03112026-LSTC-01.qxd 11/3/2026 12:37 AM Page 1 c m y b THE BIRTHDAY GIRL From a nostalgic childhood photograph to a witch-themed birthday celebration, Shanaya Kapoor’s birthday turned into a special affair, with Ananya Panday, Kareena Kapoor Khan and sister Khushi Kapoor making the occasion memorable through their social media posts. TRIBUNE Wedding plans Life Suki Waterhouse confirms she and Robert Pattinson are not married yet, revealing plans for a lavish wedding once their hectic schedules settle down. CHANDIGARH | TUESDAY | 3 NOVEMBER 2026 CHAT UP Two for joy! KING-SIZE BIRTHDAY SURPRISE On Shah Rukh Khan’s 61st birthday, the makers of King shared a love song, titled Tu Mil Jaaye, which features onscreen romantic chemistry between Shah Rukh Khan and Deepika Padukone. The song is jointly sung by Arijit Singh and Madhubanti Bagchi, while its English rap has been penned by Ed Sheeran, bringing together Indian and international musical talent. Composed by SachinJigar, the track features lyrics written by Kumaar. Hashneen Chauhan, seen in a double role in Patakka Guddiyan, says her wait for a solo lead finally ended with a delightful twist — two roles instead of one! FROM PATIALA TO THE WORLD OF ACTING BEST OF EUROPE The European Union Film Festival (EUFF) 2026, India’s premier showcase of European cinema and one of the country’s most anticipated cultural events, is back with its 31st edition, bringing 28 award-winning films from 27 EU Member States and Ukraine in 30 languages. The festival kicks off in Shillong on November 12, before making its way to New Delhi from November 25 to December 4, followed by Pune in December. Acting was a childhood dream for Hashneen. She recalls being drawn to the screen from an early age, always wanting to be on the performing side rather than simply watching from the audience. School and college stage activities gave her opportunities to nurture that interest. After completing her schooling at Yadavindra Public School, Patiala, she graduated from MCM DAV College, Chandigarh, before pursuing postgraduate studies in English literature at Panjab University. Her family had no direct connection with the entertainment industry. Yet, when Hashneen expressed her desire to pursue acting after graduation, her parents supported her decision. She began with pageants, and it was through the Miss Punjab pageant that she landed her first acting project. “I was a Bollywood-inspired teen. Learned so many things only from cinema,” she says. THE PROJECT THAT CHANGED EVERYTHING Hashneen’s debut, Yaar Jigree Kasooti Degree, remains the project closest to her heart. The web series, which premiered in 2018, brought her recognition as Simran, a name by which audiences continue to identify her. She later returned for the feature film based on the franchise, released this year. “I feel like I owe my entire career to this one web series,” she says, acknowledging the opportunities LEARNING FROM THE INDUSTRY’S BEST Among the experiences that have shaped her outlook is working with Neeru Bajwa in Thaapi. Hashneen describes the Punjabi star as disciplined and inspiring, recalling how Bajwa would fit in a gym session before arriving on set in the morning. “She’s the queen of Punjabi film industry. And that’s for a reason,” she says. Hashneen has also been part of films Shaunki Sardar, Dakuaan Da Munda and Mainu Pyar Kardie Parjaat Kudiye. A cartoon flickering on a small computer screen in a Karnal school first stirred Arvind Sharma’s imagination in the late 1990s. Years later, that childhood spark has grown into an artistic journey marked by persistence, discovery and recognition. Sharma, now honoured by the Lalit Kala Akademi at the 3rd International Print Biennale, India 2026, has travelled a long road from a young dreamer to an artist whose work asks society to look beyond prejudice. Art attracted him early. He longed to compete at the Away from the sets, Hashneen describes herself as considerably different. While she is responsible and punctual during shoots, she says she can be carefree and even childlike in her personal life. She enjoys watching films, dancing to songs and spending time with her family in Patiala. Cinema remains a constant companion, whether she is working or taking a break. “I really appreciate when love comes my way,” she says, referring to fans who approach her for photographs or autographs. For her, such gestures are reasons for gratitude rather than a measure of personal importance. Looking beyond prejudices National Academy for Art Education in Dadar, Mumbai, but his mother did not let him follow that ambition. Sharma struggled academically, failing his Class 12 examinations thrice, yet the desire to create never disappeared. A turning point came when his brother-in-law took him to Dehradun, where he completed his schooling in the arts. He then moved to Kurukshetra University for higher studies, gradually shaping a direction that felt truly his own. Speaking to The Tribune, Sharma says he initially considered painting. An exhibition in Delhi, however, introduced him to another possibility. While displaying his work at the 2nd Biennale of Greek and Indian Students on Engraving, EX-LIBRIS (Miniprints), he drew the attention of Prof Lakshman Prasad, a visual arts professor at IGNOU. Impressed by the young artist’s work, Prasad encouraged him to explore printmaking. The medium demanded specialised techniques and careful precision, but it also offered Sharma a fresh way to translate ideas into images. That conversation became a defining moment in his career. Growing up amid Karnal’s varied social landscape had nurtured Sharma’s interest in human behaviour. He observes that people respond differently according to their surroundings, circumstances and company. A choice considered acceptable in one setting may be condemned in another. Such contradictions, he feels, reveal how complicated social life can be, leaving individuals caught between personal convictions and collective expectations. These questions now lie at the heart of his practice. Through printmaking, Sharma examines emotions, everyday encounters and the choices that shape our place in the world. The act of making art often brings fresh questions about existence, responsibility and belonging. c m y b Television actor Anuj Thakur, known for his performances in shows such as Mahisagar, Bandhan Saath Janmon Ka and Beend Banoonga Ghodi Chadunga, has passed away at the age of 33. His death was confirmed by his friend and casting director Rupesh Sonar through an Instagram post. “Still can’t believe that you are no longer with us. You were not just a friend but like a little brother to me. We had so many projects planned together, and I still remember witnessing your struggles during your initial days and seeing your journey. Life is truly unpredictable. It’s heartbreaking to accept that you are gone so soon,” his post read. The All India Cine Workers Association also expressed grief over the actor’s demise and paid tribute to him on X, stating that Thakur passed away on October 27, 2026. — ANI THE GIRL BEHIND THE ACTOR In his Akademi Award-winning series Don’t Ignore Me, Arvind Sharma explores the parallels between women and crows in Indian society, examining how both are often misunderstood, stereotyped and pushed to the fringes of social acceptance Akhil Kumar Actor Anuj Thakur passes away at 33 Rather than offering easy answers, his images invite viewers to pause and consider the tensions that influence how people treat one another. His award-winning series, Don’t Ignore Me, focuses on the prejudices directed at women and crows. Drawing on close observation, Sharma explores why both are frequently misunderstood, labelled or pushed to society’s edges. In his work, the woman and the crow represent lives judged through inherited beliefs instead of encountered with openness. Their connection challenges viewers to reconsider familiar assumptions and recognise the worth of those too readily dismissed. For Sharma, neither women nor crows should be reduced to stereotypes or overlooked in the shared world they inhabit. His series asks audience to question their own biases and approach difference with greater sensitivity. The message is quietly powerful: understanding begins when judgement gives way to attention. From a cartoon on a classroom computer to recognition on an international art platform, Sharma’s journey reflects the endurance of a dream once repeatedly deferred. His work now turns that persistence outward, urging society to see more generously and to ignore no one with genuine empathy. WHAT’S HOT eat ASIA IN A GLASS T ASTE Asia in a Glass is a journey through the continent, one cocktail at a time. The new cocktail selection at Yazu, Sector 26 draws inspiration from the vibrant flavours, ingredients and drinking cultures of Asia, reimagined in a modern glass. play GURNAZAR LIVE G ET ready for an unforgettable evening with Gurnazar Chattha, known for his soulful voice, heartfelt lyrics, and melodies that stay with you long after the music stops. At Diablo, Sector 29 D on November 14, 9 pm onwards. love RAM CELEBRATING S TEP into the world of Ramayana at Ramotsav, celebrating timeless epic of Shri Ram. A legacy of dharma, the story of devotion comes alive on November 6, 6 pm at HLP Galleria, Mohali. ISTOCK Sony LIV has unveiled the first look of Birla Studios & Applause Entertainment’s Scam 2010, the next chapter of the Scam franchise! Season 3 is being directed by Hansal Mehta. Set to premiere in January 2027,Scam 2010stars Siddharth Bodke in the lead, he says, “Playing Subrata Roy in Scam 2010 has honestly been one of the most challenging and special experiences of my career. What interested me the most was understanding the man behind the image.” With Patakka Guddiyan, Hashneen is taking on a challenge she has long awaited: carrying a film as the solo lead while portraying two characters. “I was waiting for this day when I would have a solo lead and that too comes with a double role,” she says. The film revolves around twin sisters, Ruhi and Mahi, whose personalities could hardly be more different. For Hashneen, the double role presented considerable logistical and performance challenges. The demanding shoot required her to switch between looks repeatedly. Shot over approximately 25 days nearly two years ago, the film involved long working hours and little time to step away from the characters. “It was very hectic,” she recalls, adding that she had to remain focused on inhabiting both personalities. chandigarh FIRST LOOK OF SCAM 2010UNVEILED TWO CONTRASTING WORLDS chandigarh F OR Hashneen Chauhan, the journey of an actor is as much about personal growth as it is about professional milestones. Eight years after making her debut with the popular Punjabi web series Yaar Jigri Kasuti Degree, she is learning to embrace the uncertainties of the industry, celebrate every opportunity and trust the process. Her latest release, Patakka Guddiyan, marks an important milestone: her first solo lead role, in which she plays twin sisters with contrasting personalities. “It’s been eight years and it’s been really wonderful. I was able to better myself as a person during this journey of being an actor,” she says. The actor, who lives in Patiala with her family, admits that the early years came with impatience and questions about when things would fall into place. Today, she has learnt to appreciate the journey rather than constantly measure its progress. Her work ethic, she believes, has helped her become more disciplined and patient. and lessons it brought her. In 2021, she acted in Punjabi film Tunka Tunka, which received a positive response. mohali Mona