HT City

Coronaviru­s ke side-effects: No Holi, no travel, but work goes on for actors

- Rishabh Suri and Sangeeta Yadav

To say that life has come to a standstill due to the coronaviru­s scare won’t be wrong. Right from the corporate sector, to the movie business throughout the world, it has already cost billions in losses and the spread of the virus doesn’t seem to be ebbing any time soon. Naturally, it has affected all foreign travel plans and even those of large-scale Holi celebratio­ns, especially those of Indian television actors. But work still goes on.

BURA NA MANO, HOLI NAHI HAI

Arjun Bijlani says he won’t celebrate the festival of colours this year with a crowd, but just his family “as that’s what doctors have advised. Given the situation, prevention is better than cure.” Jay

Bhanushali, who is even avoiding handshakes, says, “Holi plans are a big ‘no’ for me. We will play it inside our house because you never know who is carrying that virus.”

It has also spoiled the plans of newlywed actor Kamya Shalabh Dang, who was looking forward to celebratin­g her first Holi with husband Shalabh. “I had planned a big bash as it’s our first Holi after marriage, but we are reconsider­ing it,” she tells us.

TRAVEL IS A BIG NO-NO

Travelling to foreign locations is a risk most people aren’t willing to take. Aishwarya Sakhuja can’t even meet her brother in Dubai. “A lot of cases have been reported there. My family is discouragi­ng me.”

Both Adaa Khan and Aashka Goradia’s Italy plans have gone for a toss. Khan reveals, “The coronaviru­s scare has badly affected my travel plans. I had to go to Italy to meet my friends, and visit other places in Europe too. But now I can’t.”

Goradia adds, “I was going to Italy on March 10 for a beauty fair. Our visas and tickets were done but the fair got cancelled, so did our trip.” Nakuul Mehta had to travel to Melbourne for the finals of the Women’s T20 World Cup with his wife Jankee, but has cancelled it.

WORK GOES ON

Only shooting plans have emerged unscathed so far. Hiten Tejwani says his shoot in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, is on as planned, so is the shoot for Saumya Tandon’s comedy show. “Our shooting schedule is unaffected, but I have told everyone on the set that if your cough and cold is serious, please don’t show up,” she says.

Gauahar Khan says she “can’t afford to cancel her events or work”. “I’m taking all precaution­s and travelling to Delhi, and Orchha, Madhya Pradesh, for a festival.”

Manav Gohil adds his shoot too is unaffected. “I am in Ahmedabad for an outdoor shoot, and being extra careful in public places.”

 ?? PHOTO: NITIN ARORA ?? Gauahar Khan
PHOTO: NITIN ARORA Gauahar Khan
 ??  ?? Aashka Goradia
Aashka Goradia
 ??  ?? Adaa Khan
Adaa Khan
 ?? PHOTO: INSTAGRAM/ IJAYBHANUS­HALI ?? Jay Bhanushali
PHOTO: INSTAGRAM/ IJAYBHANUS­HALI Jay Bhanushali
 ?? PHOTO: YOGEN SHAH ?? Kamya Shalabh Dang
PHOTO: YOGEN SHAH Kamya Shalabh Dang
 ??  ?? Nakuul Mehta
Nakuul Mehta
 ??  ?? Arjun Bijlani
Arjun Bijlani

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