Showing posts with label Harleen Sethi. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Harleen Sethi. Show all posts
Parineeti Chopra is in no rush to lose weight just to basically please people-Harleen Sethi
10:30 AM
Akash Bhatnagar (HINDUSTAN TIMES; October 22, 2026)
Harleen Sethi was recently seen playing a grey shade character Shreya in the web series Shaque: Trust No One, and she admits it was “challenging” to understand the complex relationships her character explored. However, it brought her a different perspective.
“One of the things that acting has brought into my life is a lot more empathy. Shreya definitely was a morally ambiguous character but I took it up as a responsibility to give a voice to a character like this and make people like this in the society feel seen,” she says.
Shreya is shown indulging in infidelity and betraying her friend, played by actor Parineeti Chopra. The actor insists that it is important to demarcate the person and the character, not just as an audience but also as an actor.
“It's very important to keep your own morals aside to be able to humanize these characters. Right and wrong in society is very subjective, and when we see these kinds of characters on screen, there is an understanding that is created,” she says.
Through the shoot of the show, Harleen Sethi got a lifelong friendship with actor Jennifer Winget. And at her wedding recently, she got to be part of the celebrations.
“I was very happy for her and it was very emotional. We shot this show almost a year-and-a-half ago and that's when she shared with me about her love story with Will (William Ishmael). At that time they were dating and over this time period, I saw her go from being a girlfriend to a fiancee, and then being a bride in front of my eyes,” she gushes.
Sethi also got inspired from Parineeti Chopra with the way she handled trolling regarding her weight gain post having her child.
“Parineeti is very comfortable in her own skin and she is a very confident woman. I don't think she is somebody who gets too affected by what people are saying or if they are trolling her. It was a joy to see her promote the show with the confidence that she did. Everyone was asking her about these kinds of questions and the way she was answering it was amazing. She articulated everything so well, which made me realise that she has so much clarity about how she sees her life. She is in no rush to lose weight just to basically please people. She is very clear about the work-life balance. She is very happy in the phase of life that she is in,” she says, adding, “It's always very inspiring to see inspiring women around you, when women speak and carry themselves with so much confidence. It only motivates you and it makes you want to do better.”
Since Kohrra, I don’t have to walk up to people at parties; they come up to me to speak-Harleen Sethi
8:31 AM
Despite loving Bad Cop’s script, Harleen reveals she was initially skeptical about playing young mom as the industry stereotypes female actors
Priyanka Sharma (MID-DAY; June 25, 2024)
Everything about her character in Bad Cop felt like a wish come true for Harleen Sethi. Yet, she initially refused director Aditya Datt’s crime thriller. Reason? She was skeptical about playing Devika Naik, a young mother. “Our industry tends to stereotype actors quickly. The moment you hear it’s the role of a young mother, as a female actor, you get scared. You think what if the industry offers only such parts thereon,” she reveals.
But the director’s persistence made Sethi eventually embrace the part of Devika, who is also a police officer, in the Gulshan Devaiah and Anurag Kashyap-led series. Now, she counts it as one of those roles that gave her not only creative satisfaction, but also a sense of fulfilment.
“I enjoy doing roles that speak to society in some way. Another reason was that I got to don the uniform. I come from a Sikh family, and Sikhs have a long-standing relationship with the uniform. They wear it with absolute responsibility. Thirdly, I got to do action. How many such parts are written for women?”
Another perk was sharing screen space with Devaiah, whom she considers a fluid artiste. “I learnt so much by just observing him. He is unpredictable. That’s why his choices in a scene are interesting.”
The Disney+ Hotstar series follows Sethi’s breakthrough work, Kohrra (2023). The actor says she has seen a drastic shift in the industry’s perception of her since the release of the Sudip Sharma-created series. “Since Kohrra, I don’t have to walk up to people at parties; they come up to me to speak. I have gained more respect in the industry. There is the stamp of a good actor on me now.”
I didn’t even know how to speak in Punjabi. Suvinder Vicky paji helped me-Harleen Sethi
3:07 PM
After Kohrra, actor Harleen Sethi hopes she doesn’t get stereotyped as a Punjabi girl, but Suvinder Vicky says he doesn’t mind being a Sikh cop all over again
Aastha Atray Banan (MID-DAY; July 30, 2023)
At the core of Kohrra is the dysfunctional relationship between a father and a daughter. Balbir Singh, played by Suvinder Vicky, and Nimrat Kaur, played by Harleen Sethi, are angry at each other. Where the father thinks their daughter is going wayward, the daughter resents the manner in which she was raised. The relationship needs work, but the performances are pitch perfect. We are speaking to the two on Zoom on a particularly rainy Mumbai day—Sethi is at her home in Andheri, and Vicky is joining in from Punjab.
And that’s the main difference: While Sethi is a Sikhni born and brought up in Mumbai (her ancestors are from Pakistan), Vicky is a Punjabi munda born in Sirsa.
“I didn’t even know how to speak in Punjabi,” says Sethi, “and at one point in the show, I have a long monologue in the language. But Suvinder paji helped me.”
She now seems at ease with the language, asking Vicky when he will be back so that they can meet up. “Tussi toh star ban gaye ho!” she says. Vicky, shy, laughs: “Tu bhi toh! I will be back soon. And of course, we have to meet. But Harleen impressed me. She got a Punjabi tattoo that says ‘Nirbhau Nirvair (without fear, without hate)’, and I knew she had committed herself to the process. She would come up to us after every line, ‘I said it right?’”
Sethi grew up in Andheri West, Mumbai, dancing as part of choreographer Ashley Lobo’s troupe; Vicky grew up doing theatre at Punjab University. Sethi made good with leads in shows such as Broken but Beautiful, and Vicky has done multiple movies (2016’s Udta Punjab) and shows like CAT, in which too he played a Sikh cop. He has been quoted by many reports as saying that “it’s better that success came to him late rather than never”.
But for both, the opportunity to be in Kohrra gave rise to different kinds of emotions. “I was too excited when this role came by,” says Sethi. “I had to go to Punjab and speak Punjabi. It was a challenge and a different kind of role. Also, it was a character role, not lead. There were some apprehensions, but I knew it was going to be great. The industry does stereotype you—so I really wish that doesn’t happen with us.”
For Vicky, who calls the success of Kohrra “a balle balle feeling—Punjabi style”, the role was just another one he needed to take up. “If people want to keep casting me as a Sikh cop again and again, well, that’s the way it is,” he shrugs.
“I can only say no if I have another choice in front of me. But that’s not the case. This is it. So I take what I get. At least now, people are saying ‘Paaji, you look great in pagdi’, ‘Paaji, we saw your other show, CAT, also!’”
Ask whether having Punjab as the background has contributed to the show’s success, and Vicky says it’s the story that’s the true star. “It could have been set in Haryana also,” he says. “Then the language would have changed. The rest would have remained the same—down to the fields. It’s the story that’s got the good stuff and that’s what made this show a hit. But, yes, people have appreciated the language—they like the sound of Punjabi. It’s so sweet.”
It is really disappointing to lose a Bollywood film to an A lister-Harleen Sethi
8:21 AM
Sugandha Rawal (HINDUSTAN TIMES; August 2, 2022)
Though Harleen Sethi is happy exploring the web space, she, like most actors, has Bollywood aspirations, too. However, she accepts that making inroads into the Hindi film industry is not easy, thanks to the star culture. But the difficulties don’t discourage her. “I want to get into Bollywood. But I am looking for good scripts and meaty parts. I won’t do any project just for the heck of it. And there have been many instances when I have got such roles aur woh almost finalise hote hue reh gaye,” the actor tells us.
The 29-year-old shares that there have been times when she was replaced by an A-lister who didn’t even audition for the film. “It is really disappointing to lose a Bollywood film to an A-lister. I get messages from directors, saying, ‘It was the best audition, and you were the closest’. But you realise that the part has gone to an A-lister, who didn’t even give an audition or a look test,” says The Gone Game 2 actor.
But Sethi is far from feeling rejected. “It is not like an A-lister actor is better than me in the craft. It is about the economic aspect or a certain brand value [that they have]. [After such experiences] you end up understanding how the industry works and stop feeling rejected,” says the actor, who has featured in web projects such as The Test Case and Broken But Beautiful.
While Bollywood is on her mind, she accepts that OTT is a strong medium, too. “I am open to exploring that world (Hindi films), but today, even OTT is giving us amazing opportunities. We don’t have to wait for a Bollywood film to happen. If that happens, it is amazing. Agar nahin hua, it’s fine, too,” says Sethi.
Whenever I see posters of Broken 3, I have that tingling feeling-Harleen Sethi
8:05 AM
Harleen Sethi on bidding adieu to her career-changing show Broken…But Beautiful as she moves on to newer projects
Uma Ramasubramanian (MID-DAY; March 2, 2021)
It is not easy to let go of a character that you have breathed life into for two years, one that has catapulted you to stardom. Harleen Sethi admits that Broken…But Beautiful is special to her, but she knows it’s time to bid adieu to the Ekta Kapoor show as Sidharth Shukla and Sonia Rathee take on the mantle for the third season.
“It breaks my heart, but being an actor teaches you to be detached. You can’t get too attached to a show or a character, otherwise your growth stops. Whenever I see posters of Broken 3, I have that tingling feeling. But at the same time, I am happy that I am getting to explore different characters and push myself as an actor,” says Sethi, who along with Vikrant Massey, headlined the first two editions of the drama.
The popular series focused on Massey’s Veer and Sethi’s Sameera as they, scarred by their respective romantic past, find love in each other. While their story reached its resolution in the second instalment, the upcoming edition offers a fresh narrative, showcasing a different shade of love. Ask her if she will watch the third season, and Sethi says, “I am waiting to watch season 3 because I know Ekta and the team do a phenomenal job with the characters. I can never take full ownership of the show or say that it was successful because of me because there were 300 more people attached to it. I like to be detached. It is important as a human being; it sets you free and you don’t try to control the situation.”
Looking forward, the actor has a big project in her kitty in the second season of Voot Select’s The Gone Game. While original cast members Sanjay Kapoor, Arjun Mathur, Shriya Pilgaonkar and Shweta Tripathi Sharma return to take the story forward, Sethi steps in the role of Sharmila Sangma, a no-nonsense CBI officer. “There are various shades to her. She is a strong, independent woman who has made it big in a man’s world, but at the same time, she is vulnerable. I remember being amazed when I watched the first season of The Gone Game. I am hoping to put my best foot forward, and sink my teeth into the character.”
After she wraps up the thriller that went on floors last month, Sethi will dive into the universe of The Test Case. “The second season will be shot in Nepal. I will get into prep mode as soon as I wrap up The Gone Game. I play a para commando in The Test Case 2, so the role demands a lot of physical prep.”
Taking a cue from Harleen Sethi’s struggles with PCOS, Ajay Monga tackles the subject with his next
7:47 AM
Avinash Lohana (MUMBAI MIRROR; April 16, 2019)
“After Harleen enlightened me, I deep-dived into it. A year ago, my daughter Simran was diagnosed with it as well. It is known to affect a lot of women, many of whom go into depression and some develop suicidal tendencies,” informs Ajay, adding that in her early days, Harleen would panic ahead of auditions, fearful of sudden pimple outbreaks. “She has now come out of it beautifully,” he applauds.
Harleen whose dance video featuring Varun Dhawan went viral recently, reveals that she was diagnosed with PCOS at 15. “For the first six to seven years, I was fighting it superficially. I went to many doctors, but no one could figure out the problem. Mom suggested a blood test to check for hormonal issues. That’s when we discovered it was PCOS and started dealing with it properly,” she informs, adding that PCOS is a lifetime problem.
Women with PCOS grapple with incinsistent menstruation or excess male hormones. The ovaries may develop small collections of fluid (follicles) and fail to regularly release eggs. Complications may result in infertility, gestational diabetes or pregnancyinduced high blood pressure and miscarriage or premature birth. In some cases, metabolic syndrome, sleep apnea and eating disorders, depression and anxiety, abnormal uterine bleeding and endometrial cancer have been reported.
Recalling her battle, Harleen says, “I realised PCOS is more of a lifestyle-related ailment and worked on my diet, work-outs and mindset. I will be helping Ajay whenever he requires my guidance.”
Prod Ajay if he will cast Harleen as lead in his film and he says that he is currently auditioning other actresses as the role requires a younger girl. “I’m working with Harleen on another subject,” he signs off.
Is it the beginning of a beautiful friendship for Vicky Kaushal and Katrina Kaif?
8:17 AM
The actor duo may be yet to share screen together, but their real-life camaraderie has become a talking point over the last few months
MUMBAI MIRROR (April 3, 2019)
In hindsight, Karan Johar’s eponymous talk show’s sixth season, which wrapped up recently, was a stark departure from its predecessors. Instead of barbs, the guests traded compliments, made up with real and rumoured foes and forged new friendships. While jury is still out on the potential equation between Sara Ali Khan and Kartik Aaryan, whom she crushed over before they ended up as co-stars in Imtiaz Ali’s next, another friendship is blossoming in B-town. In November last year, Katrina Kaif, 35, mentioned over Koffee with KJo and Varun Dhawan, that she and Vicky Kaushal, 30, would look good together on screen. Fastforward to a month later, the news was relayed to Vicky on the show, who pretended to faint upon hearing it. Later, he would tell Mirror, “I was surprised that she knows about my existence.”
In January, the actor-duo appeared to be capitalising on the headline-making development, when on an awards show stage, Vicky serenaded Kat with the song “Mujhse Shaadi Karogi”, even as the camera cut to Salman Khan (on whom the song was filmed from the 2004 film by the same name).
In February, Vicky confirmed his relationship with Harleen Sethi, saying that they had started dating in 2018, but in mid-March this year, the actress fuelled rumours of a break-up by unfollowing him on Instagram. Meanwhile, buzz is, Vicky and Kat have been in constant touch and chat throughout the day.
Interestingly, the pair is yet to collaborate on a film but are popping up everywhere together. Ten days ago, they made a joint appearance for an interview and shared the stage again at another awards show during which Katrina made Vicky blush by exclaiming “High sir” to his Uri: The Surgical Strike battle cry, “How’s the josh”.
Monday marked another reunion for them at Zoya Akhtar’s house party, which was attended by Farhan Akhtar, Shibani Dandekar, Gully Boy’s MC Sher Siddhant Chaturvedi and Gauri Khan, among others. On Tuesday, Vicky was quoted as saying that he is currently single.
I put my name out, and just waited to be called to auditions-Harleen Sethi
10:49 PM
From dancer to model to anchor to actor, ALTBalaji's new IT girl Harleen Sethi says it's not impossible to make it in the film industry just on merit
Aastha Atray Banan (MID-DAY; December 9, 2018)
"I always wanted to be the centre of attraction, ever since I was a child. My mother knew that even if I was made to stand next to the girl in the middle, in the front row on stage, I still wouldn't do it. I needed the spotlight," laughs Harleen Sethi, the lead in ALTBalaji's new show, Broken But Beautiful, as we chat over eggs at an Andheri cafe. Sethi looks bright eyed, expectant, and excited, as she should be. The show, which pairs her with A Death In The Gunj actor Vikrant Massey, is about two people, both "broken" because of bad relationships, come together to heal each other and themselves. The reviews range from brilliant to encouraging, and even the one that has panned the series, have only good things to say about Sethi's natural charm and acting skills.
But the Lokhandwala girl has take the long route to arrive at her moment. After studying BMM at Bandra's National College, where Massey was her senior, and where she always wanted to be "a director, never an actor", she worked at a TV channel before joining dancer Ashley Lobo's Danceworx for two years. Then she worked on ads (Asian Paints, Blue Star), before hosting a wedding and travel show on TV. "So this is what happens. You get slotted. You do ads, so you get called a model. You start fronting a non-fiction show, you get called a host. If you have to act, you need to be perceived as an actor, not as a model or anchor. I learned that late, but I am glad I finally did. So at one point I decided, I had to stop modelling and stop anchoring, and just go for acting auditions. You have to take that risk and decision," says the 29-year-old.
But Sethi says she could serve as an indication that the industry could be changing, especially with varied roles available, and the fact that auditions do work. "I don't know anyone in the industry. My parents didn't even want me to try acting, as they were sure I would be exploited. So I really didn't know how to do this. I put my name out, and just waited to be called to auditions. I went patiently, and it's all happened because I performed well." It seems to have worked. She was first finalised for ALT Balaji's The Great Indian Dysfunctional Family, but after she got the role for Broken as well, she decided to choose that instead. "Didn't I tell you I love being the centre of attention? The former was a great role, but an ensemble cast. Here it was all about me and Vikrant."
For now, the show is bringing love from quarters Sethi didn't expect. Fans have been writing in from the US, Dubai, Pakistan and all over India, sharing their heartbreak stories with her. Her honest and raw portrayal seems to have won them over. "I had to really work for this role. I had to dig deep and feel emotions I felt when I broke up with someone. So I actually thought of my last relationship, which I had thought I was over, but it helped me to move on even more. It was cathartic. And as my character Sameera heals and finds love again, I healed as well. It's the start of a wonderful life."
Everybody can associate with heartbreak, right?-Vikrant Massey
8:02 AM
Letty Mariam Abraham (MID-DAY; April 6, 2018)
"Everybody can associate with heartbreak, right?” asks Vikrant Massey, who is set to slip into the role of a distressed lover in ALT Balaji’s upcoming offering, Broken. The venture reunites Massey with Ekta Kapoor after the duo collaborated in the latter’s acclaimed film, Lipstick Under My Burkha ( 2017).
Massey promises the storyline — of a failed romance and the subsequent finding of love — is novel. “I haven’t come across a show that has dealt with heartbreak like this one. While it is intense, the project is also layered with situational and subtle humour, the kind that can leave you surprised. When I read the script, I could relate to my character, because I have endured this. Besides, everyone can relate to break-ups, and drama is my forte,” the actor says, justifying his decision to greenlight the venture.
Evidently excited to collaborate with Kapoor again, the actor heaps praise on the producer for enabling a healthy working atmosphere on set. Penned by Reshu Nath of Bose: Dead/Alive fame, Broken sees Massey romance Harleen Sethi, who is set to make her web debut with this venture. Massey describes his on-screen lady love as one who is “beautiful, talented and a fine actor”. Sethi, on her part, credits the actor for the experience he brings to the table. “With a co-actor like Vikrant, who comes with so much credibility, shooting every scene is exciting,” she says.
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