‘BAD NEWS ALL AROUND TAKING A TOLL ON MY MENTAL HEALTH’
Kratika Sengar talks of missing her family during outdoor shoot and why she’s ‘praying every second’
The current situation amid the second wave of Covid-19 is, of course, difficult to deal with, but for actor Kratika Sengar, it became even tougher when she had to stay away from her family.
In Delhi until recently to shoot for her show, the actor is now back in Mumbai, however, the overall experience during the pandemic has been full of apprehensions.
“This year is more difficult. Last year, we were scared of Covid and because of that we were all following rules. Now people think, ‘Ek saal ho gaya, kya ho jaayega’. They didn’t understand this year it’s worse. I’m hearing bad news from everywhere, it’s taking a toll on my mental health. I’m just praying every second,” she tells us.
Sengar, 34, who has been a part of shows such as Jhansi
Ki Rani and Kasam, adds that she missed her family a lot while she was away for work. “This was my first outdoor shoot. Jhansi Ki Rani had been shot in Karjat, but I wasn’t married then. But this time, when I’d come back to my room (post shoot), I used to miss my husband, family and my dog,” she admits.
But despite all difficulties and concerns, it was a matter of “professionalism” for Sengar, that she couldn’t back out of the show, when it shifted from Mumbai to Delhi amid curbs.
She elaborates, “Being professional took precedence. The experience of shooting wasn’t very nice, as there was always this fear that anybody could be carrying the virus. Being an actor, you can’t even wear mask (during a shot).
So, we’re exposed the most. Then there are junior artists and local people around. We know what condition Delhi is in. I was apprehensive but I had taken up the show, and was committed. So, I couldn’t say no.”
The loss of loved ones, SOS messages for oxygen, trouble in finding a bed — the second wave of Covid-19 did bring the
Capital to its knees. And it was the death of an aide that inspired singer Mohit Chauhan to start a campaign to provide oxygen concentrators and other such basics, especially to frontline workers.
“We had a civil contractor, Bajrangi Maurya, who had been working with us for two years. During the second wave, he developed breathing issues after testing positive. With the help of Delhi Police, we managed to get him oxygen and a bed. But that hospital ran out of oxygen; while we were searching for another bed, he passed away. The fact that he couldn’t get help in time lingered in my head,” says Chauhan, adding, “So I started Project Bajrangi to raise plant in Delhi. We’re also trying to build a hospital that’ll cater to the frontline workers.”
Chauhan has been quite active on social media, amplifying SOS messages of the needy. “I’m trying to do what I can, to help India fight the pandemic,” says the musician who, along with his wife Prarthana, has been feeding over 150 stray dogs in Delhi, since the first lockdown in March 2020. He has also set up a trust for animal welfare. “We’re not only feeding strays, but also getting them vaccinated and sterilised. We plan to continue working for their welfare as the second wave has brought up more cases of pet abandonment,” he says.
Amid grief and despair, the singer uses music as his meditation, while also working on his new album.
“But, I believe unless we find peace and ease, we won’t enjoy anything. So, that is my focus for now,” he concludes.