30102026-LSTC-01.qxd 10/29/2026 10:45 PM Page 1 c m y b TRIBUNE No nepotism Life Jessica Biel has said she does not want her son, Silas Timberlake, to receive acting opportunities simply because he belongs to a famous family, emphasising that he must earn his place in the industry. CHANDIGARH | FRIDAY | 30 OCTOBER 2026 The CalendarGirl From the warmth of childhood Diwalis to the global canvas of the Pirelli Calendar 2027, Aditi Rao Hydari reflects on identity, cultural diversity & finding meaning in life’s simplest pleasures Mona From cherished childhood Diwali memories to her journey with the Pirelli Calendar 2027, Aditi Rao Hydari reflects on family, cultural diversity, creative expression and finding beauty in life’s simplest moments. For Aditi, the true magic of Diwali lies not in lavish celebrations but in the warmth of family, the comfort of festive delicacies and the happiness of being surrounded by loved ones. “Diwali has always been about family time,” she says, emphasising that love, food and laughter make festivals memorable. Having grown up with different cultural influences, Aditi believes festivals bring people together regardless of their backgrounds, lifestyles or belief systems. For her, the essence of every celebration lies in the love that surrounds it, with food playing a central role. CELEBRATING INDIA’S MANY IDENTITIES From her acclaimed performances in Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar, Jubilee and Taj: Divided by Blood to films such as Gandhi Talks and Lust Stories 3, Aditi continues to explore varied roles across genres. Aditi has another reason to celebrate her creative journey: being among nine Indian women featured in the Pirelli Calendar 2027, titled India, Beyond a Single Gaze. Describing it as an honour and a bucket-list moment, she says, “India has such an extraordinary cultural richness, so many stories, identities and experiences that contribute to its diversity.” The project brought her together with photographers Sølve Sundsbø, Raghu Rai and Avani Rai. Through photography, the calendar captures India’s many layers, identities and experiences, offering perspectives that go beyond a single narrative. could sleep without setting an alarm. Today, home also means spending downtime with her husband, actor Siddharth, amid their respective professional commitments. “People feel like home, not places,” she reflects. For Aditi, home is less about a physical location and more about feeling grounded, nourished and surrounded by love. While work brings exciting opportunities and new experiences, time with loved ones allows her to recharge and reconnect with herself. This philosophy shapes her approach to Diwali, too. Whether celebrating with family or reconnecting with friends and colleagues in Mumbai, she values intimate gatherings and the opportunity to create memories with people who matter. FINDING JOY IN LIFE’S LITTLE THINGS STORIES BEYOND THE SCREEN Accustomed to exploring different lives and emotions through her characters, Aditi found photography to be a distinctive form of creative expression. While acting allows her to inhabit unfamiliar worlds, a photograph captures a moment through stillness, presence and emotion. “As an actor, I surrender to the adventure of exploring lives I haven’t lived,” she says. Being part of the calendar offered her an opportunity to step outside her familiar creative process and experience storytelling through another medium. HOME IS WHERE THE HEART IS For an actor whose profession involves hectic travel schedules and long periods away from loved ones, home has acquired a deeper meaning. Aditi fondly recalls returning to her mother and family, where she Beyond acting, Aditi enjoys exploring the world through travel, music, literature and different cultures. Her idea of happiness often revolves around simple pleasures: walking through an unfamiliar city without a plan, attending a concert, watching a film in a theatre, discovering local restaurants, cooking together and laughing. A DIWALI MESSAGE OF KINDNESS As the festival of lights approaches, Aditi hopes the occasion brings happiness, love and well-being while encouraging people to celebrate responsibly. She urges everyone to be mindful of animals and others who suffer from the noise, smoke and distress caused by firecrackers. For her, Diwali is also a reminder to appreciate those who care for us, practise gratitude and choose kindness over negativity. Oktoberfest: first look out Netflix has unveiled the cast and first image for Simon Verhoeven’s German-language romantic comedy Oktoberfest. It is set against the backdrop of the country’s worldfamous beer festival in Munich. It stars Jeanne Goursaud and Jannis Niewohner. PHOTO: VICKY Ananya Verma ‘My whole world in one frame’ Inside Priyanka Chopra’s Karva Chauth celebrations with Nick Jonas, Malti Marie Priyanka Chopra Jonas celebrated Karva Chauth in the US with her family, offering fans a glimpse into the intimate festivities through a series of Instagram stories. The actor shared special moments from the occasion, which included a sweet mehendi design, adorable family moments and a picture with her husband, Nick Jonas, after what appeared to be the completion of the traditional ritual. In one of her Instagram stories, Priyanka showcased a DIY mehendi design on her palm, featuring the initials ‘NJ’ for Nick Jonas and ‘MM’ for their daughter, Malti Marie. Sharing the picture, the actor wrote, “Piya ke naam ki... happy karvachauth to all those celebrating,” extending her wishes to everyone observing the festival. Priyanka also shared a heartwarming picture of Nick spending time with Malti Marie, captioning it, “Daddy’s home! My whole world in one frame.. happy karvachauth.” The candid family moment captured the spirit of the celebration, with the actor expressing her joy at having her loved ones together for the occasion. For the festivities, Priyanka embraced traditional Indian attire, dressing in a vibrant red outfit with gold detailing. She completed her look with sindoor, traditional jewellery and subtle makeup, keeping her festive appearance elegant. In another story, she was seen waiting for the moon to appear, playfully asking, “When will this moon come out?” The actor later shared a picture with Nick. — ANI From November 14 to 30, schools across India will double as cinema halls for the 10th School Cinema International Film Festival. Its director, Syed Sultan Ahmed, has an unusual CV: a degree in chemical engineering, and a career in teaching public speaking and debate in schools. His years in schools shaped his thinking. “I started teaching in schools as a public speaking and debate teacher and realised that that is a skill which is far more important than math and science.” He also learnt how children learn. “Very early in my career, I learnt that you cannot teach children. So, you need to create experiences in an environment where children learn.” For Ahmed, making a film is one of the most rewarding experiences. “I make films because that’s one of the finest experiences that we can get because we all love it.” School Cinema, which organisers say marks 15 years this season, grew from that idea. They put its reach at 905 schools across 350 cities and 28 states. He argues the real hurdle is how people see education. “We all believe education has to be boring and it has to be difficult.” Cinema, he points out, already shapes the country. “In India, we don’t have a fashion industry. We have Bollywood. We don’t have a music industry. We have film industry.” The screening is only the start. The films run 15 to 20 minutes, followed by discussion, workbook activities and projects. He compares that with his own school days. “When I was growing up, I studied an English chapter, a story and then I answered questions. Now, children are watching films and based on the films answering questions and doing projects around it.” The stories, he says, are not left to chance. “Our films stem from research.” His goal now is rural India. “Children in remote parts of India in any language can watch the films and learn from it.” c m y b chandigarh Syed Sultan Ahmed on School Cinema and teaching India through films C HANDIGARH’S obsession-worthy spread — crispy waffle-style fries, crunchy fried chicken over waffles drizzled with a rich sticky sauce, and guac on the side. At Fry Fry Baby, Sector 8. play RJ SHANKYY LIVE chandigarh learning CRISPY & CRUNCHY A N evening of heartfelt poetry, powerful storytelling and soulful conversations, as RJ Shanky turns everyday emotions into memorable stories about love, life and human connections. At Punjab Kala Bhawan on November 1. love B mohali Lights, camera, WHAT’S HOT eat FUN TIME RACE yourself for an electrifying night as Malkeet takes over the stage with his high-energy performance and infectious beats, promising a night full of music, dance and unforgettable vibes. At Studio XO on October 30.