Disruptions have settled, and the chatter and rumours have ended with the good news that all is well with the cast of Hera Pheri 3 — Akshay Kumar, Paresh Rawal, and Suniel Shetty. Of course, the happiest are the fans, who’ve been over the moon knowing that Rawal is back in the mix and director Priyadarshan has returned to the writer’s room to pen the script for the third instalment. While Shetty doesn’t want to jinx it by talking too much about the project that is closest to his heart, it’s clear he played a major role in sorting out the miscommunication between everyone.

However, Shetty doesn’t wish to take any credit for bringing the two close friends back together. “The patch-up happened because of the respect Paresh and Akshay have for each other,” he says. With Kumar — who also serves as the producer — suing Rawal for Rs 25 crore, and the latter returning the signing amount along with interest, many believed it was the end of the road for the trio and the third instalment of the franchise.

Shetty advised his two co-stars, “Baat karlo ek doosre se. Don’t let the world divide you.” That’s all it took. “Paresh never criticized Akshay. And when a journalist called Paresh ‘foolish’, Akshay rebuked the reporter saying he is a friend. That day we all realized that these two friends loved each other and would not let anybody get in between them,” added Shetty.

With Hera Pheri 3 back on track, Shetty has trained his focus on the second season of the action thriller Hunter. Directed by Prince Dhiman and Alok Batra, the new edition aims to raise both the emotional and action quotient of the series. The trailer suggests the actor will be racing against time to save his kidnapped daughter. Shetty tells mid-day that the audience is in for a surprise this season.

“The emotional quotient is much higher this time. A more coming-of-age for ACP Vikram Sinha [his character]. We have taken everything several notches higher. We have gone international and also upped the action. Vikram wants his family back, he realises nothing matters more than his people. This season is more sensible, emotional, [and about] what values mean to us/what matters more. Family ties and values are also what I am about. The old classics [songs] are back in this,” explains the actor.

Rahul Dev firmly believes that when you are “at peace with life” and have “people who care for you”, good things are bound to happen. “Finally, I am in a phase where I have some genuine relationships — be it with my son, (partner) Mugdha (Godse, actor) and some others,” shares the actor.

He admits feeling “lost and shaken” when he lost his wife. “But my spiritual guru helped me. Now, I am spiritually stronger than ever — professionally and personally. I know how to strike the right balance in life,” says the Empire actor. 

Dev believes that thinking positively has been a “game changer” for him. “I have seen people working rigorously and devoting hours to their external selves, but the problem lies deep within. The day I realised this, I worked solely on this aspect. Positivity has made me get associated with the projects that are best for me.” 

The actor also believes in going the extra mile to play a role. “For instance, when the film Hunter Tootega Nai Todega came to me, I felt that my character would be best projected as a Haryanvi cop. I managed to convince my writer and maker to rework it. The results are extremely rewarding. Now, I can’t wait for the second part of the series,” he says. “I don’t fear experimenting and exploring; like, currently, I am learning Marathi, and who better than Mugdha to teach me this sweet language,” ends the actor.

Esha Deol Takhtani started her journey in Bollywood 20 years ago, and did a variety of movies – from romantic and comedy to action (she was one of Dhoom gals in the first of the series), but then, when she thought it was the right time, she took a pause. Stepping back from the limelight, she tied the knot and had two lovely babies. Now, she is back, featuring in interesting parts in web shows. She shares with us what has been the most adventurous phase in her life and what lies ahead.

While some are averse to terms like comeback and sabbatical, Esha has no qualms about them. She shares, “This is my second innings and I don’t have a problem saying so. It’s just a term and I don’t take it too seriously. These are minor things for me to spend too much time contemplating. I am here to work yaar. For me, it was very important to have babies at the right time. If you constantly worry and doubt your decisions, you won’t enjoy what you are doing. It’s equally important to maintain yourself, look good and stay disciplined.”

The actress who was recently appreciated for her roles in shows like Rudra - The Edge Of Darkness and Hunter Tootega Nahi Todega says, “I am glad to be a part of the industry during this time. The new-age content being made today has eliminated the element of insecurity amongst female artistes in my age group. There is good work for everyone. We are doing it better because we are wiser now. When a woman settles down and becomes a mother toh ek thehraav aa jaata hai hai”

In my 20s, I was restless and reckless. Today, I am grounded and lead an anchored life. I did pretty much everything that a 20-year-old girl would do. That was one of the most adventurous and fun phases of my life.

Esha says that now she wants to move on from the kind of roles that she played at the beginning of her career. “I can’t take up roles that do not align with my mindset and personality. I have played my fair share of teeny-bopper roles. Some girls are still doing those roles because it suits them and they enjoy doing it. However, I can’t do that now. I have evolved in terms of my sensibilities. So, I prefer taking up roles that resonate with me today and impart a strong message. As a strong woman, I gravitate towards characters that reflect my personality,” she explains.

From the start of her career, Esha has faced comparisons with her mom, the OG Dream Girl, Hema Malini, but that didn’t deter her from her goals. “Soon after the release of my debut film, Koi Mere Dil Se Poochhe (2002), I was compared to my mother, who has done more than 200 films. At that time, the discussion around nepotism was not as prevalent. Eventually, I realized that if I allowed these comparisons to affect me, it would be better not to be in this profession. It took me a while to come to terms with it and accept that there was no escaping it. Acting is a profession that really toughens you up. Most of us have become tough nuts, and you won’t be able to crack us (laughs!).”

Suniel Shetty’s debut in the OTT space has marked a new beginning for the actor in showbiz. From the gritty Thalaivan in Dharavi Bank to the macho ACP Vikram Chauhan in Hunter, he has made everyone sit up and take notice of his performances and high fitness level.

Talking about his new innings, he says, “Well, not just a new inning, but this phase has been all about new platforms, learnings and beginnings. Dharavi Bank helped me bring that thairaav in my performance. There had to be a lot of play with my eyes. As for Hunter Tootega Nahi Todega, it was a challenge as I was doing hardcore action after a long time. I cut down on body fat and went lean because I had never done bare-body shots like these.”

Hunter has won him a lot of attention for his style and swag. From the start of his career, he has made his mark as an action hero, however, now he has a different take on the genre. “I am slower, but smarter now. So, I hit and react. I hit and my eyes ask, ‘Will you survive to take another punch?’ So that attitude and swag are new,” he says.

With the reality show Kumite 1 — Warrior Hunt, which revolves around Mixed Martial Arts, as a host, Suniel connected with the contestants. He says, “With this project, I wanted to show that I am fit enough to fight in the ring and was giving an opportunity to talent across India to come into the ring and fight. I have been a fighter myself and got into films because of my ability to do action.”

Elaborating on how he wants to steer his career, he shares, “I want to do movies, OTT shows and comedy, but I also want to do something that will make a difference to other people’s life. I want to set an example by looking a certain way in my 60s and want the people of my age group to follow suit.”

We hear that the actor has a number of exciting projects lined up and is all set to wow the audience with some stellar performances, action and swag.

Sometimes, one’s second innings can be more stimulating than the first. While it’s too early to gauge Esha Deol’s second shot at acting, as she returned to the screens with Rudra: The Edge of Darkness last year, the actor is thoroughly enjoying this phase, picking projects that interest her. Her latest release is Hunter Tootega Nahi, Todega, which sees her playing an investigative journalist.

“It’s a layered character. She comes from a small town, is gutsy, and when the need arises, she can deliver kicks and punches as easily as she can pull a trigger,” says Deol. Yesterday, the series dropped on Amazon Mini, which is a free video-streaming service within the shopping app, and comprises short films and shows designed for the masses.

Saying yes to the Suniel Shetty-led show came easy to Deol. Reason? Far from her earlier offerings that had her playing the glam doll while her leading men beat the baddies to pulp, this series has her trying her hand at action.

“I always wanted to do action. This series gave me the opportunity. At the end of the day’s shoot, it gave me a different kind of satisfaction to have done [stunts]. I’m on the hunt for a full-fledged action project.”

Finding her groove in the action genre seems almost inevitable for Deol. Her actor-father Dharmendra, after all, is Hindi cinema’s original He-Man. She agrees, stating, “Like dance comes naturally to me thanks to my mother [Hema Malini], so does action. If you see my frame, I have taken after my dad. Action and dance are in my DNA.”

Last year marked two decades since she began her journey as an actor with Koi Mere Dil Se Poochhe (2002). While she is satisfied with the way her past stint shaped up, it is her new innings that has Deol upbeat. “I’m choosing subjects that align with my mentality, and [enhance] the way I want to be seen as an actor. An intense character with the scope to do action is what satisfies me today.”