06022026-LSTC-01.qxd 2/5/2026 8:22 PM Page 1 c m y b Happy with the successful run of Border 2, Punjabi actors Tejeshwar Singh, Guneet Sandhu and Harwinder Aujla, who play Flight Lieutenant Baldhir Singh Ghuman, Angad and Gurjeet Singh, respectively, in the movie, speak about their experience of working with director Anurag Singh alongside Sunny Deol and Diljit Dosanjh TRIBUNE Life Flying visit Sunny Leone was spotted in Mumbai. The actress was there to promote Anurag Kashyap’s neonoir crime thriller Kennedy, ahead of its OTT release. She and Rahul Bhat play the lead characters in the movie. CHANDIGARH | FRIDAY | 6 FEBRUARY 2026 The Border force Millennial model & a vision card From Amritsar to Mumbai B ORN and raised in Amritsar, Guneet Sandhu’s journey to the big screen has been shaped by persistence, training and love for performing arts. After completing his Class 10, Guneet convinced his parents to let him move to Mumbai under the pretext of further studies, determined to pursue acting fulltime. The shift marked the beginning of steady progress: television commercials and gradual recognition within the industry landing him the independent film Ghich Pich and R Balki’s Ghoomer. His role in Border 2 came through an audition call from Mukesh Chhabra Casting Company, an opportunity that immediately stood out. Guneet says, “The moment I read the title, excitement ran through my veins. I knew this role would be different. Angad carried a deep emotional arc, unlike anything I had done before.” When he was informed that he had been locked for the role, the moment was quietly overwhelming. “I immediately called my parents. My father was proud, and my mother — a lifelong Sunny Deol fan — was stunned and emotional,” he recalls. Guneet credits director Anurag Singh for trusting him with a character central to the film’s emotional core. “Punjab 1984 had moved me. To work under his direction was in itself a blessing,” he says, adding that the director’s warmth and inclusivity made the experience unforgettable. Mona S OME journeys feel almost scripted — except they aren’t. They are built on faith, patience, rejection and an unshakeable belief that what’s meant for you will find you. Model-actor Tejeshwar Singh’s story is exactly that. Long before Border 2 happened, Tejeshwar was already walking his own runway — literally. He emerged as one of the first few turbaned Sardars to walk in Lakme Fashion Week, working with celebrated designers like Arjun Khanna, Shantanu and Nikhil and Kunal Rawal. The industry took notice. Early life, education & a performer in the making A proud alumnus of DAV College, Tejeshwar returned as a guest this January, a full-circle moment for someone who once sat in those classrooms dreaming big. Academically sound, he went on to pursue and an MBA from Panjab University. A random advertisement while in University led him to Punjab Fashion Week. Later, Tejeshwar spent months in Mumbai, juggling auditions, ads and roles. he became part of TV shows as in Gumraah and films like Fukrey. Soorma, signs & serendipity Back in the day, Tejeshwar had watched Soorma and loved Anurag Singh’s way of storytelling. When he got to know that Anurag was going to direct the Border sequel and that Diljit Dosanjh would be in it, he made a vision board. Three pictures – Sunny Deol, Diljit and himself in turbans, manifesting the role besides the stars. Then came the audition call. That was surreal. “I didn’t tell anyone till I landed on set, it all felt so unreal,” says Tejeshwar. “Hugs with Sunny Deol bhaji, lip-syncing to sadly one of the last Arijit Singh tracks and watching Diljit bhaji get set for a scene was so aweinspiring.” Kesari, Border 2: a dream run A FTER leaving a mark in Kesari, actor Harwinder Aujla is earning fresh acclaim for his powerful turn as Gurjeet Singh in Border 2. With a restrained yet intense screen presence, Harwinder’s performance has resonated strongly with audiences, reinforcing his reputation as a dependable, character-driven actor. Coming from a theatre background from Chamkaur Sahib, Harwinder brings depth and discipline to his roles, something that clearly reflects in Border 2. The film also holds personal significance for him, having grown up watching the original Border. “I never imagined that one day I would be part of Border 2 and get an opportunity to work alongside a superstar like Sunny Deol. It feels surreal and truly special,” Harwinder shares. He also expressed gratitude towards director Anurag Singh, who cast him once again after Kesari. “His faith in my work means a lot to me,” the actor adds. Up next, Harwinder will be seen in the Punjabi film, Rehmat. PHOTO: RAVI KUMAR ‘This is not country I grew up in’ Of imperfection & self-doubt Naseeruddin Shah has publicly criticised Mumbai University after being uninvited from a student event just hours before it was scheduled. In a strongly worded article in the Indian Express titled “When a university speaks power to truth”, Shah detailed how he was dropped from the Jashn-e-Urdu programme organised by the university’s Urdu department on February 1, allegedly without explanation or apology. Shah suggested that the real reason for his disinvitation lay in his public criticism of the current political climate. “Sure, I have never praised the self-proclaimed Vishwaguru,” Shah wrote, adding that he has been critical of the Prime Minister’s conduct and the actions of the ruling establishment. “This is not the country I grew up in and was taught to love. The “thought police” and “doublespeak” have been deployed in full force, as has surveillance,” he wrote. — ANI The trailer of Mrunal Thakur and Siddhant Chaturvedi’s isq-bhari’ love story Do Deewane Seher Mein is finally out, taking audiences into a modern tale filled with confusion, experiences, and a quiet transformation. The trailer opens with Siddhant and Mrunal’s characters, Shashank and Roshni, leading separate lives while navigating personal struggles with work, family pressure, and self-doubt. Speaking at the trailer launch, Mrunal opened up about her character, noting similarities with Roshni’s experiences. “When I used to change schools all the time, there were some insecurities. I used to feel under-confident. Up until now...till the release of my film Son of Sardaar 2, I used to feel that way. I realised it took me a lot of time to accept that yes, I am beautiful the way I am. And I’m just so proud of myself with the way I am,” Mrunal said. — ANI c m y b Naseeruddin Shah says he was disinvited from a Mumbai University event due to his ‘public criticism of the current political climate’