Unedited lead

Giving up is not an option

Mona

Sabse bura hota hai sapno ka mar jana, purportedly reads actor Preksha Mehta’s last message on Instagram before she was found hung to death. Pandemic has snatched away many a lives, many a dreams. The stories of miseries heaped upon humanity are for everyone to see. Sure gets tough to keep an optimistic outlook on life when uncertainty looms large. Two actors committing suicide within the gap of less than 10 days makes one wonder if the telly industry more prone to stresses and strains of life?

Bhawsheel Sahni, who plays Bobby in Patiala Babes, is stuck in Mumbai and devastated at Preksha Mehta news. “I knew Preksha and Manmeet bhaji, both were part of auditions group that I am part of.” He agrees that being an actor comes with pressures. “Not just television industry, any other field that has long hours in our country is tough to survive. And now the lockdown uncertainty sure has been heavy on some.” As for self, he finds himself in a way better position than many others like the migrant labourers who have to walk it out under the harsh sun to be home. “I go by the simple line – Rahiye bahut clean par bhuliye na chikkad. Life is tough but we gotta slug it out.” As for lockdown anxieties, he is with his actor/casting director flatmate from Chandigarh. “To be honest many actors like me have long time in between two shows when we are but forced to sit home. I am taking a day a time,” says this actor in 21 Sarfarosh Saragarhi. Bhawsheel intends to wait it out till June to see how things go and hopes to be home in Mohali towards June end to be with family. “We keep in touch through the day on family WhatsApp group and usually talk in the evening or night; keeping positive the only option through this period.”

Times are tough for everyone believes actor Pooja Verma but how you deal with it an individual choice. “Things are dismal right from actors to those in aviation and everything in between, only television actors’ news gets highlighted for it’s a glamour field,” says Pooja who was part of the show Naamkarann. While she admits that to begin with the thought of staying home locked down worried her, “As an actor one is always travelling with projects. To stay home is the new normal and I fill my day with activities to keep myself positively engaged.” Telly industry comes with as much work as perks Pooja says. “I love acting I don’t mind doing so doing 14 hours shifts, I wouldn’t even mind giving my 21 hours either for this is what I absolutely love” That things wouldn’t be same keeps Pooja going. “It’s a pandemic, it’s tough on everyone, one got to accept it and like everyone else go through it. Yoga, Zumba, watching positive content, her mantra to tide the tough time. “It’s absolutely important to take care of one’s mental health. I recently watched Tony Robbins’ I Am Not Your Guru and found it very inspiring.”

We all know we are facing enemy in the face of Corona virus, uncertainty looms large all over the world, now the world cannot stop and till vaccine is found, we got to live with precautions believes Bhabhi Ji Ghar Pe actor Rohitash Gaud who is sad at the recent suicides shares. “Our industry isn’t organised. Many actors get payments come after three months and the lockdown has really made it hard for many.” He hopes Corona changes the world for better including the indutry, till then he says to his fellow actors, “Have heart. Problems are real, but to fulfil one’s dreams one needs to live and fight it out. Being an actor in Mumbai needs real grit, stay strong, the situation is bound to change for good eventually.”

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Mental health issues are on the rise which is a given in a pandemic, the thing is to understand its causes and how can one sail through it. “Disruption of routine, financial hardships, ‘infodemic’ – too much information at hand – all contributing to it. While its sure is time of social distancing, it’s not of emotional distancing,” says psychiatrist Dr. Sachin Kaushik. India deals its stresses in a very social way – shopping, sharing with friends, meeting and greeting relations, not like westerners going for a solo hike or surfing. Now that lockdown doesn’t allow that, the problem has compounded. While it is natural to be down at such a given scenario, when you find yourself constantly worries, have anger outbursts and your usual pick me ups like watching films doesn’t give joy, time to pull up socks. Dr Kaushik shares the tips:

• First is to believe that all is not over. We all have been through tough times, so would we this too.

• Don’t mess with the circadian rhythm of the body. Go back to pre-lockdown routine.

• Exercise at least 30 minutes a day – skip, jog on terrace, climb stairs.

• Eat well, having vitamin filled fruits and vegetable has a protective effect not only on body but also mind.

• Dopamine, the feel good hormones get activated when you learn something new, do what you always wanted to – learn Spanish, make that business proposals you have sitting over for a while.

• It’s but natural to feel low, talk it out with family friends, if thoughts of self harm cross your mind despite all this, reach out to mental health professional.

mona@tribunemail.com