Adah Sharma, who was in Ahmedabad recently, says that she feels “a special connection with the city.” Adah, whose recent releases include the film Bastar: The Naxal Story and the OTT project Sunflower 2, tells us, “A few months back, I shot with Jubin Nautiyal for Raabta, a music video, at a few lovely locations of Ahmedabad’s walled city and I have some very fond memories from the shoot.”

Adah adds, “I was in Vadodara in January for a marathon and it’s always a pleasure to come to Gujarat because the people are so warm. I love Gujarati food and no Ahmedabad trip of mine feels complete till I have undhiyu, which is my favourite. I also love Gujarati dal.”

Adah, who made her Bollywood debut with 1920 in 2008, has completed 15 years in showbiz. Looking back at her journey, Adah says, “I still don’t know too many people in the industry but feel fortunate and grateful that despite being an outsider, big filmmakers have always trusted my talent. Vikram Bhatt could have chosen anyone for 1920, but he loved my audition and offered me the role. In Telugu, I made my debut with Heart Attack, which was directed by an ace filmmaker like Puri Jagannadh. In Kannada, I have done films with big stars like Puneeth Rajkumar. Sunflower 2 gave me the opportunity to work with Vikas Bahl. So, I have no complaints and it has been a fantastic journey. Having just done an OTT project, I can confidently say that good content is watched irrespective of the medium.”

Adah adds, “I am fortunate that I have not been typecast as an actress, which is one of the biggest fears that an actor has. Be it fiction, films based on real life incidents or interesting OTT content, I have always got to do exciting and different types of projects. Even in my upcoming projects, I am getting to do different stuff and I couldn’t have asked for more. I don’t really understand terms like ‘women-centric films’ because for a film to do well, every character has to be etched well. But we are having these discussions probably because there still isn’t enough representation of women in different aspects of filmmaking. But stronger roles are being written for women now.”

The Kerala Story, which became the highest grossing female-led Hindi film, was a big game changer for me. Although I have done successful films like 1920 and Commando 2, this movie became a phenomenon and I don’t think there is any movie buff who doesn’t know about it. Also, after this film, people have become very protective of me on social media and I feel lucky. I don’t pay any attention to the negativity on social media because for every negative comment, there are so many positive comments to counter it! It’s overwhelming. People have the right to watch or not watch a film. I have realised that many people who criticize movies and use terms like ‘propaganda film’ on social media have not seen the movies. So, why should I bother about these comments?

It’s true that I am playing a female superhero in an upcoming international project, but I don’t want to reveal too much about it. I am a little superstitious and don’t like talking about projects too much in advance. I want to do projects in different languages, even if it’s just a music video. I had done a music video in Punjabi with Akhil and a lot of Punjabis loved it.

Actor Hansika Motwani starred opposite late actor Puneeth Rajkumar in Bindaas (2008), her first Kannada film. Shocked by the superstar’s untimely death, she says, “I still refuse to process that Puneeth is no more. It’s a big loss for the industry and for me, personally, as he was a friend. What makes it even more tragic and terrible is that he was only 46.”

Looking back at the time when she shot with him, Motwani shares, “I was just 19. I remember how polite and humble he was. I was so new and had no idea about the industry. Even though he was a superstar, he and made me feel comfortable. Since I was so young, he would always look out for me.”

The actor, who marked her debut as a child artiste in Hawa (2003), says that working in separate film industries didn’t let them catch up as often. But they stayed in touch over social media: “Every time we met, we always picked up from where we left. The last time I met him was at an awards function.”

Following Rajkumar’s demise, all film shows in the state have been cancelled. “The Kannada film industry has come to a halt. I couldn’t get through anyone in his family. It’s heart-breaking to even think of the way forward,” says the 30-year-old.

So, how has she been inspired by him? “He used to tell me to just follow my heart and that things would eventually fall in place. He would speak less and smile more,” Motwani ends.

Kannada superstar Puneeth Rajkumar’s sudden demise on Friday has shaken up the world of showbiz. For Resul Pookutty, the Oscar-winning sound designer and editor, this unfortunate incident is no less than a nightmare. He rues, “For somebody who was so fit and young and productive in his creative life just to be gone one morning is like a bad dream. I knew his father (legendary south actor Rajkumar) well.”

Pookutty hadn’t worked with Puneeth but knew him personally. He shares, “l have met him (Puneeth) a couple of times at several award functions. There was no one like him. I can’t forget the smile on his face. It was so humble and heartwarming. He was someone who one would instantly like. His smile will stay with me forever.”

The sound designer further notes, “People down South look at stars as demigods. Puneeth had that kind of stature… But he didn’t have any airs about who his father was or what a great legacy he was carrying forward. He was such a nice guy; so honest.”

He adds, “His passing away is unfathomable. This also reminds you that life is short, and nothing is in your hands. Puneeth survived the pandemic but couldn’t survive a heart attack. It’s really unfortunate.”

The 46-year-old was working out in the gym when he complained of chest pain, following which he was admitted to a hospital in Bengaluru where he breathed his last.

Bengaluru: Popular Kannada film actor Puneeth Rajkumar, who started as a child artist and went to rule the big screen in the footsteps of his father and legend Rajkumar, died of a massive cardiac arrest here on Friday, leaving legions of his fans shell-shocked. The actor was 46.

Known for films such as ‘Appu’, ‘Veera Kannadiga’ and “Maurya’, Puneeth, a fitness enthusiast, was rushed to Vikram Hospital after he complained of chest pain during his morning workout. His wife Ashwini took him to their family doctor Ramana Rao’s hospital in nearby Aramanenagar where an ECG revealed an acute heart attack. He was rushed to Vikram Hospital, Vasanthnagar, where doctors failed to revive him.

Chief minister Basavaraj Bommai, who cancelled his engagements and rushed to the hospital, said, “Karnataka state has lost an iconic actor, who had monumental achievements at a young age. He was the youth icon.”

Ironically, Puneeth was brand ambassador for the ‘Prevent premature heart attack’ initiative of the state-run SJCSRI and even took part in the launch of ‘Heart Attack In Young Age Clinic’ at Jayadeva Hospital in September 2017.

Films apart, Puneeth had a huge following as a fitness enthusiast. Photos and videos of Puneeth at the gym or showcasing new workouts were widely shared and talked about, especially after the pandemic broke out. A video of his diving backflip went viral this February.

Walkers in Sadashivnagar recall the star was a regular jogger even when Covid peaked, unassumingly flashing a smile or waving at those greeting him. His ‘Fight Corona Workout’ video went viral, garnering more than 10 lakh views.

The actor’s eyes were harvested as per his pledge. The body was taken to his Sadashivanagar residence from where it was shifted to Kanteerava Stadium in the evening for public viewing. His body will lie in state at the stadium on Saturday. Puneeth’s last rites will be performed with full state honours on Saturday evening or Sunday morning.

Actor Priya Anand, who is shooting for James co-starring Puneeth Rajkumar, says that she’s in the happiest place that she has ever been in, both personally and professionally. “I have got so many opportunities which found their way to me. It’s a blessing. I am a lucky girl and I don’t take anything in life for granted. Especially after last year, one has to ensure balance in life and I think I have found that balance,”she says.

Co-starring with Rajkumar would be a big deal for any actor, and it’s no different for Priya, who is working with him once again. “He is one of the nicest people I know, let alone one of the nicest co-stars I have. It is lovely to work with him. It is always special as we gave such a huge hit, Rajkumara (2017) together, so we are hoping to recreate that magic again. James is a family drama, entertainer and an action film, yet, for all audiences,” says Anand, who has also featured in Bollywood films such as English Vinglish (2012) and Fukrey (2013).

Having done films in Malayalam, Telugu and Tamil, apart from Kannada, the actor admits she enjoys Kannada movies a lot. “Audiences liked me, the industry liked me, so I could survive. That has to be in your favour. Doing films in different languages is fun as each one has its own speciality. But I love the Kannada industry, as I feel I have been spoilt over here. I never had to struggle in Kannada as I started with one of the biggest stars, Puneeth Rajkumar,” says Anand, who will shoot for another Kannada project, RDX soon.