17102024-LSTL-01.qxd 10/16/2024 8:54 PM Page 1 c m y b PRIYANKA LANDS IN MUMBAI Actress Priyanka Chopra Jonas landed in Mumbai on Wednesday for a brand engagement. It was also learnt that the actress will not be attending the MAMI Film Festival despite being the chairperson. TRIBUNE Bella is back Life Supermodel Bella Hadid made a breathtaking return to the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show recently, marking her first grand appearance as a showstopper after a twoyear hiatus from the runway. LUDHIANA | THURSDAY | 17 OCTOBER 2024 On wings of dreams Undekhi, The Tashkent Files, Inside Edge, Four More Shots Please! to Reeta Sanyal, Ankur Rathee is steady with his act, for he believes the universe works on the law of abundance Nonika Singh O N screen in the Disney+ Hotstar series Reeta Sanyal, they might be competing for the same woman. But off screen, the bonhomie of Ankur Rathee and Manik Papneja is more than palpable. As Manik plays Watson to Adah Sharma’s titular part of a Sherlock Holmes, a lawyerdetective, and Ankur steps into the shoes of a cop and provides romantic interest, they are not just gung-ho about the series but also about each other’s talent. A mutual admiration club? An amusing one too, as Ankur puts it, “As a rule, we take our jobs too seriously and get involved in outperforming each other. But Manik has this felicity to bring the fun part of being an actor to life.” With many scenes together, there was no feeling of insecurity when they were on the sets. Rather, Ankur, seen in the popular series Undekhi in which Surya Sharma walked away with lion’s share of praise for his portrayal of Rinku paaji, is not in the least bit envious of his co-actors. On the contrary, when he observes the career graph of his colleagues, be it Triptii Dimri’s meteoric rise or others, he is heartened by the fact that if they can reach these heights it means, “Someone else’s success is further proof that it’s possible. Insecurity comes from the scarcity concept. The universe works on greater law of abundance. I would be worried if no one was succeeding.” How the Princeton University graduate found himself on this road and landed in the world of entertainment is a long story. Put succinctly, its passion that made him quit a cushy job in the US to pursue his dream.Has it been worth the while? Indeed, the role that would make him a household name is still awaited. But with a variety of characters behind him, from a political aide in The Tashkent Files to a gay activist in Inside Edge to a lover boy in Four More Shots Please!, whenever and wherever he goes, he is instantly recognisable. And a greater feeling of ANKUR RATHEE elation it is for, “I don’t know which character is resonating I am not in a position where I have to shoulder the burden of a movie’s hit or flop status. GET PHYSICAL Television's current heartthrob Arjun Bijlani likes to take a break from his work to reboot his body and mind, but never ever he takes a break from his fitness regimen. Hear it from the Pyaar Ka Pehla Adhyay: Shiv Shakti actor… How do you stay in shape? Life can be fast-paced and demanding, leaving little time for things like exercise and entertainment. However, I never compromise on my commitment to fitness. I manage my time in some way or another. Even during short breaks, I make sure to stretch and do core workouts. After work, I head to the gym for strength and functional training. I’ve also adapted to working out anywhere, ensuring I stay on track with my fitness routine. Consistency is the key Eat in moderation and make exercise a way of life, says actor Arjun Bijlani my way, and it keeps me feeling positive. What does fitness mean to you? Both. I try to make the most of my time, so I incorporate exercises during breaks, and when free go to the gym. There I focus on strength and functional training, but I’ve also created workout spaces wherever I am. Fitness is not just about looking good, it’s about feeling good too. My workout routine keeps me energised and focused throughout the day. It helps me manage stress better and prepare for anything that comes my way. Staying fit is a lifestyle choice, and it positively impacts both my personal and professional lives. What keeps you motivated? Being an actor, is there’s any pressure to look fit? Discipline and prioritising my health is motivation enough. Fitness is more than just a goal for me; it’s part of who I am. No matter how busy I am, I believe it’s important to take care of myself. Staying active and fit helps me remain ready for whatever challenges come Absolutely, there is pressure, but I see it as a positive one. Staying fit is part of the job, but more than that, it’s about feeling confident and healthy. Fitness isn’t just about how you look; it’s about how you feel. If you feel good inside, it reflects on the outside. So, I don’t Gym or home workout? just work out to look fit on screen, but to maintain my overall well-being. Do you follow a strict diet? I eat everything, but in moderation. Instead of indulging, I just taste things, especially sweets. I detoxify by drinking green tea and skipping desserts completely. I also take plenty of water. My mantra is simple — eat carefully and enjoy life. Share two fitness tips... First, consistency is the key. Whether it’s a quick 15-minute routine or a full workout, make sure you stay consistent with it. Second, hydrate well. Drinking enough water throughout the day keeps your body functioning optimally and helps in recovery after workouts. (As told to Dharam Pal) c m y b with which fan.” What makes him say yes to a part is certainly not its length. Else he would not have agreed to a woman-centric Reeta Sanyal. He wants to be part of stories that make people, smile, laugh, cry and reconsider life choices, and, above all, it is seen by many. Does it hurt when he gets a meaty role as in Shehzada and is lauded too, but the film bombs at the box-office? He says, “I am not in a position where I have to shoulder the burden of a movie’s hit or flop status.” Cinema, he believes, is a collaborative effort. “And it’s only the nature of the beast that actors end up being its face and people confuse an actor with the character.” For those making the same mistake and believing his Daman in Undekhi has some sort of semblance with his real journey of a man coming back home from foreign lands, he quips, “Oh, that’s a very broad stroke. I didn’t grow up with guns in my house, will never navigate my relationship with my wife as he does with Teji. But, yes, we all learn from our reel-life characters and use our real experiences in acting.” Whether OTT medium is still as exciting when he started out, he agrees that the bubble may have burst to some extent. But, he also reasons, “It’s not as if outside of the web content we are making superlative cinema.” Besides, even today there are enough choices and parts in web shows which can show the way to actors like him, who don’t come from a filmy background. Sans a godfather in the industry, in Mumbai he did find support and encouragement in fellow Haryanvi Randeep Hooda, ‘a phenomenal actor’. He explains, “He is a Jat and so am I, and as a community we do look out for each other.” More than eager to help aspirants, however, he cautions his brethren from Jatland, “Come to tinsel town only if you just can’t do anything else. If this art form is what you love the most in your life and can’t live without, only then join this profession.” That explains his reason for turning an actor, but what possibly can be ours for watching Reeta Sanyal? In unison he and Manik chip in, “For, stylistically, it’s like no other, wacky and fun, imagination fuelled fiction; it has all the masala of a Bollywood film packed in a series.” Quite a team they are, even when they are batting for the woman in absentia, the lead Adah Sharma? In the series based on Amit Khan’s eponymous character of book series, Adah’s Reeta might be looking out for bad guys, but in real life she sure has good ones for company. Varun Dhawan and Samantha make fans drool over their dapper looks in Citadel: Honey Bunny Cool agents Varun Dhawan has teamed up with Samantha Ruth Prabhu for Raj and DK’s show Citadel: Honey Bunny. The web series is a spin-off of the American spy action series Citadel, which starred Priyanka Chopra and Richard Madden. The trailer for Varun Dhawan-starrer was released at a star-studded event in Mumbai. On Wednesday, the Student of the Year star posted a series of stylish pictures, asking fans, “Do you like Agent Bunny?” In one of the shots, he is seen posing with Samantha. Varun looked dapper in black suit, while the Oo Antava star sported a chic black outfit. At the trailer launch of Citadel: Honey Bunny, the Jug Jugg Jeeyo actor reminisced about a time when Aditya Chopra was hesitant to cast him in an action film. Varun shared that he persistently pursued Chopra, who eventually told him, “I can’t do that because I can’t give you that budget right now. You’re not at a point where I can allocate such a large budget.” In Citadel: Honey Bunny, Varun will portray stuntman Bunny, while Samantha plays a spy in the series. This project marks the first on-screen collaboration between the two actors. The series follows Varun and Samantha as they embark on a globetrotting mission. It also features Kay Kay Menon, Saqib Saleem, and Sikandar Kher in pivotal roles. The series will premiere on Prime Video India on November 7. Varun will also appear in Anurag Singh’s war drama Border 2, alongside Sunny Deol, Diljit Dosanjh, and Suniel Shetty’s son, Ahan Shetty. The movie is set for release on January 23, 2026. — IANS