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You don’t need a film background to feel included, says Waluscha
AMONG ANXIETY OF REASONS WORKER S ARE HEALTHC HELPTHEM WHATCAN PROVISIONS ARE IN THE PROCESS MOTIVATION IS THE ULTIMATE KEY
Sugandha Rawal
It might be getting tougher, with each passing day, to handle the agony amid the ongoing Covid-19 crisis, but music maestro AR Rahman feels the days of healing are not far away. The Oscar-winning music composer says that it’s important to clutch on to hope to get through the rough tides of time.
“We always need hope, just like we need food, air, music and inspiration. Today, we’re all suffering and struggling together, and soon we’ll rise together,” he asserts.
He feels that, today, people are better prepared to face the adversities, unlike last year when the pandemic hit humanity all of a sudden. “People have learnt how to struggle, and how to emerge alive from the crisis. We need to support each other and we need to march on,” he adds, praying for things to get better, and using social media to urge people to raise funds to aid the healthcare battle.
Just when the second wave of the pandemic began showing its rage, and hit theatres again, Rahman released his longpending film, 99 Songs, on the big screen in some parts of the country, instead of opting for the OTT route. The Grammywinning composer says it was meant to send out a big statement that “we’ll fight and be the hope”. “We’ve to show resilience, that, against all odds, we will survive,” says the 54-year-old, who was associated with the film as a composer, writer and producer.
Ask why he didn’t opt for a digital release and avoid the uncertainties, and he reasons, “It’s a movie made for theatre experience. I didn’t want to take away the sound and music... People who watch content on OTT keep the sound so low.”
Talking about the industry, Rahman feels the musical narrative is missing from storytelling now. He says, “Half the people are avoiding songs. They’re not investing time in composers and just doing remixes. While there are some who’re committed to the craft, some just aren’t. They want to put in money, make a movie, and drop it on the OTT.” thevirus Fearof catching welfare l
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llllFor Waluscha De Sousa, it is all about “working really hard” right now. She admits that she is “just about getting” her foothold in the Hindi film industry. “For me, at this point, it is just working really hard on myself and better myself every day. I have to give my 200% for every character, and I hope my hard work pays off and is appreciated,” she shares.
Ask her if she has ever felt like an outsider in the industry, and she says, “I don’t know what does it take to feel included. I don’t think you need to come from a filmi background to feel included. At the end of the day, it is hard work and talent that is recognised.”
Being popular has its own disadvantages and not having much of a private life is one of them. De Sousa believes that it depends on every individual and their choices. “Honestly, I believe your life can be as private or as public as you choose.
Swati (name changed upon request), a nurse on Covid-19 duty at Maulana Azad Medical College, Delhi, says, “There’s no provision to give us counselling as yet. All peers are being there for each other and pitching in if one feels low or is unable to handle their duties. Conditions at the hospitals are very bad. Our mindset is to just give our best, but some staff members need urgent counselling. If that’s arranged, there would be some positivity among us.”
Teerathnath, a nurse working in an East Delhi nursing home, reveals how most nurses are
Kamna Chhibber, clinical psychologist, Head - Mental Health, Department of Mental Health and Behavioral Sciences, Fortis Healthcare, says they’ve made provisions for
counselling for their healthcare workers. “We’re trying to make sure that there’s access available in whatever format possible. We understand that the need may not be immediate, but it’s evolving. For some people, the concern may be right now, but many may have PTSD (posttraumatic stress disorder) and they might need that help in the future,” says Chhibber.
I am a very private person. Our media and paparazzi are very sensitive and they will give you your space if you ask for it.”
The 37-year-old actor has been a part of a few films and web series. Ask her which is a better platform for her as an actor and she says, “As an actor, OTT has given me a few characters that I did not see myself doing in films. It is a great space for actors, and I am enjoying it. As an actor, it allows me to put in so much creativity and the working style is different, too. I have a special place for OTT in my heart.”
The actor agrees that the Covid-19 pandemic has “changed each one of us completely”. The pandemic surely affected almost every industry, including the Hindi film industry. “Yes, the film industry has taken a beating, and I don’t think we have been able to get back on to our feet just yet. This is a wave; one has to ride it. We will come out the other side. We will still make movies and people will go and watch them. We all remain hopeful,” she concludes.
Amid the Covid-19 crisis, Oscar and Grammy winner AR Rahman feels people need to stick together, move towards healing
doing 12-hour duty. While vaccination has been done for the entire staff, mentally, everyone is feeling vulnerable. “We’re worried about the patients and our families. Hum chah ke bhi patients ko bacha nahi pa rahe. Bahut dukh hota hai. Many nurses are severely dehydrated because once in the Covid ward, we can’t take off the PPE kit or masks. Many are facing depression and anxiety. Even food intake is hampered. Small hospitals have no counselling arrangements, so nothing is being done to take care of us mentally,” she shares.
Insisting on the necessity to create a platform to provide social support to these healthcare workers, Ajanta Sen, counselling psychologist and founder, Embrace Change, says we need a “buddy system.” She explains, “We need to support them with self-care tools and encourage them to practise healthy coping strategies. Their psychological failings can reduce their competency at work.” Sachita Sethi Sodha, counselling psychologist, adds in agreement, “We need to make them believe they’re doing a good job. They should also be made to feel hopeful.”