Category Archives: Trance

Express News Service

Discovery Channels latest documentary, COVID-19: India's War Against The Virus, which is getting released today, comes at a time when the country is still battling the coronavirus pandemic. Extensively shot during the lockdown, the documentary is said to be shedding light on how technology is being used to combat the virus, and also on those working tirelessly behind the scenes to arrest the spread of this disease.

The Tamil voiceover for this show is lent by Gautham Vasudev Menon who is donning the hat of a narrator for the first time. I got a call from Discovery and agreed straightaway. I got to dub it with Mahesh along with whom Ive dubbed during the Vettaiyaadu Vilaiyaadu days. The concept of the documentary convinced me to step out from the safety of my house, says Gautham, opening up about several topics, including the status of his films, through a video call.

What was it to be a part of a documentary about something as pressing and momentous?

It felt like a personal thing and thats why I agreed to do this. I ventured out just to recognise the war we are waging against the virus, and talk about people in the frontlines who have done their part, what the statistics say, and what progress we have made.

Even the Chennai floods was captured as a moving documentary. What should we expect from this documentary?

Theres a lot of work that has gone into it, and I could figure this from watching the rushes. Its not just a compilation of bytes. Painstaking effort has been taken amidst the lockdown to make this film. There are some great shots, and the film has everything from the PMs speeches to conversations with the people working in the health department, and front line people such as the police officers, doctors and nurses. It has also covered the whole transport system that has gone into gridlock, and covers migrants too. Every nuance is covered and its put out in a manner where it leaves you with hope in the end. Its telecasting at a time when we are in the middle of a war and I hope they come up with a part two of the documentary to tell everyone how we have won that war.

We know about your love for voiceovers but what is it like to offer your voice for a film you havent created?

I felt one with it. I was hoping that the script will take a personal narration approach instead of just an overall voiceover. This was done in a personal manner and I even get to say, I, Gautham Vasudev Menon, am going to take you through Indias war against the virus. I say this in Tamil obviously (smiles).

We see channels like Discovery and platforms such as Netflix, with whom you are working on a project as well, beginning to concentrate more on regional content.

We have always been on the map. As far as filmmakers that have come from here are concerned, I think its about time we were in all these platforms. Theatres are not going to be open about taking in every film... the small films dont get noticed at all. The way I look at it, we were always there, but now we are flooding these platforms.

We have seen you get into mainstream acting in films like Trance and Kannum Kannum Kollaiyadithaal, and sing in films like Puppy and Takkar. Is this reinvention of your presence in the industry in a sense?

(Smiles) I dont look at it that way. Its just like how I write my scripts. I have no idea whats going to come up and sometimes, nothing comes up. But I love the process. I dont have plot points and I just let it meander as a river would. Whatever roles you have seen me playing are all that I felt like doing at that moment. I did Trance because of Anwar Rasheed (director) and Fahadh Faasil. I am a fan of Fahadhs work and I have heard so much about Anwars work. It was a wholesome enriching experience to watch them at work. Kannum Kannum Kollaiyadithaal happened because Dulquer asked and there was a like-minded producer. For this documentary, I felt it would be right to be a part of it.

You recently released a song called Oru Chance Kudu single, a short film called Karthik Dial Seytha Yenn, and two singles from your upcoming film, Joshua Imai Pol Kaakha. The lockdown seems to have been productive for you.

These are unfortunate times, but silver linings have been there. I spent a lot of time at home. Its sad that something like this has to happen for us to scamper home. The uncertainty is bothersome, as theatres are not opening and shooting too is not allowed. Its all about safety right now. Whatever you write, you realise you cannot go out and film, so your writing gets changed to what can be done right now and I feel that its not good. That said, so much time has given me the space to know people a lot more.

Whats on your plate now?

Karthik... was an excerpt from a script that I was writing and I thought it could be filmed and put out. I want it to serve as a reminder and a prologue for a film thats going to come up. I am writing that and I am waiting for a few things to fall in place. I also have something for Suriya and we are in alignment. Nothing is confirmed, but I hope it will be soon. I also have Joshua and Dhruva Natchathiram set for release. Both films have about a dozen days worth of work left. Post-production has been happening on full swing and we are working remotely.

Once the world returns to normalcy, how do you see the film industry being?

I think one big film here and in Mumbai will bring the crowd back to the theatre. Thats the passion that drove us to do films -- to put films out in the theatres. OTT is also a platform for people to put out different content and its a boon. Right now, everyone is seeing if we can film under safe conditions and a lot of discussion is happening on how safe we can make the sets. I dont think its as easy as wearing a face mask and going to shoot. At the same time, we are hoping for some miracle vaccine.

Continued here:

INTERVIEW | Gautham Menon feels a big film is all that is needed to bring audience back to theaters - The New Indian Express

I missed swimming so much in lockdown; a bit for fitness, but mainly for its magical effect of processing a grumpy mood into a light one.

Everyone was raving about the sea, but while the endorphins from the cold water shock were welcome, two minutes was enough. And when a friend got bitten by a jellyfish I got wary.

Ben Dunne might want to close his pools but with 6.2 per cent of Irish adults swimming over 30 minutes weekly (according to a ESRI/Swim Ireland report) - there would have been a large cohort like me missing their fix.

I love the pool because I can zone out - after five minutes I go into a kind of trance thats really calming. I used to go three times a week - around 20 minutes swimming, a nip into the sauna followed by a splash of cold water in the shower - and I never realised, until it was gone, how much this routine enhanced my week.

But now its back.

My pool is in a gym, The Dartry Health Club, and while gym users cant shower, thankfully swimmers can as heading home in wet togs holds little appeal.

You have to book your slot a generous 75 minutes.

In the changing rooms every second and third locker is closed off to allow for two metres social distancing.

Apart from fewer people and no hair dryers even the machine that dries the swimsuits was off it was a lovely return to normality; lowering myself into the water the pandemic felt like a bad dream. Everything was clean and with reduced numbers there was no problem keeping a distance.

Manager Sen Gavin said demand was strong with the booking system going down well with aqua aerobics particularly popular (classes are now halved to 10 places) even though some attending this class are in their 70s and 80s.

Next on his agenda is figuring out where to put the family swims and to sort the kids swimming lessons.

I was sad to see the sauna closed and professor emeritus of epidemiology of infectious diseases at University of Nottingham Keith Neal told me this would be low down the reopening list. Although the heat and dryness of saunas mitigates against risk, the problem is distancing in a very enclosed space with multiple people.

The HSE has said coronavirus cant be transmitted in properly chlorinated water and Neal was unequivocal about the impossibility of picking up the virus in the water. The chlorine in swimming pools kills Covid-19. No ifs, no buts, it kills it. I think the big issue is the changing facilities and showers and maintaining safe distances and clean surfaces.

Pools could reopen on June 29th and while many did, large numbers of Irelands 398 pools (of which 35 per cent are public) will only open this week - with a few waiting later still.

The reason, according to Trish Mayon of Swim Ireland, is that initially pools were aiming towards phase four of the roadmap. Many of the bigger groups, such as Coral Leisure, which has nine pools around Ireland, were waiting until July 20th (as per) the initial announcement. The same for Gym Plus in Ashbourne, Drogheda and Newbridge, and Kingfisher in Galway and Waterford. There was just one weeks notice of the earlier date and it was insufficient to get facilities prepared, to bring staff off furlough, and in some cases, re-fill the pools.

She said 300,000 adults swim weekly so there will be many eager to get back this week, along with the thousands of children who swim regularly.

We have 160 swimming clubs around Ireland and its been a long, tough stretch though it could be worse with the 60 pools in Northern Ireland not allowed open until August 7th, she said.

Swim Ireland have detailed plans on their website offering advice on how to reconfigure changing rooms and safely give lessons such as the instructor remaining on deck and not giving out equipment but says, depending on size, there has been a mix of approaches to opening.

The Swan Centre in Rathmines in Dublin are members only for the moment. There is a one in, one out system with manageable numbers so far for family swims and lane swimming.

Lorcan Beggan is a swimming teacher who has been answering the phones until the lessons start again this week, and says so far theres been no need for a booking system but he is conscious that non-members are keen to get back.

UCD are also on normal hours with no need to book, though you might need to wait a few minutes at certain times. The lanes have been widened - instead of 10 there are five - with every second shower closed. They are now running the childrens swimming lessons that had been cancelled.

Dublin City Council runs seven pools. Ballyfermot and Markievicz have been open for weeks, with Crumlin and Coolock to open this week or shortly. Another three-Sean McDermott Street, Ballymunand Finglas - are closed for repairs.

The Markievicz is open to all, though non-members need to provide contact details. They are open as per pre-lockdown hours and run a coloured armband system to show what time you got in, with one hour allowed.

Robbie Murtagh says numbers have been steady with all the hardcores who come at 7am back.

In Ballyfermot you need to book your 45 minute slot, with the pool open just four days a week with a maximum of 16 people.

Duty manager Amy Heather says the over 60s have been especially keen, with their initial two hour slot increased to four hours. They close the pool to clean after each session, with just half of the 32 cubicles available. Its bonkers the demand. The customers missed it, we all did. Were delighted to see each other. Its been no issue getting them back in the door. Trying to get them to leave thats the problem.

See more here:

Back in the pool: the new rules of swimming - The Irish Times

The brother of country music star Granger Smith, Tyler Smith, is one of the 42 men who were flown out to Palm Springs to film The Bachelorette.

There is a great deal of mystery which men will be on Clare Crawley's season of The Bachelorette, in large part because an abundance of dudes were shipped out to Palm Springs in case there is a coronavirus outbreak and multiple men test positive. Most of the men are relative unknowns, but there is one potential suitor who is related to a famous country music singer.

The Bachelor has leaned into country music, especially as of late, recognizing there is an overlap in the two fan bases. The winner of Hannah Brown's season, Jed Wyatt, was a country music singer, though not a good one. Many of the guest artists that have been welcomed on the show in past seasons have been country singers. During Peter Weber's season, Chase Rice - who recently held a concert in a pandemic - performed during a one-on-one with Victoria Fuller. It caused a stir since Chase and Victoria had been romantically involved in the past. Later in the season, Hunter Hayes serenaded Peter and Victoria with his appropriately named song "I Want Crazy." Soon after, Peter learned that Victoria was, indeed, a bit too crazy for him.

Related: Bachelorette: Everything We Know About Clare Crawley for Season 16

This upcoming season, it seems country music should at least be a part of the storyline. That is, as long as Tyler Smith doesn't test COVID-positive. Tyler, 36, is the younger brother of 40-year-old country star Granger Smith. Granger has hit tracks like "Backroad Song" and "Happens Like That," one of which he might perform on the show in front of Tyler and Clare. According to Tyler's Twitter bio, he is his brother's manager.

Tyler could be a perfect fit for Clare. For one, he isn't way younger than her like a large portion of the field. Also, he is tied to someone famous. Generally, that tends to work in the favor of men on the show. Jordan Rodgers, brother of NFL quarterback Aaron Rodgers, won JoJo Fletcher's heart on her season. Josh Murray, who was a professional athlete, was chosen at the end of Andi Dorfman's season...before she realized he's not a good person. Musicians too have a way of wooing women. Hannah fell into Jed's trance, selecting him despite clear signs he wasn't being honest with her. Even as far back as Wes Hayden on Jillian Harris' season, musical talent has rarely hurt the male contestant.

Now, we don't know how musically inclined Tyler himself is. But it can't hurt having country music in his blood. Let's just hope that if Clare does choose him, he doesn't turn out to be a bad guy.

Next: The Bachelor: What Happened To Brad Womack & Is He Married?

The Bachelor: Lucy Hale Was Always Interested in Colton Underwood

Justin Fedich is one of Screen Rant's reality TV news writers and editors. He is from Atlanta and currently resides in New York City. His favorite reality shows are Survivor and The Bachelor, though for entirely different reasons.

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Bachelorette: Brother of Country Star Granger Smith On Clares Season - Screen Rant

Did it rain enough? Probably not. Is it hot enough?

Hmm, lately it feels as though we are in the midst of the dog days of summer. This phrase was originated in ancient Roman times, used to describe the intense heat of summer. The term has been widely used ever since.

The ancient astronomers noted that Sirius, the Dog Star, rose and set with the sun during July and August. It was then concluded that the Dog Star and the suns heat combined, caused the hottest weeks of the year. Hence, we are in those dog days.

Doggone it, I thought the phrase had something to do with feeling like sitting around and panting like a dog when it is an inferno outside. I must start looking upward, toward the sky and try and locate this Dog Star, Sirius. If he is the culprit for these heat waves, dust devils, lightning and wind, then Id like to have a few choice words with this dog. (Oops, I must remember that this is a family paper).

I hate to complain, after all, at least we arent living in Death Valley. A woman who just moved to Arizona, emailed me to say that she is trying to learn to appreciate the oppressive heat. She is keeping a watchful eye for all things special about blazing, hot days and has encouraged all of her friends and neighbors to do the same. Hmm, I did see a massive yellow wall of dust moving my way last week, as I was driving in Phoenix. Surely, a haboob has to qualify as special.

Whats so special about the dog days of summer? Actually its a time of great hope. Everyone I talk to is looking forward to something different or hoping to go someplace else. We dream of cooler days. Okay, so the pandemic has dashed many of our plans. But beaches are still beckoning. Family road-trips await. Camping in the pines sounds pretty thrilling. And cool, rainy days might be arriving soon.

Arizona seems to be getting hotter. Triple digits in Phoenix is always routine, but Prescott has seen 100 degrees! Ouch! Its as though we get through a hot spell in some sort of collective trance, just waiting for a break in the weather or a change of scenery. We are strong people in Arizona! We can endure a pandemic, stifling hot weather and still love this place. Dog Days? Bring them on! Who is afraid of a little heat?

Summer brings sunsets always worth watching. Lightning may be dangerous, but it sure is beautiful. And what could be more fun then standing outside in a rainstorm when it finally hits? (Some folks do this naked please dont). The Navajo claim that when the clouds look like sheep in the sky, rain is coming. I am always on the look-out for sheep. As the Hopi say, Monsoons bring magic.

Dear Readers, enjoy the magic! And just getting through the monsoons is a pretty special experience. Try to get wet! Look for sheep in the sky and think cool thoughts. Better days are coming.

Judy Bluhm is a writer and a local realtor. Have a story or a comment? Email Judy at judy@judybluhm.com.

Read more here:

Around the Bluhmin' Town: Dog days of summer have arrived - Verde Independent

HAYDEN James has been creating waves down under and is going global.

1

The Australian producer earlier this month released new single 'Waves Of Gold' with London house duo,

Azteck andPaijealongside a 13-track mixed compilation by the same name, Hayden James presents Waves Of Gold, both out now via Future Classic

After enlisting Ferreck Dawn for a heaving remix of his prior single Right Time featuring Swedish stars Icona Pop, Hayden tees up his newest solo release in partnership with two more international acts. Paije provides deep earthy vocals on Waves Of Gold, as a vacation-mode house team-up between Hayden and UK production and songwriting duo, Azteck.

As one of Australias finest names in dance, Haydens positive and energetic floor-filling flavour lines the release from start to finish ensuring it a second, third, fourth or tenth listen.

To mark the release we asked Hayden to talk us through ten big tracks aimed at the dance floor.

Camelphat, Cari Golden - Freak

Ive been loving the boys latest releases but this one has to be my favourite. The way it hits you coupled with the spoken word chant is very powerful.

Disclosure - Energy

Awesome hearing new music from Disclosure. The percussion in this track is mental. Love that they used these same vocal feat. from When a fire starts to burn. Big track!

Duke Dumont - Love Song

Really enjoying Duke's record. The emotive nature of Love Song really gets me. Big fan of the slow down arp moment in the middle of the song too.

Bronson - Heart Attack

Beautiful song writing and simple yet technical production. Very vibey and creative song from Odesza and Golden Features. The feat vocals have such a nice earthy warmth to them that ties this track together beautifully.

Gorgon City - Nobody

One of those songs you can put on at anytime of day. Its a feel good, deeper more chill sound from the guys but still sounds very much like a Gorgon record. Big vibe this one.

Hot since 82 - Make up

Beautiful journey that really hits hard at the right moments. Loving the more progressive, almost trance like chords and flow of this track.

Cassian - Laps

This is a belter! There are so many highlights in this track. It builds so strongly over the 8mins and only leaves you wanting more. Amazing track, Cassian.

HaydenJames - Nowhere To Go (Dom Dolla Remix)

Dom absolutely smashed this remix. Playing this one out is always a vibe. Love the rolling bass line that holds everything together. This track is a great example of less is more I feel.

Oliver Dollar -Johns Church (Honey Dijon and Luke Solomons Sundays Best Extended Remix)

Yes, this tune is a mouthful to say but woah its good. It just hits from the beginning and doesnt let you go. Theres no time to chill with this one.. very powerful and energetic with a great melodic bounce.

Meduza feat. SHELLS - Born To Love

Classic feel to the vocal for me. Sounds familiar yet fresh. Im a big fan of the droning and rhythmic bass lines of this track. Simple and strong - it does exactly what you want it to do.

Go here to read the rest:

Hayden James creates golden waves with this summer selection - The Irish Sun

Just when one thinks A.R. Rahmans tunes cant get any better, the musical maestro goes ahead and changes all that with his fresh melodies, in a way that is unique to him and only him. Its a long sentence I know; but Im blaming the trance Im in after listening to his composition in Dil Becharas newest track Khulke Jeena Ka. An ode to life, the song has been crooned by Arijit Singh and Shashaa Tirupati who have managed to evoke the right emotions with their voice against the magical chords. Even director Mukesh Chhabra has done a fine job in depicting the innocent romance between Sushant Singh Rajput and debutante Sanjana Sanghi.

Touring Paris which is also known as the capital of love, Sushants Manny and Sanjanas Kizie can be seen making most of their time whilst a doting mother played by the talented Swastika Mukherjee accompanies them. And the beauty of the song is that even chords change lanes when they do its a treat to both the ears and eyes! Sanjana even took to Instagram to share how Manny, turning Kizies cants into cans; and her dreams, into plans and it is really for all to see. Prior to this, Taare Ginn and the films title track had made us all tap our feet and hum. And while the entire album is already out, it is probably the chance of getting to see Sushant do, what he does best makes up for all that has happened recently.

If you're not in the know, the film is the official adaptation of the English movie The Fault In Our Stars based on John Green's novel of the same name. In fact, it was initially titled as Kizie Aur Manny. But then it was soon changed to Dil Bechara and guess it has a hard-to-miss ring to it. Sushant's last, the film is all set to release on Disney+ Hotstar on July 24.

SEE ALSO: Dil Bechara: Sushant And Sanjana Will Remind You About Your First Date in Taare Ginn Song

Cover Image: Bhavya Poonia/Mashable India

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Dil Bechara: Sushant Singh Rajput, Sanjana Sanghi Take On Paris And Find Ways To Khulke Jeena Ka - Mashable India

TRANCE

trans (ekstasis):

The condition expressed by this word is a mental state in which the person affected is partially or wholly unconscious of objective sensations, but intensely alive to subjective impressions which, however they may be originated, are felt as if they were revelations from without. They may take the form of visual or auditory sensations or else of impressions of taste, smell, heat or cold, and sometimes these conditions precede epileptic seizures constituting what is named the aura epileptica. The word occurs 5 times in the King James Version, twice in the story of Balaam (Numbers 24:4,16), twice in the history of Peter (Acts 10:10; 11:5), and once in that of Paul (Acts 22:17). In the Balaam story the word is of the nature of a gloss rather than a translation, as the Hebrew naphal means simply "to fall down" and is translated accordingly in the Revised Version (British and American). Here Septuagint has en hupno, "in sleep" (see SLEEP, DEEP). In Peter's vision on the housetop at Joppa he saw the sail (othone) descending from heaven, and heard a voice. Paul's trance was also one of both sight and sound. The vision on the Damascus road (Acts 9:3-9) and that recorded in 2Corinthians 12:2-4 were also cases of trance, as were the prophetic ecstasies of Saul, Daniel and Elisha, and the condition of John in which he says that he was "in the Spirit" (Revelation 1:10).

The border line between trance and dream is indefinite:

the former occurs while one is, in a sense, awake; the latter takes place in the passage from sleep to wakefulness. The dream as well as the vision were supposed of old to be channels of revelation (Job 33:15). In Shakespearean English, "trance" means a dream (Taming of the Shrew, I, i, 182), or simply a bewilderment (Lucrece, 1595).

In the phenomena of hypnotic suggestion, sometimes affecting a number of persons simultaneously we have conditions closely allied to trance, and doubtless some of the well-authenticated phantom appearances are similar subjective projections from the mind affecting the visual and auditory centers of the brain.

Alex. Macalister

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Trance Definition and Meaning - Bible Dictionary

Written by Mimansa Shekhar | New Delhi | Updated: May 24, 2020 10:15:45 am Ishwak Singhs turn as Imran Ansari in Amazon Prime Videos Paatal Lok has received a lot of praise. (Photos: PR Handout)

Amid the noteworthy cast of Amazon Prime Videos Paatal Lok, one character that grabs eyeballs is Imran Ansari, played by Ishwak Singh. Ansari is a soft-spoken Kashmiri Muslim, who is a new recruit in the police department and the right hand of Jaideep Ahlawats Hathi Ram Chaudhary. In fact, Ansari is the yin to Hathi Rams yang.

In a candid chat with indianexpress.com, Ishwak opened up about landing his breakthrough role in Paatal Lok, approaching his character with sensitivity and how a theatre background helped him.

Here are excerpts from the conversation:

Q. You are literally the second lead in Paatal Lok, and we got to know that only after watching it. Were you prepared for the audience reaction?

An actor doesnt have control over publicity and marketing, but I wouldnt do it any other way. Its been presented just in the perfect manner. I know Ansari is a very important character, pretty much like the second lead. They (Hathi Ram and Ansari) are both heroes, solving the case and have the virtues in the right place. Its not like a character is tagging along. He has his own identity, background and has a beautiful relation with Hathi Ram. So I felt amazing right from the time I got the script. A lot of people told me its our favorite character because its so endearing. Its a trance when you get a part like Imran Ansari.

Q. Ansari shares a beautiful relationship with Hathi Ram. How do you see that?

The overall writing is so intelligent. The character has so many dimensions to it his personal crisis, identity, religion, professional ambitions. His relationship with Hathi Ram changes from a mentor to a friend to a parent to a sibling. When you are doing these scenes, things come to you organically, and you kind of start seeing the other person like that instead of a character.

Q. How did you come on board Paatal Lok?

We had a very rigorous casting process. I got a call from Casting Bay and I auditioned for it. Then a month passed and I thought maybe the part has gone to someone else. But then again they called to audition. In the audition room, some magic happened. We enacted the Principals room scene. We did Kabirs interrogation scene. We did multiple takes. I went prepared and so it just came out very beautifully. Then instantly in a weeks time, I got a call that I have been locked.

Q. You play a righteous cop who believes in the system. How did you plan out the character before getting on the sets?

You dont plan how to act, but you do create a thinking process. You create another person in you in terms of his mind, heart and soul. I read some books on what it really means to be an Indian Muslim today and books about Kashmiris, just to give it a certain background. I interacted with some Kashmiri Muslim friends. So, I know what their journey has been. But then you sometimes ask yourself why am I doing this, why am I making such choices. The writing is the target. You need to push yourself to get there. Thats why I went to read these books and identify with the Jamuna Par Thana, which is one of the busiest police stations of Delhi and located somewhere in Mangolpuri. In fact, a documentary has been made on that, and exactly the word keede has been used in it. There are heavy crimes there and every investigating officer has more than 50-100 cases on him. I went there and hung out with those people to understand the vibe at the police station, to recreate those moments between Ansari and Hathi Ram. Like I realised some people take this as a government job while some people have this passion for policing. So Ansari also has that dimension.

Q. Your character gets targeted several times because of his religion, yet he sticks to his moral compass.

Its so interesting that in a place like this, where hes in a position of power, in a subtle way, he realises that hes being othered, being treated as an outsider. We all have felt marginalised at one point or the other in our life. So we approached it at a very human angle. For me, it is part of a larger issue, judging people on the basis of their appearance, caste, religion.

Q. What was the most difficult scene to shoot?

I have seen such things happening around me. I think empathy is very important for acting because then you can identify with the other persons space, and that is something you can make part of your performance. The thought behind the scene where Hathi Ram interrogates Kabir and makes derogatory remarks against Muslims, while Ansari refrains from reacting, was something I learnt while interacting with the police. You do things to physiologically break the accused. So Ansari knows these things happen. He knows its part of the job.

Q. How much do you think your theatre background helped you?

Acting is acting, be it on stage, street or screen. The foundation is the same. Over the years, I realised that its only about adjusting your performance in terms of realising whether its a close shot or far shot, more audience or less audience. Also, adjusting your voice and tone accordingly. Of course, its not that simple and takes a lot of practice and understanding in terms of how you do that. You perform a play in a linear manner, but when you shoot a movie, you may start with the last scene, then you go to the middle, then shoot the first scene on your last day. So if you practice theatre constantly, you can develop a great sense of character graph. And at a very granular level, you are able to pick up the nuances and the variations that the character is going through.

Q. Now people will remember you as Ansari and not as Sonam Kapoors fiance from Veere Di Wedding. Is that a good change?

(Laughs) Every character is dear to you, and I take pride in all the work that I have done. I also have a lot of faith in the industry. I have no complaints about why I got smaller roles before and a big role now.

Also read: Jaideep Ahlawat on Paatal Lok success: We were shocked for initial two days

Q. How are you taking all the female adulation coming your way at the moment?

It does make you feel extremely good that people, including girls and boys, are liking you. Another reason why its amazing to be an actor in India more than any place else is our audience gives so much love. I am flooded with fan messages. They have actually picked up some really intricate points of the performance. They are hungry for good stuff, so when you are giving them something authentic, they really give you a lot of love.

Q. Finally, did Ansari manage to clear the UPSC exam?

(Laughs) I am also waiting to find out!

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Paatal Lok actor Ishwak Singh: Its a trance when you get a part like Imran Ansari - The Indian Express

Last week, Gareth Emery broke new ground in dance music by being the first electronic act to launch a PPV stream for his Decade concert. The set sold out in advance, with thousands of fans chatting in a premium live streamed experience and tuning in to watch a four-hour set of Gareth's classics from his own backyard, with more lasers than most festival stages to boot. Following the success of Decade, Gareth's now attempting his most ambitious project yet an Unplugged concert featuring him on piano, with a dozen of the vocalists featured on his hit records over the years joining him virtually from around the world. The main broadcast will take place on Friday, May 22nd at 10:30pm EST / 7:30pm PST. You can watch Gareth Emery's broadcast on garethemery.com/unplugged.

The lineup features the A-list of trance music vocalists, with Emma Hewitt, HALIENE, Christina Novelli and many more, where unplugged versions of tracks like Concrete Angel and Saving Light will prove to be stripped-back tearjerkers.Opening duties are taken care of by Emery himself, who'll be playing a chill-out sunset DJ set prior to taking the piano. The event starts at 7.30PM PST, with two replays broadcasts for different time zones through the weekend on Tixr Play.

Free passes will be going to any medical workers worldwide, and can be acquired by sending an email to unplugged@garethemery.com from an official email or with a photo of a Medical ID card.For everyone else, tickets are $15 and available now at garethemery.com/unplugged For Gareth Emery fans based in Europe, there will be a reply of the Gareth Emery Unplugged show will replay on Saturday, May 23rd at 8PM UK/ 9PM CET and an Asian/Australian replay on Sunday, May 24th at 6PM AEST.

FEATURING:

ANNABELCHRISTINA NOVELLIEMILY VAUGHNEMMA HEWITTEVAN HENZIHALIENEJANET DEVLINKOVICLINNEYLONDON THORLUCY SAUNDERS

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On a sunny Friday last month, 10 days into Australias coronavirus lockdown, Jayde Beaumont put her toddler daughter down for a nap, closed her bathroom door and started to shave her head.

It was a decision she had wrestled with for years, although it had little to do with how she looked. Ms. Beaumont, 27, has had trichotillomania a condition that has caused her to pull out her hair compulsively since she was 8 years old. For almost two decades, she would fall into daily trance-like states where she would systematically tug the hair from her head, strand by individual strand, a small pile forming next to her in minutes or even hours while she watched television or drove her car.

Anxiety and boredom have become common complaints in the coronavirus pandemic, triggering existing behaviors with potentially harmful effects. Ms. Beaumont said she picked up the razor after weeks of stress from frightening news headlines coupled with spare time from being cooped up inside. Although she had experimented with a range of treatments over the years, nothing had ever fully broken the cycle. Shaving her head had always felt like a last resort until now.

I just thought, What have I got to lose? Ms. Beaumont said. It is now or never. If I dont have hair on my head then I can try to train myself out of this. She recorded the moment and posted on Instagram.

I was scared but also excited, she said. Maybe if I had no hair then there would be no more irresistible pulling urges. Maybe then the relapses and shame spirals would finally go away.

There are a lot of unknowns that surround trichotillomania. Its hard to say (it is pronounced trik-o-till-o-MAY-nee-uh), and also difficult to recognize or neatly define, despite being officially classified as a disorder more than 30 years ago.

In recent years, experts have come to believe that it is caused by a combination of genetic, biological and behavioral factors. There is no one-size-fits-all diagnosis of either triggers or treatments, which can range from cognitive behavioral and habit reversal therapies to attending support groups or even trying to replace the pulling with another action like plinking an elastic band on a wrist.

Trichotillomania has never been taken seriously enough, said Dr. Fred Penzel, one of a handful of specialist psychologists in the field and the executive director of Western Suffolk Psychological Services in New York. For years it was simply seen as a bad habit or quirk and this has meant it hasnt been subject to the same research or widespread studies as many other disorders. It needs a great deal more attention and funding.

According to Dr. Penzel, studies show trichotillomania affects roughly two percent of the global population. That implies there are more than 150 million sufferers globally, who pull hair anywhere from their scalp, eyebrows and eyelashes to their body or pubic area.

I just felt so embarrassed and that no one understood, said Ms. Beaumont, who kept her pulling secret for years until balding gave her away. But no one really knew how to deal with it other than to tell me to just stop, which felt like the very thing that was out of my control.

Hair-pulling is often miscategorized as a form of obsessive-compulsive disorder, or O.C.D., a condition defined by recurring irrational thoughts and the repetitive acts that are meant to neutralize those thoughts. In fact, while they share similar characteristics, trichotillomania is a type of impulse control disorder that belongs to the behaviors group known as body-focused repetitive behaviors, or B.F.R.B.s. Unlike O.C.D. compulsions, B.F.R.B.s which include skin-picking and nail-biting as well as hair-pulling tend to feel soothing in the moment and sufferers rarely suffer from obsessional thoughts. Many describe entering a trance-like state where they arent fully aware of time or their actions when they pull or play with their hair.

Jennifer Raikes, executive director for the TLC Foundation, stressed that the true gender ratio isnt known and could be more balanced, given most men do not seek treatment or medical help. The TLC Foundation for Body-Focused Repetitive Behaviors is the most high-profile of the scientific evidence-based nonprofits committed to improving public awareness and understanding of B.F.R.B.s in everyone from medical professionals, hairdressers and teachers to parents and sufferers.

Quite honestly, nobody knows the exact answers yet to a lot of basic questions, Ms. Raikes said. Anyone who says they definitely know is probably making it up.

Sometimes trichotillomania can be triggered by a traumatic event, she said, and there was a clear interrelation in many cases between B.F.R.B.s and high levels of anxiety or depression. Just as often, however, people can be content and happy save for their compulsive habit.

The psychological and emotional toll wrought by hair pulling can be significant. While few sufferers report feeling physical pain from pulling, when repeated thousands of times it can result in everything from bleeding and skin infections to permanent hair loss and scars. Constantly hiding these consequences can also be exhausting.

Middle school was a rough time for me, said Taylor OConnor, 21, a psychology major from near Kingston, N.Y. She started pulling at her eyelashes and eyebrows when she was seven, around the time her father was given a cancer diagnosis. When she moved to a larger middle school, she pulled out most of the hair on her head while lying awake at night.

I had some good friends who stuck by me, but there was bullying too. Swimming classes were nightmares, said Ms. OConnor, who started wearing a wig daily from seventh grade.

Although sometimes uncomfortable, a wig didnt just hide her thinning hair and allow her to feel more comfortable in social situations; it prevented her pulling too. Therapy, and transitioning to college where she was able to be more open about her disorder also helped. Despite urges being strong during the lockdown, with nightly pulling sessions that hovered around the 15-minute mark it is my coping mechanism, Ms. OConnor said her natural hair had recently started to grow back. In some places it now went past her shoulders, a milestone that filled her with pride.

Its like chasing a high, said Ms. Beaumont, who estimates at her worst she pulls for four to five hours per day. As soon as I have played with what was the perfect hair, I need to start looking for the next one. Ms. OConnor added that she doesnt just pull out just any hair they have to feel coarse and out of place. Pleasure is partly found from the run-up to the pull itself. I always know when I find the right strand, she said.

Rebecca Richter, 19, a college student who lives on Long Island, N.Y., started pulling out her eyelashes as a child to make wishes on them. Soon, however, the compulsion to pull spread to her head. Lately, Ms. Richter went to the barber shop to get a shade buzzed into her pixie cut when she felt waves of temptation. But the shutdown made that impossible. So, like Ms. Beaumont, she too had shaved her head.

The pulling has always waxed and waned depending on whats going on in my life. But with all the craziness going on it just feels a little out of my control right now, she said, adding that many friends with the disorder felt the same way.

Ms. Raikes said that in recent weeks, and with many countries encouraging people to stay home for health reasons, the foundation had noted a major spike in online reports of increased pulling and picking binges, either on social media accounts or via the digital communities and forums that have flourished for hair-pullers.

Ms. Richter and Ms OConnor met as members of the TLC Young Adult Action council. To combat the recent flare up in her own symptoms, Ms. Richter said she was focused on reaching out to other trichotillomania suffers via the council network or social media. Like Ms. OConnor, she was studying psychology at college with a view to specializing on working with those with B.F.R.B.s. Both women said that being part of the TLC council, and learning to become more comfortable with openly acknowledging their disorders, had been cathartic. (Ms OConnor was on a hiatus from the council while she prepared for study abroad in the fall.)

I have gone through dark periods because of pulling, but I also have grown a lot as a person and can use what I have learned to help others. That feels particularly important right now, Ms. Richter said. Whenever she discussed the disorder with those outside the community, she added, there was often a light bulb moment; someone had an aunt, friend or neighbor who had shown symptoms. On one occasion, a girl said to Ms. Richter that she realized that she was suffering from trichotillomania herself.

Sometimes people dont seem to know they are doing it, said Ms. Richter. It goes on all around us, kind of hidden but also in plain sight.

According to Dr. Jon Grant, a professor of psychiatry at the University of Chicago who has studied B.F.R.B.s for twenty years, self-grooming is an act that connects humans to other creatures in the animal kingdom. All animals are primed to groom themselves, he said last week, with sliding scales of gratification found from the process.

There is keeping your eyebrows shaped, or plucking out a few gray or ingrown hairs. Lots of people do that. Then there are those who start and then cant stop pulling hairs compulsively, he said. Some people manage to keep control of those urges or have mild cases. But for others it can be life-altering in terms of mental health and self-esteem, with parallels to addiction.

Now, key areas of focus for researchers include what broader treatment goals should be. Should people expect to completely stop, for example, or just reduce their behaviors? Trying to establish what percentage of people respond to behavioral therapy, medication or over-the-counter remedies such as milk thistle also remain open questions. (Currently, there is no Food and Drug Administration-approved medication to treat B.F.R.B.s.) Identifying common threads is also important. Many sufferers have reported exhibiting similar habits that have strong sensory components, like favorite search areas, hunting for a specific type or texture of hair and a strange fascination with hair follicles. Still, many unanswered questions remain.

Sadly, one thing we can say is that people feeling unable to come forward has impacted our abilities to fully understand B.F.R.B.s and the amount of specialists and resources put toward tackling them, Ms. Raikes.

The TLC Foundation also organizes annual conferences in the U.S. for B.F.R.B. sufferers and their families. According to Ms. Raikes, creating new communities both on and offline has been one of the most significant steps in supporting hair-pullers of all ages. Teenagers especially appeared to benefit from meeting fellow pullers from around the world, at a time of life when many are desperate to feel like they fit in.

Based on his clinical observations, Dr. Penzel developed what he called his stimulus-regulation model, which has gained some attention. The model is rooted in the theory that hair-pulling is an attempt to regulate an internal state of sensory imbalance (which is often genetically inherited), satisfying a biological need yet proving physically destructive at the same time.

It has been my observation that people pull when they are either overstimulated due to stress or positive or negative excitement, or under-stimulated due to being bored or physically inactive and have nothing to do, he said.

With people laid off, not in school or college or just working from home, it makes sense that sufferers like Ms. Richter and Ms. Beaumont had seen a surge in their urge to pull. While both said the decision to shave their heads was unlikely to be a silver bullet, neither held regrets.

Ive spent so long feeling out of control and hiding my bald spots, said Ms Beaumont, who had tried everything from cognitive behavioral therapy to hypnotherapy and wearing a turban in a bid to stop pulling. I want people to understand more about this disorder. I want to tell them my story.

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