23012025-LSTL-01.qxd 1/23/2025 12:47 AM Page 1 c m y b PADMAAVAT RE-RELEASE ON JAN 24 Ranveer Singh, Deepika Padukone and Shahid Kapoor’s magnum opus Padmaavat, directed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali, is all set to turn seven and the makers will be re-releasing the movie on January 24 to mark the milestone. TRIBUNE In talks Life Hollywood star Ryan Gosling is in negotiations to headline a new Star Wars movie for Disneyowned Lucasfilm. Shawn Levy, the director of 2024 blockbuster Marvel movie Deadpool & Wolverine, will helm the project. LUDHIANA | THURSDAY | 23 JANUARY 2025 Her take Ahsaas Channa says acting is a deeply personal journey R Madhavan, whose film Hisaab Barabar champions a common man’s crusade against corruption, says he is okay with his film dropping directly on OTT CALCULATED MOVE Indeed. For someone who has given us many blockbusters in Hindi cinema too, what is his take on the much-talked-about north-south alchemy. He says, “Content is now the king. Earlier, stardom was all that mattered. Now a well-intended story, whether it comes from North or South, works wonders. IT IS EASY FOR ME TO Besides, OTT has made us privy to cinema in all languages, especially from PLAY IT LIKE A STAR, the South and built a fan base. So, BUT THEN THE Pushpa 2 in Hindi does more business EMPATHY FOR THE than the one in its original language.” NonikaSingh T HROW any question at him and he has an instant, logical answer. Nothing catches the intelligent actor off guard. National Award-winning actor R Madhavan, known for superhits like Tanu Weds Manu, 3 Idiots and more, who will soon be seen in the lead role in Zee 5’s Hisaab Barabar, is okay with his film dropping directly on OTT. Web platforms are a familiar turf for the actor, who has been part of web series like Breathe and The Railway Men. During the days of pandemic, his film Maara too had a direct to OTT release. Today, he believes, “There is a firm line between what works on streamers and which films deserve a theatrical release.” If visual grandeur is what delineates a theatrical outing, on OTT, he states, “What you need are good performances and an intriguing storyline. On that count, Hisaab Barabar is an OTT film.” Since the film champions a common man’s crusade, we wonder if stardom too can be put to effective use to further societal causes. He says, “It is easy for me to play it like a star, but then the empathy for the character would be lost. Stories of underdogs, of those who make it against all odds, say a rickshawallah’s son becoming an Indian Air Force pilot, are more potent than superhero sagas. These are Herculean efforts that surpass all other achievements and even stardom.” CHARACTER WOULD BE LOST. STORIES OF UNDERDOGS ARE MORE POTENT THAN SUPERHERO SAGAS. CONTENT IS KING NOW Of course, what made him say yes to Hisaab Barabar was also its unusual premise of banks surreptitiously cheating its customers of small, almost paltry amounts, yet making a killing for themselves in the process. Prior to signing the film, he had this uneasy feeling of not having any control over his accounts. In real life, however, he is not obsessed with numbers like his reel character. But yes one hisaab he would like to settle is recognition in consonance with his talent. And to those who dub him ‘Akshay Kumar of South’, his repartee is laced with annoyance, “Some figment of a foolish mind which puts one’s credibility at stake.” spent, and students stick to the industry and make it more relevant.” What effective changes he will bring about during his tenure he does not reveal right away. One day he would also like to talk at length about the uniqueness of his directorial debut, Rocketry: The Nambi Effect, which won a National Award. The director in him would likely surface again, only if he finds yet another passion project like Rocketry, which he understood inside out. Besides, he feels there is much in him to give us as an actor. THINKING MAN’S ACTOR NO MAGIC IN REMAKES With more and more viewers becoming language agnostic, expectedly, remakes have lost relevance. Take his successful Tamil film Vikram Vedha, which failed to enthuse viewers when remade in Hindi with big stars like Hrithik Roshan and Saif Ali Khan. He observes, “Gone are the days when pan-Indian audiences would not have seen Ghajini before its remake in Hindi hits the screens. The only excitement today remakes can generate is comparison with the original.” But the real competition, he feels, is not from within, but outside. As Korean content is gaining much currency, he quips, “My son knows more about Korean stars than Indian, which is not right.” DIRECTOR’S EYE As president of the FTII, ‘a position of honour and responsibility’ he hopes to make a difference and, “Ensure taxpayers’ money is well- For now, watch him play an overzealous common man for whom every penny counts, and one who makes those who rob him and others of it accountable. Apart from an aam aadmi picking up cudgels, the film also celebrates the collective power of society coupled with vast reach of social media. He reasons, “There was a time when you heard the stories of an angry crusader through articles etc. Now it can gain momentum in real time and involve all of us.” Interestingly, during the shooting of one of the climactic scenes in the film, he shares how the crowds, which had gathered, actually started debating the issue. Whether the film, which drops on January 24, will be a conversation-starter, he assures, “It will make you rethink.” As does this thinking man’s actor. When not acting, he could be seen lined-up on the golf course or posting his son Vedaant’s swimming achievements, for which he takes no credit. But for being the man and the actor he is, he deserves all plaudits. Sahil Uppal, known for the show Saajha Sindoor, says motivation for exercise has to come from within ‘Listen to your body’ times, I enjoy longer workouts when I have more flexibility. The key is to stay consistent, no matter what. What role does nutrition play in your fitness routine? How do you prioritise fitness with such a busy schedule? I schedule my workouts just like any other shoot. No matter how busy I am with my current show Saajha Sindoor, I always find time for fitness. Whether it is early mornings or late evenings, I make it a nonnegotiable part of my day. How do you stay flexible with your workout routine, given the unpredictable work hours? I keep my workout routine adaptable. Sometimes, I do short, intense sessions if I’m tight on time. Other Actress Ahsaas Channa, who is known for Kota Factory, Modern Love Mumbai, Mismatched and others, has said that acting is a deeply personal journey, and for an actor to have an actor parent has no bearing on their craft. She, however, said that having an actor parent surely helps to understand the business side in the field of entertainment. Ahsaas is the daughter of actress Kulbir Kaur Badesron. She shared, “I’m not sure if being raised by an actor is fundamentally different from being raised by someone outside the industry, when it comes to developing your skills as a performer. I believe that acquiring the skill set for performing arts is a deeply personal journey”. She further mentioned, “While I deeply value my mother as an actor and cherish all the experiences she has gained, which have taught me so much, I also understand her perspective when she says that my performance and craft must ultimately be my own journey. Developing my skills as an actor is something I have to build based on my own abilities, experiences and dedication. That said, having a parent in the same industry has been immensely helpful in giving me insight into the business side of things. It’s provided me with a clearer perspective on the realities of how the industry functions, which is undeniably an advantage from that standpoint”. Earlier, Ahsaas was seen in the music video of O Beliya. — IANS Nutrition is essential. I focus on eating clean, balanced meals with the right amounts of protein, carbs and fats. It fuels my body for workouts and keeps my energy up throughout the day. Healthy food is the foundation of my fitness. How does staying fit benefit your mental well-being? Fitness helps me clear my mind and release stress. Working out gives me a sense of accomplishment and boosts my mood. It’s like a mental reset, which is crucial for my overall well- c m y b being, especially in this fast-paced industry. What keeps you motivated to stay active, especially when your schedule is constantly changing? My motivation comes from within. I want to feel strong and healthy, both for my role and personal life. When my schedule gets crazy, I remind myself of my goals and that keeps me going, no matter what. What are two fitness tips you would offer to someone starting their fitness journey? Start small and stay consistent. Don’t overwhelm yourself with big changes; gradually build your routine. Also, listen to your body. It’s important to rest and recover to avoid burnout or injury. As an actor, do you feel pressure to look fit? Yes, there’s definitely the pressure to look fit in this industry, but I focus on staying healthy, not just looking good. I make sure my workouts are challenging and rewarding, and I don’t let external expectations affect my personal goals. How do you balance fitness with a career in the entertainment industry? It’s all about time management. I plan my workouts around my shooting schedule and make sure fitness stays a priority. I always remind myself that staying fit is a part of the job, and that boosts my performance both on and off the screen. I deeply value my mother as an actor and cherish all the experiences she has gained, which have taught me so much. Joining hands Singer B Praak and lyricist Jaani, have launched a new record label, Kripa Records. It is a devotional music label dedicated to celebrating Indian spirituality and culture. The label’s first release features playback singer Shreya Ghoshal crooning a soulful bhajan. This collaboration brings together B Praak’s compositions, Jaani’s lyrics, and Shreya Ghoshal’s voice. The track will be released on January 27. About the venture, B Praak shared, “Devotional music has always held a special place in my heart. It’s a genre I’ve been deeply attached to, and I’ve always felt a sense of peace and purpose when creating or listening to devotional songs”. — IANS