‘WE SHOULD ENJOY THE LITTLE JOYS OF LIFE’
Be it the common man, sportspersons or film stars, life has gone back to the basics for everyone during the ongoing lockdown. For Vicky Kaushal, 31, this time has a special nature’s touch to it all. “Not many may believe but I’ve been enjoying watching beautiful sunsets from my home’s balcony... Sunsets happen every day, but since we are so busy, we never pay attention to such a marvellous occurrence,” he says.
The actor calls it a “very difficult time” but also sees a “silver lining” in it all. He says, “It has given us all, including me, an opportunity to spend time and have meals with our families. Otherwise, there’s always a serious deficiency of time (laughs). I’m also very thankful that I’m sitting within the comforts of my home with my loved ones, while many can’t afford to do that. We should enjoy the little joys of life and be mentally strong, too, as there’s a lot of paranoia around.”
Ask him if he misses work, and he says, “I do, but work can wait. We have a bigger problem at hand, and it (not working) is a very small price to pay. Remember, the
Kaushal has set up a “makeshift work-out spot” at his Andheri home. “Before the lockdown, I had rushed to a gym store and picked up dumbbells, barbells and benches. So, I work out a bit every day at home. It makes me happy to sweat it out a bit,” says the actor.
solution [to the pandemic] is in our hands.”
So, what has he been up to? For starters, Kaushal has been “reading a lot of scripts”. “Also, I have binged on a lot of web shows such as Peaky Blinders, The Loudest Voice and Jamtara - Sabka Number Ayega,” he says.
Kaushal had gone into a “self-imposed lockdown” a week before Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the 21-day lockdown. “Since that day, I haven’t even walked out till my building’s lift. Once everything is fine, I’ll probably go for a long drive (smiles ) or to my workplace,” he says, adding, “I hope that we’ll come out as a wiser race, on the other side. Nature has told us that we can’t take it for granted, and we shouldn’t forget that.”
Iam overwhelmed with responses to the show. So many people in their 20s have written to me saying that they got hooked to the show after watching the first episode”, says Deepika Chikhalia, who played the role of Sita in the iconic show, Ramayan, which first aired in the late ’80s.
After the lockdown announcement, Doordarshan decided to re-telecast the mythological serials of the ’80s – Ramayan and Mahabharat. And the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, on Thursday, said the retelecast of Ramanand Sagar’s Ramayan garnered the highestever rating for a Hindi general entertainment channel
program me since 2015. Chikhalia, who has been watching the episodes on TV, says Ramayan has got the viewers engaged. “I haven’t seen the show in 33 years but I had seen so many photos from the show, and of myself as Sita, which is why it didn’t seem ‘new’. With the new generation watching the show, I knew the reactions would be different. But to hear that the show and the magic of Ramayan is still fresh, is heartwarming,” she shares.
She feels there are many messages people can take from the show. “Ramayan is about relationships, emotions, family values and duty which we can learn from. Like Sita’s decision to go for vanvas with Ram is not just out of duty but also because she took a vow to be with him through thick and thin. Sita and Ram are so perfect, and think logically and sensibly. They became ideals because of the way they conducted themselves.”
In the light of the Covid-19 pandemic, several fashion weeks across the globe have come to a halt. But as they say, ‘The show must go on’. Will technology change the way we consume fashion and kick-start a new movement of virtual fashion shows?
Designer Shyamal Shodhan says, “Online is a great place to launch collections. Instead of crying, ‘What will happen now?’, everyone should amp up their online game.” Designer Rina Dhaka says, “I’m a brick-andmortar person. But the truth is that we do need to adjust to the virtual world. With going virtual, the colour of the
Be it Alia Bhatt, Katrina Kaif, Anubhav Sinha, and others glued to their laptops for work or a new learning, some glued to screens to catch up on OTT content, or to stay updated with social media fodder — celebs are representative of the public at large which is indulging in uncontrolled screen exposure during this quarantine time.
With few entertainment options indoors, people are turning to screens around.
NIKHIL MEHRA Designer
Education has gone online. Fashion would obviously be next in line. Virtual shows are going to be a major part of our ethos and ecosystem.
ensemble can change, closeup looks can’t be possible.”
Designer Nachiket Barve, however, feels, “It’s like watching a music concert on TV; it can’t replicate the same feeling. But given the number of people travelling across the continents — the carbon footprint and expenditure... can definitely be shortened with shows in digital mode.”
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But experts have warnings. “It’s important to be a wise couch potato during this free time at home. People working from home are already exposed to screens for at least eight hours a day. They must be careful when consuming OTT content and playing online games and put a cap on these,” says ophthalmologist Anant Vir Jain.
Studies by US universities put the safe screen time for adults (above 16 years) at two hours per day, points out Rishi Bhardwaj, head of the ophthalmology department at
Short story: Just saw my liberal neighbour throw all his diyas and mombattis from the 20th floor holding his mobile in the left hand. There was a black tape on the flashlight of his mobile. a Gurugram hospital, adding it is rarely followed by people. “The more we stare at a screen, our eyes get dry and blinking rates get lowered,” informs Bhardwaj, stressing increased exposure can also impact mental health. While mental health expert Prakriti Poddar understands that “not everybody has space for much to do” she says, “You shouldn’t consume junk, but positive data.” Psychiatrist Samir Parikh says the “key is balance and to try and lead as routine a life as you can”. n Keep sleep-awake pattern same, get up on time. If you’re working from home, be in work attire. Take breaks. Do basic exercises, listen to music, read, pick up a hobby. Also, go ahead and watch TV but try and balance it with other stuff. n Use a table and chair, avoid working on bed and sofa, it’s not good for one’s spine and body structure. While checking emails and Whatsapp messages, take a break of 20 seconds and look at a distance of 20 feet during the break. Use artificial tears frequently while working on screen.