16122024-LSTC-01.qxd 12/16/2024 12:10 AM Page 1 c m y b TRIBUNE Hit hard Life Nonika Singh I Baby’s day out Varun Dhawan meets Amit Shah, during Baby John’s promotions Bollywood star Varun Dhawan, who is currently promoting his upcoming film Baby John, got a chance to meet Union Home Minister Amit Shah during his visit in the Capital and said it was an ‘absolute pleasure’. Varun took to Instagram, where he shared a picture with the renowned leader. In the photograph, the two are seen looking at the camera smiling. “Inke Saamne Toh Hum Sab ‘Baby’ Hai’,” Varun wrote for Amit Shah, who is tagged as the Chanakya of Indian politics. Varun expressed his gratitude on meeting the leader. “It was an absolute pleasure to meet the Honorable Home Minister Amit Shah ji in Delhi,” he added. Amidst his promotions in New Delhi, Varun met rapper Yo Yo Honey Singh. — IANS N a country where cinema thrives on dialoguebaazi, where dialogues often have longer shelf life than movies, making silence speak is a challenging job. Yet, noted and acclaimed screen writer Ritesh Shah’s latest film I Want to Talk talks more through cinematic language than dialogues. He says, “What is expected of me as a writer in a Shoojit Sircar film is to delve into a character’s inner journey and the lyricism in such melancholic moments.” To convey the same is easier said than done. Some clues, he shares, came from Arjun Sen’s biography on which the Abhishek Bachchanstarrer is based. He elucidates, “Take the scene where after learning of his life threatening ailment, the simple act of eating pizza out of a box and wiping his fingers on his shirt conveys his state of mind.” Of course, writing on real life people poses yet another kind of challenge. Shah, the writer of films like Sardar Udham, Batla House and now I Want to Talk, laughs and recalls how there was a point in life when he begged the makers, “Give me anything but a fact-based film.” He reasons, “So much monkey balancing has to be done with real life stories. If there is a man of Sardar Udham Singh’s magnitude, you have to be conscious of his stature without turning it into a hagiography. Then if it’s a Batla House, eight days before the release someone would file a court case. And for a living person like Arjun Sen you have to factor in other constraints.” Comparatively pure fiction works better for him but also, “it taxes your imagination as the source material does not exist.” Shah, of course, is not an either/or person or genre specific or even one director’s writer. If he can word paint an eloquent picture minimalistic-ally in Sircar’s films, he is equally adept with dramatic flair in say a Nikkhil Advani project. Since cinema is a director’s medium, he feels that it is very important to have a convinced director on the sets. “I completely surrender to director’s vision. I am conscious of what section of audiences he is appealing to.” How did this student of English literature end up writing Grammy winningsinger Billie Eilish got hit by a necklace from the crowd during a concert in Arizona. Eilish continued singing without addressing the incident with the audience. CHANDIGARH | MONDAY | 16 DECEMBER 2024 He wants to talk I would not manipulate my viewers. Had I been asked to put an item number in Pink, I would have walked away, says screen writer Ritesh Shah, who has given us movies like Sardar Udhamand I Want to Talk films in Hindi? Well, he owes his closer brush with Hindi to five years of theatre with Act One group. It was this association which made him browse through works of luminaries in Hindi galaxy. If in theatre, audiences are the most significant others, in cinema too their value can’t be undermined. Indeed, writers are not immune to box office pressure, especially in big budget films like say an Airlift or a Raid. But more importantly, he observes, “It’s so heartening to have audience whose heart and mind is Weight & watch! Ishaan Singh Manhas, the familiar face from shows like Savdhaan India - Apni Khaki, Raisinghani Vs Raisinghani and Dil Ko Tumse Pyaar Hua, is a die-hard gym enthusiast. For him looking good is as important as delivering a good performance. How do you manage to stay in shape? I make sure to hit the gym whenever I find the time. Additionally, I keep my diet in check. If my schedule doesn’t allow me to go to the gym, I do push-ups and other free-weight exercises in my room. Gym or outdoor workouts? I am a gym person. I enjoy lifting heavy weights, which isn’t feasible with home or outdoor workouts. If I finish work early, I make it a point to go to the gym. However, when I’m travelling or extremely busy, I rely on free-weight exercises to maintain my muscles. What’s on your diet chart? I follow a strict diet most of the time, but occasionally, I allow myself to eat whatever I like. On most days, I avoid refined flour, fried items, oily foods, and anything with excessive sugar. However, once or twice a week, I indulge in treats like pizza, burgers, chocolates, or cakes. What keeps you motivated? As an actor, I need to look good and stay fit, which is my biggest motivation. Besides a strict diet and gymming, I get proper sleep as it is essential for staying energised. Ishaan Singh Manhas competitive, we all aim to look our best. There’s nothing wrong with that because staying fit and looking good are just as important as delivering a great performance. Two fitness tips you swear by... Does the pressure to look fit gets too much at times? Our industry is highly Follow a balanced diet and avoid junk food, especially items made with refined flour (maida), fried or oily foods, and those with high sugar content. Also, ensure you get 7-8 hours of sleep every night for proper rest and recovery. How does your fitness regime impact your energy levels and overall well-being? Fitness plays a significant role in boosting my energy levels and improving my health. Working out increases stamina, enhances strength, and keeps the heart healthy. I aim to maintain low body fat while building or maintaining muscle, and lifting weights helps me achieve that. A fit body leads to a fit mind, which also enhances our personality. c m y b in sync with yours as is happening with I Want to Talk. People are reacting at exactly the same points we expected them to.” He also insists, “It’s wrong to say we don’t write for audiences. Only I would not be dishonest or manipulate my viewers. Had I been asked to put an item number in Pink I would have walked away.” Among the many memorable films he has given us, Pink, Sardar Udham, Airlift, Madari and now I Want to Talk are closest to his heart. At some stage in life he might wield the directo- rial baton. “Only if there is a compelling story that doesn’t find a parent shall I adopt it.” Till his dream ventures become a reality, you can watch his pen work wonders in upcoming films like Tehraan, Azaad and Diplomat. If lines like ‘no means no,’ ‘koi zinda hai’ , ‘ pehle wohi apni thi phir sab apne ho gaye’ and ‘let the world know I was a revolutionary ’ continue to echo in your mind, you can tip your hat to the man whose writing goes way beyond jumlebaazi.