25102024-LSTL-01.qxd 10/24/2024 8:41 PM Page 1 c m y b RELEASE DATE CHANGED The release date of Allu Arjun’s Pushpa: The Rule has been changed again — the film will now be released on December 5. Directed by Sukumar, the film also stars Rashmika Mandanna, who will reprise her role of Srivalli. TRIBUNE Meet & greet Akshay Kumar took to social media to share a glimpse of his meeting with Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang. He posted a photo with Jensen, calling him the ‘world’s biggest authority on Artificial Intelligence’. LUDHIANA | FRIDAY | 25 OCTOBER 2024 Rocket Boys fame actor Ishwak Singh, who is looking forward to Paatal Lok Season 2, says a movie based in rural Punjab could help him reconnect with his roots Digital DYNAMO Nonika Singh Equanimity is not just a word Ishwak Singh attributes to describe Vikram Sarabhai, the renowned scientist whose part he etched beautifully in Rocket Boys. Composure could well be Ishwak’s middle name too. Praise him, plod him, even provoke him; the Berlin actor is anything but excitable. After winning accolades for playing a rather challenging character of a deaf, mute spy Ashok in Berlin, one would expect him to be on cloud nine. Yes he admits ‘appreciation feels good’, but more than the feeling of being rewarded, what keeps him going are ‘working on newer things’. As he reprises the part of Imran Ansari in the much-acclaimed Paatal Lok in its second season, his lips are sealed about his character arc. Indeed, he has many good things to say about the showrunner Sudeep Sharma, director Avinash Arun and, of course, its sterling writing. Writing anyway is what makes him say yes to a project. When shows like Paatal Lok are based on a novel The Story of My Assassins by Tarun Tejpal, is he compelled to read it before going on the sets? He says, “Much before the part comes to actors, makers and writers have developed it for months, often years. I have to understand what they think is the way forward. And what I should do to understand their world better. In Paatal Lok, the idea may have come from the book, but there was so much newness to it and I didn’t see the need to read it.” Four years since Season 1 dropped in 2020, isn’t it too long a gap to keep the fans of the series invested? Ishwak shares, “When something is authentic to its genre, it will find its place and relevance. Audiences will certainly get bang for their buck. All I can say is when Jaideep Ahlawat and I got together on the sets, it seemed like yesterday and all the memories of making the Season 1 rushed back, and we got into the groove instantly.” Among his many stellar parts, Imran Ansari, ‘the first one which put me on the map’ is akin to first love. Mercifully, it did not typecast him. He says, “Typically, I should have been flooded with more cop parts. Instead, it opened doors for a variety of roles — from a scientist to a spy.” Berlin is special too for, “It was out of my comfort zone with no reference point, required me to learn a new skill of sign language. Everything fell into place.” A bonafide OTT star, he doesn’t think fatigue has set in this space. “Wherever I go, be it business meetings or personal get-togethers, OTT is still the talking point, part of the conversations invariably are — what are ❝ “Working with good old masters, be it Imtiaz Ali, Anubhav Sinha or Hansal Mehta, is a treat. But it’s equally exciting to be with new-age directors like Abhay Pannu, more so since they are my contemporaries. And they are blazing their own trail.” you watching?” he adds. Precisely, why he doesn’t care whether his upcoming film Sarvgunn Sampann, directed by debutant director Sonali Rattan Deshmukh, is screened in cinema halls or on OTT? He adds, “Anyway, it’s the makers’ call. I stick to my lane and don’t let my personal biases interfere with my acting process. Besides, some films are destined to make a mark on OTT.” He would not mind working in big budget films which is where he started out, albeit in smaller parts as in movies like Veere Di Wedding, Tamaasha, Raanjhanaa et al. Since he believes, “Your relevance is decided by the industry and filmmakers. They decide what your worth is,” he is not unnecessarily pushing himself. He adds, “Let them have complete faith in me. Otherwise what’s the point?” Just as there is none in saying yes to short cameos for, “Would it not tantamount to one step forward and two backward?” But one turn he doesn’t mind is which would take this Punjabi to his roots. Born and brought up in Delhi, he would love to do a Punjabi film, precisely for, “With no connect with my rural roots, since everyone migrated, a movie set in rural Punjab could help me reconnect and get me some sort of closure.” Till then, the Punjabi who aced the Gujarati Sarabhai would like to get his feet wet and learn the cultural nuances of different cultures of India, even learn a new language. The language of acting, ‘to play my part honestly, so people find it relatable and it moves them’, anyway is basic for him. Fouryears of Chak De! controversy togetherness Neha Kakkar and Rohanpreet Singh celebrated their fourth wedding anniversary on October 24. They expressed their love and appreciation for each other in heart-warming social media posts. Neha and Rohanpreet, who tied the knot in 2020, shared photos capturing a series of cherished moments from their journey together. The Garmi hit-maker posted several joyful pictures with Rohanpreet and penned a romantic note. She captioned, “4 Years….. Wow!!!!! Pata bhi nahin chala.. Thank you @rohanpreetsingh for making me feel like a baby everyday! Looks like you will never let me grow old! Love you buddy! Happy Anniversary to us!” Rohanpreet reciprocated with an equally touching post, referring to Neha as Laado. Alongside the image, he wrote, “It’s been 4 years, touchwood! Rabb kare apan hameshan hi aidan ik duje naal rahiye.. Love you, Laado. Happy Anniversary to us!!” In their wedding photos, Neha and Rohanpreet can be seen grinning from ear to ear. In some of the stills, the couple is seen dancing on stage. Last month, Rohanpreet dismissed rumours of their divorce, stating that such false reports do not impact their bond. In an interview, Singh advised that nobody should be bothered by such baseless claims, as people will always have something to say. — IANS Neha Kakkar thanks Rohanpreet Singh for making her feel like a baby everyday Annu Kapoor’s statement that Chak De! India changed Hindu coach’s identity stirs debate For actor Rohit Choudhary, fitness is not merely a task but a source of joy as well Here’s to happy hormones Rohit Choudhary, the actor known for his role in Gadar 2, is set to appear in the upcoming film Vanvaas, directed by renowned filmmaker Anil Sharma. Despite the demanding nature of his career, where film schedules, rehearsals, and various professional engagements can often be overwhelming, he emphasised that he makes a conscious effort to manage his time in a way that allows him to prioritise his fitness routine. Totally committed to maintaining a balanced lifestyle, he talks about his fitness mantra. What does fitness mean to you? For me, fitness is not merely a task or a responsibility but a deep passion — a source of personal fulfillment and joy. Working out helps release happy hormones, endorphins, which keeps me active and positive throughout the day. Gym or home work-out? My work revolves around my fitness, so I do take time to hit the gym regularly. But when I’m on the go, I make sure to squeeze in some quick home or travel-friendly workouts. c m y b How much emphasis do you give to your diet? I adhere to a clean lifestyle diet, which I believe is essential for maintaining my fitness and overall well-being. I don’t take any fried food, which not only helps in keeping my calorie intake in check but also prevents unnecessary health issues. Do you avoid sugar? Yes; I am particularly cautious about sugar intake, as excessive sugar consumption can lead to weight gain and various health problems. Avoid sugar and make sure you exercise daily; your body will thank you. To satiate my sugar cravings, I opt for natural sources of sweetness, such as fruits, which provide essential vitamins and minerals. Do you feel the pressure to look fit? I strongly disapprove of the pressure actors face to maintain a fit appearance, especially when it comes to achieving a particular body image, like having six-pack abs. As an actor, one’s acting skills — meaning the ability to portray a character convincingly through emotions, dialogue, and body language — are more crucial than physical appearance. Fitness is important, but it should not overshadow the need to improve one’s craft or the ability to refine acting techniques and talents. (As told to Dharam Pal) Veteran film actor Annu Kapoor recently stirred up a controversy after his comments on Shah Rukh Khan’s Chak De! India went viral. Kapoor specifically pointed to the popular film Chak De! India said that Shah Rukh Khan’s character, Kabir Khan, was originally based on the coach Mir Ranjan Negi. He claimed that the filmmakers deliberately changed the character to a Muslim. “The main character in Chak De! India is based on a famous coach, Negi Saab. But in India, they want to show a Muslim as a good character and make fun of a Pandit (Hindu priest). This is something old, where they use the idea of Ganga-Jamuni Tehzeeb (Hindu-Muslim unity) to put a label on it,” Kapoor said. Chak De! India is a 2007 Bollywood sports drama film, where Shah Rukh Khan character Kabir, a former Indian men’s hockey player, is accused of betraying his country after losing an important match against Pakistan. To redeem his reputation, he becomes the coach of the Indian women’s hockey team. — ANI