Pandemic paused our life, we need to refresh: Zoya Hussain

What is it about Goa that draws people from all corners of the country? For actor Zoya Hussain, it’s the laidback, homely vibe that makes every visit to the state so memorable.
Zoya was recently in Goa for a shoot and extended her stay extended her stay at a friend’s home in Parra. “I've always come here for work, on short trips. I have a lot of friends who live here, and this is the first time I'm staying back after work.I spent a lot of time in South Goa," she says.
‘I’m soaking in the homely vibe’
She's witnessed Goan hospitality at its best during this trip. "Things are just opening up, but it's better to not contribute to spike in cases in any way. So I've been staying at my friend’s villa, gardening, cataloguing what's happening around, trying home-cooked food and just soaking in the homely vibe, and not going out much. We've also been going to some offbeat places, which aren't crowded," she says.
Talking about the most challenging part of being an actor, she says, "None of my family and friends is from the industry. So I can't be a part of their life as much as I wish to, since I'm in Mumbai and they're in Delhi. Fortunately, my sister lives with me and she was with me during the lockdown."
‘Work is going on, but by adapting to new ways’
Going back to sets after a while was all about adapting to the new way of working. "Wearing a mask all the time isn't possible for us as actors, but the crew is always masked. A lot of meetings are happening online. Work is going on, but by adapting to new ways. The pandemic paused our life, and we need to refresh and restart," she says.
She debuted with Mukkabaaz (2017) and was recently featured in an OTT series. "The whole OTT boom happened and I wanted to do something on an online platform. OTT is so accessible and the the number of people who watch it and show us love is overwhelming," she says.