Absolute charm

Jasmine Singh

Ek Duje Ke Vaste also stars Amitabh Bachchan. This is senior Bachchan’s debut Punjabi film!  

While most in the Punjabi entertainment industry know him by the work that has he done, which includes films that did get critical acclaim but couldn’t mint money, outside the industry, Kartar Cheema is the bai with a deadly body and for the girls, a perfect husband material!

Getting ready for the first-day shoot of his next Punjabi film, Ek Duje De Vaste, directed by Harry Bhatt and starring beautiful ladies Aakansha Sareen and Tanvi Negi, Kartar is made to run through this muhurat shot. This six-feet-two-inch actor has come straight from the airport after judging an event in Australia. While the director, producer and spot boys make a dash from one corner of the gurdwara in sector-38, where the shooting is taking place, the actor and the director find time to share with us something that is interesting, something not many fans know.

Kartar takes the lead.

When girls go crazy “It’s embarrassing, but true; sometimes in my gym or when I am out in some mall or store, girls have literally approached with a request to feel my muscles, my abs. Earlier, such a strange request would bother me, but now it’s okay.

Sushmita kahan se mileygi

Bai tu tan lama hi aina hain, ani lambi heroine kiton lai ke aaiye, lagda Sushmita Sen nu bulana pau (you are so tall that we can’t any heroine for you, I think we have to call Sushmita Sen)... is something Punjabi directors have often told me. So, if a director casts me first, then they look for a girl who is tall enough and if the actress is cast first, well, then I should look handsome with her!

Perfect 2 am friend

I don’t know whether you know, but Mahesh Bhatt is an extremely sensitive man; if you share with him any sad incident or problem, he would call in the middle of the night to inquire if all is well. And, I can do the same with him as well.

Projects that never took off

I have been in the industry for 10 years and have struggled immensely. Producers would sign me, give me some amount and never start a film. I would be the only actor who has more films halted in between than released! This however has taught me a lot. And now, I am in a space where I can proudly say that all this has been a learning experience.

Fitness killed depression

I had many low moments in my career. I had done theatre and acting was the only craft I had, yet nothing worked. That’s when I moved towards fitness; I would train for 4-5 hours, I virtually started staying in the gym. Next thing I knew was that exercise had pulled me out of depression. After that it is a way of life for me. My exercise regimen keeps me away from any kind of low feelings.

jasmine@tribunemail.com