For Preity Zinta, returning to the screen with Batwara 1947 is about more than making a comeback. The period drama allowed her to explore a chapter of India’s history, work with director Rajkumar Santoshi for the first time, and step into a world far removed from her own. But the film also made her reflect on how much life has changed since she began her career, from the freedoms available to women today to the perspective that comes with becoming a mother. For Zinta, Batwara 1947 is ultimately a story about family, resilience and hope, as she tells Lipika Varma in an exclusive conversation. Why did you say yes to doing this film? What touched you the most? There were a couple of things. First, I really wanted to work with Raj ji. I had never worked with him before, so working with him was always on my bucket list. I had also always wanted to do a period film. Beyond that, I genuinely loved the story. What touched me most was that even in the darkest of times, there is always a ray of hope. People may see this as a story about two countries, but for me, it is essentially about a family. I was also deeply affected by stories of families who believed they were leaving their homes temporarily, even burying their jewellery and valuables, thinking they would return. They never imagined they would lose everything forever. Since this is my first period film, I spent time researching and understanding that era. After such a long break from films, why did you choose this project? I was enjoying my personal life, focusing on my family and raising my children. Professionally, I had always wanted to work with Raj ji and also wanted to do a period film.

Sunny Deol: “Every Film Leaves Some Kind of Impact” With Batwara 1947, Sunny Deol returns to a story rooted in Partition, family and the human cost of one of the most defining moments in Indian history. The actor reflects on why he sees the film as fundamentally different from Gadar, his long-standing association with director Rajkumar Santoshi, his father Dharmendra’s connection to their shared cinematic history, and the responsibility actors carry when their work leaves a lasting impact on audiences. In conversation with Lipika Varma, Sunny Deol also opens up about playing a character outside the action-driven image audiences often associate with him and working alongside his son Karan. How did you approach the character in this film? For me, it was the subject, the story and the character that I had heard about, and I approached it accordingly. I don’t know exactly what was tweaked. I didn’t read the original play or see it. Vivek Raj had read it, and we had been working on this story since 2010. Unfortunately, we couldn’t make it back then, so we had been waiting all these years. As soon as we got the opportunity, we jumped into it. Sunny, are you happy that your fans, including those in Pakistan, will get to see you in a completely different kind of role this time, without the iconic hand-pump moment or typical action scenes? Actually, I don’t think it’s about that. Fans are always there, and they love you no matter what. Sometimes journalism and politics come into the picture and change the colours of things. But the actual viewer, the person sitting in the theatre and watching the film, doesn’t necessarily look at things that way. They simply watch the film. I’ve met a lot of fans across the country and around the

With a career spanning over three decades, Akshay Kumar continues to reinvent himself across genres, from action and comedy to social dramas and entertainers. As he looks ahead to his upcoming projects, including the action-thriller Haiwaan and a lineup of comedy entertainers, the actor reflects on his journey, his approach to cinema, discipline, and why staying connected to the craft remains his biggest priority. In conversation with Lipika Varma, Akshay opens up about his evolving approach to cinema, the importance of teamwork, and the values that guide him both on and off screen. You have played action heroes, comedians, romantic leads, and intense characters. What kind of roles excite you the most today? I enjoy all kinds of roles. When I entered the industry, people mostly saw me as an action hero. After that, I consciously chose to explore different genres and keep discovering myself as an actor. I have done comedy, romance, social dramas, and action films. Every genre brings a different challenge, and that is what keeps the journey interesting. Comedy has been one of your strongest genres. What makes it so special for you? Comedy is definitely one of the hardest genres. Making someone emotional can sometimes be supported by the situation or background music, but making someone genuinely laugh requires precision, timing, and a lot of hard work. Comedy often looks effortless on screen, but there is a lot of discipline behind creating that moment. That challenge is what makes it exciting for me. You have been part of several ensemble films. What is your view on multi-starrers? Everyone has their own approach. Some actors prefer solo films, while others enjoy working in ensemble projects. There is no fixed formula for success. A film works because of its content, storytelling, and execution, not simply because of

Varun Dhawan, Mrunal Thakur and Pooja Hegde step into a world of love triangles, high-voltage comedy and classic Bollywood chaos, where every scene is designed to make audiences laugh out loud. Behind the madness of Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai lies a fast-paced entertainer shaped by humour, music and family drama in true David Dhawan style. Hashtag Magazine brings you a glimpse into the energy, spontaneity and comic rhythm that powers the film. Varun Dhawan Q: How is this film different from your earlier David Dhawan comedies? Every film has its own madness. This one has double the confusion and double the fun. In a David Dhawan film, you have to stay alert all the time because he can suddenly change a scene, a reaction or even the way you say a dialogue. As an actor, you are always on your toes. You have to fully surrender to the comedy and conviction of the character. Q: Did you feel pressure working with your father again?Working with him is never easy because he pushes me the most. He won’t go easy on me just because I’m his son. In fact, he becomes stricter. There’s pressure, because I know the audience has expectations from a David Dhawan comedy and from our combination as well. He’s very clear on set. If something is wrong, he says it immediately. There’s no sugarcoating. Q: What was the toughest part of the film?Comedy timing is the toughest thing. People think comedy is easy because everyone is laughing, but it’s actually very technical. One second early or late, and the joke dies. Maintaining energy through chaotic scenes while keeping the rhythm correct was the hardest part. David Sir’s comedy looks effortless on screen, but while shooting, it’s extremely demanding physically and mentally. Q: Salman Khan joked