Walk with them

Manpriya Singh

The lady has already surmounted the Everest on screen, the mountain that is. And she is already done with the television series, Everest that is. Post the tough shooting locales and the character of a mountaineer, 3 km walkathon must be a cakewalk. “I am sure 3km is not much for anybody,” Shamata Anchan urges everyone to join in, dismissing all the usual pretexts, like a weekday or work. “I’m sure you guys can go a little late for work one day.”

Star Plus’ initiative Chal Kar Pehel comes to Chandigarh with a 3 km long walkathon, while raising awareness on the issue of women empowerment.

Joining her is the rest of the cast of the serial Everest and before things get mixed up, Sahil Salathia makes things amply clear, “We are not here to promote our show Everest because the last episode was already cast a couple of days. So, the last thing we want you to do is watch TV.”

Instead, it is an early morning wake up call to get out and join the walk. “We did 7 km in Mumbai and everyone was there, girls and boys. As for Bhopal, the turnout was even greater and we are expecting a lot many people to join us in Chandigarh as well,” he adds, a day before the event. Adds Rohan Gandotra, “What better way to spread the message than through such initiatives and our serial is anyway about gender equality.”

Well, that might be true of their series but not of television industry as a whole and what it has to offer. Kitchen politics, suffering brides, demanding in-laws and opines Shamata, “That’s regressive for people like you and me, but people do like to watch all that and somewhere it connects. At the end of the day, it is all drama and meant for entertainment.”

No weak moments

There are a lot many other things she would like to say in support of the issue. The fact that gender inequality exists at every level goes without saying. “Even in the industry, women who are paid lesser than men. Even if they are just as good and popular actors.” She adds, “Women are always considered weak, if they physically train themselves in martial arts or defense strategies, things can change.” Having personally done some of that only recently. “I am a Mumbai girl, so in the city we really do not have access to these sports. I had not done mountaineering or rock climbing before.” While she wouldn’t like to speak about what’s next in the pipeline, “You’ll see, as and when it happens,” Sahil draws the line at quality. “I won’t do tacky work. I’m here to do good roles, small or big doesn’t matter. I wouldn’t even draw the line at television because language and medium is not a barrier for me.” As of now, he is happy to be playing the brand ambassador for a cause. “When a lot of people come together for one initiative, it brings along a lot of positive energy.” This one is purely for the cause, not for promotions.

(The walkathon to take place on March 4 at Leisure Valley Ground at 7 am)[email protected]