great for mental health too particularly during this phase. “I started a #railchallenge which was about reading something from a book and posting online. It was such a fun task. The situation is bad for everyone. We are still better off than many other professionals who are struggling in every aspect of life.”

Pavleen is not a part of second season of ‘City of Dreams-2’ but will be shooting for ‘Made in Heaven-2’ and ‘Marzi-2’. Talking more about her projects she said, “MiH-2 as well as the other series were supposed to be shot abroad. Besides, I am getting queries for a late-July shoot for a web series and another in October. Also, I am happy that my film ‘Bhor’, which was screened at many festivals, will release on OTT soon.”

The Delhite has shot for travel show ‘Bazaar’ in Lucknow. “I shot extensively at Hazratganj, Aminabad and Chowk. I remember going to Ram Advani bookstore, savouring basket chaat and indulging into chikankari shopping. I visited the place again to shop for my brother’s wedding. I love the language of the city which is so beautiful. During the travel show I got to explore another side of Lucknow.”

She now hopes to go back to work soon. “It’s great to be with family but we actors are workaholic and it is high time to go back to our normal work. We are longing to go back to the sets but don’t know when things will get normal and the shoot will resume on the sets.”

Pavleen Gujral