2020 was arguably the worst year of our lives. How do you look back on the year?

I think looking back at the year…I think people of my generation will never forget this year. People were struggling financially and emotionally throughout this year. They still are. We don’t know what lies ahead. Emotions were heightened as people were locked down together. We don’t know what the world will be like once things get back to normal. 2020 was one of the most difficult years for anyone who has lived through the year.

What is your takeaway from this traumatic year?

My takeaway? Ah…I am not really sure. I guess it is the art of survival. If we could get through this year then any other future hurdles traumas and tragedies would be easy to face. Emotionally and financially no year could be more challenging than this. Small businesses are specially vulnerable right now. Let’s pray for their survival.

The OTT platform has changed the profile of the Hindi film audience. What is your take on cinema versus the digital platform?

I don’t think cinema is ever going to be the same again. The digital platform has made sure of that in 2020.We have all restructured and acclimatized our brains and lives to watch content digitally , and we enjoy it that way. I’ve no idea what will happen to the movie theatres. I hope they get back on their feet. But I don’t think movie theatres will ever be the same.

What films did you watch this year?

I consumed a lot of digital shows. I didn’t watch too many films, actually. I was in US most of the time so I watched a lot of American shows.I am right watching Netflix’s Queen Of The South.

Irrfan, Rishi Kapoor, Sushant… your thoughts on their abrupt departure?

Yes so many valuable lives lost. I think there’s one force that decides life and death. I believe in God. I believe he chooses when we live and when we die. When we flounder and when we thrive. I personally didn’t know these great actors. So I cannot feel for them the way their friends and family can.But I hope they are at peace wherever they are.

There were some ugly run-ins on social media which you handled with aplomb. What is your take on the toxicity on social media?

Toxicity on social medium is here to stay. During this lockdown, yes, I had some run-ins that were not nice. But during this lockdown, a lot of people from the entertainment industry had to face a lot more negativity that I did. I got a lot of this hatred when I first came to Bollywood. With time I pushed past it. I don’t think toxicity on social media will ever go away. I had never before seen such a large community of haters before.

What is your advice to the trauma of the trolled?

My advice is to push passed the hatred. Don’t stop doing what you are doing. Keep posting fun things about who you are and what you love to do. Don’t read the comments. The haters will soon find another target. So don’t let it get to you. Some of us have opted out of social media. My advice to them is , come back, guys. I want to see your pictures of the fun things that you do. Don’t let the .05 percent of haters spoil the fun.

Your plans for 2021?

My plan is to work my butt off and make up for lost time. To make up for my lost opportunities. I do have a job and I like it and I like making money from it, just like you do.I hope to get back to work fully in 2021. I also hope to spend as much time as possible with my family. I have severe anxiety bouts about being separated from them.