Saiyami Kher is “frightened” seeing the growing smog crisis in Delhi and Mumbai. The actor says she is experiencing first-hand the impact of the hazardous air pollution.

“I run marathons and have grown up playing sports outdoors. I ran the Mumbai marathon in January and I have had a constant cough ever since. When I went to the doctor, he said it’s [because of] pollution and told me to stop running outdoors. Is this our future? What happens to outdoor activities?” she rues.

The Faadu actor even took to Twitter to speak about the future of sports in such conditions: “I was watching the Test match between India and Australia — that happened in Delhi recently — on TV. There was so much smog [that] I could barely see the players. I have spoken to many cricketers who have also complained about how horrible the conditions are to play in.”

Sports aside, the pollution can also be detrimental to those shooting in open spaces, such as Kher. “It’s worrisome as a citizen first and then as an actor,” she says, adding, “We exert a lot for action sequences, but lots of shoots happen indoors. Or, the exertion isn’t constant, as in the case of sportspersons. But, it’s not safe for anyone to be breathing this air.”

The 31-year-old hence feels the need to use her platform and voice to drive change: “Climate change is real. Extreme winter, summer and monsoon are all happening in front of our eyes. If this doesn’t frighten you, what will?”

She is also doing her bit. “Ever since I was a child, I have been involved in tree plantation. Also, I volunteer with Afroz (Shah, environmental activist) to clean the beach whenever I can,” shares Kher.