22082026-LSTL-01.qxd 8/21/2026 7:47 PM Page 1 c m y b TRIBUNE GANDHARI TO PREMIERE SOON Sexy era Life Taapsee Pannu is set to headline the upcoming action-thriller Gandhari, which follows Bani, a mother who faces a series of challenges and goes to extraordinary lengths to find and protect her daughter. Gandhari premieres on Netflix on September 3. Victoria’s Secret has unveiled the new Very Sexy collection, with brand ambassador Triptii Dimri leading the campaign and joining the brand to celebrate its launch at Victoria’s Secret, Ambience Mall. LUDHIANA | SATURDAY | 22 AUGUST 2026 Rohit Gandhi+Rahul Khanna’s show Noir Botanica brings together theatrical glamour, meticulous craftsmanship & clothes designed for real people Strong silhouette, Mona W HEN the lights go down, Rohit Gandhi + Rahul Khanna turn fashion into a spectacle. Returning to Mumbai on Thursday, the designers unveiled Noir Botanica, their new capsule for the upcoming season, in an intimate presentation at Galeries Lafayette Mumbai that blurred the lines between runway, theatre and late-night salon. Rather than a conventional fashion show, the evening was imagined as a world after dark—one shaped by music, movement, glamour and decadence, with the clothing at its centre. BACK TO THE ESSENCE OF RGRK For the designers, Noir Botanica represents a return to the fundamentals of their practice. After years of building increasingly elaborate worlds through their collections and presentations, the Mumbai show strips the idea back to its essence: strong silhouettes, exceptional surfaces and meticulous handwork, translated into clothing with a sense of occasion but grounded in real life. “We wanted this to come from the heart. Clothes that people want to wear, with a strong silhouette, oodles of drama beautiful texture and handwork, but which still feel relevant to real life. In a way, it is about going back to making real clothes for real people,” they shared. That philosophy runs through both the menswear and womenswear. Evening dressing is reworked through sharper tailoring, unexpected proportions, fluid forms, sheer elements, corsetry and sculptural construction, giving familiar RGRK codes a more contemporary expression. THE RGRK LANGUAGE, AFTER DARK Noir Botanica draws inspiration from architectural ornament, botanical forms and the human body, translating each into a wardrobe that balances opposing forces—softness with structure, transparency with density, fluidity with precision. The designers’ signature molten textures appear alongside sheer surfaces, while zardozi, hand-thread embroidery and handcrafted lace meet modern techniques including laser cutting, embossing and metallic detailing. Embroidery becomes almost architectural, with weight, relief and dimension rather than simply serving as decoration. Textured silk, velvet, crepe, cashmere wool and chiffon are transformed through appliqué, surface construction, fringing and the house’s signature braided techniques. The palette remains firmly nocturnal, moving through oxidised silver, charcoal, gunmetal, chalk white and black-on-black. A PARISIAN NIGHT AT GALERIES LAFAYETTE For the presentation, Galeries Lafayette Mumbai became more than a venue. The store was transformed into an intimate, slightly mysterious setting inspired by the nostalgia of jazz and the glamour of 1930s evening culture—not as a literal recreation, but as an evocation of the heat, intimacy and decadence of a memorable night. “We didn’t want to simply put a runway inside the store. We wanted to imagine what it would feel like if Galeries Lafayette became this slightly mysterious Parisian room; jazz playing, people dressed for the evening, and the clothes becoming part of that atmosphere,” Apeksha Gupta, Chief Marketing & Growth Officer, Galeries Lafayette, India. VIJAY VARMA THE SHOWSTPPER The evening culminated with Vijay Varma closing the presentation in a striking Noir Botanica look. The actor stepped onto the runway in a deep mossy RAHUL KHANNA, KAJOL AND ROHIT GANDHI CHAT UP SPECIAL SCREENING OF BATWARA THE ODYSSEY CREATES RECORD Christopher Nolan’s blockbuster epic film The Odyssey has drawn in another record in its celebrated box office journey. The film has officially become the highest-grossing R-rated film of all time with $1.352 billion worldwide. With this, it has overtaken the benchmark set by 2024’s Deadpool & Wolverine, which collected $1.338 billion. ARIANA GRANDE SLAMS TRUMP Ariana Grande has slammed US President Donald Trump for using her song We Can’t Be Friends (Wait for Your Love) in a TikTok video promoting anti-transgender views, as her record label works to have the track removed from the clip. “Never use my music again,” Grande wrote. (Clockwise from top) Zayed Khan, Vishal Jethwa, a model in RGRK creation, Sophie Choudry & Vijay Varma With its Make Your Own Ramen Bowl offer, OKO at The LaLiT Chandigarh pairs Japanese flavours with Indian hospitality AB WL Mona Filmmaker Rajkumar Santoshi hosted a special screening of his film Batwara 1947 for spiritual leaders from different faiths on Thursday evening. The Sunny-Deol starrer struck an emotional chord with moviegoers in Mumbai, with many of them lauding its patriotic theme, Partition-era narrative and performances by Sunny Deol, Preity Zinta and Shabana Azmi. olive ensemble comprising a lustrous satin shirt, relaxed tailored trousers and a statement embellished velvet jacket. The evening drew a distinguished gathering from fashion, film, music and popular culture, including Kajol, Babil Khan, Mahima Makwana, Pragya Jaiswal, Stebin Ben, Jonita Gandhi, Sukriti and Prakriti Kakar, Mrinalika Bhanjdeo, Gurfateh Pirzada, Vishal Jethwa, Sophie Choudry, Sarah Jane Dias, Shalini Passi and Zayed Khan. Eating out is never simply about what arrives on the plate. It is the interplay of presentation, atmosphere, flavour and service — a carefully crafted experience that begins with the first impression and lingers long after the final bite. At OKO, The LaLiT Chandigarh, Executive Chef Krishan Chaddha is bringing that magic to the table with a refreshed panAsian experience that combines contemporary technique with the warmth of Indian hospitality. With decades of experience across leading national and international destinations, Chef Chaddha’s approach is simple: exceptional food should always be accompanied by genuine warmth—the spirit of Atithi Devo Bhava. His new menu explores the evolving appetite for Asian cuisine while keeping the focus on freshness, flavour and balance. “People love to have ramen these days. It is a meal in itself — a healthy option with protein, herbs and fresh ingredients. Japanese cuisine, in particular, is trending because people are looking for something fresh and authentic, with lighter options,” he says. full of comfort Dumplings bring together heat, freshness and aromatic herbs, while the Sweetly Roasted Chilli Vegetable Dim Sum offers a flavourful vegetarian option. Then comes the signature Flying Ramen Bowl — part meal, part presentation, using familiar Asian favourites to create an experience that feels engaging and memorable. The meal can be paired with an Orange, Kaffir Lime and Strawberry Cooler, bright, citrusy accompaniments that keeps things refreshing between courses. Dessert brings the experience to a softer close with a Caramel Custard, offering a familiar sweetness after the more layered flavours of the meal. A MENU THAT EVOLVES One of the most interesting aspects of Chef Chaddha’s approach is that the menu at OKO is not designed to remain static. The chef plans to reinvent and refresh the offerings, allowing the restaurant to respond to changing tastes while keeping the experience exciting for returning diners. His own culinary journey informs this approach. With roots that connect Kolkata, Punjab and Lahore, and a family history shaped by Partition CHEF KRISHAN CHADDHA & CHEF DEV BUDHA and migration, Chef Chaddha brings a layered understanding of food and its ability to carry memories across generations and geographies. A LITTLE THEATRE ON THE PLATE At the helm of the pan-Asian kitchen is Chef de Cuisine Dev Budha, for whom food is a form of storytelling. His carefully curated tasting menu goes beyond flavour, bringing together presentation, texture and a touch of theatre. From the dramatic c m y b SERVICE THAT COMPLETES THE EXPERIENCE Flying Ramen Bowl arriving at the table to beautifully composed small plates, each dish is designed to be as much a visual experience as it is a culinary one.The menu opens with light and refreshing choices such as the Avocado Tartare with Crispy Nori, followed by sushi selections, including Avocado Asparagus Uramaki and the Ebi Tempura Roll. For those looking for something more substantial, the Beijing Chicken, Chilli and Cilantro At OKO, the food is only one part of the equation. The attentive waiting team adds another layer to the experience, offering recommendations, explaining dishes and helping guests navigate the menu according to their preferences. It is this combination of hospitality, presentation and food that Chef Chaddha hopes will define OKO’s next chapter. The Make Your Own Ramen Bowl offer runs till August 31.