Summer has been eulogised in European poetry. Indeed, William Shakespeare in his renowned sonnet 18 had lamented that ‘summer's lease hath all too short a date’. In fact he had expressed a wish for ‘eternal summer’ and had compared the sun to the ‘eye of heaven’. In most parts of India, summers are however oppressively hot. Sun shines upon you so relentlessly that it seems nightmarish instead of heavenly. In fact, you wish that the blistery season soon gets over. We asked your favourite TV stars as to how they plan to beat the heat this summer… And here is what they said: Kanwar Dhillon who plays Munna in Na Bole Tum... Na Maine Kuch Kaha says, “I am coping with the odd hours of work. Luckily, there is an air-conditioning machine in the indoor set.” Karan Goddwani who plays Jinn Johnny in Jeannie Aur Juju, jokingly adds, “I roam half naked in my home like Tarzan with the air-conditioning machine on.” During outdoor shoots, TV actors like Sayantani Ghosh (who you have seen in shows like Kumkum, Adaalat and Bigg Boss), Sarwar Ahuja (who plays Inspector Saurya in Hum Ne Li Hai- Shapath), and Manish Nawani (who plays Avijit in The Buddy Project) use sun screens to protect themselves from the scorching summer heat. Sun screens not only reduce tanning but also help to prevent skin cancer by protecting the skin from harmful ultra-violet and infra-red radiation. Sayantani uses a sunscreen with an SPF of 40 whereas Manish uses a sunscreen with an SPF of 50. Along with applying a sun screen, Karan also wears a cap. Sayantani tries her best to avoid the sun between 12 noon and 4 pm. Shama Sikander who plays Bhayankar Pari in Baal Veer endeavours to stay indoors as much as she can. One can also get some reprieve from the summer heat by wearing light cotton clothing just like Sayantani, Rucha Hasabnis (who plays Rashi in Saath Nibhaana Saathiya) and Karan Goddwani do. In fact, Goddwani sips plenty of juices. “I have a different kind of juice every day. I love to eat yoghurt as well, for it has cooling properties too,” he remarks. Adds Sayantani, “I drink litres of water, lemon juice and coconut water to avoid dehydration.” And guess what? Rucha is having a gala time this summer. “I love the summers because of the mangoes but to beat the heat I have lot of water, water melon, oranges, lemon and sherbet all day long to keep my body hydrated. When I am shooting outdoors in the sun, I have Glucon D and tang all day long,” she informs. Sarwar tells us, “I drink a lot of water and have butter milk to keep myself hydrated.” Shama also drinks lot of water, coconut water and eats plenty of vegetables and curd. Amrita Mukherjee, the adorable Pihu, in Bade Achhe Lagte Hain, loves drinking water melon and sugarcane juice in summer. Abigail Jain who had previously played Sia in Humse Hai Liife drinks glasses of water and also has ice-cream. Shikha Singh (26-12) says, “I drink a lot of water and take a bath with plenty of cold water. After all I am a true Aquarian. I am taking a vacation and going off to the beaches this summer.” Many of the stars are coping with summer by drinking plenty of water, sipping cold beverages and having food that cools the body. Rupal Patel, who plays Kokila in Saath Nibhaana Saathiya says, “I am having glasses of chilled lemon water which is enabling me to cool my body during this scorching summer.” Both Rakesh Bedi (who has entertained you in Yeh Jo Hai Zindagi and Shrimaan Shrimati) and Shantanu Maheshwari (who plays Swayam in Dil Dostii Dance) don’t hold any kind of a grudge on the summer heat. As a matter of fact, they seem to be eternal optimists who are thoroughly enjoying the season. “I cope with summer by enjoying it,” Rakesh Bedi adds in good humour. “The hotter it will be, the better the upcoming monsoons will be,” avers Shantanu with a radiant smile. After all if summer comes, can the monsoons be far behind?