I’m trying to channelize my  energy: Kriti Sanon

Kriti Sanon Speaks To Subhash K Jha On Why  How The  Lockdown Has  Changed Her

How are you coping with the restlessness that has crept into lockdown phase  5?

Well the lockdown initially when it started I was calm, at peace being home because firstly I was with my family after a very long time and I had finished a long schedule of  my  film Mimi. So I was away from home in Mandwa, it was good to have that break and be back at home for a change and I was spending the time relaxing, resting, having some good family time.

When did  the  lockdown start getting to you?

 I think in the last 10 days or so, it kind of started getting to me.I realized I was getting very restless. When I was in the sync, working, going out and we have all been home and not stepped out at all, so not working for so long is something I’ve not done in a while so I was very very restless. There were some Zoom meetings happening, but I think it’s the uncertainty of this situation is what makes us all very restless at some point or the other.

Did  the  restlessness change your  behaviour?

 I realized I was getting a little cranky 10 days back and I was snapping at people around me, not wanting to take calls and I was sort of missing work, missing people and I think the fact that there’s nothing to look forward to, there’s no future you can see. Usually we all wake up knowing at least the next 4-5 days what we are going to do, if there’s some film coming you’re prepping for it, you’re doing workshops, you have a schedule. Because we don’t have a schedule anymore, I think it’s normal for all of us to get a little restless because there’s so much uncertainty in there.

What is  your antidote  to  the restlessness?

 I’m trying to channelize my  energy, get into a routine, break it and then there are days when I am not doing anything. But I’m sort of discovering new things like I’ve gone back to writing poetry which I used to write very very long time back. I’m not writing very often because it’s a process that has to sort of come to me but I’m still back at writing after a very long time so that’s good. I’ve started cooking because of course we all need to help with the household works so we are taking turns. Sometimes I’m cooking, my sister is cooking, my mom is cooking; we are sort of taking turns and trying to figure out new recipes and sort of entertain ourselves in anyway possible.

What  is  the one indoor activity that  you are enjoying the most?

 I’ve  started baking a lot which I’m actually really enjoying. I think I find baking very very therapeutic, whether it’s baking banana breads or any sort of cakes or even buns. I attempted making croissants which were not very good in the first attempt as they’re really difficult. I’ve been making a lot of desserts, I’ve been making chocolate tarts and cheesecakes. It’s sort of a new found love  which I’ve realised. My mom is enjoying my baking  thoroughly because she loves meetha and at the same time everyone’s feeling that they’re relishing all of it but gaining weight. So I’m trying to make it as healthy as possible.

Do you find yourself eating, sleeping more than you would otherwise?

Yes, I find myself eating and sleeping a lot more than what I would otherwise. Not sleeping so much, but eating I would  say  a  lot more. A lot of time , I am just lying down and the worst is when you’re just scrolling through your Instagram, Twitter, one video to the other and you don’t realize where those two hours went.

It doesn’t seem you’re enjoying the  free time?

 I think psychologically and mentally it adds a lot of stress because you’re just processing a lot of information which is of no use to you but it still occupies your brain so you become tired mentally.

Are you working-out at  home?

I’m trying to work-out as  much as I can at home. I’ve downloaded some apps. I follow Yasmin’s online workout videos sometimes, so I do a little bit of mat workout. Yoga is something that I always wanted to try out .But I always used to go to the gym so I ended up not doing yoga and now I’ve gone back to doing it on and off.

Any new skills during the  lockdown?

Besides  baking, I just started learning  playing the guitar. It’s very very new to me, I’ve done like 4-5 sessions until now. It’s something new and I’m glad I’m getting this time to learn something new. I think that’s we all can do, make the most of this time to just learn things, develop habits that we always wanted to but kind of told ourselves that we don’t have the time and we are really busy.

Your advice to your fans and followers on how to cope up with the crisis?

I feel we all can try and learn new things, do something that you’ve always wanted to do. My mom wanted   to start painting for  a long time,so she has just tried to order for stuff to paint and she’s going to attempt that.  I think you can stay positive by keeping yourself busy and by putting yourself into something creative, anything that gives you happiness and you wanted to do.

What is  the  most difficult part of  the lockdown?

I think what’s difficult is to get into that routine. I find it very difficult because there’s literally no work and we end up just lying down, lazing around all day and binge-watching serials. I think it’s important for all of us to give ourselves certain targets, make a routine and that’s something I’m trying to do.

So  what is  you  advice to those  of us  who are getting restless at home?

Make a routine, don’t just keep lying down and most importantly try to manage your time that you’re actually using your phone for because we don’t realize we end up looking at our screens for so long and somewhere it adds to our mental stress. I would also say don’t watch news for too long, little bit knowing of the daily updates is fine but if the news is going on for too long in your houses, it’s really kind of stressful. It’s unnecessary stress, something you can’t do anything about, getting information most of which is not positive.

What about those who are getting  restless?

 Just do your bit, stay at home, stay safe, make sure you’re wearing your masks and gloves when you’re going out. Don’t go out if it’s not necessary, but for the groceries and stuff if you’re going out, maintain distance from people and make sure you’re sanitising, washing your hands – that’s all we can do.

Does  the  virus scare  you?

There’s nothing to be really really scared of. Of course for me I’m more paranoid for my parents rather than me because I know I’m young and I will probably be able to cope up with it and the reason why I’m being extra careful is actually for them.

What  according to  you is  the  best way to use  this time?

Spend time with your family, don’t be just alone in your own room. We at my house we make sure that we have all our meals together, morning and evening chai together, playing ludo all four of us –my parents  my sister and I–and we are really enjoying that. The happiness and joy that I see on my parents’ faces when they’re playing ludo and becoming children is priceless. So do things that you always wanted to do but never had the time for and make a routine for yourselves as that will help you cope with the restlessness.