When a trip to Banaras led Jiya to sleep paralysis

What could be better than your work trip, turning into a splendid vacation? But, what if it turns into a nightmare? It was the case of Ved actress Jiya Shankar. In the new segment of Travel Tales, the actress recalled an incident that resulted in her getting sleep paralysis.

Shikha Duggal

The lush green forests of Himachal were the true calling for blockbuster hit Ved actress Jiya Shankar — she saw some gushing rivers and calls it her dream trip. “Didn’t realise when a work trip turned into a majestic vacation for me. It was more of a quite retreat for me! With an exciting dose of adventure, I was satisfied with my trip to Himachal Pradesh.

I was shooting in freeze cold yet was feeling serene about it because was away from the hustle-bustle of the cities. There was fog everywhere, it was like nature surprising me.”
Also terming it to be a simple dose of relaxation, she continued, “I have a culpability of not getting to witness snow though, so have made up my mind to visit Kashmir anyhow. I know many filmmakers also go there to shoot, it’s like the cinema calling us. The beautiful valleys that I see in movies would be an alluring place to go in person. Not only this, large point of snow would be marvelous to see.”

Her trip to Himachal was incomplete without its “pahari” cuisine. “Himachali food is a must-try and the deep red apples you get there are so rich to see! Had the yummiest apples of my life. They give diverse variations to the food — like our common “Kabuli chana” is mad with yoghurt sauce there. That’s their twist! There were steaming momos, noodles in every nook and corner.”

Her producer booked a marvelous architectural place for the cast to stay and she was beyond excited, because, “I was waking up with enriching natural beauty around me. It was no less than seeking divine blessings! None of us were having our meals inside the hotel, the outdoors were a thing in itself. Pure fresh air and calmness, couldn’t have let it go.”

Looking at the tides at its highest point is the way how Jiya Shankar feels de-stressed from the hectic schedules she works for. “Sailing is my thing when I feel low, there are hidden treasures beneath the ocean. Walking out on the sandbar is so soothing, searching for shells like a kid or enjoying scavenging. What’s more attractive for us actors to visit Indian beaches are the fact that they are pretty clean these days, I don’t have to go to the Maldives looking for things in the sand. I can do it back here! The beach-cleanups are doing the best job.”

Another work trip to Banaras turned into a nightmare for the actress where she experienced sleep paralysis all of a sudden due to her tiring work schedule. She was horrified to no extent! She went insane. Started hearing loud voices, someone walking towards her. She claimed, this was the last time she was recalling this incident.

“The movie Queen is my source of inspiration for travelling. Naively travelling is so me. The movie taught us that you don’t need a fiance to travel, go solo.That’s the new buzzing trend too. We learn self-discovery here. Travelling abroad should be on every woman’s bucket list, it really unshackles you from stressful moments and lets you observe how other countries are way more accepting than ours. It’s a mixed emotion — on one hand you are delighted, and on the other, you will get to know about an entirely different culture. All of this enhances your knowledge.”

Her next travel destination could be Paris, she really wants to see how Paris holds romance for a visitor. “I see Paris in travel magazines so much  that I desperately want to visit this sophisticated city. With or without my partner, I am going to Paris! Want to see the famous boulevards and charming cafés, sit there and have a cup of coffee with a view of the Eiffel Tower. For all that, I would love to go back to Banaras too.

Yes, it was chaotic at the beginning but the mysticism of the ancient city was worth understanding on the ghats. If I am ever lost in my thoughts, you’ll find me watching the sunrise over “Ganga maiya.” I found the almighty there! It was so spiritually invigorating that didn’t realise where did my most of the hours went on by.”