Ferdous Ahmed

What have you been doing during quarantine?

Before quarantine, I never got to spend much time with my family. I have been able to do that now due to quarantine. I spend a lot of time with my family cooking, playing games or watching movies together. I never got to spend this time with my children. I also spend my time watching the news. There are a lot of unread books at my house, and I plan on reading all of them before quarantine ends. By doing some freehand exercises, I have been staying both physically and mentally healthy. I've been making some videos at home where my daughters act as my cameramen. Another thing that I spend a lot of time doing is checking up on my colleagues. In the past, I would only call them to ask things like when we have to go to shooting or what I have to wear for an event. Now, I call them to ask how they are doing, how their families are. I have also been calling to check up on my senior artists. I didn't get to talk to them regularly before, but now I make sure to check on them regularly. One thing that I think everyone should be doing is helping those in need. I opened a Bkash account to do that. I see how many people who worked in films are facing a financial struggle, and I try to help them to the best of my abilities. I would like to especially express gratitude to our honourable Prime Minister as she is doing her best to help the people of Bangladesh. It is all of our duties to help others out.

What new skills have you learnt while in quarantine?

I have learnt a lot of cooking by watching YouTube. It seems that I have a knack for making food. I can now make a wide variety of foods. Since we cannot bring food from outside for my children, I try to make whatever they want at home.

What do you miss the most while you are in quarantine?

I miss acting. I am an actor by profession, so that is what I miss the most. Sometimes, I even have dreams where I am going to a shooting spot to shoot a film, and at other times, I think about when I might get to act again. I also miss how people would get excited whenever they got to see me in public. However, I understand that if I gain something, I have to lose something. I am getting to spend more time with my family now, but I am not being able to act.

What is the first thing that you will do once quarantine ends?

At first, I will have trouble believing that it is actually over. I really don't know what I'll do once it ends. Now, it feels like it will go on forever, so when it ends, it will seem kind of unbelievable. I know that I will be ecstatic, and the feeling will be similar to that of winning a war.

Do you have any message for the readers?

Throughout my whole career, I have never spent this much time staying at home not doing anything. Acting is my main source of income, and since I cannot act, I have not been earning anything. This is not just the case for me; many artists are facing the same problem. We still stay at home because that is the only way to not just keep ourselves safe, but to keep others safe as well. I am certain that Allah will save us from this virus, and until this crisis ends, people should not go out unless it is absolutely necessary. We should stay at home and regularly wash our hands. I also see that many policemen are getting infected. If we stayed at home, the police would not have to risk their lives by going out to make sure that people don't come out. If they can risk their lives, we should support them by staying at home. I urge everyone to stay healthy and safe.