06122024-LSTL-01.qxd 12/5/2024 7:42 PM Page 1 c m y b PANCHOLI TO DONATE BODY Actor Aditya Pancholi has made a noble decision to donate his body to medical science after his death. By deciding to donate his body, Aditya hopes to support medical research and education, potentially saving lives and fostering future advancements in healthcare. TRIBUNE Numero uno Life Taylor Swift dominated the charts this year. The singer ranked as No 1 Most-Streamed Artist Globally in 2024 on Spotify, nabbing the crown for the second year in a row. LUDHIANA | FRIDAY | 6 DECEMBER 2024 Prince Aa Gaya Oye... Gurnaaz P ‘I like challenging norms’ UNJABI cinema is witnessing a shift—one that balances commercial appeal with deep, characterdriven storytelling—and someone who embodies this evolution is Prince Kanwaljit Singh. Known for his versatility and sincerity, Prince has earned comparisons to some of the finest actors in Indian cinema. And, it’s not just because of his commitment to his craft, but also the way he blends humility with artistry. Prince’s preparation for a role is simple and effective. “I don’t go too deep into the character’s psychology beforehand,” he admits. “I don’t plan. I go with a fresh mind and let the director guide me.” He allows the character to evolve organically on set, trusting in the director’s vision while contributing to the nuances of his role. This is why he calls himself “a director’s actor”. His collaborative spirit is what helps bring a film’s vision to life in the most authentic way possible. He admits that while he occasionally contributes ideas to set details—like the choice of a torn sweater for a character— he doesn’t impose his vision. “My secret also is that I focus on one film at a time. I am not greedy. I feel every character needs a certain look, behaviour and sincerity and when it’s one point focus, it’s so much easier to maintain consistency that way,” he says. Ask about his signature roles, and his reply Punjabi actor Prince Kanwaljit Singh, who will be seen in Panchi 2 and Punjabi Aa Gaye Oye, calls himself a director’s actor is prompt — Pamma from his latest film, Sector 17. “Yes, Pamma is a character that sticks with you,” he says, reflecting on the enduring impact of that role in Punjabi cinema. Prince’s rise to prominence didn’t follow a conventional path. Unlike many of his peers, who had a clear plan for entering the film industry, Prince’s journey was marked by serendipity and raw talent. “I didn’t always know I wanted to be an actor,” he shares. “I grew up in a family where education was the focus. But when relatives came over and read magazines featuring movie stars, I got hooked on the idea of acting. One day, I pointed to a picture of a Tamil actor on a motorbike ❝ ❝ PEOPLE THINK I PLAN EVERY LITTLE DETAIL, BUT I DON’T ALWAYS DO THAT. FOR MOST OF THE FIRSTS, I JUST SHOW UP, LISTEN TO THE DIRECTOR, AND LET THINGS UNFOLD, AS WE DISCOVER THE CHARACTER. I FOCUS ON ONE FILM AT A TIME. I AM NOT GREEDY. I FEEL EVERY CHARACTER NEEDS A CERTAIN LOOK, BEHAVIOUR AND SINCERITY. WHEN IT’S ONE POINT FOCUS, IT’S SO MUCH EASIER TO MAINTAIN CONSISTENCY THAT WAY. and said, ‘I want to be like him’.” His early exposure to theatre and the connections he made in the industry were crucial in shaping his career. Even as a 10th grader, Prince would travel to Mumbai, spending a year at a time in the city, soaking in the creative energy. Despite his success, Prince remains grounded. “I didn’t know the procedure back then,” he reflects on his early days in theatre and film. “And that was the best thing. I was so ignorant. I just wrote plays, acted in dramas, and people liked it.” His lack of formal training in writing and acting didn’t hinder his progress; in fact, it allowed him to approach his work without the constraints of overthinking. “I didn’t over-prepare or worry about the ‘right’ way to do things. I just did them.” This unassuming approach is something Prince attributes to his success. “If I had known the rules, I might have over-analyse everything. The fact that I didn’t know allowed me to stay true to my instincts.” One of the most profound insights Prince shares during the interview is his philosophy on money and success. “Money is just a byproduct,” he asserts. “As long as your body is working, you’ll earn. So, my focus is doing good work itself, not the paycheck.” Looking ahead, Prince has a packed slate of projects, including Panchi 2 and Punjabi Aa Gaye Oye, a romantic comedy. “Romance was tough for me at first, but it’s getting easier,” he admits, signalling his willingness to explore new genres and keep growing as an artiste. Mirzapur star Shweta Tripathi talks about her journey Like many others, she once dreamt of being the heroine in wispy chiffons running through mustard fields. But Shweta Tripathi’s career arc turned out radically different and the Mirzapur actor, who says she likes challenging norms, will have it no other way. “My personality type is of a rebel. I am all of 5ft, I don’t fit your archetype of a heroine, I like challenging those norms,” the actor, known for her roles with a difference in Masaan and OTT shows, including Yeh Kaali Kaali Aankhein. The actor, who is in her 30s, can pinpoint just when it all changed, when her thoughts crystallised. It was in I love the fact there 2009 when she was are films like Masaan working on her and Mirzapur, where debut show Kya Mast Hai Life. the theme of female desire has “I would travel to been explored. It is important to Malad from Banhave characters like Beena Tripathi dra every day and I (Rasika Dugal in Mirzapur) or Devi had a cab driver, a (Richa Chadha in Masaan). very nice guy. One day, when the car stopped at the red light, he looked outside and his gaze lingered there for more than usual. I turned to see what was happening — there was a movie poster with three women in bikinis. “… I promised myself there and then that I never want to be this,” Shweta said. The actor, whose portrayal as the spunky Golu from Mirzapur has won her accolades, clarified that she doesn’t have a problem with wearing a bikini or a swimsuit. “But being displayed like that is something I wouldn’t like,” she said. Equally, Shweta is happy that films and shows are now exploring the sexuality of women. These are the roles she has no qualms in choosing – be it the student infatuated with her teacher in Haraamkhor, the acid attack survivor in Kaalkoot or the the brilliant student-turned gang woman in Mirzapur, the show that made her a household name. “I love the fact there are films like Masaan and Mirzapur, where the theme is about female desire... It is important to have characters like Beena Tripathi (Rasika Dugal in Mirzapur) or Devi (Richa Chadha in Masaan) because we belong to a very progressive land and culture. And, if we keep clipping our wings, then it will be in every aspect and every sector.” Her father was a bureaucrat and her mother a teacher. Growing up in the Andamans and Delhi, she said she dreamt of being the quintessential heroine made popular by Yash Raj Films romances. “But fortunately, unfortunately, I have not done any of that. What I have done are films like Masaan and Gone Kesh, which is about a girl who has alopecia… Everyone has a different purpose and you can get inspired by others but you have to find your own purpose. “I think I am chasing the joy of storytelling, stories that raise the bar of emotion. So that when people see my story, or my character, they feel something. Because of dad and mom, I want to be part of stories that move people or make them uncomfortable.” — PTI Fans can’t keep calm as Allu Arjun roars ‘Fire nahi, wildfire hai’in Pushpa: The Rule. Tricity theatres are booked to capacity Sheetal ‘Pushpa naam sunke flower samjhe kya, fire hai main!’ That was one of the most memorable dialogues from Pushpa: The Rise. Now, the sequel of this Allu Arjun and Rashmika Mandanna-starrer, titled Pushpa: The Rule, has given us another one — Fire nahi, wildfire hai. Talk about hotness quotient! The impact of this wildfire is seen on the counters of tricity theatres too, after the film released on Thursday. Tickets are just flying by! The sequel of Pushpa is here after almost three years of wait. Its release has whipped up even a higher fan- frenzy than its pervious instalment. First, the story in Part 1 was left on a cliffhanger, making fans eager to know how the titular character’s journey would progress, and second, the music created enough buzz after a single from the film was released in May. On the opening day alone, 90 per cent of the seats for the Telugu language shows were booked in tricity. The 8:30 pm shows in Elante Mall, Chandigarh and Mohali Walk were almost full with just one or two front row seats left. The Punjabi fans of Pushpa were equally excited. All major malls like Elante Mall, CP67 Mall and VR Punjab Mall had 24 to 32 shows, starting from 7:30 am and going on till 11:55pm. Almost 85 per cent of the We are hit by wildfire! PHOTO: RAVI KUMAR STAMPEDE IN HYDERABAD The frenzy around Allu Arjun’s film triggered a stampede in Hyderabad. A woman lost her life and her son was hospitalised. It’s reported that Allu Arjun’s surprise visit to the cinema hall caused the unfortunate incident. shows were booked. On Thursday, nearly 30-50 per cent of tickets were sold for Friday shows, whereas for the weekend the numbers went up to 60-70 c m y b per cent. According to reports, the third instalment, Pushpa: The Rampage, will apparently take another three long years to be out in theatres. But that’s a story for another day. As of now, the way Allu Arjun’s fans are lapping up his Pushpa act, the franchise is definitely shouting, ‘Main jhukega nahi! ’