Roshni Olivera (BOMBAY TIMES; May 30, 2020)

His co-actors call him ‘Mr Optimist’ and Kiran Kumar has proven them right, yet again. He may have tested positive for COVID-19, but he did not let fear engulf him, and with proper measures, has managed to come out of it. “Mr Corona is out of my body, my house and my mind,” he told BT in a chat yesterday. Excerpts from that conversation...

What was your reaction when you heard that you had tested positive for COVID-19?
I had gone for a regular check-up and was asked to undergo a COVID-19 test as well. When they told me that I had tested positive, I was surprised because I had no symptoms at all. But then, I thought to myself that this is part of life. I am someone who’s always prepared for any eventuality; nothing excites me a great deal and nothing saddens me too much... I take everything as part of the moment.

But did you wonder and keep speculating how you may have contracted the virus?
I did not speculate because there is no point and I don’t believe in blaming anyone. I don’t let somebody else take credit for my success and I don’t blame anyone for my failure either. I didn’t even think about it. You have to stay positive.

Now that you’ve been through it, what would you advise people to do?
Coronavirus is here to stay. Ab ilaaj nahi hai toh iski dehshat bahut hai and hence, people are scared. Ghabrane ki zaroorat nahi hai. Be careful and make sure you don’t transmit Mr Corona to somebody else. I was in self-isolation for 14 days and even now, after testing negative, I am very careful. Just because of a few symptoms, you don’t need to rush to a hospital because we are running short of beds, ventilators and healthcare workers. So, don’t deprive somebody who may be in need of it. Today, we have to think in tandem about what is best for our country and be more compassionate.

But, there have been many instances where Coronavirus-infected have been alienated and treated badly by the people in their neighbourhood...
Social distancing is necessary to beat Coronavirus, not social boycotting. It’s not a crime if someone tests positive for COVID-19. Haan corona ko chhupana jurm hai and it’s also wrong to behave badly with those who are going out of their way and working to provide essential services. If a neighbour is infected and in self-isolation, you should stand by them. Imagine the plight of senior citizens who live alone, just in case they have to self-isolate, how will they manage? If you have made good food at home, pack it and keep it outside their door. At some point in the future, things will get better, and the person who you stand by today will always have gratitude and love for you. We have to fight coronavirus with positivity and compassion.

Veteran actor Kiran Kumar, 67, discusses how he and his family beat the Coronavirus through positivity and isolation protocols at home
Ankita Chaurasia (MUMBAI MIRROR; May 28, 2020)

Veteran actor Kiran Kumar needed to get an OPD medical procedure done, for which he was required to undergo a battery of tests, including one for Covid-19. Since he had been strictly following social distancing and displayed no symptoms, he was certain it would be negative. He tested positive. “I have faced so many adversities that I was not shocked. I’m prepared for every eventuality life throws my way. Acceptance is necessary, especially when dealing with such crises,” he points out, admitting that while his family was worried for him, they are an optimistic bunch.

The 67-year-old actor immediately isolated himself on the upper floor of his house, while the family stayed downstairs. The BMC authorities responded promptly, dropping by, testing everyone else and informing them about the protocols to be followed. “I told my wife to buy disposable utensils for me to eat in. My food would be prepared and kept on the staircase. I’d pick it up myself, eat and dispose off the plates, ensuring zero contact. I also made my own bed and cleaned the room,” he shares, adding that while he had the luxury of having an entire floor to himself, all you need is a room to isolate yourself. “You must wear a disposable mask and gloves every time you use the washroom, if it’s a shared one,” he warns.

Son of yesteryear actor and celebrated villain Jeevan, Kiran Kumar had started out in Bollywood as a hero, before a slump in his career took him to the neighbouring state where he attained a cult following and came to be known as the ‘Bachchan of Gujarati cinema’. Rakesh Roshan’s Khudgarz got him back to Hindi films, and with Tezaab and Khuda Gawah, he re-established himself as a villain. In a career spanning over four decades, he was once the highest paid actor on Indian TV.

The isolation left him with a lot of time on hand and he started reading books he didn’t have the time to read earlier. “My reading choices are quite outlandish in that I believe in aliens and enjoy my Asimovs (Isaac Asimov, American writer of sciencefiction). I also binge-watched Star Trek, Star Wars and some Hindi films,” he shares, adding that he also did a lot of introspection, which made him realise the value of relationships and how they have shaped him into the person he is. “I may be a known name but at home, my wife (Sushma) is the tigress. She never let any of us mope and my sister (Nikki), who has been pampering me like a kid, cooked my favourite dishes. My children (Shaurya and Srishti) have been tending to my every need while my support staff, Pramod and Jay, have also stood by me like a rock, instead of running away after finding out that I had tested positive.”

He adds that director Kamal Sharma, who’s like a brother, has kept him amused with frequent calls, and his gym buddy, Harsh, with e-papers and funny texts. “Smita Jaykar sent me healing energy and her husband Mohan has been praying for me. These 14 days have made me realise how loved I am,” he exults, quick to add that the doctors at Hinduja and Lilavati have also been very supportive while his brother-in-law, Dr Deepak Ugra, who’s a pediatrician, was a phone call away.

“Now that I have recovered and tested negative, I can say that Coronavirus is here to stay. We all have to learn to modify our lifestyles and start living with it. There’s no vaccine yet, so, the only way to contain it is isolation. Getting infected isn’t criminal; hiding it is,” he asserts, saying it’s important to be content with what you have and start appreciating the little things in life.