Manchu: Stupidity rules in both US and India when it comes to Covid-19

Lakshmi Manchu travelled to the US recently to see her husband (Andy Srinivasan), and she says there wasn’t a single moment of relief during the entire journey. She feels that travelling comes with more fear these days, rather than excitement.

Manchu spent all of July in the US with her husband, before returning to India in August to get back to work. “I refused to get excited until I landed in America, and got through immigration. I was so nervous with all the travel bans. New rules were being announced every day,” says Manchu.

She adds that meeting her husband took away the stress in some way. “That (travel) was nerve-racking. But the minute I saw Andy (her husband), and we went home, it was like a breath of fresh air. So many people, who were vaccinated twice, were not wearing any masks,” adds the Basmati Blues (2017) actor.

Manchu says that travel has changed a lot post the pandemic. “The most annoying part is wearing a mask and shield. Moreover, all those beautiful inflight services have been stalled. So, it’s not the same feeling,” she says. Manchu, however, adds that it’s best to accept the new normal and move on. “Be grateful that you are able to sit on a plane and travel somewhere.”

Comparing the situation in India and the US, Manchu says there isn’t much difference, as people are callous in both the places.

“While there is one section of the population in both the countries that understands the pandemic, there’s another that doesn’t really care. Stupidity rules in both countries when it comes to this pandemic,” she rues.

Now, Manchu is back to work, and has started shooting for a show as well. She confesses that she gets paranoid thinking whether people around her are vaccinated or not. “I have an active life, so I want to be careful, because there’s fear of the Delta variant. I meet my parents on a regular basis and I have a small daughter. So, I just want to be aware and prepared,” she says.

Singing reality shows have got a bit of a bad name recently, but singer Sonu Kakkar, whose journey began in Mumbai with these shows, feels it is unfair to slam them.

“I take them positively and that’s because main khud ek reality show se aayi hoon. I value them and I am aware of the value they add to an artiste’s career. I will always support reality shows,” she says. Kakkar, who hails from Rishikesh, feels that these shows help a new artiste take that first step in the industry. “Otherwise, how else is a young singer from nowhere going to get the chance to come to the forefront? How else will you showcase your talent to people? When you participate in a reality show, you can showcase your talent to so many people and get noticed,” Kakkar adds.

The singer, who started her journey as a reality show participant, to now, a playback singer in Bollywood, says things would not have moved for her smoothly if she had not been part of the show. “It really helps you take the first step. At least people listen to you. Without a platform, it wouldn’t have been possible for me. Reality shows help boost one’s career. They also help new singers get work,” says Kakkar, who is now busy with her new single.

PHOTO: FACEBOOK/LAKSHMIMANCHUOFFICIAL