Emraan Hashmi, who turned 41 on Tuesday, hopes he doesn’t have to bring in his special day under quarantine ever again
Avinash Lohana (MUMBAI MIRROR; March 26, 2020)

Emraan Hashmi isn’t too kicked about turning 41. The actor, who celebrated his birthday at home on Tuesday amid social distancing, hopes he doesn’t have to do it again. “It’s a strange time we are living in right now. This is a birthday I will never forget, and I hope it’s the only one I am spending under quarantine,” he says fervently.

The actor wonders if anyone imagined that basic things, once taken for granted, would be taken away by a virus someday. “None of us were prepared for this, but I think it’s the new normal, which we are all getting used to. Yes, it’s frustrating being locked up, but it’s for the greater good,” he asserts.

The actor spent his birthday reading and watching a film. His wife, Parveen, baked him a cake, son Ayaan helped her and also made him a card. “Ordering from outside is out of the question at this point,” Emraan points out. “We spoke to a few friends, video-calling some others who live in the UK and the US to check up on them.”

He is helping his son home-school during the lockdown due to Coronavirus. “Kids can’t miss out on school, so online courses have been organised. Nothing can replace school time, but we don’t know when all this will end and education must continue. They can’t even go out and play right now, so at least this is keeping them busy,” reasons Emraan.

He is looking at the positive side of things. “The pandemic is sad, however, being locked up in our homes, we have rediscovered family time. Our busy schedules don’t allow it under usual circumstances, so it’s nice to be home for a change,” the birthday boy signs off.