'We are all connected, even if we make our fake borders': Abhay Deol on coronavirus pandemic

Bollywood actor Abhay Deol has been spending his time in Goa ever since the lockdown began and has maintained that he has been doing great, having all this time to himself. In a recent interview, talking about his period in quarantine, Abhay said, "I cycle, I swim, I’m completing my house in Goa (lockdown has slowed things on that front). I’m developing two scripts, I have three films in post-production, I’m taking online classes in subjects that interest me, and I lay in the sun every day so I can keep a nice tan. I’m thankful for the privilege to be able to do so."

He also spoke about why he chooses to be away from the limelight and said, "Popular actors with big banners behind them get tremendous coverage. That’s the norm and the structure within this industry. So, the fact that I keep a low profile and do not follow a conventional path, whether in the films I do or in the way I stay, makes people believe that I’m choosy or reclusive. Truth is I cannot participate in this hyper-capitalism that the industry pushes upon us."

Abhay further added that it would take a while for everything to go back to normal, "It will take a while, I’m hoping it will be by the end of the year but you can’t really say. I don’t think we can or should go back to normal. We need to rethink the way we structure society, our cities, businesses, and prioritise providing for the poor while investing in green technologies to create new jobs. This calamity is also an opportunity. Even if we go back to normal, history proves that such outbreaks will keep happening unless we take drastic measures," he said. 

The Dev.D actor who considers himself an optimist ended his interview by saying, "This pause has given the planet breathing space. It’s brought to people’s attention to the dangers of unchecked capitalism. It shows that we are all connected, even if we make our fake borders."