The new normal today is that people congratulate you on testing negative,` says Sharad Malhotra, who tested positive for Covid-19 a fortnight ago. He was in quarantine at home and calls it one of the tough phases of his life.`I lost my grandmother and my dog during this time and it was really hard to be all alone in a room. It was nightmarish. Luckily, my wife, Ripci, has been taking good care of me and also ensuring I eat healthy food. But when I got the bad news, I couldn't hold her or even touch her hand. It was the worst feeling in the world that I couldn't even sit next to her. That's what emotionally drained me, more than the physical symptoms of Covid-19. The day my reports said I was Covid free, I woke her up and hugged her,` says the Kasam Tere Pyaar Ki actor. Though he faced setbacks, Malhotra urges people not to be scared of Covid and get tested when they feel any symptoms. `I had heard that, at times, people are hesitant of finding out but that's the responsible thing to do. There is nothing to be scared of. Other than prescribed medicines, I would have kadha and steam twice and day and check my oxygen levels daily as well,` he shares.

The actor admits that he will remember this experience for the rest of his life. He was able to retrospect and introspect about his life. `I recalled a number of memories sitting all by myself. After a while, self-isolation gets to you as you don't know what to do. A number of people reached out to me asking after my health and I even learnt that my fans were fasting for my health. It was so humbling to experience such unconditional love. I am feeling so much gratitude as I am overwhelmed. Without Covid, I wouldn't have realised that there are so many people who love me. Money, fame, work is secondary but the love of your closed ones is to be cherished,` says the actor, who is raring to get back to his daily show, Nagin 5.