19042026-LSTL-01.qxd 4/18/2026 10:51 PM Page 1 c m y b RAHUL’S BIRTHDAY POWERPLAY Athiya Shetty celebrated cricketer KL Rahul’s 34th birthday with an Instagram carousel tracing their journey — wedding, holidays and baby daughter Evaarah. TRIBUNE New role Life Vijay Deverakond has joined hands with filmmaker Shouryuv for his next feature film, the actor announced on Saturday. The actor shared the first look poster on Instagram. LUDHIANA | SUNDAY | 19 APRIL 2026 Sitarist Rishab Rikhiram Sharma’s Gen Z appeal on full display at World Street Downtown, New Chandigarh Nonika Singh L ET me confess! My first introduction to hugely famous singermusician Rishab Rikhiram Sharma was through my daughter. If that explains the Gen Z sitarist’s hold over young of the country, the teeming crowds at World Street Downtown, New Chandigarh, further underlined how the 27-year-old has risen like a youth icon in the galaxy of Bhartiya Shastriya Sangeet. His fingers, which glide over his muse, the sitar, like a magician’s, are right on the pulse of the people. Attired in Rimple and Harpreet’s turquoise blue outfit, solitaires in his ears sparkling like his music, a huge necklace adorning his angrakha, he isn’t your regular classical musician. Of course, the training of this fourth-generation musician reflects in his control over his chosen instrument, especially when he moves to drut, ati drut renditions. His hennaed hands, there is no way you can mistake the trishul pattern, know when to stop and when to create scintillating patterns. Well aware that his audiences at an openground concert are not exactly classical music connoisseurs, he explains a thing or two for the uninitiated. Like what Des in Raag Des means, how teen taal works. But once again, perhaps acutely conscious of his fans’ dwindling attention spans, he Classical goes cool! does not go into laborious details. His elaboration of Raag Bihag, his personal favourite, is rather brief too, but no less masterful. His accompanists not only provide ample support but hold their own and he lets them shine. But, of course, thousands gather at every venue for his 10-city Sitar for Mental Health India Tour; as they want to hear this youngest disciple of illustrious Pt Ravi Shankar, a claim denied by Anoushka Shankar. And the new-age classical artiste, who sings bhajans like Shiv Kailash Ke Vaasi, Shankar Sankat Harna with just the right spiritual fervour, knows exactly what they want. Purists might frown at his Bollywood covers. Nevertheless, he makes the sitar sing in his rendition of songs like Zara Zara as well. Of course, the world knows him better for his own compositions — The Burning Ghat and his exceptionally rousing Tandvam with which he climaxes to thunderous applause. A Shiv bhakt, he proves the While his idol, the legendary Ravi Shankar, put sitar on the world map, New York-based Rishab Rikhiram Sharma is busy making Indian youth connect with its anant sounds and its power to heal. Clearly, when music defies rules, it soars free. Almighty is one and renders shabads too. Adhering to the Sikh tradition, not only do he and his team of accompanists cover their heads with patkas, but he also asks the audience to do the same. Guru Ram Das ji’s Kit Bidh Miley in Raag Bairag comes alive beautifully and poignantly. Earnest in his attempt to make classical music accessible to all, never mind that ticket prices run into the thousands, on Friday night he makes this part of Punjab — more used to grooving to Punjabi beats — listen with rapt attention to this versatile stringed Indian classical instrument, the heartbeat of shastriya sangeet. CHAT UP PRIYANKA CHOPRA JONAS FRIENDS FOREVER SANJANA SANGHI FUN TIME WITH VARUN Taylor Swift has offered a rare glimpse into her friendship with actor Dakota Johnson, praising her honesty. Swift wrote the piece as Johnson was named among TIME’s 100 Most Influential People of 2026, describing the actor as someone whose name has become “synonymous with refreshing honesty in a world of media-trained answers”. Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona has become one of the most awaited rom-coms, because it brings back the hilarious and wholesome reunion of Varun Dhawan and Maniesh Paul under the directorial vision of the OG David Dhawan, promising double chaos, double drama and double the laughter! The film hits theatres on May 22. Beyond the silver screen When Bollywood stars swap scripts for a cause, the world takes notice The narrative of Indian cinema has undergone a seismic shift. A new generation of stars is transcending the traditional boundaries of stardom to become pivotal figures in global diplomacy and social reform. From the corridors of the United Nations to remote refugee camps, actors like Priyanka Chopra Jonas, Dia Mirza, Ayushmann Khurrana, Sanjana Sanghi and Bhumi Pednekar are leveraging their massive digital footprints and personal convictions to drive systemic change on an international scale. voices of refugee children. Through campaigns like Girl Up, she champions the empowerment of young women. A HERO ON-SCREEN & OFF IT Ayushmann Khurrana, UNICEF India National Ambassador, has channelled his global influence toward child rights and digital safety, notably leading the charge against cyberbullying and violence against children. THE YOUNGEST VOICE GOING BORDERLESS AYUSHMANN KHURRANA The transition from movie star to global advocate is best exemplified by Priyanka Chopra Jonas. As a UNICEF Global Goodwill Ambassador, her work is no longer local but truly borderless. She has consistently used her platform to address the silent crises of our time, travelling to Jordan, Ethiopia and Bangladesh to amplify the Among the youngest voices in global advocacy, Sanjana Sanghi has quickly emerged as a powerful force for youth-led change. As UNDP India Youth Champion, she drives initiatives like Youth Co:Lab, focusing on education equity, digital inclusion and amplifying youth voices in policy. She became one of the youngest Indian actors to address the United Nations General Assembly. She serves on the Advisory Board of the Millennium Campus Network alongside John Legend, has sat on the jury for the UN’s Young Leaders for the SDGs. WEARING GREEN BHUMI PEDNEKAR Bhumi Pednekar has woven climate THE DEFENDER activism into her identity as UNDP Dia Mirza has become a India’s National Advocate for formidable voice for the planet. SDGs. Through her Climate Serving as UN Environment Goodwill Warrior initiative, she has Ambassador for India and a UN Secrepartnered with international tary-General’s Advocate for Sustainable bodies to promote sustainDevelopment Goals, Mirza has been instru- able living and gendermental in the fight against plastic pollution. inclusive economic growth. c m y b GLORY TO PULKIT Pulkit Samrat made headlines at the trailer launch of Glory when he stepped into the boxing ring for a live exhibition match against pro boxer Neeraj Goyat. Rather than a standard stage appearance, the event featured an actual boxing bout, with the actor sharing the ring with a professional fighter.