16022025-LSTC-01.qxd 15-02-2025 23:51 Page 1 c m y b TRIBUNE NEW RELEASE DATE Starring Akshay Kumar, R Madhavan and Ananya Panday, the film Kesari Chapter 2-The Untold Story of Jallianwala Bagh will now be released on April 18, as opposed to March 14. Coming up Life Oscar winner Catherine Zeta-Jones will feature in an upcoming revenge thriller series, titled Kill Jackie. The project is based on the novel The Price You Pay, written Nick Harkaway. CHANDIGARH | SUNDAY | 16 FEBRUARY 2025 ‘All about beingneutral’ Gurnaaz I N the world of television, Mohit Malik is a name that rings out with intensity and grace. Known for his memorable roles in shows like Kulfi Kumar Bajewala and Samrat, he has built a name on the small screen. But there’s a new chapter unfolding in his career—a big leap into Bollywood with his debut in Azad. As his career evolves, we catch up with Mohit to know more about his decision to venture into films. TIME FOR THE BIG SCREEN After two decades of shaping his career on television and digital platforms, Mohit felt it was the right time to step into the world of Bollywood. “The decision wasn’t just about wanting to do films,” he explains. “It was about reaching the right audience— people who could see my work and offer me the kind of roles I was aiming at.” It was in 2016-2017 when he decided to expand his horizons. It wasn’t about leaving television behind, but about broadening his scope. During breaks between TV shows, Mohit looked for more opportunities and soon found himself working on Chamak (Sony Liv). Along the way, Azad happened. What makes this transition more remarkable is the seamless coordination of his schedules, which allowed him to juggle television, film and digital projects simultaneously. “It felt like divine intervention,” he says with a smile. After successfully juggling television and digital platforms, actor Mohit Malik made his Bollywood debut with the film Azad. He believes every actor, regardless of experience, is a student on the set MATTER OF RESPONSE The response to his Bollywood debut was nothing short of overwhelming. “I wasn’t expecting this much love,” Mohit admits. “While the film didn’t perform as expected, the feedback I received, especially from industry veterans, was heartwarming.” Working with Abhishek Kapoor, the director of Azad, was a milestone for Mohit. One of the highlights of the experience was working with Ajay Devgn. Despite only sharing two scenes together, Mohit was in awe of the learning opportunity. “He’s a legend,” Mohit says, reflecting on their brief collaboration. “Just observing him was a lesson in itself.” Another exciting aspect of Azad was the debut of Rasha Thadani and Aaman Devgan. Working alongside newcomers was refreshing for Mohit, who believes that every actor, regardless of experience, is a ‘student on the set’. “The beauty of acting is that no matter how many years you’ve spent in the industry, there’s always something new to learn, always room to grow,” he says. On his bond with Rasha and Aaman, Mohit says he found joy in helping them navigate the demanding world of cinema. FILMS VERSUS TELEVISION EXPLORING UNCONVENTIONAL ROLES For an actor who’s been immersed in television for so long, the switch to Bollywood came with its own set of revelations. So, what was the most notable difference? Time. “In Bollywood, you get time for preparation,” Mohit explains. “For Azad, I had two-and-a-half months to prepare. You can delve into every detail of your character—understand their psychology, work on your physicality, even horse riding!” This deep preparation process is a stark contrast to television’s typically faster pace. “In TV, you don’t always have that luxury. You often get just a week, or even days, to prepare.” Despite this, Mohit loves the unpredictability of television. “That’s the beauty of it. You never know what direction your character will take, and that’s thrilling in its own way.” One role that truly pushed Mohit’s boundaries was his character in Chamak—a complex, emotionally heavy portrayal of a gay man growing up in Punjab. “It was about understanding his internal misery, his struggles, and the conflict he faces. Sexuality was a part of it, but it was his pain, his journey, that drew me in.” The emotional toll the character took on him was significant, but it’s clear that it resonated with Mohit. Jaa. “I was terrified of dancing, but it pushed me to overcome that fear. The same with Khatron Ke Khiladi—if something scares me now, I face it head-on.” The journey of self-awareness and growth continues for Mohit, and he credits practices like meditation for helping him reset after every role. “It’s all about being neutral, being colourless, and then absorbing the new character.” UP NEXT REALITY SHOW LESSONS Mohit has dabbled in reality shows too and his experiences on Khatron Ke Khiladi and Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa were transformative in their own way. Though they were outside his usual acting roles, they pushed him to confront his fears—both physical and emotional. Despite his initial anxiety, Mohit overcame his stage fright, especially during the dance challenges on Jhalak Dikhhla Looking ahead, Mohit remains committed to roles that challenge him. “I want to take on characters that push me—roles that make me nervous. That’s when I know I’ll be able to grow and deliver an authentic performance,” he says. Whether it’s a complex character, a genre he hasn’t explored, or a project that forces him to confront his own boundaries, Mohit is ready for whatever comes next. Ranbir Kapoor launches his lifestyle brand Ranbir Kapoor has launched his lifestyle brand named ARKS. He stepped out in the city to celebrate the opening of the brand’s first store in Mumbai. At the launch, he met and interacted with several of his fans. From giving autographs to taking pictures with them, Ranbir looked extremely happy. He attended the launch donning a white T-shirt and beige pants teamed with white sneakers. For men, the collection encompasses a refined assortment of cotton jersey t-shirts, plush embossed French terry sweatshirts, knitted hoodies, double pique polo shirts, flat knit t-shirts and linen shirts. It further includes optic wash sweatshirts, versatile cotton twill and denim shackets, stylish denim biker jackets, and ultra-limited edition uber leather reversible bomber jackets. In bottom-wear, the collection offers a selection of well-tailored denims in regular and straight fits, versatile cargo pants, comfortable chino shorts, and embossed French terry joggers. For women, ARKS offers a curated selection of contemporary top-wear, including crop tops, cotton jersey tshirts, flat knit polo shirts and kaftan tops, along with modal jersey halter neck tops, cotton twill shackets, French terry hoodies and Twill biker jackets. The collection also boasts a versatile range of bottom-wear options, including denim jeans, denim shorts, cargo pants, French terry joggers and linen drawstring pants. Ranbir shared, “At ARKS, we believe in creating products that aren’t loud but still make a statement. It’s about finding confidence in the simplicity of design and feeling good in what you wear, what you use, and how you live.” — ANI ‘You are truly outstanding’ Katrina Kaif is in awe of hubby Vicky Kaushal’s performance in Chhaava As Vicky Kaushal’s historical action film Chhaava was released in cinema halls, his better half, Katrina Kaif, used Instagram to pen an appreciation post. Dropping a poster from Chhaava, she wrote, “What a cinematic experience and what a monumental task to bring to life the glory of Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj, @laxman.utekar tells c m y b this incredible story in the most brilliant way, I am in awe, the last 40 minutes of the film will leave you speechless. I’ve spent all morning wanting to go and re-watch it again.” Praising hubby Vicky Kaushal further, she wrote, “I’m lost for words by the impact of this film ….. @vickykaushal09 you are truly outstanding, every time you come on screen, every shot, the intensity you bring on screen, you are a chameleon the way you transform into your characters, effortless and fluid, I’m so proud of you and your talent.” — IANS Prateik, Priya tie the knot Actor Prateik Babbar has tied the knot Priya Banerjee. Prateik and Priya took to Instagram and shared the good news with their fans and followers. They even shared a couple of pictures from their wedding ceremony. “I’ll marry you in every lifetime #priyaKAprateik,” their post read. Adding to the grandeur, Prateik and Priya wore ethereal ensembles from a special collection by Tarun Tahiliani. They were twinning in ivory and gold ensembles. As soon as they shared the pictures, fans and members of the film industry chimed in the comments’ section and sent heartfelt congratulations to the newlyweds. Actors Bobby Deol and Karan Tacker dropped a string of red heart emojis in the com- ments’ section. Prateik made his relationship with Priya Instagram official on Valentine’s Day last year. He was previously married to Sanya Sagar, but they reportedly parted ways during the lockdown after tying the knot on January 23, 2019. On the professional front, Prateik was recently seen in Khwaabon Ka Jhamela alongside Sayani Gupta. — ANI
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