Veteran actor Pankaj Kapur has addressed the long-standing perception within the film industry that he is a “difficult actor,” explaining that the label originated from his insistence on reading a complete script before agreeing to perform a role. Known for his thoughtful approach to acting and careful preparation for characters, Kapur said the perception dates back to the early stage of his career, when such expectations were less common in the industry.

The actor spoke about the issue in a recent interview with Zoom while discussing his latest project, Jab Khuli Kitaab. In the film, Kapur appears alongside Dimple Kapadia. The project is directed by actor and filmmaker Saurabh Shukla, who was also present during the conversation when Kapur elaborated on the origins of the reputation he carried for years.

Kapur explained that the perception began shortly after he moved to Mumbai following his training at the prestigious National School of Drama. At the time, he had just started looking for acting opportunities in the film and television industries. According to the actor, when he was offered roles, he would ask to read the script before agreeing to participate in the project.

While this request may seem routine in contemporary filmmaking, Kapur noted that it was unusual in the industry during that period. He recalled that asking for a script often led to him being labelled as difficult or demanding by some producers and filmmakers.

The actor explained that during earlier decades of the film industry, many performers worked under a very different system. Instead of receiving a full script in advance, actors would often arrive on set and receive their scenes shortly before filming. This approach required performers to prepare quickly and rely on spontaneous performances during the shoot.

Kapur acknowledged the ability of actors who worked within that system, noting that it required significant skill and adaptability. However, he said his own training encouraged a different method of preparation. Having studied acting formally, he believed it was essential to understand the entire narrative and the character’s development before stepping in front of the camera.

According to Kapur, reading the script allowed him to study the structure of the story and analyse the motivations of the character he was expected to portray. Without this preparation, he felt it would be difficult to deliver a convincing performance. He therefore maintained that he would not agree to act in a project unless he had access to the script and sufficient time to understand the role.

Despite the perception that he was difficult to work with, Kapur pointed out that filmmakers who approached projects with detailed scripts rarely encountered any issues collaborating with him. He cited directors such as Basu Chatterjee, Vishal Bhardwaj and Anubhav Sinha as examples of filmmakers whose working methods aligned with his own approach to acting.

Kapur also recalled an experience from the television series Karamchand, one of the most popular shows of its time. While working on the project, he requested that the script for his scenes be provided a day in advance so he could prepare properly. At the time, he said, this request surprised the director because actors were not typically expected to ask for scripts ahead of filming.

Even so, Kapur maintained that such preparation was essential for him to portray a character convincingly. He emphasised that understanding the narrative and the character’s role within it was central to his method as an actor.

His latest film, Jab Khuli Kitaab, featuring both Kapur and Kapadia, premiered on March 6 and is currently available for streaming on ZEE5. The project marks another addition to Kapur’s long career in film, television and theatre, during which he has been widely recognised for his dedication to performance and character-driven storytelling.

The discussion surrounding the performance of the film Sikandar has resurfaced after actor Jatin Sarna spoke publicly about his experience working with Salman Khan on the project. The film, directed by A. R. Murugadoss, marked the first on-screen collaboration between Salman Khan and actor Rashmika Mandanna. Despite the anticipation surrounding the project before its release in 2025, the film reportedly did not perform as expected at the box office.

Following the film’s underwhelming commercial response, Murugadoss suggested in interviews that production challenges had affected the project. One of the points raised by the director was related to scheduling issues, as he implied that Salman Khan’s working schedule made filming more difficult. According to Murugadoss, coordinating shoot timings with a major star can sometimes present logistical challenges for directors and production teams.

The director claimed that filming schedules often had to be adjusted because the actor arrived on set later in the day. Murugadoss noted that his usual filming style involved starting early in the morning, but production on Sikandar sometimes shifted to evening or night schedules due to the circumstances. His remarks sparked debate among fans and industry observers about whether such factors could influence the outcome of a film.

Salman Khan later responded to the comments during an episode of Bigg Boss 18, where he addressed the criticism in a light but pointed manner. While speaking on the show’s “Weekend Ka Vaar” segment, the actor suggested that attributing the film’s performance solely to his punctuality was an oversimplification. He also pointed out that Murugadoss’ other film released around the same period, Madhraasi, starring Sivakarthikeyan, did not perform strongly at the box office despite having a different production schedule.

Amid these differing perspectives, Jatin Sarna, who appeared in Sikandar in the role of a taxi driver, has shared his own experience from the set. In an interview with The Lallantop, Sarna described Salman Khan as a dedicated and hardworking actor. He stated that during his time on the film, he observed the actor arriving on set on time and working diligently.

Sarna also explained that he did not believe the film’s outcome could be attributed to a single factor. According to him, filmmaking involves many moving parts, including writing, direction, performances, and audience expectations. He suggested that everyone involved in the project was putting in significant effort during production.

The actor further shared details about Salman Khan’s work ethic while filming certain scenes. Sarna recalled that Khan continued performing physically demanding sequences even while dealing with injuries, including broken ribs and shoulder issues. He mentioned that some scenes required the actor to repeatedly enter and exit a small taxi used during filming, which was physically challenging given the limited space.

According to Sarna, Khan remained active on set despite these difficulties. He described the actor as energetic during the shoot, participating in singing, dancing, and other performance elements required for the film. Sarna also said that Salman Khan often arrived at the set even before his own scheduled call time, using the time to exercise or ride a bicycle before filming began.

The actor also noted that Khan was juggling multiple professional commitments during the production period. In addition to filming Sikandar, the star was hosting Bigg Boss 18, a popular reality television program. Sarna stated that despite long shooting hours for the show, Khan continued to appear on the Sikandar set prepared to complete his scenes.

Sikandar featured a large ensemble cast alongside Salman Khan and Rashmika Mandanna, including actors Kajal Aggarwal, Anjini Dhawan, Sharman Joshi, Sathyaraj and Prateik Smita Patil. Although the film generated interest before its release due to its cast and director, audience reactions ultimately shaped its box office trajectory.

The conversation surrounding the film highlights the complexities of large-scale productions, where creative choices, scheduling logistics, and audience reception all influence the final outcome. Sarna’s comments offer a perspective from someone who was directly involved in the filming process, adding another voice to the ongoing discussion about the factors that contributed to the film’s reception.

Actor Varun Dhawan has recently been in the spotlight following the release of the war drama Border 2. The film, directed by Anurag Singh, features an ensemble cast that includes Sunny Deol, Diljit Dosanjh, and Ahan Shetty. Positioned as a sequel to the 1997 war film Border, the project generated significant attention prior to its release due to the legacy of the original film and the scale of the new production.

The film has reportedly performed well at the box office, and the team behind the project has been celebrating its reception among audiences. Dhawan portrayed the role of Major Hoshiar Singh Dahiya in the film, a character inspired by a decorated officer from the Indian Army. Despite the positive response to the film itself, Dhawan had faced criticism on social media earlier during the promotional phase. A section of online users questioned his casting in the role after the trailer was released, with some focusing on a moment where the actor appeared smiling during an intense scene. The clip sparked debate on social media platforms about whether the portrayal matched audience expectations for a war film character.

However, following the film’s release, many viewers expressed appreciation for Dhawan’s performance, with several reviews noting his effort to portray the role with seriousness and emotional depth. The response appeared to shift the conversation surrounding his participation in the film, as audiences began discussing his character and performance more positively.

Amid this period of professional activity, reports have suggested that Dhawan may be planning to take a temporary break from acting. According to a report published by Filmfare, the actor intends to step back from work commitments for some time in order to focus on his personal life. Sources quoted in the report indicated that Dhawan wishes to spend more time with his family, particularly with his daughter, Lara Dhawan.

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The report suggested that the actor is eager to dedicate time to his family following the busy schedule associated with filming and promoting Border 2. Taking breaks between major projects has become increasingly common for actors managing long production schedules, and such pauses often allow them to focus on personal priorities before returning to new film commitments.

Although Dhawan may be stepping away temporarily, audiences are expected to see him next in the upcoming romantic comedy Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai. The film is directed by David Dhawan and features Dhawan alongside actors Mrunal Thakur and Pooja Hegde. The project has already undergone changes to its release schedule in recent weeks.

Initially, the film had been planned for release on June 5, 2026. However, adjustments were made after scheduling changes involving other major film releases. Actor Yash announced that his film Toxic would be released on June 4, which created a potential clash with Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai. The film Dhurandhar, starring Ranveer Singh, had previously been associated with earlier release dates as well, contributing to shifting schedules within the industry.

On March 10, the producers of Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai officially confirmed that the release date had been moved. The film will now arrive in cinemas on June 12, 2026. The decision was announced by Ramesh Taurani, managing director of Tips Films. In a statement, Taurani explained that the production team decided to postpone the film’s release by one week after considering the broader release calendar and industry circumstances.

According to the statement, the filmmakers believed that avoiding direct competition with another major release would benefit the industry overall. Taurani emphasized that cooperation between producers can help ensure that films reach audiences more effectively rather than competing for the same release window.

With Border 2 receiving attention from audiences and his next film already scheduled for release, Dhawan’s reported break may provide the actor with an opportunity to focus on family life before returning to upcoming projects in the film industry.

Actor Arshad Warsi has opened up about his inspiring journey of quitting smoking after more than three decades, sharing how he managed to break the long-standing habit in just one week. For many smokers, quitting can feel nearly impossible because cigarettes often become deeply tied to daily routines, stress management, and social interactions. Warsi’s story highlights how determination, the right approach, and behavioural techniques can help overcome even decades of dependence.

Smoking addiction is widely considered one of the most difficult habits to break. Many smokers struggle with cravings triggered by everyday activities such as drinking tea or coffee, taking work breaks, or socialising with friends. Over time, these patterns become deeply embedded in the mind, making the process of quitting both a physical and psychological challenge.

In an interview with Pinkvilla on February 20, Warsi revealed that he had been smoking for about 35 years before finally deciding to quit. He admitted that he initially doubted the method he used but was motivated by a strong desire to give up the habit.

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“Anybody with the right mind can say, how can you quit smoking with an app? I have been smoking for the past 35 years. I thought I would never be able to do it, but I was so desperate to give up smoking that I decided to try,” he said during the conversation.

According to the actor, the application he used focused on reshaping behavioural patterns by influencing the subconscious mind. Instead of forcing immediate abstinence, it worked as a structured reminder system that helped him recognise and gradually detach from routine smoking triggers.

Warsi explained that the process involved observing habitual moments when he usually reached for a cigarette. “It kind of rewires your subconscious mind. It’s purely a reminder — ab maine chai pee hai, ab mujhe cigarette… (now I’ve had tea, now I want a cigarette). On the seventh day, it tells you to have your last cigarette,” he shared.

He recalled that when the final day arrived, he still felt sceptical about whether the method would actually work. At the time, he had a full pack of Marlboro cigarettes with him and believed he would eventually return to smoking.

“I had a whole packet of Marlboro, and I was 100 percent sure it wasn’t going to work. I smoked that last cigarette, threw the packet away, and I haven’t touched it since,” Warsi said.

Interestingly, the real test came just a few days later. The actor hosted a gathering at his home where many guests were smoking. Despite being surrounded by cigarettes, he found that he had no urge to smoke again.

“Two days later, we had a party at our house, everyone was smoking, and it didn’t bother me at all,” he said, expressing surprise at how quickly the cravings had disappeared.

Warsi’s experience reflects the importance of mindset when trying to overcome addiction. While physical dependence on nicotine plays a role, experts often emphasise that the psychological component of smoking addiction can be just as powerful.

Warsi’s story serves as a reminder that even long-term habits can be overcome with determination and the right support system. His journey shows that quitting smoking, while challenging, is possible — and the health benefits begin almost immediately.