Model-actor-entrepreneur Lin Laishram is set to explore uncharted territory in her upcoming film Bun Tikki, produced by noted designer-turned-producer Manish Malhotra. In this project, Laishram steps into a negative role for the first time. 

Talking about the experience of working on the movie, Laishram shares, “Manish kept saying, ‘I can’t believe you are doing this between your wedding!’ He was so supportive, and the team was incredibly nice to me.” 

Laishram tied the knot with actor Randeep Hooda on November 29, 2023, in an intimate ceremony, but her schedule was anything but quiet. The actor shuttled between Mumbai and Delhi during the shoot, fitting in her nuptials and wedding reception between film commitments.

Reflecting on how she managed it all, Laishram says, “Bolte hain na, universe deta hai toh chhapad phaad ke, it was something like that. As an actor who has gotten work sparingly in this industry, I didn’t want to turn this opportunity down. Randeep told me, ‘You have to do it’. I kept going back to him, wondering if I could pull it off, and he always said, ‘You can do anything, be anything.’ All that energy has turned out to be very beautiful.”  

While the release date of the film, which also features industry legends like Shabana Azmi and Zeenat Aman, is yet to be announced, Laishram is confident it will be a defining moment in her career. “It is one project I am very proud of,” ends the actor, who made her Hindi film debut in 2007 with Om Shanti Om.

Abhay Deol, who dons many hats (actor, producer, art lover), recently made his debut as a DJ at a newly opened arcade, Ballers Ahmedabad on Sindhu Bhavan Road, Ahmedabad. The Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara (ZNMD) actor tells us, “I love music and used to make mixtapes as a child. I learnt how to work on a DJ console, and this was a natural progression. Now, I can mix the music that I have collected over the years and play it.”

He adds, “I feel humbled by the response I received for my gig. Amdavadis are really warm.” Will he do a DJ tour now? “It is a hobby and I will be back to shoot for films soon. But as a DJ, I feel more confident now to perform in front of people. So, if I get offers, I may be up for it unless I am busy.”

Is it a conscious choice to choose films that aren’t exactly mainstream? He says, “I am always attracted to scripts that are relatable, insightful yet entertaining. I choose films that aren’t completely arthouse or completely mainstream. Be it Socha Na Tha, Dev D, Oye Lucky Lucky Oye or ZNMD, all my films have managed to strike a perfect balance between the two.”

Abhay, who has done independent movies like Road, Movie, adds, “Also, I don’t label films as mainstream or independent. For me, the subject is the main thing. When we use words like ‘independent’ for a film, it means it wasn’t mainstream, and was difficult to make and sell. I make movies that usually don’t get made. They get labelled as independent films as they don’t have the backing of big producers, distributors or directors. Even Ek Chalis Ki Last Local, Oye Lucky… were called independent films back then but had a big producer backed them, that wouldn’t be the case.”

Abhay recently wrapped up the film Bun Tikki, which also stars Zeenat Aman and Shabana Azmi. Both the actresses have worked extensively with his uncle Dharmendra, whom he lovingly calls ‘papa’. Abhay says, “I had a great time. Zeenat Aman is the most warm, sweet, and polite person you will meet, and extremely professional. I have also known Shabana for a while. Zeenat ji feels papa is a gentleman, while Shabana is fond of him too. They remembered the good old days of working with him.”

Having played unconventional characters, does he feel people expect that from him now? Abhay says, “I feel an actor’s image is built organically. I have always experimented with my characters. So, if my image is that I experiment with my roles, and people say they love my choices, it’s a blessing. I feel humbled. I want to do challenging roles-things that I haven’t done before.”

In recent times, Abhay has spoken about how he could have done certain things (like handling fame after Dev D) differently in his career. Elaborating on it, he shares, “When you are young and inexperienced, you are ignorant about certain things. As we grow up, we deal with the same situations in a more mature way. I was a rebel, but I am more diplomatic now. Being rebellious got me this far, as it was difficult to make the kind of movies I wanted. While the movies I made between 2005 and 2007 are considered relevant today, it was hard to make them back then. Now, I feel that being diplomatic is going to take me ahead.”

Abhay, who has done OTT projects like JL50 and Trial by Fire, believes there is room for improvement (for OTT platforms). He says, “When a medium is new, it has nothing to lose and you can experiment with everything. But once you grow bigger, you have a certain responsibility, and you tend to take fewer risks. When organizations prioritize business over creativity, the downfall begins. So, I hope that platforms can evolve more because I feel it’s time to be bold and take risks once again.”

Busy is how Shabana Azmi would describe 2023. The veteran actor had three releases, beginning with What’s Love Got to Do with It, followed by Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani, and Ghoomer. The year is ending just as eventfully for her—she recently reunited with Zeenat Aman to shoot the first schedule of Bun Tikki in Shimla. The project marks their reunion 41 years after their last collaboration, Ashanti (1982).

Four decades is a long time in which the two iconic actors have changed so much. But some things remain the same. Azmi says, “Zeenat Aman continues to be one of the most polite people I know. It’s always a pleasure to be in her company. I did my first mainstream film, Ishk Ishk Ishk [1974] with her, then Ashanti. She was a big star during Ishk Ishk Ishk, and some of us were newcomers and completely raw, but she was very approachable and polite. That remains unchanged in her; she continues to not play the star.”

There’s another thing about Aman that remains untouched by time—her stunning looks. Azmi vouches for it, saying, “Zeenat has been styled very well and looks absolutely gorgeous.”

Faraz Arif Ansari’s directorial venture, which sees Aman returning to movies, also stars Abhay Deol and marks couturier Manish Malhotra’s second production. Looking forward to the next schedule, Azmi says that she loves shooting in today’s times as the atmosphere on the set has undergone a sea change. 

“It is heart-warming to see many more women heading several departments. Earlier, it was such a rarity. Secondly, you never go on a set without the entire script in your hand. Plus, the advent of the casting director has changed the ecosystem with actors from small towns and theatre [coming in]. Earlier, there were stock actors like Om Prakash, Jeevan, Kanhaiyalal and others. You could predict their every gesture. Today, you have actors who know their craft. Today, no actor can fake playing the guitar just by strumming on the strings.”

While there are positive changes, there are pressures too. Social media has become a necessary tool for actors and filmmakers to stay connected with their fans. What’s her take on the social-media obsession? “Today, even food cannot be savoured unless it’s photographed! Nobody seems to be living in the moment. It’s all for public consumption,” she exclaims. “Now, we have so much [information] thrown at us. We need to give time to ourselves for introspection, only then inner growth is possible.”

It has only been five months since she joined Instagram, but Zeenat Aman is already a social media darling. Her throwback posts and reflections on her years in the industry are authentic and a welcome change from the cookie-cutter posts on the gram. Now, there’s good news for those who want to see more of the 71-year-old actor. Aman, who was last seen in a cameo in Panipat (2019), is returning to the screen with Faraz Arif Ansari’s next, Bun Tikki.

For his first feature film after the acclaimed short, Sheer Qorma (2021), the writer-director has rounded up an impressive cast—Aman, Shabana Azmi and Abhay Deol. The movie, centred on a father and his pre-teen son, explores gender identity.

A source from the creative team reveals, “Though Bun Tikki revolves around Abhay and his on-screen son, Shabana and Zeenat form the film’s backbone. Casting for the child is underway. When Faraz approached Zeenat, she loved the script. She always knew that if she made a comeback, it would be with a story that aligned with her ideas and beliefs. Bun Tikki was just that. She told Faraz that she had to be a part of this film as it explores many causes that she feels strongly about.”

The project marks couturier Manish Malhotra’s foray into production, as he launches his banner Stage 5 with three movies. “The film is far removed from the glamorous image that Manish has. But the subject resonated with him. Through his productions, he wants to support lesser-heard stories and voices.”