10072026-LSTL-01.qxd 7/9/2026 8:08 PM Page 1 c m y b RAHMAN ALL PRAISE FOR SONU AR Rahman has reunited with singer Sonu Nigam for a new song in the upcoming film, Batwara 1947. Sharing the update on X, Rahman announced that Nigam has recorded the melody, Oh Tabassum, for the Rajkumar Santoshi directorial and praised the singer’s romantic vocals. TRIBUNE Love story Life Manish Malhotra debuts at Paris Haute Couture Week with Maa collection Janhvi Kapoor grabbed attention at her sister Anshula Kapoor’s wedding for a small detail in her mehendi. Her mehendi had the name “Shikhu”, the nickname of her rumoured boyfriend Shikhar Pahariya, written in Hindi. LUDHIANA | FRIDAY | 10 JULY 2026 In memory of maa Indian fashion designer Manish Malhotra marked a milestone in his career by making his official debut at Paris Haute Couture Week on July 8. He presented his Fall/Winter 2026 collection, Maa, at the iconic Pavillon Cambon in Paris. The show paid a tribute to his late mother while bringing Indian craftsmanship to one of fashion’s most exclusive global platforms. The collection was inspired by Malhotra’s mother Sudarshan Malhotra, who passed away on March 19, 2026, at the age of 94. In his official show notes, Malhotra reflected on the inspiration behind the collection, writing, “Her passing has transformed memory into reflection, and reflection into creation.” He also described the collection as a tribute to the “architecture of a mother’s unconditional love,” celebrating the enduring influence his mother had on his life and creative journey. According to the designer, she encouraged his early fascination with cinema and textiles when he was a young boy. ISHA CHAMPIONS INDIAN LUXURY Executive Director of Reliance Retail, Isha Ambani, attended designer Manish Malhotra’s Autumn/Winter 2026 Haute Couture presentation during Paris Haute Couture Week. During her visit, she also attended designer Rahul Mishra’s presentation, reflecting her continued engagement with Indian designers who are building a global presence. Styled with jewellery from Nita Ambani’s private collection alongside bespoke Lorraine Schwartz pieces, the look celebrated Indian craftsmanship on one of fashion’s most prestigious stages. chandigarh WHAT’S HOT eat ‘Don’t wannaapeanydirector’ Siddharth P Malhotra has brought Sunny Deol back in the iconic black lawyer’s coat for Ikka. But, the director insists that the Netflix film is not another ‘Taarikh pe taarikh’ outing MONSOON BREWS C chandigarh HAI addas are everywhere, but have you stopped by this quaint little coffee adda in the Industrial Area II? KOKOMO Coffee Roasters is the perfect spot to grab a quick cup of coffee and pair it with a slice of cake or a freshly baked cookie. play EXPLORE NATURE T ludhiana HIS July, embark on a journey of faith and discovery with Begumpura – Eye of the Sky, a solo exhibition by young and emerging artist Harmandeep Keerti. The exhibition will be open from July 10 to July 31 at 105arts Gallery, House No. 105, Sector 11. love PLAY ALONG C LUB Aqua is set to launch its Ladies Games Collective on July 13, creating a vibrant space where women can play, connect, and belong. Bringing together the excitement of Mahjong and card games, the initiative promises an engaging blend of strategy, fun, and meaningful social connections. NonikaSingh Paisa wasool and a Netflix film… the two adjuncts might seem as different as chalk and cheese. But director Siddharth P Malhotra promises that his film Ikka, all set to stream today, is a blend of masala and gravitas. You bet, it’s a courtroom drama and murder mystery thriller, a genre the OTT space is already saturated with. Only Siddharth insists, “In Ikka, there is a very strong emotional thrust and the courtroom proceeding is a device to introduce twists and turns.” As audiences will see Sunny Deol once again step into the shoes of a lawyer, are they in for a similar dose of iconic ‘ Taarikh pe taarikh’ variant? Siddharth reasons, “I didn’t want to take the pressure of the film Damini on my head. Critics might often think paisa wasool films don’t have enough depth, credibility and gravitas. Ikka has it all—from seeti-taali dialogues to women having agency. Besides, I don’t want to be aping any director.” But he assures us that we will not only see Sunny as a star but also as an actor. Since Ikka also stars Akshaye Khanna and both Sunny and he are experiencing flush of stardom and box office success, did he consider releasing the film in theatres? And he quips, “That is Netflix’s call.” c m y b His was to make a film with a good story, one with relentless pace and to ensure viewers watch with unwavering attention. Indeed, an OTT film too has its compulsions which might be vastly different from BO barometer. But Siddarth proclaims, “There is an algorithm and rhythm to assess hit/flop of an OTT film too.” With Akshaye and Sunny steering the film, chances of Ikka grabbing more than eyeballs is pretty high and he has taken care to cater to their fandom. But, he also adds, “In this film all characters are important, women have agency and one could say the ultimate face off is between Sunny’s character and Tillotoma Shome’s character of the prosecution lawyer.” Siddharth is so besotted by Tillotoma the actor that if given an opportunity he would cast her in every film of his. For some- one who has worked with newbies like Junaid Khan and Sharvari in Maharaj, he admits, “One has to be mindful of their strengths and weaknesses. Experienced actors on the other hand bring a lot to the table.” Of course, getting them to sign on the dotted line isn’t easy. The fact that Siddharth, grandson of veteran actors Prem Nath and Bina Rai, happens to come from a strong legacy does help build the trust. Yet, Siddharth says, “Still, they would test you and throw curveballs your way.” Siddharth wants his work to be celebrated and what better than Netflix whose reach spans 120 countries. Whether this Punjabi would ever make a film in the mother tongue of his forefathers, well, “I don’t think in terms of language or caste, region, religion et al but what appeals to me emotionally.” Drawing from childhood memories, Malhotra incorporated the distinctive colours of the sarees his mother wore during the 1970s. On the ramp, the designer blended the structural freedom of French haute couture with India’s rich design heritage. The collection featured luxurious velvets, silks and brocades, enhanced with intricate Indian hand-embroidery techniques, including zardozi, resham, sequins, pearls and precious embellishments. Alongside the couture presentation, Malhotra also unveiled his latest Manish Malhotra Jewellery collection. The debut placed Malhotra among a select group of Indian designers featured on the official Federation de la Haute Couture et de la Mode calendar, further spotlighting Indian karigari on the global couture stage. The presentation attracted a distinguished front row that included Anna Wintour, Isha Ambani, Karan Johar and international actress Fan Bingbing. —ANI