12042025-LSTL-01.qxd 4/11/2025 8:18 PM Page 1 c m y b AMY PIETZ ON BOARD The Caroline in the City actress Amy Pietz will join the cast of Elle, an upcoming Amazon Prime Video series that serves as the prequel to Resse Witherspoon’s comedy movie Legally Blonde. Pietz will have a recurring role in the series as one of the regular cast. TRIBUNE Life Memory Actor Orlando Bloom recalled shooting for the trilogy of epic fantasy adventure films, The Lord of the Rings. “It was a feeling of excitement,” he said. LUDHIANA | SATURDAY | 12 APRIL 2025 Action man cometh! IMTIAZ ALI Following the massive success of Gadar 2, which reignited his popularity among fans, Hindi cinema star Sunny Deol says he is ready to embark on a new phase in his 42year-old career with a few upcoming projects in the streaming space. Deol, the action star of 1990s films Ghatak, Arjun and Damini, returned to the movies with a bang in 2023 with the sequel to his 2001 blockbuster Gadar: Ek Prem Katha. ‘Happy formula is not working’ Storytelling, cinema and digital content took the spotlight at Making Waves—the Culture Forum, hosted during the India Global Forum’s NXT25: Leading the Leap Summit at the Jio World Convention Centre in Mumbai recently. The forum brought together some of India’s most iconic voices across entertainment and media to explore the evolving narrative of India emerging as a global powerhouse for content and digital innovation. In a Fireside Chat titled, Making Waves— India as a Global Content Hub, renowned director and writer Imtiaz Ali, said, “As a storyteller, I do not have to worry about what everybody likes. The way to finding out the code is by finding what I would like. Since I have been in the film industry, I have been told that formula (movie success) is not working. Thank God for that because if the formula worked, none of us would be here making movies. We (India) have the oldest and most profound culture of storytelling. We learnt everything from storytelling. Everything has been learnt from stories—from the code of conduct to our belief system.” Continuing the conversation, Monika Shergill, Vice President—Content, Netflix India, highlighted, “The beautiful confluence of creativity and technology has allowed the creators not to be limited to where they are. The biggest enabler of this trend is a resurgence of hyperlocal. Indian audiences are among the most experiential, diverse, curious and fantastic audiences. As streamers, storytellers and creators, we must take advantage of this opportunity.” — ANI Sunny Deol, who plays the lead in the his latest movie Jaat, is now eyeing the OTT space that he feels offers all kinds of variety and has been a boon for many The 67-year-old actor, whose film Jaat was released on Friday, said his OTT debut will allow people to watch his work on more than one medium. “I’m doing a couple of projects for OTT and they are not meant for the silver screen because the audience for that is niche. So, it’s best to go there (OTT). People keep watching your films on different platforms. It is an interesting medium for actors and directors because it offers all kinds of variety, and you don’t have to restrict yourself to something,” Deol said. The actor wants to explore ‘newer kinds of roles’. “I’m already doing something like that, I’m looking into it. But it all depends if a writer and director offer you something different. If you try and look for it, then it becomes difficult,” he added. Deol credited OTT platforms for making his films relevant for the new generation of cinema-goers. “Those who didn’t see Wings of confidence Gurnaaz As a newcomer to the film industry, Veer Pahariya has already made a mark with his debut in Sky Force. It’s a fresh start, not just as an actor but for his pursuit of self-discovery, blending both personal aspirations and family legacy. There’s a quiet confidence about him, a belief that sometimes the universe aligns with the path you’re meant to walk, even before you realise it. Talking about his debut film, Sky Force, Veer shares an intriguing perspective on how the Actor Veer Pahariya never went to a film school, but banks on his own experiences to enact any role film came to him. “I don’t think I had the choice because the first film always chooses you,” he muses. “I was selected for another film, and then on the day of the look test, they kind of transformed me into this moustached, Armycrew-cut guy in overalls. I didn’t know what the film was at that point.” Growing up in a family with strong political and business ties, the pressure to carve out his own identity was immense. Veer’s family may have achieved significant success, but it’s his time to prove his mettle in a different field. “There’s been a lot of pressure because they’ve achieved so much. None of them are artistes, and this career takes your life out of you,” he explains. “Not many understand that it’s not a nine-to-five job, and it can take a toll on your personal life, your relationships. But it’s okay.” Veer’s mother, a producer, has been an integral part of his journey. “I was brought up by a single mother,” he shares. “She had a lot of financial struggles, but she was very drawn to creating something in the creative field. She started writing shows and now she’s a creative producer on TV and web shows. Her understanding of films and scripts is very different from mine, but I respect her journey. She only started working at 45 and single-handedly raised me and my brother. I have immense respect for single mothers.” He went on to share his deep respect for theatre, drama and his time working as an intern in the film industry. “I never went to a film school, so I had to create my own experiences.” His early experiences were shaped by various gigs that would later shape his approach to acting. “I’ve done a lot of theatre, drama, musical theatre, and hosting. On stage, I perform a lot, but off-stage, I’m very introverted. I practice a lot in the nets before stepping into the real game,” he says. As for what’s next, Veer is open to any and all opportunities, provided the script resonates with him. “I would love to take on roles that challenge me, whether it’s a transgender’s role, a serial killer or something completely different. Whatever I do, I need to believe in the story and the team,” he says. “I’d love to collaborate with the talented actors from Punjabi cinema, especially after being inspired by their music,” he signs off. my films in cinema halls got to see them on digital platforms, today’s generation got to see them. I thank God and everybody for loving us so much.” Billed as a high-octane drama with largerthan-life action sequences, Jaat is different from his previous movies, he said. “I enjoyed working on Jaat because it was a refreshing thing to do. Whenever we do South-Indian films, they are mostly remakes. For me, it’s a new film. For the first time, I’m working with a South-Indian director and it has been a great experience. We all learn so much from each other,” he said. The story matters For Deol, he always looks at the story before signing a film, not action sequences. “It’s the story and the characters that drive the hero to do what he does and all of this makes the action look good. Most of the subjects that I’ve done or the characters I’ve portrayed are defending or fighting for something or are stuck in some situation wherein he (hero) stands up and fights. In real life, too, I believe you’ve to fight it out to be where you want to be,” he said. Besides Jaat and his upcoming OTT projects, Deol has a host of films lined up, including Border 2, a sequel to his iconic 1997 film. “I have emotions attached with every film because every film is a baby. You want to do your best every time. When you do part two (Border 2), you can justify things, and people get happy and satisfied, but there’s always pressure as well. However, we will ensure that we don’t overthink things,” he added. He is also collaborating with renowned filmmaker and his long-time friend Rajkumar Santoshi on period drama Lahore 1947 and will also play a pivotal role in Nitesh Tiwari’s two-part Ramayana. — PTI Television actor Ranndeep R Rai says fitness is a lot about eating clean ‘Stay consistent’ Ranndeep R Rai, who is currently in Anupamaa, has a passion for fitness, healthy living and wellness. In a candid chat, he opens up about managing workouts with hectic shoot schedules, his clean diet and future wellness goals. With such a demanding shoot schedule, how do you manage to stay fit? Even though I shoot for 12 hours a day, I make it a point to take out at least 45 minutes to an hour for my workout. Fitness is a priority for me and I believe that if you’re disciplined, you can always take out time for it. What kind of workout do you enjoy the most? I focus on every muscle group, but I enjoy weight training the most. I prefer lifting weights over cardio any day, as it gives me strength and keeps me energised. Tell us about your diet. Do you follow a specific plan? Yes, I follow a structured diet plan, and keep track of my protein and carb intake. I usually change my diet every 45–50 days to keep it balanced and interesting. That is a big reason why I feel energetic even after long shifts. Has your diet evolved over time? Definitely. It’s been 10 months since I stopped eating non-veg food. Now my go-to meals include banana with oats, paneer or cheese sandwiches, dry fruits, juices and peanut butter. It’s all about eating clean and fueling the body right. I go for a proper face clean up—it helps a lot. What’s your message to people looking to start a healthy lifestyle? Do you ever allow yourself a cheat day? Maintaining a good lifestyle is essential—health is the best investment. You can start small, even 15 minutes of walking or bodyweight exercises is enough in the beginning. Watch YouTube videos, plan your diet and just stay consistent. Once you begin, take it to 30 minutes— you’ll definitely see results. It’s not as difficult as it seems. You just need to take the first step. — Dharam Pal Of course! Cheat days are a must. I love indulging in chole bhature or a scoop of icecream when I feel like rewarding myself. Apart from fitness and food, how do you take care of your skin and hair? Any wellness goals you’re working on this year? I make sure to remove my make-up properly every day. After washing my hair, I apply a hair serum. I also use a face serum and an eye cream regularly. And whenever I get a day off, Yes, I definitely want to start meditation. It’s something I’ve been wanting to incorporate into my routine. I think it’ll really help with mental clarity and overall well-being. c m y b