18092026-LSTL-01.qxd 9/17/2026 8:16 PM Page 1 c m y b TRIBUNE Diva returns Life Pop icon Madonna will return to the MTV Video Music Awards stage after 23 years, opening the 2026 ceremony, and leading all artists with 11 nominations. LUDHIANA | FRIDAY | 18 SEPTEMBER 2026 Sabyasachi returns to NYFW with Bengal Byzantine Broadway Mona S ABYASACHI’s return to New York Fashion Week after almost two decades was starkly different to his conventional Indian repertoire; it was more about creating a conversation between New York’s modern wardrobe, Indian craftsmanship and the grandeur of the past. Called Bengal Byzantine Broadway, the 72-look Spring/Summer 2027 collection brought together denim, tailoring, western workwear and extravagant jewellery in a way that felt distinctly metropolitan. The show opened with supermodel Christy Turlington, whose look immediately established the collection’s central tension between everyday dressing and extraordinary ornamentation. She wore denim-on-denim — a shirt, trousers and trench — but the simplicity of the clothes was transformed by layers of Sabyasachi high jewellery. A multicoloured stone necklace, a bold pendant, cuffs and dramatic earrings turned an unmistakably New York wardrobe into something far more opulent. It was an effective statement of the designer’s idea of mixing the ‘high with the low’ — familiar American clothing elevated through Indian craftsmanship and jewels. The show also saw the eagerly-awaited launch of Sabyasachi’s fine jewellery partnership with The Metropolitan Museum of Art, showcasing solid-gold and gemstone-studded Byzantine revival cuffs, Etruscan-inspired pendants and intricate rings. Taking inspiration from the timeless treasure of the Met, Sabyasachi’s collection and jewels were handcrafted in India. Denim became one of the strongest recur- Christy Turlington and other models present creations from Sabyasachi during New York Fashion Week REUTERS Sanghreri gears up to sing The writer of 70-plus Punjabi songs is stepping out from behind the pen The trailer of Sidharth Malhotra and Tamannaah Bhatia-starrer The Vvaan: Force of the Forrest is out, and it takes viewers into a village where an ancient forest, faith and a mysterious goddess are at the centre of the story. Sharing the trailer, the makers wrote, “Faith Meets Folklore, a story like no other comes alive.” The film is written by Arunabh Kumar and directed by Deepak Mishra, with Manu Anand serving as DOP and Visual Director. The Vvaan is scheduled to release in theatres on September 25, 2026. The director talks about the historic web-to-screen transition and a decade of crafting the hit franchise Gurmmeet Singh on play TALES FROM TIHAR E LSEWHERE Foundation and WICCI invite you for an evening of tales from Tihar where author and Dastango, Mahmood Farooqui, who will talk about his latest book The Tihar Players with theatre director Neelam Mansingh Chowdhry. On September 18, 6 pm at Government Museum auditorium, Sector 10, Chandigarh. Open to all. love BRIDAL SHOW came out in 2008. One poem from that book was later recorded as a song by veteran singer Sheera Jasvir. Later talking about the kind of stories he wants to write he said, "I want to write a story about a girl. I don't want to have a hero in it, because for a girl, life is more difficult." For now, though, singing is where he wants to put his energy. "I want to do my own songs as a singer," he said, adding that he wants to dedicate his time to it going forward. Vvaan T V ERMA Jewellers is hosting an exclusive bridal exhibition on September 19 at the Marina Hotel, Shimla. The event features a stunning new collection of exquisite gold, polki and antique jewelry. Visitors can explore handcrafted masterpieces and the latest bridal trends for the upcoming season. shimla Heer, Nachattar Gill and Deep Dhillon. His upcoming single, titled Kithe Ne Sarkaran, features singer Jasmeen Akhtar, with the video going on floor next week and an October release planned. Talking about his upcoming, film Roohdariyan’s lead actor Gurshabad, Sanghreri says, "He is a singer and actor and has done a lot of films such as Chal Mera Putt but Roohdariyan is his first film as lead actor." Sanghreri said the film is expected to release in two to three months. His previous writing credit is Rose Rosy Te Gulab, a 2024 romantic drama directed by Manvir Brar and starring Gurnam Bhullar, Maahi Sharma, Karamjit Anmol, Harby Sangha and Pranjal Dahiya. "I wrote the story, screenplay and dialogue," he said. "I started writing in 1998. My first song released in 2009. In 2016, I had the idea to write a film. I struggled for years, before it finally released.” "My six books have also been released, which are poetry," he said, adding that the first, Mere Haani, Faith meets folklore in FRIES EMPIRE FEAST chandigarh Punjabi lyricist and screenwriter Preet Sanghreri, whose real name is Chamkaur Singh Ghuman, is determined to step into singing after two decades as a lyricist, with a new single set for next month, even as his second film as a writer, Roohdariyan, nears release. Sanghreri is a lyricist, film writer and a singer. His breakthrough came with Ravinder Grewal and Shipra Goyal's hit Lovely V/s PU, and he has since written for singers including Manmohan Waris, Roshan Prince, Kamal ring elements throughout the collection. Japanese denim was paired with ornate Byzantineinspired jewellery, embroidered jackets and richly embellished pieces. Cowboy hats brought an unmistakably American attitude, while rhinestone versions added glamour. Accessories lifted the show artistically. Sculptural handbags were designed with functional hardware, incorporating stones such as jade, tiger jasper and lapis lazuli. Oversized custom acetate (bioplastics — made with bio fibre wood pulp) sunglasses added a distinctly New York polish, while heels featured sculptural metal snouts studded with lapis lazuli. The show closed with Avanti Nagrath in a simple black saree, accompanied by oversized Byzantine-inspired gold jewellery and dark shades. After the abundance of denim, tailoring and western references, the saree brought the collection back to its Indian identity without a jarring note. Its simplicity made the jewellery and silhouette feel even more powerful. And, honestly, the entire look blended well with everyday workwear aesthetic. Rani Mukerji, took the front row seat, looking stunning in a black saree. Ultimately, Bengal Byzantine Broadway presented Sabyasachi’s vision of modern New York fashion through accessories, craftsmanship and cultural contrast — where a cowboy hat, a pair of jeans, a sculptural handbag or a black saree could all become part of the same contemporary wardrobe. WHAT’S HOT eat HE Fries Empire has turned a fry counter into a full-blown menu of nine dishes, from truffle parmesan fries and mac and cheese fries to sweet heat nuggets and masala paneer nuggets. Wash it down with a biscoff cheesecake shake, brownie caramel frappe, or watermelon juice served straight out of the fruit. The Fries Empire, SCO 89, Shopping Plaza, 17D. AnanyaVerma The couturier bridges New York’s modern wardrobe with Indian craftsmanship c m y b Mirzapur Success Subhash K Jha Indian film and television director, producer, and writer best known for directing the blockbuster streaming crime-drama franchise Mirzapur, Gurmmeet Singh made headlines for directing the massive box-office hit Mirzapur: The Movie, which successfully transitioned the streaming phenomenon into a theatrical blockbuster in September 2026. Singh started his journey as an assistant director, learning the ropes on major commercial hits like Farhan Akhtar’s Don (2006) and Ashutosh Gowariker’s Jodhaa Akbar (2008). He later pivoted to independent directing and producing, eventually becoming a cornerstone filmmaker for Excel Entertainment and Amazon Prime Video’s Indian originals. He serves as the primary director and creative architect behind all three seasons of the streaming show, as well as its landmark 2026 theatrical expansion, Mirzapur: The Movie. In conversation with the man of the moment. Your Mirzapur The Movie has gone beyond all expectations, do you feel vindicated after so many years of work? Mirzapur actually has been a blessing that keeps giving. Every edition it surprises us and the film has been the cherry on top. This has been the result of the dedicated hard work of the cast and crew that have lovingly worked on it for the past decade. Never before has an Indian series transitioned from web to bigscreen and that too so successfully, how were you and Excel so sure it would work? Ritesh Sidhwani and Farhan Akhtar are and always have been trend setters and I doubt anyone else would have taken this gamble. But Ritesh was so sure this would work. More than us, it was his conviction that this transition would be a successful one. Mirzapur is vying for footfalls with Hanuman Ansh, this is like Sholay and Jai Santoshi Maa in August 1975, your comments on this? It is very lovely to see and hear amazing things about Hanuman Ansh. Eager to watch it! Farhan Akhtar says he was confident only you could do this, do you feel producers need to get more adventurous in giving virgin talent an opportunity? Farhan and Ritesh are a rare breed. I have been fortunate enough to be working with them since 2005, having been an assistant director on Don. Twenty-one years of association is something to cherish. I’ve been directing for Excel since 2013. So the comfort that this place provides me is unmatched. What do you have to say to those naysayers who accuse Mirzapur of being a celebration of violence and criminality? I think I received one of the sweetest and most touching compliments yesterday from the legendary Sachin Pilgaonkar who said the movie is actually a love story and that is why it stays with you. It’s not just an action film! Which directors have inspired you? I’m a huge fan of Ridley Scott, his body of work and the variety in the genres is absolutely awe inspiring. What next? Currently I’m too busy counting my blessings. Once the euphoria settles I’ll look at what is next. But if left entirely to me, I would make shows and films with this Mirzapur cast forever.