"You’re not the one struggling."
Indian actor-comedian Vir Das has slammed Bollywood celebrities who are posting videos of themselves getting a Covid-19 test.
He said that by portraying the test as a struggle, it is unfair to frontline workers who conduct the tests multiple times a day.
He also stated that it does not make for engaging content.
Vir Das took to Twitter and wrote: “Celebrities, please stop posting videos of your Covid tests.
“There’s someone in a full PPE kit one foot away from you who does this 30 times a day, door to door.
“You’re not the one struggling. Tilting your head back 30 degrees and managing not to sneeze is not engaging content.”
Celebrities, please stop posting videos of your covid tests. There's someone in a full PPE kit one foot away from you who does this 30 times a day, door to door. You're not the one struggling. Tilting your head back 30 degrees and managing not to sneeze is not engaging content.
— Vir Das (@thevirdas) November 22, 2020
When a Twitter user remarked that such videos would encourage more people to get tested, Vir further explained his stance. He wrote:
“Hear me out. Been seeing test videos for months now. Encourage people to get the test for sure.
“But don’t huff you just climbed a mountain. It’s a test, that came to you, at home. It sucks. Supposed to.”
“Less for you, more for the frontline worker drenched in sweat. Thank em.”
Hear me out. Been seeing test videos for months now. Encourage people to get the test for sure. But don't huff you just climbed a mountain. It's a test, that came to you, at home. It sucks. Supposed to. Less for you, more for the frontline worker drenched in sweat. Thank em. https://t.co/OKl83qu5si
— Vir Das (@thevirdas) November 22, 2020
In another post, Vir Das had taken a dig at celebrities holidaying in the Maldives.
The Delhi Belly actor had shared:
“Just once… I’d like to see someone from the Maldives post a selfie from Lokhandwala with the hashtag #wanderlust.”
Just once…I'd like to see someone from the Maldives post a selfie from Lokhandwala with the hashtag #wanderlust ?
— Vir Das (@thevirdas) November 23, 2020
A surmounted number of Bollywood celebrities have travelled to the Maldives for a holiday amid the pandemic and India’s rising numbers.
This includes Disha Patani and Sonakshi Sinha, who have been sharing glimpses of their holiday on social media.
Meanwhile, Vir Das has resumed performing live stand-up comic gigs post lockdown.
The comedian recently came out with a special show, Inside Out.
In his 30 virtual shows, the proceeds were donated towards Covid-19 relief.
Speaking about the initiative, Vir said: “In such trying times, it’s upon us individually to stand by one another.
“This is a small initiative on part of my team and I, to lend support to the scores of frontline workers who are battling the disease tirelessly.
“On one hand, the idea of the special is to bring smiles on people’s faces.
“We mustn’t forget those who are the real heroes of the pandemic those who are stepping up to create a kinder world every day.
“This isn’t the new normal honestly but this is a novel alternative, for now.”