12072026-LSTL-01.qxd 7/11/2026 10:02 PM Page 1 c m y b HOPKINS’ MUSICAL DEBUT Oscar-winning actor Anthony Hopkins is set to release his debut classical music album, Life Is a Dream on August 21. The 88-year-old actor released the album’s first single, Bracken Road, on Friday. The collection features compositions that Hopkins has written over the past six decades. TRIBUNE Wake up Life Bollywood actor Annu Kapoor would next be seen in Hindi short film Silent Crimes: Not Just a Film, A Wake-Up Call. LUDHIANA | SUNDAY | 12 JULY 2026 ‘Pain is temporary… “He is like a dream son” As Main Vaapas Aaunga wins back the audience after a slow opening, filmmaker Imtiaz Ali reflects on Partition, Punjab and the enduring power of stories rooted in love and belonging cinema is permanent’ Heartened by the response to his film, which, ironically picked up after being declared ‘dead INALLY Chandigarh, which he calls on arrival’, this theatrical run, he shares, is sig‘first world’, beeps on celebrated direc- nificant, for he would like people to watch his tor Imitiaz Ali’s radar. As he goes the- films on the big screen. Many of his movies like atre hopping in the City Beautiful to Tamasha, today hailed as a masterpiece, didn’t check the pulse of audiences and get do too well on the box office. first-hand information on their response to his So what’s more gratifymuch acclaimed film Main Vaapas Aauning for a maker? Instant ga, he also relives what formed the success of a film or for it basis of his moving film on Partition. to pass the acid test of Undeniably, he has seen many time? He quips, “Pain is movies and considers Freedom at temporary… cinema is Midnight by Larry Collins and permanent.” And, love Dominique Lapierre, the motheven more constant …. My film Main er of all books on the cataSince he has expressed clysmic historical period. But his love for Punjab more Vaapas Aaunga what truly inspired him and his than once, what image of opened at ~1 crore film were the personal stories of the state does he carry in as we failed to market and those affected by the hastily his heart? Pat comes the drawn Radcliffe line. publicise it properly. Today, thanks reply, “Wheat fields and As the narrative of his film gentle breeze.” Of to word-of-mouth publicity, it is hovers between two periods course, the Punjab you grossing ~100 crore. For this I can see in his cinema is 1947 and modern day Punjab, only be grateful to the audience. he thinks both are very impormuch more than that. Among the vast lexicon tant for the state for which his of Punjabi words expectedlove is as legendary as majority of his love tales. Of course, Main Vaapas… is ly ‘chardi kalan’ is his favourite. Poetic lines that more than a love story. In times when Pakistan remain indelible on his mindscape are songs by bashing has become a norm what made him go Amar Singh Chamkila, whose life he brought against the current? Well, he says, “The film is alive in his stirring biopic on the controversial set in undivided India, so it’s not about loving singer. If Amar Singh Chamkila led to Main Vaaor hating Pakistan. Besides, all the people I pas…Laila Majnu the film he produced and his met none of them spoke of hatred.” To hate- brother Sajid Ali directed; will soon be followed mongers who often admonish Indian Mus- up by Heer Ranjha with the same team. What lims with ‘go to Pakistan’ jibe he reminds, more can he convey on the unrequited eternal “More than anyone else Indian Muslims have love legend, well you will have to watch the film proved their patriotism by deciding to stay in to know the answer. If movie-goers, including Gen Z, have experienced the many poignant India when they had a choice.” Since the film is quintessentially love for layers of his film, their responses have become one’s roots and ‘home is where the heart is’ a refresher course for him which will not only one wonders what home means to him person- help reassess his future course but has also reinally. And the maker says, “Home is a version of stated his belief that “audience like a good who you were. Like Ishar in Main Vaapas… we film.” Of course, our favourite director will all yearn to return to being that person we were return with a cinematic gem each time we meet his directorial skill on screen. when we were home.” Nonika Singh Anne Hathaway has nothing but praise for her The Odysseyco-star Tom Holland, saying she hopes her own children grow up to be just like the actor after playing his mother in Christopher Nolan’s upcoming epic. During a joint interview, Hathaway opened up about working alongside Holland, who plays Telemachus to her Penelope in Nolan’s retelling of Homer’s The Odyssey. The Oscar-winning actor, who is expecting her third child with husband Adam Shulman, said the experience left her admiring Holland both on and off screen. — ANI F PHOTO: PRADEEP TEWARI Anne Hathaway hopes her kids grow up like herThe Odyssey co-star Tom Holland It’s very sad that Satluj release has been paused, though I am not qualified to pass any comment on it. All I can say is that a film finds its way to live. Let’s hope the issue will be resolved soon. Aamir Khan, Kabir Khan announce Silkyara 41 WHAT’S HOT food A landmark cinematic collaboration unveiled as India and Australia enter a new chapter in bilateral relations. Aamir Khan Productions (India) , Mind Blowing Films (Australia) and Kabir Khan Films are delighted to announce SILKYARA 41, a fea- chandigarh BENTO & BEYOND “India has some of the most enthusiastic and knowledgeable cinematic audiences in the world,” says Christopher Nolan Subhash K Jha Christopher Nolan, Matt Damon, Tom Holland and Emma Thomas are in Mumbai for the monumental Indian premiere of The Odyssey. The team surprised fans and media at a special screening on Friday, while Saturday’s schedule was designated for an industry-wide red carpet with Indian celebrities. During their live interaction with the audience, the the team expressed profound appreciation for Indian film culture. Christopher Nolan shared that he had wanted to launch a film in India for many years, calling Indian moviegoers “some of the most enthusiastic and knowledgeable cinematic audiences in the world”. Matt Damon remarked that the Mumbai screening felt like their “first real audience,” since previous viewings were restricted to friends and family. Tom Holland praised the crowd, saying that “no one brings an energy to a movie theatre like you do here in India”. BOUND TO CREATE chandigarh first-ever India premiere play G ET handcuffed to your partner and take on the challenge of painting together on one canvas. Since both of you must move and paint as a team, it turns into a hilarious and memorable experience filled with teamwork and laughter. Olive Cafe and Bar, Chandigarh. July 12 onwards till July 19. love chandigarh Christopher Nolan’s U NLEASH your creativity and craft the cutest lunch you have ever seen at this Japanese bento making workshop coming to Chandigarh. Learn the traditional art of bento where food meets fun in true Japanese style. Cafe Coffee Day, Sector 16, Chandigarh. July 11 onwards till July 26. STRINGS OF THE MAESTRO T HE world’s youngest Sarangi Maestro, Nabeel Khan, brings his India Tour 2026 to Chandigarh for an evening of pure musical magic. Experience the spellbinding power of the sarangi in a live fusion performance. Diablo, Chandigarh. July 12. c m y b Operation Safed Sagar teaser out Siddharth, Jimmy Shergill lead India’s highest air war drama Netflix has dropped the teaser for its upcoming military drama Operation Safed Sagar, inspired by the Indian Air Force’s historic role during the 1999 Kargil War. Starring Siddharth, Jimmy Shergill, Abhay Verma, and Mihir Ahuja, the series premieres on August 7. Set against the backdrop of the Kargil conflict, Operation Safed Sagar chronicles the Indian Air Force’s daring high-altitude mission and follows the Golden Arrows Squadron as they undertake one of the most challenging aerial operations in military history. The newly released teaser introduces Mihir Ahuja, Abhay Verma, and Taaruk Raina as young Air Force pilots preparing for combat. As they gear up for a dangerous mission in the skies, they are mentored by seasoned officers played by Siddharth and Jimmy Shergill. Directed by Oni Sen and created by Abhijeet Singh Parmar and Kushal Srivastava, the series also features Dia Mirza, Prajakta Koli, Adil Hussain, Arnav Bhasin, and Amrita Bagchi in key roles. ture film inspired by the extraordinary rescue mission at the Silkyara Tunnel in Uttarakhand, India. Written by Andrew Anastasios and directed by Kabir Khan, the film marks a historic milestone as an exciting collaboration between India and Australia.