06022026-LSTL-01.qxd 2/5/2026 8:36 PM Page 1 c m y b Happy with the successful run of Border 2, Punjabi actors Tejeshwar Singh, Guneet Sandhu and Harwinder Aujla, who play Flight Lieutenant Baldhir Singh Ghuman, Angad and Gurjeet Singh, respectively, in the movie, speak about their experience of working with director Anurag Singh alongside Sunny Deol and Diljit Dosanjh TRIBUNE Life S OME journeys feel almost scripted — except they aren’t. They are built on faith, patience, rejection and an unshakeable belief that what’s meant for you will find you. Modelactor Tejeshwar Singh’s story is exactly that. Long before Border 2 happened, Tejeshwar was already walking his own runway — literally. He emerged as one of the first few turbaned Sardars to walk in Lakme Fashion Week, working with celebrated designers like Arjun Khanna, Shantanu and Nikhil and Kunal Rawal. The industry took notice. LUDHIANA | FRIDAY | 6 FEBRUARY 2026 The Border force Auditions & a vision card Mona Flying visit Sunny Leone was spotted in Mumbai. The actress was there to promote Anurag Kashyap’s highly anticipated neo-noir crime thriller Kennedy, ahead of its OTT release. She plays the lead role along with Rahul Bhat. From Amritsar to Mumbai Early life & a performer in the making A proud alumnus of DAV College, Tejeshwar returned as a guest this January, a full-circle moment for someone who once sat in those classrooms dreaming big. Academically sound, he went on to pursue and an MBA from Panjab University. A random advertisement while in University led him to Punjab Fashion Week. Later, Tejeshwar spent months in Mumbai, juggling auditions, ads and roles. he became part of TV shows as in Gumraah and films like Fukrey. B ORN and raised in Amritsar, Guneet Sandhu’s journey to the big screen has been shaped by persistence, training and love for performing arts. After completing his Class 10, Guneet convinced his parents to let him move to Mumbai under the pretext of further studies, determined to pursue acting fulltime. The shift marked the beginning of steady progress: television commercials and gradual recognition within the industry landing him the independent film Ghich Pich and R Balki’s Ghoomer. His role in Border 2 came through an audition call from Mukesh Chhabra Casting Company, an opportunity that immediately stood out. Guneet says, “The moment I read the title, excite- Soorma, signs & serendipity Back in the day, Tejeshwar had watched Soorma and loved Anurag Singh’s storytelling. When he got to know that Anurag was going to direct the Border sequel and that Diljit Dosanjh would be in it, he made a vision board. Three pictures – Sunny Deol, Diljit and himself in turbans, manifesting the role besides the stars. Then came the audition call. That was surreal. “I didn’t tell anyone till I landed on set, it all felt so unreal,” says Tejeshwar. c m y b ment ran through my nerves. I knew this role would be different. Angad carried a deep emotional arc, unlike anything I had done before.” When he was informed that he had been locked for the role, the moment was quietly overwhelming. “I immediately called my parents. My father was proud, and my mother — a lifelong Sunny Deol fan — was stunned and emotional,” he recalls. Guneet credits director Anurag Singh for trusting him with a character central to the film’s emotional core. “Punjab 1984 had moved me. To work under his direction was, in itself, a blessing,” he says, adding that the director’s warmth and inclusivity made the experience unforgettable. Kesari, Border 2: a dream run A FTER leaving a mark in Kesari, actor Harwinder Aujla is earning fresh acclaim for his powerful turn as Gurjeet Singh in Border 2. With a restrained yet intense screen presence, Harwinder’s performance has resonated strongly with audiences, reinforcing his reputation as a dependable, character-driven actor. Coming from a theatre background from Chamkaur Sahib, Harwinder brings depth and discipline to his roles, something that clearly reflects in Border 2. The film also holds personal significance for him, having grown up watching the original Border. “I never imagined that one day I would be part of Border 2 and get an opportunity to work alongside a superstar like Sunny Deol. It feels surreal and truly special,” Harwinder shares. He also expressed gratitude towards director Anurag Singh, who cast him once again after Kesari. “His faith in my work means a lot to me,” the actor adds.