Sardar Sohi is having a field day after several decades

Many celebrities panicked over uncertainties and bleak future prospects arising due to coronavirus pandemic as entire film-related activity came to a standstill. But veteran actor Sardar Sohi found a way to remain calm and grounded even during these tough times.
The 71-year-old actor reconnected with his farming past and is busy these days doing what he used to do in 1965, after matriculation-- sweating it out to harvest wheat crops.On March 30, Sohi left his Ludhiana home to go to his native village Tibba in Sangrur district. "That's how the journey re-started," says Sohi, who did various films like Angrej, Ardaas, Dulla Bhatti, besides featuring in 1995 detective series Tehkiqaat with Dev Anand's brother Vijay Anand. He also did Gulzar's historical drama series Mirza Ghalib.
"I am spending a lot of time there. While harvesting of the wheat crop is done, now I am working on creating turi (dry fodder). Old experience in farming is coming in handy as I manage to complete the task within a particular period," he says. Sohi gets up early in the morning, goes for a walk in the field and start farming-related work with the dawn.
Narrating how the fear has gripped everyone, he says, "When I came to Tibba I was reported as an outsider. So, I had to go through multi-layer screening process before being put in quarantine for 14 days. Later, when the health team came they met me and we talked a lot. I am being told to motivate people to maintain lockdown protocol." He adds that reaching Tibba wasn't easy either. "There was a thikri pehra (night vigil) at every entry point."
Though Sohi's younger brother and nephew who are in Tibba with him told him not to take stress of farming, Sohi says, "I told them not to worry as I am taking all necessary precautions." Sohi covers his face before going to the fields.
The actor is planning to stay in the village for long, for it's making him happy. "I am getting to see nature again. I remember sleeping outside and see the stars. Now when the time has again come back, we all must relish the moment. It's vital to remain connected to mitti."