The actress says that for the first time in many years, she has been able to observe roza perfectly, as she is homebound during the lockdown
Jaspreet Nijher (BOMBAY TIMES; May 16, 2020)

Zareen Khan, who celebrated her birthday recently, has been observing roza during Ramzan in the lockdown. She says, “I have always been working during Ramzan and couldn’t observe roza perfectly. This year, it feels easier, just like it was when we were kids. I wake up early for sehri and pray peacefully, which is important because I don’t see any other way to get out of this situation.”

With no domestic help, the actress and her sister have taken over the household chores. “Ghar ka kaam is the best workout if you are actually doing it and not just making videos. My friends tell me that we are the only ones losing weight in the lockdown,” she shares Navigating different stages of the lockdown from “feeling strange, because we are so used to going out for work, to being happy with family”, she says, adding, “Whatever our emotions, we don’t have another option than to stay home to fight the virus.”

While film shoots have been disrupted, Zareen feels “lucky because my films hadn’t started”. She will be seen in a Bollywood film and has also signed her third Punjabi film opposite Binnu Dhillon. As the wait to resume work continues, Zareen says the psychological fear of Coronavirus will take longer to subside. “No one knows when shootings will resume even after the lockdown because people are scared. The economy has taken a massive hit, and the future looks blurry, especially in our field of entertainment where working from home is not possible.”

Riya Sharma (BOMBAY TIMES; May 11, 2020)

Having been in self-isolation since five days before the official Coronavirus lockdown was announced, Hina Khan feels she has mastered the art of patience while staying at home. From cleaning her house to sketching and now fasting during Ramzan, Hina talks about how the month is different this year, her biggest takeaway from the lockdown and how she’s happy spending time with her family.

Hina says, “Each year has been tough during Ramzan as I’ve been working while fasting. But this year, there isn’t any work to do, so resting at home and breaking the fast later in the day is all there is to do. I’m making the most of this time to ensure that I observe the festival to the fullest. My only wish for everybody is to emerge physically and mentally stronger from the lockdown. I’d be ecstatic if the situation improves by Eid.”

Talking about her daily routine, Hina says, “It is mainly household chores and activities I haven’t been able to do due to my hectic work schedule — cleaning the home, trying my hand at cooking and pursuing a new hobby like sketching.”

Hina says the one thing she never expected to do was wash a doormat. “It came quite as a shock when my mother asked me to wash the doormat, but it turned out to be quite funny, and I had a hearty laugh while getting it done,” she tells us.

What she has learnt from the lockdown is patience. She says, “This is an important time, when none of us are certain of when we’ll get back on our feet, so keeping patience and being composed is the only way of handling it better. I feel this is one thing I have managed to conquer pretty well.”

Shreya Mukherjee (HINDUSTAN TIMES; May 5, 2020)

For Gauahar Khan, this Ramzan is different. She had to give shopping and mouth-watering street food a miss due to the Coronavirus pandemic. Friends and relatives are also not visiting for iftar. But she believes in taking things in her stride.

In her words, “Ramzan essentially is supposed to be about ibadat and goodwill… In fact this time it’s better because there’s no distraction. So I’m getting more time to pray, finish my Quran.” Khan, however, is missing elder sister Nigaar Khan. “Nigaar is in America. The last two Ramzans she was with me. She’d take over the kitchen, make 10 different kebabs and desserts,” says the 36-year-old.

Spending time alone on such occasions is difficult and Khan’s grateful to have her mother, Razia Khan and cat, Snow, for company. “My mother is happy to see me around. We talk, play cards, break our fast together,” the actor says, adding she’s praying for the world. “The other day I was standing near the window while reading my Quran so that my prayer reaches all,” says Khan, who’s helping those in need, but isn’t talking about it.

“Everyone, including the media, should...help bring people together. This isn’t the time to create confusion, add to stigmas,” she says.

And there’s concern. “Our industry is uncertain. We need to keep working to generate more work. I finished two web shows, hope they’ll be out soon,” she says.

Kavita Awaasthi (HINDUSTAN TIMES; April 25, 2020)

“Ramzan is the time for reflection and self-improvement. And this year, we plan to really practise abstinence and keep everyone in our prayers,” says Huma S Qureshi, who is in Mumbai with her brother, actor Saqib Saleem, while their parents are in Delhi.

With the Coronavirus pandemic, this Ramzan is unlike any other. “It’s about being a better version of yourself and charity, especially during this difficult period of quarantine,” she insists.

While Qureshi, 33, explains that “the idea of iftari is not to throw iftari parties but to share what you eat with others”, she adds, “I urge everyone to share whatever they have with those who need it the most. Be as generous as you can this Ramzan. Also, to keep up immunity during these times, our iftars have to be as healthy and basic as possible.”

She shares, “Hopefully, we will all be able to celebrate Eid together. We miss our whole family coming together, eating and celebrating. During this time, we are in touch with them, digitally, more often than usual.”