MUMBAI: Manit Joura, who owns a farmhouse in the Chandigarh suburbs, spent this Diwali here and reunited with his parents after one and half years.
Stuck in Mumbai in the lockdown, the Delhi based actor used this festival to bond with family and his beloved horses. “I am a farmer, a 'desi' at heart who loves nature and animals...”, he says, adding, “I had a new show Prem Bandhan and wanted to recharge before starting that. At the farmhouse I discard phones and don’t move out, gliding over casual conversations and fawning over my horses Mustang, Kaira and her four-month-old colt, Poetry. I check on them from the CCTVs installed at the farm when I am in Mumbai.”.
While for many, 'recharge' assumes greater significance amid the pandemic, Manit says for him that’s been a norm. “I’ve been hustling in Mumbai since I moved there at 17. I love my work. But, investing 17-18 hours a day in shooting, following the same routine, ends up in saturation to a point I feel I’ve become empty and have nothing more to give to my craft. That’s when I escape to my farm.”.
Having spent the lockdown in Mumbai with his photographer brother, Manit didn’t step out for 67 days. “Except in the beginning when I had to feed strays since I am part of an animal NGO, I was home every day. The things about us humans is, we find reasons to complain. When we don’t have time, we crib over lack of time, when we were given time, we grumbled over boredom. I have never complained, it doesn’t help.”.
Instead, the Kundali Bhagya actor made a to-do list from reading, watching films, spending time with his pet dog, cooking, to doing yoga. “I utilized the lockdown well. I told myself I have two options- either I complain or do something. I’m happy that my training as an actor has made me minimalistic. An actor cannot complain because surroundings will never be favourable.”.
Doing two shows simultaneously, Manit is over the apprehension of COVID. “I take precautions because I’m responsible for safety of my unit and this is the discipline one should have as an actor. But, I can’t go crazy worrying and sanitizing anymore.”.
On being asked about his constant energy boost which he possesses at his disposal, he says, “I lead a healthy life, eat on time, sleep on time, and the energy comes from the work I do. If you love what you do, you get more energy. I am living my dream.”.
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Credit: Bombay Times
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