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‘My post on woke celebs wasn’t a dig at anyone’
Huma S Qureshi voices on the uncertainties around the industry and theatre
It’s a great time for Indian talent [in the West]. I’m very happy and grateful . HUMA S QURESHI,
Everyone was going on and on about vaccination despite the ground reality. It felt insensitive. NIA SHARMA,
Sugandha Rawal
As the world reels under the Covid-19 crisis, Huma S Qureshi is counting on her work for some calmness.
The actor, however, admits that she isn’t chasing anything as such. “Right now, I’m not chasing anything. That’s the mistake that I was making before 2020. I was chasing an idea of something, but not anymore,” she continues, “Now, I’m just chilling. I’m doing work, which is making me happy, and just living my life.”
Utilising her social media reach to amplify people’s requests, seeking medical help to fight Covid-19, Qureshi says the pandemic has taught her that while running around and working, “you’re often unkind to yourself, and don’t take rest or take breaks, which you ideally should”.
The 34-year-old recalls the moment when she was called to shoot for her upcoming film amid the nationwide lockdown last year. “I feel very blessed to be part of Bell Bottom,” she exclaims.
“I was very thrilled and pleasantly surprised when the makers called and said they’ll be going and shooting outside India. Hats off to the whole team, who put this together. All of us went with a jazbaa... There were a lot of uncertainties like when the theatres will reopen, when we will get to shoot again and how,” she says, adding, “All of us — the actors and crew — went ahead with a feeling that we want to complete this film. It was the first film to be shot and completed in the pandemic. I can’t wait for it to release soon and hopefully on the big screen.”
That said, there have been strong rumours about Bell Bottom ditching the theatrical route and opting for a directto-OTT release. The makers eventually squashed these rumours in a statement. And while chances are very bleak, Qureshi still hopes her film opens on the big screen.
Apart from exploring the big screen, Qureshi is also navigating the world of OTT. She is all set to make her Hollywood debut with Zack Snyder’s zombie thriller, Army of the Dead. With Indian talent getting more visibility in the West, an excited Qureshi is eager to start a new chapter of her career, but also hopes that the big screen experience will revive soon.
“It’s a great time for Indian talent [in the West]. It’s being appreciated across the board. I’m very happy and grateful to be part of the movement. It’s just a very exciting time,” says the actor, who recently revealed her look from the film on social media.
Nia Sharma is irritated and upset with “woke celebrities” and their “sanctimonious talk” about vaccination. In a recent tweet, the actor asked them to slow down with their posts as vaccines aren’t available in most centres.
Explaining her viewpoint, she says, “Everything is a mess yet everyone is trying to do their bit. This is a global crisis and the world knows about what is happening in India. I have stopped using Instagram because the situation is so overwhelming.”
She is proud of some celebs like Priyanka Chopra Jonas and her efforts for relief on a global level. Sharma adds, “If Priyanka says, go get registered for the vaccine, it makes sense. But celebs who haven’t done much work or aren’t aware of what’s happening, being all preachy is nonsense. My post on woke celebs wasn’t a dig at anyone. Having lots of followers is a farce if you don’t have a connection with your audience. People who think that with 15 or 20 million fans, they are stars are delusional. Today, everyone knows they are supposed to wear masks and how to wear one. I don’t need to make a video educating people on the need to wear masks. TV guys ka hoopla thoda zyada hota hai.”
Sharma finds it funny when people want to be the first to talk about any new development, “just to gain followers”. She says, “Everyone was going on and on about vaccination without knowing the ground reality. It felt insensitive. Everyone wants to look woke and that’s why they are making videos telling people to go get vaccinated. I think they need to slow down. Don’t mislead people.”
Several celebs are also testing positive. Her friend, actor Anirudh Dave, is one such celeb who is critical. “I have been in touch with his family. We are praying for Anirudh’s recovery. I haven’t stepped out of my house for two weeks. Hearing about the passing of various people, whom you might know of, is overwhelming. This is the darkest hour for our country,” she ends.