I-Day: For these celebs, the idea of being free has changed amid the pandemic

Locked up in our homes, for months on end, we longed for ‘freedom’ which, many are deriving from the simple joys of life. In the unlocking phase, as we are introduced to the ‘new normal’, we are discovering ‘freedom’ in doing regular things including an evening stroll, a bite of pizza, a sip of coffee and the likes, now with the unlocking phase in action. We realised the importance of these regular things amid the pandemic. - something as simple as looking at the sea waves or just being outdoors. An evening stroll, catching up with friends over coffee and pizzas, having pani puri from your favourite stall, going for a run post-dinner etc- did seem like regular stuff before coronavirus changed the meaning and importance of these ‘everyday’ things for all of us. For some, ‘freedom,’ now means drenching in the rains, for others, meeting their parents is freedom from loneliness. On Independence Day, we spoke to some celebs and asked them how the lockdown changed their idea of freedom.

Breathing in the fresh air, sitting by the sea meant freedom to me: Terence Lewis

Being an outdoorsy person and a nature lover, I can’t be more grateful for the fact that I could sit by the sea and sip on some coffee with two of my friends. The experience has not just become precious but also gave me a sense of being free- breathing in the fresh air by the sea meant freedom. The advantage of wearing a mask is that it makes you unrecognisable. So post lockdown, I was able to go out to the seashore with two of my friends, carrying a coffee flask as we sat facing the sea, undisturbed, discussing life and its paradoxes. Later, a hawaldar came by and drove everyone away as it was 9 pm already! With restrictions and curfew, simply being near the sea or running along the beach makes me feel free and also gives a sense of thrill. It is quite liberating.


The cycle ride from my house in Lokhandwala to Worli and back, gave me a taste of freedom in the pandemic: Aditya Narayan

Owing to the lockdown, I had to discontinue going to the gym where I had recently enrolled myself. This feeling can be quite unnerving. However, once the lockdown eased out, I went cycling from my house in Lokhandwala to Bandra-Worli Sea Link and back. It was like my first brush with freedom post lockdown and months of having stayed indoors. The ride gave me a taste of freedom and made me realise how important it is to value these simple joys of life. I had been longing to be outdoors, to breathe in the fresh air. On my way back home, I stopped by the empty Juhu Beach and the deserted Bandstand, while admiring the sunset. Having been confined to our home, I thoroughly enjoyed this liberating experience.

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I never thought being able to go for a run in the outdoors will make me feel so free: Shubhangi Tambale

Pic: Shashank Sane

During the lockdown, I felt as if I would never be able to go outside for a jog or a run, given the regulations. Once, I mistakenly stepped out of my house without wearing a mask, and I was stopped by a cop who sent me back home. We’ve taken our ‘freedom’ to roam around without restrictions for granted, but now, after the lockdown, when I am actually able to lace up and go for my run, it feels amazing. When I stepped out for the first time after the lockdown, it was raining and everything looked green and cheerful. The feeling can’t be explained in words. I got drenched in the run, danced a bit after the run, and went back home feeling free as a bird.


The clean beaches and sound of the waves set me free: Arjun Bijlani

I think, during the lockdown, all of us felt that our freedom was taken away. Having said that, it also taught us how to find joy in little things that were ‘insignificant’ erstwhile. While we all need freedom from the fear of the pandemic, I have come to Goa to be up and close with ‘freedom.’ The peace and the sense of abundance I got by looking at the clean beaches, and the sound of the waves crashing on the shore is music to my ears, which set me free. From the confinements of the four walls, with limited movement during the lockdown, to being able to look the azure sky, the gorgeous sea, the sunrise and sunsets in Goa, post lockdown, are in many ways my first encounter with freedom, which I value so much.



Reuniting with the crew, and co-stars of my show brought the freedom back in my life: Aditi Sajwan

My first brush with freedom after the lockdown was driving to work on the first day to resume the shoot of Akbar Ka Bal Birbal. I never realised that being able to talk to other people, face-to-face, albeit wearing masks, would free me from the mental barrier I had been living with throughout the lockdown. Being cooped up in my house, I realised that while my work liberates me, it was important it is to have a human connection. Not being able to talk to anyone physically, made me feel trapped, but as soon as I got back on the sets and reunited with the crew and co-stars, the freedom that was missing from my life for months was back again.

Facing the camera for the first time after the lockdown was liberating: Charu Asopa

For an artiste, being away from their craft can be quite daunting, especially in these testing times when you’re locked up in your homes. Hence for me, coming back to the sets is a great feeling, and facing the camera for the first time after the lockdown was liberating. Navigating through the new normal where one has to constantly remind oneself to adhere to social distancing, wear masks and sanitise oneself, can mean feeling restricted, but as soon as I faced the camera, I felt a sense of freedom and empowerment.

Reuniting with my mom and dad, sort of gave me wings and I no longer felt captivated: Himansh Kohli

The pandemic took away a lot of freedom from us in a blink of an eye. I felt confined and cut off from the rest of the world in my apartment in Mumbai since I was living all alone. It was a major mental and physical lockdown. For me, landing in Delhi, being in my own house, and meeting my parents, after the self-quarantine period, was freedom in its true sense as meeting them gave me a sense of assurance. Reuniting with my mom and dad, sort of gave me wings and I no longer felt captivated. In Delhi, I went for several shoots, I went to my dad's office, went out to help with grocery shopping, and went for short drives with my family. These experiences are priceless and certainly make you feel free after you have been indoors, all alone.

Coming back and playing Krishna again liberated me: Sumedh Mudgalkar

The lockdown taught me that freedom of mind is more important than anything else. However, with no work to do and nowhere to go for four-long months, made me long to play my character of Krishna again in RadhaKrishn as Arjun Gatha track was about to start. It came to a halt because of the lockdown. A deep sense of freedom uplifted my spirits as soon as I was dressed in the costume of Krishna.