Every industry and every profession has been impacted by the pandemic in one way or another. The tourism sector has come to a standstill, the restaurant industry is banking on home deliveries to keep them afloat and the film industry is suffering the pinch as well. Not only actors but technicians, spot boys, makeup artists, and other workers on the set are under severe financial strain.
TV actor Ayub Khan (of ‘Uttaran’ fame) revealed that shooting for ‘Ranju Ki Betiyaan’ hasn’t started due to lockdown restrictions and he’s been at home. Hindustan Times quoted him saying,
“I haven’t earned any money since the last one and a half year, and am down to the last little pennies now. It is affecting work, and emotional state as everyone is struggling. It’s been one and a half years since I’ve not been working (regularly). I’ve earned no money. So, the strain is huge.”
Talking about the worst-case scenario, he admitted that if the situation didn’t improve, he’d have to look for financial aid.
“You can’t do anything. You just have to make do with whatever you have. And, God forbid, if things go from bad to worse, one will have to put out a hand for help. What else can you do? By that time, if things don’t get better or I don’t start working, I’ll have to start asking for help. So, I do hope things get better soon and everyone gets back on track.”
According to DNA India, the pandemic hasn’t just affected his professional life, but his personal life as well. He added,
“I lost two of my uncles and a couple of friends. So, I know the exact loss. My uncle walked into the hospital and his dead body came out.”
Which is why he feels frustrated and a bit angry when people aren’t super careful and take the restrictions lightly.
“Today, even the educated people are saying, ‘Arrey kuch nahi’. What’s wrong with their sensibilities? Just because it doesn’t happen to you, it doesn’t happen to your near and dear ones, so they don’t feel the pinch. The moment it’ll start hitting the near ones, tab sab ko jhatka lagega.”
With Phase 3 of the vaccination drive beginning on May 1, we hope that the situation gets better sooner rather than later.