Neeshita Nyayapati (BOMBAY TIMES; June 10, 2021)

It’s been an eventful year for Tamannaah Bhatia. She shot for four films and two web series, tested positive for Coronavirus, recovered and went back to sets. The severity of the second wave of the virus has shocked her and like everyone else, Tamannaah is now holed up in her apartment in Mumbai, waiting for the world to go back to norma. “It’s been overwhelming. Reading about stories of pain, suffering and loss as people combat this virus have been hard,” says the actress, as she joins us for a video call. “I feel grateful and blessed that my family and I are at home, safe and healthy,” she adds. In a freewheeling chat, Tamannaah opens up about shooting in the new normal, exploring the OTT platform and how she has coped mentally with the second wave of COVID-19. Excerpts:

You had tested positive for COVID-19 in October 2020 and not long after recovery, you were back on sets and kept shooting till the lockdown was imposed in April. Were you not worried?
It was extremely difficult not just for me, but for everyone to be back on sets. Despite the level of precautions we took, there was a sense of alarm and no one was in their normal element. Utmost care was taken on all the sets I worked on, but we kept hearing about people getting infected. I believe the on-set experience will never be the same and this will be the new normal till things change across the world. It’s not an ideal way to shoot, but I felt a sense of responsibility towards my work, so I rejoined sets soon after recovering from COVID.

After the pandemic delivered a jolt last year, do you believe the film industry was better prepared this time around?
None of us were prepared for another lockdown. The spike in COVID cases was unprecedented and alarming, and the lack of resources hit everybody. I feel maybe we were better contained last year, which is probably why the number of people infected were lower compared to the second wave. I must admit, there was zero preparation for the second wave and that was a lapse on our part. The daily-wage workers are the worst hit in every industry, yet again.

How do you stay afloat mentally during an uncertain time like this?
I think it’s important to remember that it’s okay to not be able to figure it all out. There’s such uncertainty that we’re all in the same boat. We must be easy on ourselves. If someone is unable to be productive, it’s okay. My heart goes out to everyone, who has lost a loved one to the virus. But I hope everyone finds the strength to deal with this. The only way we get out of this situation is by being collectively responsible and doing our bit.

Although theatres are now shut, the audience saw you in a different avatar in your recent web series. Do you think actors are now comfortable making the switch to OTT?
Even before the pandemic when theatres were running, I wanted to explore the web space, because it’s a natural progression. I want to pave a way for others who want to do it. It’s a great time to be an actor and there’s a massive change in the kind of stories being explored apart from the medium they’re told on.

And what about the kind of roles being written for women, do you think that has changed too?
The way people now look at female actors has definitely changed. That said, I am neither a director nor a writer. In my capacity as an actor, my job is to do justice to whatever I take up, so I’ve given my best to all my roles till date. It’s not always about getting roles that show off your potential; sometimes it’s just about giving it your all is what I’ve learnt. I’m not worried about not getting my due as an actor.

I’m not insecure about that, because sometimes a Baahubali will come along to change your life. But that’s not the case with every film. There is no optimum opportunity; you just have to give it your all no matter what you do.

Is that what you plan on doing with your upcoming projects?
Yes, the kind of work I have now is a mixed bag. There’s no formula, because I’m consciously trying to break the mould at this point in my career. I want to do everything for different kinds of audience. The sets of F3 were a blast to be on and there’s such camaraderie among the cast and crew. When it comes to Maestro, the remake of Andhadhun, I’m a huge fan of Tabu’s versatility so I have some big shoes to fill. Gurthunda Seethakalam, the remake of Love Mocktail, will see me in an unexpected role. Seetimaarr is a sports drama that shows how difficult it is to pursue sports in our country, especially if you’re a woman. I’m being careful, sensitive and choosy about the roles I pick because I want my work to be relatable. I just hope the COVID situation is under control again, so the audience can see me in all these exciting new characters.