Latest news with #VeerHanuman–
Time of India
19-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Hunar Hali: Mayank and I are in a 'Living Apart Together' marriage
Hunar Hali with Mayank Gandhi In an age where social media often dictates what a happy marriage should look like, complete with couple selfies and curated life updates, actress Hunar Hali chooses to keep her personal life private. Married to actor-turned-entrepreneur Mayank Gandhi for nine years, Hunar says she doesn't feel the need to prove anything online. She says, 'I believe sharing intimate moments can open the relationship to unwanted attention, judgment, and negativity. If someone chooses to be out there for visibility, then they must accept the consequences too. There is no point in playing the victim later. What works for one couple might not work for another. I do not want to attend public events as a couple just to shut down speculation. People can think what they want. I genuinely do not care.' Although they live in separate cities, with Mayank based in Delhi and Hunar in Mumbai, the actress says their marriage is thriving. She says, 'We are in what is called a LAT marriage, Living Apart Together, and we have mastered the art of coexisting from a healthy distance. Ours is a marriage of understanding, not necessarily one of presence. I am happily married to my independence in Mumbai. Mayank's work takes him all over. We connect when we need to, and the rest of the time, we are focused on our individual paths. Not all marriages are built under one roof, and that is perfectly okay. We do not need to display our bond on social media to validate it. And no, we do not check in with each other like customs clearance at airports.' Hunar is currently seen in Siddharth Kumar Tewary's show Veer Hanuman – Bolo Bajrang Bali Ki Jai, in which she plays Kaikeyi. Last month, she was injured on set during a shoot. She says with a laugh, 'There is a belief that when you play divine characters, God watches over you more closely. I usually do nazar utarna for myself, and my hair stylist does it too, but that day we skipped it. During the shoot, a cutter stand fell on me, grazing my head and injuring my bare shoulder and hand. Thankfully, the wig and crown protected my head. The shoot was halted, and I panicked, thinking it was a fracture, but the doctor said it was a muscle injury.' The actress, who has become quite selective with her roles, says her current choices are shaped by both artistic values and a long-term vision. She adds, 'I want to build a strong reputation and avoid roles that typecast me. I try to associate myself with projects that offer quality storytelling. Even if a show is not commercially big, I value it if I resonate with it creatively.' Waiting between meaningful projects can often be financially challenging, but Hunar takes a practical approach to stability. She says, 'Financial independence is important. I am fortunate to have a supportive family and do not carry the responsibility of being the sole earner. Acting is not my only source of income. I also earn through events and endorsements. This idea that an actor is only relevant when seen on screen needs to change. Many people may not be active in television or films yet remain constantly visible on social media. It really makes you question what relevance means today.'
Time of India
06-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Mahir Pandhi: I've been rejected for positive roles because of my coloured eyes
Mahir Pandhi Although Mahir Pandhi has explored a range of characters in recent years, his early days in the industry were marked by typecasting. Currently seen in Siddharth Kumar Tewary's Veer Hanuman – Bolo Bajrang Bali Ki Jai, the actor reveals that his distinct features, particularly his green eyes, led to repeated rejections for positive roles early on. He recalls, 'When I first came to Mumbai, people would take one look at my eyes and face and say I should be cast as a terrorist or criminal. I've been offered selective types of roles, mostly negative — the toxic guy, the one running a prostitution racket, or other shady characters. I've almost always been rejected for the hero's role because of how I look. Choti Sarrdaarni was a rare exception, and I'm thankful the makers saw me differently.' Determined to break the mould, Mahir actively sought out roles that would challenge him and push the boundaries. He says, 'As you grow in the industry, you begin to crave characters that push you creatively. The real concern isn't just being typecast, but the fear of being boxed in and denied the chance to explore diverse roles. Thankfully, I've crossed that phase. When I look at something like Jee Karda, in which I played a gay character and had intimate scenes with both genders, I feel proud of the choices I've made. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like These Are The Most Beautiful Women In The World Undo From the entirely negative role in Vanshaj to doing a rom-com for the Thai industry, I've been trying to expand my range.' He also touches upon the limited creative agency actors often have on set. 'Unless you're a big name, you're expected to simply follow the script. The moment you express a point of view, the label 'difficult' or 'attitude problem' is thrown around. That's why I've become very selective about the projects I take on and the teams I associate with,' he concludes.
Time of India
30-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Hunar Hale to portray Kaikeyi in Veer Hanuman
Hunar Hale After patiently waiting for the right opportunity, Hunar Hale — last seen in Deewani, which wrapped up in December 2024 — is now set to return to television. She has been finalised to portray the role of Kaikeyi in Siddharth Kumar Tewary 's upcoming mythological series Veer Hanuman – Bolo Bajrang Bali Ki Jai. This marks her second foray into the mythological genre after Paramavatar Shri Krishna, where she essayed the role of Rukmini five years ago. While Hunar remained unavailable for comment, a source closely associated with the show shared, 'We finalised Hunar for the character because she fits the part perfectly. Just like the other mythological characters in the show, we've put in a lot of effort into crafting Kaikeyi's role. It will be portrayed with great depth and nuance. Hunar has already begun shooting in Umbergaon.' Interestingly, preparing for the role required a physical change for the actress. Hunar had to undergo a dental procedure to align with the appearance of the character. The source revealed, 'She had to get a procedure done to correct her buck tooth for the role of Kaikeyi. In mythological shows, it is crucial for actors to look a certain way. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch vàng CFDs với sàn môi giới tin cậy IC Markets Tìm hiểu thêm Undo Since the shoot was scheduled to begin immediately, she opted for composite bonding as a temporary fix. It was a two-hour procedure to get her ready for the part.' Before being finalised for this significant role in Veer Hanuman, the actress was also approached to play the antagonist in Chakravarti Samrat Prithviraj Chauhan. However, the discussions reportedly fell through due to budgetary concerns. Hunar has been part of numerous television shows over the years, including Grihasti, 12/24 Karol Bagh, Sasural Genda Phool, Chhal – Sheh Aur Maat, Thapki Pyaar Ki, Patiala Babes, and Gauna – Ek Pratha. Apart from acting, she is deeply passionate about music and environmental causes. On the personal front, Hunar has been married to actor Mayank Gandhi for the past nine years.
