Deepak Tijori to make a comeback as an actor with film Ittar
“My first film received immense love. I am starting my second innings as an actor with a film titled Ittar. I am hoping people will give me as much love as they did for Aashiqui,” opened up Deepak Tijori, who made a quick dash to Chandigarh on Wednesday.
Tijori was in city for the inauguration of Mandeep Hot Yoga Studio in Sector 17. A prominent actor in the 90s with hit films like Dil Hai Ke Manta Nahin, Sadak, Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar, Kabhi Haan Kabhi Naa and Baadshah, he turned to directing in 2003 with film Oops! Fareb, Tom, Dick and Harry, Rock’In Love, Do Lafzon Ki Kahani. The 2024 film Tipppsy was his last directorial venture. Most of the films that he directed are also written and produced by him. “Mahesh Bhatt saheb (director of his first film Aashiqui) told us that there would be a time in your life when there would be no time. You would be busy writing, directing and telling inspiring stories to the world,” shared Tijori, who has written three of the seven films that he has directed.
None, however, has surpassed the 90s magic. “Even today, youngsters reach up to me and talk of the songs from Aashiqui and Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar, which is so surprising and sweet at the same time.”
After staying behind the camera for a while, Tijori is coming back as an actor for Ittar. “It’s a mature love story, like half of our population in their second innings of love,” says Tijori. Directed by National Award-winning director Veena Bakshi, it also has Rituparna Sengupta opposite him.
Ask him on what he does in his free time, he answers, “I am very boring. I am a vegetarian, I don’t drink, don’t party much. I just keep to myself largely.” Among the friends in the industry, he counts Aashiqui lead Rahul Roy as one!
“With the OTT boom, it’s a good time for actors and directors, and I am really looking forward to more films and shows,” he signs off.
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Accompanying him was Mandeep Kaur Sandhu, who opened her first Hot Yoga Studio in 2009 in Mumbai. Sizzling at 40 degree, does Chandigarh really need Hot Yoga? Mandeep asks back, “Let’s be honest how much time do we really spend outside? With our cars, homes and offices all air conditioned, we barely get the heat. Even our gyms are air conditioned!” Her specially designed studio with Melting Chambers is set at a precise 41 degree centigrade with 40 per cent humidity, carefully calibrated for optimal body response and safety.
“Ours is an expertly crafted 25-posture programme rooted in Hatha, Ashtanga, Vinyasa and Rhythmic yoga developed by certified instructors trained under the Bikram Yoga College of India. The sequence is designed to engage every part of the body muscles, ligaments, veins and organs for peak functionality and holistic health,” offers Mandeep.
Deepak Tijori is a hot yoga practitioner and he trained under Mandeep Kaur Sandhu. His friend Raj Zutshi introduced him to Hot Yoga. “I find it very beneficial not just weight loss but also internal health. Now that I am going to face the camera, I have become pretty regular in it!”
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