The Indian media "Hindu" website published an article on January 16, telling the story of an Indian actor isolated in Xi'an.
Indian media said that since December 23 last year, Xi'an has begun to implement quarantine control. In the beginning, the residents of the Indian's neighborhood could also move around the community, and without leaving the community, they could also go out to pick up couriers and daily necessities. However, with the number of confirmed covid-19 cases exceeding 2,000 in a month, many of Xi'an's 13 million residents have to stay at home.
The actor Defu Karaturi, who was born in the Indian state of Uttarakhand, is one of them – their family has not left the house for 8 days. He couldn't even get out — he had a seal on the outside of his house, and he, his wife, and his two young sons were kept inside. As of the evening of Jan. 15, he did not yet know when he and his family would be able to go out.
In a video interview with Indian media, Karaturi admitted that "of course, there have been difficulties" and showed Indian reporters the sealed door of his home. But he also said: "But I know that it is not easy for volunteers who bring us vegetables, rice, food and oil every day, and they are doing their best." ”
Karaturi mentioned that because of the influence of martial arts movie star Bruce Lee, he studied martial arts in New Delhi, but failed to break into the Indian "Bollywood". Seventeen years ago, when he had the opportunity to work at a restaurant in China, he thought it was fate's arrangement— "Bruce Lee also started in a restaurant." So he packed his bags and set off. Today, Kalatouri has opened five restaurants in Xi'an, and at the same time, he is also engaged in film and television performances. Karaturi has participated in more than 20 film and television performances and has become famous for it.
Videos of his interviews at home during the pandemic have attracted millions of views in China, and Indian media have pointed out that he began to "go viral" not only because he was a well-known foreigner, but also partly because he remained optimistic when he told the story of high-risk areas of COVID-19.
After news broke about Xi'an, Karaturi said he had also received calls from relatives in India, as they had done two years ago when Wuhan imposed quarantine control, and they were also worried about Karaturi's situation. But Karaturi said: "Although everyone told me to leave China at the time, I didn't regret leaving before 2020." Karaturi also mentioned that in the past 18 months, his children have been able to go to school and that their family has basically lived a normal life. "My work here is not yet done," he said.
Kalatouri said he wanted to fill the cultural divide because there were some misunderstandings on both sides about news about India and China.
Cala Turi revealed plans to open China's first India-themed boutique hotel in Xi'an this year. In addition, he is opening a yoga studio and will reopen his chain of restaurants in six Chinese cities outside of Xi'an.
(Editor: LH)