In the latest instalment of mid-day’s special series, Bollywood actress Neetu Kapoor talks about the year that changed her life and how, towards the end, she also beat COVID with yoga, discipline and a big dose of positivity
In a post on Instagram on Dec 29, 2020, Neetu Kapoor spoke about her experience of the year
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In a year that tested everyone’s resilience, Bollywood actress Neetu Kapoor coped with her husband’s passing, resumed work after several years and beat COVID-19 at 60+ years in 2020. In an exclusive chat with mid-day, Neetu talks about recovery at her age, going back to work and how yoga and positivity helped her. Neetu said, “There is a little bit of brain fog sometimes. Yoga is helping me come out of that. I did pranayams, anulom-vilom and kapaal bhaarti at least thrice a week to expand the lungs.”
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“My gut had a hard time, which can make you feel listless and weak. I would soak leftover rice in half a glass of water overnight and have a spoonful of the water. This builds gut bacteria.”
An Instagram post shows Neetu Singh with her team on the sets of the film
Neetu doesn’t know how she contracted the virus. “Many others on the set of Jug Jugg Jeeyo got infected. But I was feeling terribly guilty, so I came back, self-quarantined and after testing negative, in around 10 days, I resumed work. Everyone was young and said that Neetu auntie would need time to recover, but I made it.”
Things were tough initially. “I was being made to quarantine in Chandigarh but I wanted to return. Karan (Johar) arranged for me to be put in a plastic enclosure and transported in a charter air ambulance.
“At home, my staff would leave my tray of food outside. I was on the floor below, while they were upstairs. My staff was outstanding! They told me they’d rather get COVID than leave me alone. They never took off their masks. In the morning, I would let fresh air come in. Although they were around four or five people, none got infected,” Neetu said.
A file photo of Neetu Kapoor (second from right) with various members of the Kapoor family. Family support was one of the major things that helped her recover, she said
Neetu did pranayam via Zoom with her guruji daily. “We also did light muscle toning but no cardio. I would listen to music on my headphone or talk to someone while walking for at least 30 minutes every day. I also passed time by watching lots of Turkish shows. I am hooked to them!”
To build her immunity, Neetu had lots of healthy drinks. “I have a disciplined diet, I cannot even do cheat days. I drank lots of kaadhas, giloy (moonseed leaves) water, chai, amla with beetroot and ginger juice. I lost the sense of smell for three weeks. As soon as the smell and taste started coming back, I tested negative. I felt so much relief!”
Neetu added, “The pandemic actually worked in my favour because my family was with me for more than six months. Everybody was spoiling me silly.”
Looking back at her journey, Neetu said, “I had gathered courage to work after Rishi passed away in 2020. I told myself that work would help me get over my grief. It was the only way to get on with life.”
She added, “Though one should never get COVID, but if you get it, deal with it and take good care of yourself. If I can recover at my age, others can too.” The COVID-19 vaccine is the next step for Neetu, who said, “If I have no antibodies tomorrow, I will get vaccinated.”
10
Approx. no. of days after which Neetu resumed the shoot for Jug Jugg Jeeyo
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