06042025-LSTL-01.qxd 4/5/2025 8:29 PM Page 1 c m y b SARA’S SPIRITUAL SOJOURN Sara Ali Khan recently took a spiritual trip and visited the Kamakhya Temple in Guwahati to offer her prayers. The actress shared pictures from her pilgrimage on Instagram. “Moments of stillness amidst the perpetual flow. A purposeful reminder to breathe and go slow. Listen to the whispers of the river, feel the suns glow... ” read the caption. TRIBUNE Life The grandfather The rap legend Eminem has become a grandfather, with his daughter Hailie Jade and her husband Evan McClintock welcoming their first child, a baby boy named Elliot Marshall McClintock. LUDHIANA | SUNDAY | 6 APRIL 2025 ‘I would have made a great spy’ Eijaz Khan, who reprises his role of a spy in Adrishyam Season 2, says he has been preparing to play Ravi Verma all his life Mona Starting as a dancer with Ganesh Hedge’s dance troupe to becoming the heartthrob when the television industry was at its peak, Eijaz Khan has successfully transitioned from television to cinema and OTT platforms. If we first noticed him in Balaji Telefilm’s Kkusum, then he made a place in our hearts with his OTT series City of Dreams, which was further cemented with the Adrishyam series. And, in the film arena, Eijaz’s portrayal of Manish Gaikwad in the blockbuster film Jawan did manage to make a lasting impression. The man, who has won love on reality shows as well, feels blessed. “First, I won a geographic lottery because I grew up in Mumbai; then the genetic one – as how I looked was appreciated in the glamour industry when I started. But, as for the rest, I have built it with sheer hard work!” Eijaz feels he was destined to play Ravi Verma in Adrishyam Season 2. “Starting with Hardy Boys and Nancy Drew back in school, I have always loved watching spy movies. James Bond, Sherlock Holmes, you name it! It’s like all my life I have been preparing for my role in Adrishyam. I truly believe that I would have made a great spy. I just wasted my life studying engineering,” he laughs. As he reprised his role in Season 2, he shares, “The Invisible Heroes – goes the tagline of our show. Not just that we can’t be seen in public, but I can’t even be true to my wife. That is the character and what a journey it is.” Eijaz is now all pepped up about his next project, 120 Bahadur. The film is based on the Battle of Rezang La that took place during the Indo-China war. It captures the extraordinary valour and sacrifice of Indian soldiers. “You will be surprised to see what we have done in the film,” he says confidently. Open about his life, both personal and professional, Eijaz had in the past talked about the challenges of growing up with a single father. Considering that how it has become a norm, we ask him for a piece of advice to single parents and their children. Eijaz thinks hard and says, “It’s difficult to generalise but yet I will try,” he says earnestly. “To the parents—you are acknowledged, seen and loved. Even if your children aren’t able to understand you now, be patient, they will in due time.” To children living in single-parent household, he says, “Hang in there, don’t harm yourself. You are special. You are in this situation because you can make it work, it will lead to your exponential growth that may have not been possible People across the world love me, bless me, which a fortune that I value. I endeavour to work better each single day for my audience. otherwise. I know it comes with some negatives. I am still dealing with those. But it’s your circumstances, and you only can navigate it well!” Life’s doled out a mixed bag to Eijaz, yet he is grateful. “People across the world love me, bless me, which a fortune that I value. Mine is an endeavour to work better each single day for my audience.” On his wish-list is a Punjabi movie. Though he was once asked to judge a Mr Punjab show, which he politely declined. He wonders why he hasn’t gotten an offer for a Punjabi movie till now. “I would love to act in a Punjabi movie. Get me one,” he says. Besides work, it’s the lure of Punjabi food and Punjabi hospitality he can’t wait to enjoy! Sporty spirit Vikrant Parmar For her, fitness, both mental and physical, are important in an industry that is all about competition. Pooja Gor, who essays the role of Durga in Sony LIV series Adrishyam 2–The Invisible Heroes, minces no words when she says it is all about strength and perseverance. Being a sporty person herself, essaying the challenging role of an undercover spy came easy to her. “I have always been into sports—football, badminton, swimming, kickboxing and more. That helped me play this role better. There were a lot of physically demanding scenes, including combat and shooting sequences, but I am happy they did not trouble me much.” Adrishyam 2–The Invisible Heroes follows a covert team of elite operatives working in the shadows to neutralise threats before they strike. Led by Eijaz Khan’s Ravi Verma and now reinforced by Pooja Gor’s Durga, this season unravels deeper conspiracies, deadlier betrayals, and a relentless fight to protect the nation. “It is a whole new space. There are many series on the same subject, but this one is different in terms of treatment. Juggling between family and highranking intelligence agent, Durga embodies remarkable resilience and strength. Representing a woman breaking stereotypes, Durga navigates the challenges of a male-dominated profession with tenacity and skill, ‘Fitness is not a chore’ ‘Saif is back to work’ tain a positive outlook, even during challenging times. What keeps you motivated to stay active? Setting clear, achievable goals keeps me motivated. Whether it’s preparing for a role that requires a certain level of fitness or aiming for personal milestones, having specific objectives helps me stay committed. Additionally, I find inspiration in the progress I make and the overall improvement in my quality of life. Actor Savi Thakur goes for adaptable workout plans that can be modified based on his daily schedule How do you prioritise fitness with such a busy acting schedule? Balancing a demanding acting career with fitness requires planning. I treat workouts as essential appointments, scheduling them into my calendar to ensure consistency. This approach helps me maintain regular exercise despite unpredictable work hours. How do you stay flexible with your workout routine? Flexibility is the key. I design Soha Ali Khan on brother Saif’s stabbing incident As an actor, do you feel pressure to look fit? Savi Thakur, who plays Rudra in Sun Neo’s show Rishto Se Bandhi Gauri, recently shared insights into his fitness routine. Despite his busy acting schedule, Savi prioritises fitness and believes in maintaining a healthy balance between work and wellness. adaptable workout plans that can be modified based on my daily schedule. For instance, on particularly hectic days, I might opt for shorter, highintensity interval training sessions or focus on bodyweight exercises that can be performed anywhere. What role does nutrition play in your fitness regimen? Nutrition is the foundation of my overall well-being. I emphasise on consuming whole, nutrient-dense foods that provide sustained energy and aid in recovery. Proper nutrition supports my physical performance and enhances mental clarity, which is crucial in my line of work. How does staying fit benefit your mental well-being? Regular physical activity has a profound impact on my mental health. Exercise serves as a stress reliever, boosts my mood and enhances focus. The endorphins released during workouts help me main- There is an inherent expectation in the industry to maintain a certain physique. However, I focus on health and strength rather than conforming to external pressures. By prioritising my well-being and setting personal goals, I navigate these expectations in a way that aligns with my values. What are two fitness tips you would offer to someone starting their fitness journey? First, consistency is more important than intensity. Establish a routine that you can maintain over time, even if it starts with modest workouts. Second, find activities you enjoy. Fitness should be fulfilling, not a chore, so explore different forms of exercise to discover what resonates with you. c m y b making her character truly inspiring,” Pooja says. As for her views on OTT, she says, “It’s a fantastic space. It’s a world of opportunities, as the OTT platform caters to a lot of creative people who now have a chance to express themselves and garner fame. Anybody can shine, that’s how secular the OTT world is and that’s quite wonderful.” Making a career in tinsel town is a tough task and one needs to be resilient. So, what’s her advice to the youngsters out there, who have dreams in their eyes and hopes to excel? “Just remain patient. Success does not come overnight. You need to plug on each day and hope for the best, give your best. Rest, leave it to the Almighty,” she signs off. Actor Soha Ali Khan says her brother Saif Ali Khan has returned to work after recovering from the injuries he sustained during the knife attack at his residence in January this year. Saif, 54, was attacked in the early hours of January 16 at his Bandra home in Mumbai. He was stabbed six times by the assailant, who was later arrested. “It disturbed all of us. Our main concern was that he was fine, which he was, and has fully recovered now and is back to work. That was our focus. Thank God, he is alright,” Soha said. Soha will be seen next as the antagonist in Chhorii 2, a sequel to the 2021 hit of the same title. The horror drama is headlined by Nushrratt Bharuccha. Chhorii was a remake of director Vishal Furia’s 2017 Marathi film Lapachhapi, which revolves around a pregnant woman whose unborn child is targeted by evil spirits. — PTI Brosnan backs Helen Mirren’s criticism of James Bond’s ‘profound sexism’ Bonding over Bond Former James Bond actor Pierce Brosnan has weighed in on Helen Mirren’s criticism of the iconic spy franchise, expressing agreement with her views on the series’ treatment of women. Mirren, who starred alongside Brosnan in the film MobLand, recently spoke out against the James Bond franchise, calling it ‘drenched and born out of profound sexism’. Brosnan, who played Bond in four films from 1995 to 2002, was asked for his thoughts on Mirren’s remarks and responded, “She let them have it. Yes, there’s a certain agreement there.” While Brosnan acknowledged the criticism, he also noted that there are limitations to how much the fran- chise can evolve, given its origins and the world created by author Ian Fleming. “There’s a certain world and room to move within the proscenium arch of what Fleming put down. So, there’s always going to be conflict,” he added. Brosnan praised his MobLand co-star, calling her ‘one of the nicest people’. —ANI