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PeepingMoon Exclusive: Enjoyed & respected watching her journey of going from an actor to becoming a star: Tahir Raj Bhasin on his 'Looop Lapeta' co-star Taapsee Pannu

Tahir Raj Bhasin, who has impressed the audience and critics with his performances in films like Mardaani and Chhichhore, is now using his star power to help the ones in need amid the COVID-19 second wave crisis. The actor, who is gearing up for his next Loop Lapeta with Taapsee Pannu, is using social media to reach out to people in need and also help them with mental health issues. 

Tahir has come forward to support a nationwide Covid-relief initiative 'Find a Bed'. India's International Movement to Unite Nations (IIMUN) has started the 'Find a bed' initiative with a team of around 26,000 students working across 160 cities in the country. The website lists all available beds in real-time to help COVID-19 patients who are in urgent need of medical care. Joining it as a cause ambassador, Tahir aims at being a source of help to those in need. Talking about the same with PeepingMoon exclusively, Tahir revealed how Find a Bed works and what prompted him to be a part of the initiative through social media.

Excerpts from the interview: 

How does Find a Bed work? 

As actors, you have a certain amount of influence on social media. Personally, for me, the best use of that influence was by spreading help. And if I could connect two people who is providing help with the one who’s needing help. Before this month, I honestly thought that social media is just what it’s is - media to be social where you post pictures. But now it also works as a service provider. So, how Find a Bed works is that a bunch of students all over India have come together for this and they’re tabulating COVID-19 center, they’re keeping a track of how beds are available, which one has oxygen and all. As Cause Ambassadors, I’d amplify the information and connect people who are in need. Other things that my handle posts are about mental health. A lot of people are living by themselves and it does take a toll on how you feel so it’s very important to have a trained counsellor. So anytime I know about such people or services, I amplify them. 

Recommended Read: Karan Johar-Rohit Saraf to Nakuul Mehta-Ravi Dubey, celebs become the cause ambassadors of 'Find A Bed' initiative to help COVID-19 patients

What promoted you to help people through social media?

I just feel that I’ve been working for a few years and I’ve a certain number of followers and people use this world influencer but I feel what kind of influencer can you be if you don’t have a positive influence? That really drives me. The whole definition of celebrity is someone who is celebrated and if you can’t help people then it’s really not working. 

Do you think people have become more sensitive towards mental health issues amid the pandemic?

Yes, for sure. I think when you go through a mass pandemic, it is bound to take an effect on how you start seeing the world. It is okay to speak about it. There was a request that I had seen by a group of psychologists that said that the media should limit the number of negative images you’re putting out. Because even looking at that kind of visuals can put a negative effect. So, if one story that I put up or one tweet that I do can make someone smile or uplift them a little bit, I’d consider it a good day. 

Do you think the cinema business will bounce back after being badly hit due to the pandemic?

Of course, I’m sure in the near future, theatre and OTT will co exist. In the coming day, a film will release in the theatre, do business for a few weeks and go to an OTT platform. Then, OTT platforms will sort of become a library for your favourite films. We’re very lucky that we have OTT platforms as a safety net. 

Many believe the webspace is a godsend for actors with talent. What do you think? 

For sure, I see this as an amazing time to be an actor. 4-5 years ago, when Mardani released, you could either be a film star or a TV star. But today, you can be a movie star and you can have an OTT show releasing on a platform at the same time. It’s amazing because you can reach a more diverse audience. 

How excited are you for Looop Lapeta with Taapsee Pannu? The initial response has been good. 

I’m super excited because it’s the first time I’m doing the quintessential romantic hero part. It’s a heist film which is a romantic comedy and if I had to be doing a lead romantic hero then who better than Taapsee to be paired opposite because she has so much energy and she is such a perfectionist in whatever part that she is doing. Also, I’ve really enjoyed and respected watching her journey of going from an actor to becoming a star. Just to be able to spend time with and create chemistry between Satya and Savi (the characters that we play), it was just so amazing. 

Do you think Chhichhore changed the ball game for you?

Yes, definitely. I see it as a very big turning point for me. Very few films get critical acclaim, box office acclaim and they win a national award so I was very lucky to be a part of Chhichhore. I definitely saw a transition in how the audience saw me and how the studios started seeing me. Before that, I had done a number of parts that were anti-hero or in the grey space. But Derek was a college stud. The film allowed me to do different better and bigger parts. 

How do you select a script? 

For me, what would be very important is who’s directing the film. I’ve been very lucky to have worked with great directors. So, the first would be who’s telling the story and the second would be what my part is doing in moving the story. If these two are correct then I go ahead and engage with the project.

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