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ENTERTAINMENT EYE JULY 05, 2024 | The Indian Eye 44

JAIDEEP AHLAWAT:

the rise of an intense actor playing

tough and meaningful characters

During the pandemic lockdown, Jaideep dedicated himself to intense physical training for his role in ‘Maharaj’.

He reveals that he had to get back into shape as he weighed around 104 kgs before preparing for this challenging role

OUR BUREAU
Mumbai
eteran actor Jaideep Ahlawat opened up
about the intense preparation he underwent
Vfor his role as the antagonist in the recently
released film ‘Maharaj.’ In a candid conversation,
Jaideep shared insights into his challenging yet re-
warding journey of preparing for his role as Jadunath
Maharaj in the recently released film on Netflix.
Ahlawat revealed the initial doubts he had
about taking on the character, admitting, “In the
beginning, I thought that this is a very difficult char-
acter. It is not going to be easy to handle. I told my
brother that I don’t think I can do this.”
The turning point for Jaideep came after a
meeting with the film’s director, where he was reas-
sured by the strong vision and compelling narrative
presented. “The way he narrated Maharaj, I was
like, yes, I should do this.”
“It was successful because I believed in the writ-
ing and my director,” Jaideep said, highlighting the
collaborative effort behind his performance.
During the lockdown, Jaideep dedicated him-
self to intense physical training. He revealed that he
had to get back into shape as he weighed around Bollywood actors Pankaj Tripathi, Ali Fazal, Vijay Varma with actresses Rasika Dugal, Shweta Tripathi and other cast of the web
104 kgs before preparing for this role. series Mirzapur 3 pose for a picture during its trailer launch in Mumbai (ANI)
“So, for almost 5.5 months of intense physical
training, because of what JJ is visible on the screen,
my trainer, worked very hard on me. We did 3-4 times by Sharvari. The film is based on true events from The post featured a picture of a clapperboard
workouts a day,” he recounted, emphasizing the sig- pre-independence India and highlights the courage with the film’s title, Hisaab, alongside a beautiful-
nificant transformation he underwent for the role. of Karsandas Mulji, a social reformer who chal- ly adorned traditional wooden temple. Shefali and
Jaideep also touched on the broader team ef- lenged the status quo in a landmark legal battle. Jaideep have earlier featured together in ‘Three of US’.
fort, stating, “So credit goes to everybody. I’m just Critics and audiences alike have praised ‘Ma- The film is set in the Konkan region of Maharashtra.
an instrument for transforming all those energies haraj’ for its compelling storytelling and powerful Swanand Kirkire featured alongside Shefali
created by these people.” performances. and Jaideep in ‘Three of US’, which is directed by
The film, set during the 1862 Maharaj Libel The film, which delves into one of India’s great- Avinash Arun. ‘Three of Us’ tells the tale of Shai-
Case, faced a temporary setback on its release due est legal confrontations, is now available for stream- laja Desai (Shefali Shah), a former Mumbai high
to a legal stay by the Gujarat High Court, which was ing on Netflix. court clerk, who grapples with a degenerative brain
lifted earlier on Friday. Meanwhile, actors Shefali Shah and Jaideep disease slowly erasing her past. The film follows her
Following this, Yash Raj Films (YRF) ex- Ahlawat will be seen sharing screen space in courageous quest to relive her childhood memories
pressed gratitude through an official Instagram ‘Hisaab’. Presented by Jio Studios in association with the help of her childhood friend and sweet-
post, stating, “We are grateful to the judiciary for al- with Sunshine Pictures, ‘Hisaab’is being directed heart, Pradip Kamat (Jaideep Ahlawat).
lowing the release of Maharaj, a film that celebrates by Vipul Amrutal Shah. The film went on floors Taking a moment to acknowledge this outpour-
one of the most important social reformers of our on Monday. Abhishek Banerjee is also a part of ing of love and support, Shefali wrote on Instagram
country, Karsandas Mulji.” ‘Hisaab’. in January. “Thank you for all the love all of you
The statement emphasized YRF’s longstanding Sharing the update about the shooting, a post (well most of you) are showering on ‘THREE OF
tradition of honouring Indian culture and heritage. on the Instagram account of Sunshine Pictures US’ it’s humbling and overwhelming. The interpre-
Directed by Sidharth P Malhotra and produced read, “Today, we embark on the journey of bring- tations you’ll have of the minutest nuance, register-
by YRF Entertainment, ‘Maharaj’ features Junaid ing emotions to life and passion to the screen; the ing a look, a line, a gesture, a scene. It shows how
Khan, in his debut role, alongside Jaideep Ahla- beginning of #Hisaab, presented by #JioStudios in deeply the film has affected you. This film was re-
wat and Shalini Pandey, with a special appearance association with #SunshinePictures.” leased in the theatres and it didn’t do well at all. “

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