With Covid-19, the value of life has become so real, believes Vivek
Having spent two decades in the industry, Abhishek Bachchan still gets anxious before his film’s release
Aahana Kumra recovered from Covid-19 a few days ago and presently, she is busy amplifying requests and requirements for those battling the coronavirus. She points out how verifying leads is the need of the hour. She says, “At a time when people are running around to get oxygen cylinders, nobody is going to verify names and contact details. I don’t put up a single request without cross-checking details and that is a call social media influencers must take.”
She reckons that social media is quite a boon in these times, when
Vivek Anand Oberoi may be more prepared for the lockdown this time around, but the second wave of the Covid-19 pandemic has been bringing him distressful images from last year. “Trains full of migrant labourers are rushing back to UP and Bihar and that’s a scary sight again. This is putting them through a lot of economic pressure,” says the actor-producer. He has extended a helping hand to the needy this year, just the way he did in 2020. Oberoi stresses he wants to empower them to be independent rather than only helping them monetarily.
“We supported 7,500 daily wage worker families through our foundation and social impact lending company last year. I’m more focussed on whatever I can do to empower people. I believe in teaching a man to fish rather than feeding him every day,” he shares.
The Inside Edge actor says the pandemic has made him realise that the smallest things count. “With Covid-19 and mortality and being separated from someone close, the value of life and perspective has become more real. Every minute is important to me. Getting that first hug from my children in the morning is what I wait for and that is the ultimate joy of life,” he says with a smile. influencers have begun amplifying SOS calls. We are being able to reach out to people in places we couldn’t have imagined sending help to earlier,” Kumra shares.
The Khuda Haafiz (2020) actor says that she was disappointed in her peers posting pictures from their Maldives vacations, and recognises the importance of empathy and sensitivity.
“Everyone is allowed to take a break. When I was recovering from Covid and I saw pictures of them in Maldives, I was wondering why are they posting such pictures!” she says, adding, “Those who faced flak understood that they’ve lacked empathy. Empathy and not showing off is the need of the hour.”
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It has been over a year since the Covid-19 crisis hit India, and thus began the rise of online streaming platforms. With theatres shut for most part of the last year, and even now, many films meant for a theatrical release took the OTT route. Abhishek Bachchan had not one, but two of his films — Ludo and The Big Bull — released digitally. The best thing about such releases, says the actor, is the fact that the hype around numbers doesn’t take place as is the case with big screen releases.
“Earlier, traditionally, the film’s trailer would come out six to eight weeks prior to its release; now we get a shorter window. By the time the film is out, as an actor, the excitement goes out of the window because of all the nervousness around initial reactions to the film,” he says and quips, “But, I have to admit that on a scale of one to 100, if theatrical is a 100, with films coming out on streaming platforms directly, nervousness level is at around 98.”
The 45-year-old notes how in case of theatres, the opening day and weekend collections, and this whole number game at the box-office consumes an actor.
“But in case of the web, they don’t release this kind of info. So, it’s a sustained release. There’s no pressure to watch it first day first show, it’s going to be available. That’s the only thing slightly lesser — the pressure to meet opening day figures. Rest of it is pretty much still the same,” he explains.
Having spent two decades in the film industry and played a variety of roles on screen, Bachchan admits that even today, he gets anxious before the release of films.
He reasons, “At times, there are months and years of collective hard work and sacrifice that go into making a film.
And suddenly, the product is not going to be yours anymore. You hand it over to the audience.”
Last year his web debut, Breathe: Into The Shadows and then Ludo, were received well by viewers. This year, The Big Bull, opened to mixed reviews and Bachchan is happy. He directs all the praise towards the film’s co-producer, Ajay Devgn. “He has my best intentions in mind. I have an immense responsibility towards him. I was so lucky, it was a wonderful script and actors would give an arm and a leg for a role like this,” he says.