Journalism of Courage
Many people in India have lost their jobs during the lockdown months. Even as the country entered Unlock 4.0, many are still struggling to find work. (Express photo: Shashi Ghosh)
Among them is Gautam Adhikari, who dresses up as Charlie Chaplin. (Express photo: Shashi Ghosh)
Adhikari has been a street artiste for the last 32 years. Every year during the holidays, he was seen performing in front of the Victoria Memorial in Kolkata or the Zoo. (Express photo: Shashi Ghosh)
However, the residents of Kolkata last saw Gautam Adhikari dressed as Charlie Chaplin on January 26 this year. (Express photo: Shashi Ghosh)
Gautam has been spending his days mostly at home since the coronavirus induced lockdown. He has no regular source of income. He lives with his wife, daughter, and mother.(Express photo: Shashi Ghosh)
He used to earn anywhere between Rs 20-25,000 per month but the money has now dried up with lockdown restrictions. Earlier, he even used to get calls from Punjab and Gujarat for various NGO events. (Express photo: Shashi Ghosh)
Gautam says it is not an easy task to make everyone smile. But that is what Charlie Chaplin has done all his life, he adds. (Express photo: Shashi Ghosh)
For the past seven months, Gautam has been workng on his facial experisions at home. It is not easy to imitate Chaplin, he says. It is also important to stay physical fit to pull off the act, he adds. (Express photo: Shashi Ghosh)
Charlie Chaplin has taught me a lot, he says. Now, Gautam wants to show people how to deal with difficult situations easily with laughter. (Express photo: Shashi Ghosh)
