I resumed work, camera has rolled for me: Himansh Kohli

Jaspreet.Nijher@timesgroup.com
From experiencing solitude in lockdown, testing COVID positive, to mental lows, Himansh Kohli faced the onslaught of the pandemic in entirety. Now, the actor has rebounded and resumed work after eight months. He shot for a music video with Jubin Nautiyal in Chandigarh last week. "I went back to Mumbai in November from hometown Delhi, where I spent the lockdown," says Himansh, adding, "I know many people still don't feel safe stepping out.But, we have to live with the pandemic, it's part of life now. I realised that someday I too have to go out. How long can you miss on opportunities? I also wanted to understand what I can do to help the industry and my producers get back up." The song is also the first for Himansh where he gets to act, not just play himself, as he did in the previous music videos. "I don't do too many videos, but this one I really liked. Unlike the others where I just had to play Himansh in a romantic backdrop, in this one, which is based in the 80s era, I get to act and be different," he says.
Having suffered COVID, Himansh says the fear of resuming work was very real. "Since I was a little reluctant I thought it's better to start with a song which has a three day schedule. It felt nice to be back on sets. The camera has rolled for me." Describing his COVID experience as a "nightmare", Himansh says he lifted himself out of depressing times with hobbies. "I was so tired living alone in Mumbai that once flights resumed I became the first actor to take a flight back home. But, I ensured that the lockdown was productive by doing gymnastics, working out, and cooking with help from my mom and sister on video calls. We have to keep working to stay in the perfect state of mind." Taking the discussion further on "state of mind", Himansh admits feeling the blues of the pandemic. "The saying that khali dimag shaitan ka ghar, is what my grandparents advised me against. They taught me to keep myself occupied to avoid over thinking. There were times I felt low, but then I decided I can't wallow in this and picked myself back up."
Himansh also took a road trip from Delhi to Mumbai, twice in ten days to pick up his pet from Mumbai. “I had to shift my pet back with me. I take that responsibility being a pet parent. It was a beautiful drive of 24 hours, where we crossed so many states. A road trip in India was always on my bucket list.”
Being home for many months and pampered by his mother's cooking, Himansh says he ended up gaining weight, which he's trying to knock off now that he's back on sets.
Next, Himansh is set to start shooting for his Hindi film, 'Boondi Raita'.