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Jaideep Ahlawat says he’s been asked about Paatal Lok 2 every day for the past four years

Ahlawat described the writing process for the new season as initially confusing due to its intricate subplots. “What intrigued me was that when I first read it, I struggled to comprehend it. I felt that I needed to physically be in Nagaland to truly understand the characters and their context,” he explained.

Published

2 years ago

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Jaideep Ahlawat’s career can be divided into two distinct phases: before “Paatal Lok” and after. Since the web series premiered on May 15, 2020, Ahlawat has faced daily inquiries about its anticipated second season.

Before “Paatal Lok,” he had already established himself as a reliable actor with notable performances in films like “Gangs of Wasseypur,” “Khatta Meetha,” “Vishwaroopam,” and “Raazi.” However, “Paatal Lok” catapulted him to fame overnight when it debuted on Prime Video during the pandemic. The show garnered widespread acclaim, including recognition from industry stalwarts like Manoj Bajpayee and Aamir Khan, who praised his portrayal of Hathiram Chaudhary, a fatigued Delhi Police officer tasked with a high-stakes investigation in the first season.

Ahlawat remarked, “Everything changed after May 15, 2020. I genuinely haven’t had a single day in the last four years without someone asking me about ‘Paatal Lok 2.’ Whether in person, on social media, or through messages, the inquiries never stopped.” He further explained that when he posts anything online, he receives numerous comments asking, “When is season two of ‘Paatal Lok’ coming?” He humorously noted that while he wasn’t exhausted by the questions, he often had to reply, “It will be out soon.”

In the first season of “Paatal Lok,” directed by Avinash Arun Dhaware and Prosit Roy, Ahlawat’s character was pivotal in investigating the assassination attempt on a popular TV journalist, portrayed by Neeraj Kabi. Reflecting on his career progression, Ahlawat shared that after the show’s success, he received an uplifting call from Bajpayee, who expressed that watching Ahlawat inspired him like attending a rejuvenating workshop.

“I was deeply moved and could only respond with a heartfelt ‘Thank you.’ Such acknowledgement can come only from someone who understands cinema well,” expressed Ahlawat, who had previously worked with Bajpayee in “Gangs of Wasseypur.”

In a separate interaction, Aamir Khan reached out to Ahlawat via video call, eager to learn about his preparation for the role. Ahlawat recalled being surprised by Khan’s interest, saying, “When someone like Aamir sir, renowned for his method acting, seeks your insight, what can you say, except share your experience?”

The success of “Paatal Lok” opened many doors for Ahlawat, leading to roles in the ZEE5 series “The Broken News” and films such as “An Action Hero,” “Three of Us,” “Jaane Jaan,” and “Maharaj,” which marked the acting debut of Khan’s son, Junaid. Ahlawat noted that he hasn’t taken a “single holiday” over the past four years due to a flurry of projects. “Touchwood, it’s encouraging. A wealth of compelling stories has come my way, and I’ve collaborated with numerous talented individuals. Some films have been released, while more are on the cusp this year, especially with ‘Paatal Lok 2’ kicking off this promising start.”

Scheduled to premiere on January 17 on Prime Video, the second season of “Paatal Lok” has Ahlawat returning as Hathiram, who will uncover a new mystery set in Nagaland. As part of his preparation, Ahlawat rewatched the first season to reconnect with his character’s history, particularly his relationship with rookie cop Imran Ansari (Ishwak Singh), who will now assume a more senior role.

Ahlawat described the writing process for the new season as initially confusing due to its intricate subplots. “What intrigued me was that when I first read it, I struggled to comprehend it. I felt that I needed to physically be in Nagaland to truly understand the characters and their context,” he explained.

Another challenge he faced involved gaining approximately 20 kg to authentically portray the middle-aged, weary cop, transitioning from the lean physique he had for his previous film “Maharaj.” He elaborated, “When you gain weight, your body responds in various ways. You stop exercising, your joints begin to ache, and you feel the weight. Sleeping positions change and your breathing can become heavier, yet mentally, you find satisfaction—it’s quite an interesting phase.”

Ahlawat will also soon share screen time with Bajpayee in the third season of the Prime Video series “The Family Man.” He noted the experience of working with Bajpayee as an enriching opportunity. “Collaborating with great actors elevates your performance naturally. We have limited scenes together, but they are intricately written. I hope future seasons build upon this quality. He is undoubtedly one of our finest actors.”

Looking ahead, Ahlawat has several exciting projects lined up, including a neo-noir thriller titled “Jewel Thief” alongside Saif Ali Khan, Sriram Raghavan’s war drama “Ikkis,” “Hisab” reuniting him with his “Three of Us” co-star Shefali Shah, and Aanand L Rai’s production “Hawai Fire.” The actor expressed a desire for better work-life balance, stating, “I got caught up in the midst of shooting for four projects across different locations, which was quite hectic. I hope to avoid that situation in the future.”

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Musician Bhagirath Bhatt breaks silence on Bigg Boss 20 entry, says not going

Musician and sitarist Bhagirath Bhatt has clarified that he will not participate in Bigg Boss 20, citing his preference for calm music and peaceful surroundings.

Published

17 hours ago

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September 4, 2026

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Bhagirath Bhatt

Sitarist and music composer Bhagirath Bhatt has clarified that he will not be participating in Bigg Boss 20, putting an end to speculation about his possible entry into the reality show.

Bhatt addressed the questions he had been receiving from followers on social media and thanked them for their interest. However, he made it clear that he is not part of the upcoming season.

Bhagirath Bhatt explains why he is not joining Bigg Boss 20

In an Instagram Story, Bhatt said that he does not think he is suited to a show like Bigg Boss. He explained that his personality is more aligned with calm and peaceful surroundings.

The musician said he is not someone who can shout or create unnecessary noise and described himself as a believer in calm music. He added that peaceful music has always been a source of inspiration for him.

His clarification came after his name had been circulating in discussions about possible contestants for Bigg Boss 20.

Bhagirath Bhatt’s work in films and series

Bhagirath Bhatt is known for his work as a sitarist and music composer. According to the report, he has worked on films including Padmaavat, Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 and Border 2.

He has also been associated with projects such as Bandish Bandits and Heeramandi.

Meanwhile, the makers of Bigg Boss 20 are yet to officially reveal the complete contestant list. The new season is scheduled to premiere on September 6 at 9 PM.

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Batwara 1947 box office failure: Shabana Azmi says audiences couldn’t accept Sunny Deol as Muslim

Shabana Azmi has reflected on Batwara 1947’s poor box office performance, suggesting that audiences may have struggled to accept Sunny Deol as a Muslim character.

Published

6 days ago

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August 29, 2026

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Batwara 1947 has had a disappointing run at the box office, and actor Shabana Azmi has now shared her thoughts on why the film may not have connected with audiences. According to Azmi, one possible reason could be the difficulty some viewers had in accepting Sunny Deol as a Muslim character.

The film, which also features Preity Zinta and Shabana Azmi, was released on August 14. It has reportedly earned around Rs 53 crore so far, while Awarapan 2, which released on the same day, has crossed the Rs 200 crore mark.

Shabana Azmi on Sunny Deol’s Muslim character

Discussing the film’s response, Shabana Azmi questioned whether audiences were able to accept Sunny Deol in a Muslim role.

She compared the situation with Amitabh Bachchan’s earlier performances in which he portrayed Muslim characters. Azmi pointed to Deewaar, where Bachchan’s character is associated with the number 786, and said such portrayals had been accepted by audiences.

Azmi also suggested that there may have been confusion among some viewers about Sunny Deol’s character in Batwara 1947. She said that even some people who had watched the film believed Deol was playing a Pakistani character, whereas, according to her, he plays an Indian Muslim.

What Shabana Azmi said about the film’s reception

Azmi said she was surprised by the contrast between the appreciation she had heard from people who watched the film and its weak theatrical performance.

According to her, viewers who discussed the film with her had praised its message of humanity, but that appreciation did not translate into enough people going to theatres.

She also questioned whether audiences were uncomfortable with the film’s India-Pakistan subject. Azmi maintained that the film’s message was not politically incorrect and praised Sunny Deol’s performance.

Batwara 1947 vs Awarapan 2 at the box office

The poor performance of Batwara 1947 has become more noticeable because the film released alongside Awarapan 2. While Batwara 1947 has struggled commercially, Awarapan 2 has performed significantly better at the box office.

The contrast has added to the discussion around the reception of the Sunny Deol-starrer, particularly after Azmi offered her view on why audiences may not have connected with the film.

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Aasha Jaiswal Singh, Known for mimicking Meena Kumari, dies in Mumbai

Veteran actor and mimicry artist Aasha Jaiswal Singh died in Mumbai on August 22. Her son Akkash Bharadwaj confirmed the news and remembered her contribution to acting and mimicry.

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2 weeks ago

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August 24, 2026

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Veteran actor and mimicry artist Aasha Jaiswal Singh died in Mumbai on August 22. Her son, Akkash Bharadwaj, shared the news and remembered her for her work as an actor, social worker and mimicry artist.

Aasha Jaiswal Singh was particularly known for her ability to mimic the voice of legendary actor Meena Kumari. According to details shared by her son, she was also credited as India’s first female mimicry artist and worked as a character actor.

Aasha Jaiswal Singh’s death confirmed by son

Akkash Bharadwaj announced his mother’s death in a social media post. Remembering her, he described her as a “karmath loh-mahila”, or “iron lady”, and urged people to pray for her soul.

He also asked people to remember Aasha Jaiswal Singh by revisiting her work and contributions rather than only mourning her death.

According to the details shared by her son, Aasha Jaiswal Singh died on August 22. Her last rites were held at the Pawan Hans crematorium in Vile Parle West, Mumbai, on August 23 at 10 am.

Aasha Jaiswal Singh was known for Meena Kumari mimicry

Aasha Jaiswal Singh’s work as a mimicry artist was an important part of her public identity. She was recognised for recreating the voice of Meena Kumari, one of Hindi cinema’s celebrated actors.

Alongside mimicry, she worked as a character actor and social worker. Her son also said that she was the founder, owner and operator of Aasha Events and Films.

Her death marks the loss of an artist remembered for combining acting with mimicry and social work.

Aasha Jaiswal Singh’s final rites held in Mumbai

The family conducted her last rites on August 23 at the Pawan Hans crematorium in Vile Parle West. The rites took place at 10 am, according to details shared by her son.

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