Every cloud has a silver lining

… so till the COVID-19 scare is rife, here is how yo can spend some quality time alone inside the safe environs of your house

Mona

While one yearns for free time, being cooped up at home alone is not many’s idea of fun! With city’s malls, cinemas, clubs and educational institutions shut down to practice caution against COVID-19, here are some recommendations to beat the lonely blues at home.

Polly playlist

Writer-director Jagdeep Sidhu is busy writing, with his family also holed up at home, its reading and playing board games that tops family’s favourite pastimes. “My daughter is six plus and together we are enjoying playing chess together,” says the filmmaker who gave hit Qismat. Sidhu lists for you five Pollywood films to catch.

Inspirational take

Harjeeta that won National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Punjabi and Best Child Artiste sadly missed to fetch footfall in theatres. There’s huge learning that one can derive from it. Watch it as much as an inspiration as national pride.

All for entertainment

If entertainment lists high on your list, Bhajjo Veero Ve one light hearted film’s high on drama to while time with.

Strengthen the bonds

With women empowerment for theme, Surkhi Bindi is a sweet story when a man embraces his wife’s dreams. Couples facing issues in relationship, catch this one together.

Risk worth taking

Channo Kamli Yaar Di must be seen for sheer risk that Neeru Bajwa took with the subject and circumstances. Seven months pregnant she shot the film – the efforts she put in performance are laudable.

Dig into the bold old

With time at hand, it’s probably a good time to catch up on Long Da Lishkara. With Raj Babbar starring in, it was a film ahead of its times. Today, due to social media, unnecessarily there is noise even for things that invite no controversy; this was one bold film even back in time.

OTT to rescue

Hostages actor Surya Sharma is giving time to writing and recording rap song song that was pending for a while as shootings are put on hold. A fan of thrillers, he lists five shows on OTT platforms for you to catch.

When They See Us is a show set in New York that follows the story a rape and murder. One of the finest crime drama out there.

Let me be partial and say Hostages. It’s one unconventional drama you are bound to get interested in.

Murder mystery Broadchurch has some terrific performances with compelling leads that weave a wonderful series.

The Family Man deserves a watch only and only for Manoj Bajpayee. One of the finest actors what he achieves with Family Man is tremendous.

Narcos is sure overrated but if you haven’t seen it soemhow, dig into this drug cartel story set in Columbia.

Fauda is for anyone who loves thrillers. Each episode ending in a cliff-hanger goads one to watch this series that brought Israel to people’s homes.

Gaming glory

Time to take hold of good old gaming and get into games. Manan Sharma from Indulgence Gaming Lounge list the five favourites here:

FIFA 20: Dribble it like Messi or chop ala Ronaldo – Get into the shoes of your favourite stars, literally.

Cricket 19: Cricket remains religion, use the free time to practice your moves. The games are so fine that it’s like playing on field only instead of your body, you train your fingers.

Fortnite: catch up with your friends online for a game of Fortnite, make teams strategise and carry on.

TOTA: Purely strategic, build castles and save them, intriguing it is to keep you engaged for hours.

Mortal Kombat: It is one game that I have seen couples bond over. Guys love their girls to beat them at it, hone your tactical skills with these.

Social distancing, do it right

• It is advisable to keep away from social gatherings and limit outdoor movement as much as possible for time being unless unavoidable.

• Visit hospitals only if necessary, and see if routine follow up visits could be deferred in consultation with your doctor.

• Activities which keep oneself physically and mentally active are okay as long as proper precautions are taken for hand and respiratory hygiene.

Spread the word

For everyone’s safety, it’s also important to make others – with who we come in contact on daily basis – aware of these. So speak with your domestic help, worker at shop, babysitter, driver etc about this virus. Tell them precautions to be taken for prevention at home, at work and in public. Share informative videos and other material in the language they understand. Help them with resources for hand wash, and advise not to believe rumours or panic. Importantly, please do not cut their pay for the period of absence if they either get sick from COVID19 or quarantined. Be kind, it’s the time they need your help and support the most.

– Dr Mahesh Devnani, Joint Medical Superintendent, PGI, Chandigarh