Exclusive! Shweta Tripathi Sharma: I miss making plans and going to watch a film together

The

theatre owners

across the nation are waiting eagerly for a go-ahead from the Government of India to resume their businesses. Following the hashtags like #SupporMovieTheatres and #SaveIndianCinema trending on social media, we caught up with

Shweta Tripathi Sharma

. In an exclusive interview with ETimes, she opened up about watching films and herself on the big screens. Excerpts…

What is the best thing about watching a movie in a theatre?The best thing about watching a movie in a

theatre

is the feeling that you get. As a child, I always dreamed of seeing myself on the big screen. I definitely miss being an audience member and I am also missing being on the big screen.

How much are you missing watching movies in the theatre?I am missing the theatre a lot. Apart from the movie, it is also about the experience that you have with everybody. When you are laughing, everybody there is laughing with you. There is a roller-coaster of emotion and you are not the only one who will be experiencing it. I am missing the popcorn and coffee. I am also missing making a plan and going to watch a film together.

When was the first time you saw your movie in a theatre?I don’t remember the first time I saw my movie. But one of my most memorable movie-going experiences was with my father. He is a huge Madhuri Dixit fan. When ‘Hum Aapke Hain Koun…?’ released, we went to watch it twice which was not common then. I also remember watching Jurassic Park in a theatre and it was amazing. I also remember watching ‘Andaz Apna Apna’ in the theatre. I think that is when I got bitten by the movie bug.

Are you looking forward to stepping into a theatre amidst this

pandemic

?I am sure we all are missing doing a lot of things. But I think it is very important to be responsible now, not only for ourselves and our family but for the larger audience as well. If you will step out then more people will want to step out. The butterfly effect will start. So it is very important to understand that the priority is to first take care of ourselves. We should make sure to be happy by finding that silver lining in everything. One should also be responsible and wear a mask wherever one is going and follow proper sanitation processes and precautions. If you have to step out then it has to be for very important things only because you cannot fall sick and if you do, you cannot pass it on to other people.

What do you have to say to theatre owners who are worried right now?I would like to tell the theatre owners as an audience member and as an actor that we have always loved watching movies in theatres. People are now taking a backseat because of the pandemic. However, we will be back and back in action. These are difficult times but once everyone is safe and sound we will be there to support you. We will buy the ticket, the popcorn and the coffee too.