13012021-LSTL-01.qxd 1/12/2021 11:41 PM Page 1 c m y b TRIBUNE Be careful Actress Shilpa Shetty feels we rarely share stories of struggles openly with the world, and says one should not blindly believe things on social media. IANS LUDHIANA | WEDNESDAY | 13 JANUARY 2021 No justice, no joy Quality over quantity... …is Vaani Kapoor’s mantra Vaani Kapoor admits that there was pressure on her to be more visible through her projects since she had only done three films — Shudh Desi Romance, Befikre and War — in six years. She says, “While many have consistently told me to be more visible through my films, I have always believed in choosing quality over quantity. Fortunately, I’m getting to dabble in three different genres and will be presented on screen in three different ways. I have always wanted to show my range as a performer.” For Vaani, 2021 looks like an incredibly big year with Shamshera, Bellbottom and I all set to hit the big screen. The actress is thrilled that she would be able to showcase her versatility through these three remarkably different films. Vaani adds, “This feels like a special year for me to show diversity as an artiste and I’m supremely excited about this. I have tried to pick films that have appealed to my heart. I was always prepared to wait than choose projects in a hurry and that’s why I have done fewer projects.” A day before Lohri, the Supreme Court has put the farm laws on hold. While some celebs from the region have welcomed the move, others have called it an attempt to weaken the farmers' protest. None of them want to celebrate Lohri this time around though Gurnaaz Kaur T HE three farm laws have created a stir since the protesting famers believe these laws do not uphold their rights. A day before Lohri, the Supreme Court suspended the implementation of these controversial laws. Does it mean good news? Punjabi celebrities think it isn't a reason enough to celebrate the festival, and they would rather just wait and watch. Harbhajan Mann, singer: "Lohri is a very special occasion in our culture. With that in mind, we shall all truly celebrate once our farmers return home safely, and triumphantly." Binnu Dhillon, actor: "I am not celebrating Lohri this year and I guess nobody else is. Our motherland Punjab is based on farming to a large extent. But Money matters! FWICE bans Ram Gopal Varma for non-payment of dues to workers JAPJI KHERA As per recent reports, Ram Gopal Varma has been accused of not paying dues to artistes, technicians and workers related to the film industry. Reportedly, the total amount due is around Rs 1.25 crore. Taking action against the filmmaker, Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) has now decided that none of their 32 unions will work with Ram Gopal Varma in the future. According to FWICE, Varma had already received a legal notice. However, he did not clear the dues. with new farm laws no farmer is happy. When things will be normal, only then should we celebrate." Gurshabad, actor-singer: "I would be at the Singhu border on Lohri, where our farmers are fighting to ensure the safety of their lands. This year's festivals would only have meaning if our lands will remain ours in the years to come." Jasbir Jassi, singer: I will be with nation. Mehtab Virk, singer: It has been four months; earlier we held the protest in Punjab and now on Delhi borders. This stay by the Supreme Court is nothing but hogwash. They want us to go back so that this BINNU DHILLON revolutionary movement weakens and then they will let the government implement the laws. Japji Khera, actress: Lohri represents the victory of light over darkness. Today, our farmers are fighting the evil laws and D JASBIR JASSI RBHAJAN MANN AN only once they are MANDY TAKHAR, HA (L-R) victorious will there be a reason to celebrate this festival. Supreme Court's order seems like a step in the right direction, but we can't take away the focus from the ultimate goal. Harish Verma, actor: For us, Punjabis, Lohri marks the New Year. It brings hope, but, unfortunately, this SONIA MANN (C) time due to the protest of the farmers there the farmers on Supreme Court brings hope, is no reason to rejoice. Lohri. Festivals have no mean- but it can only be counted as the Sonia Mann, actress: There are ing if the farmers are suffering. first good step. Everything else, 1,200 women who are staying The SC ruling is a welcome including festivals, can wait. at the Mai Bhago Nivas, step, but there is a long way to Arfi Lamba, actor: I am all for the which I set up at the Tikri go ahead still. farmers. It breaks my heart to border. I can't leave them to Mandy Takhar, actress see some misguided folks ques- celebrate a festival. The I was at the Singhu border with tion the integrity of the farmers Supreme Court's stay means my sister last week and did and their protest. It's like nothing to us. If the Supreme whatever I could. We can't Satyagraha. If we don't stand by Court was with us, instead of afford to lose more lives and our own farmers at this the stay, they could have therefore farmers need to be moment, we are defeating the repealed the laws. This is just heard. The stay on laws by the purpose of being a democratic to weaken our protest. From bright colours to warm outfits, here are some fashion tips to jazz up your look this Lohri Gurnaaz Kaur Bonfire, dhol, gidda and bhangra… Lohri, the first festival of the year, is here. Lohri, which marks the time for harvest and signals at the onset of spring, is celebrated with much fanfare in Punjab. And on this folk festival deeply rooted in culture, you can’t afford to go wrong with your outfit. So, here are some fashion tips for your perfect ensemble. Says designer Archana Jaju, “Lohri is an occasion to opt for indigenous styles. Kalamkari, a traditional handcraft that involves bright colours, handpainted or blockprinted on fabric, is an interesting option.” Keep it warm One should keep in mind the weather too. “With the cool weather, one must not forget to keep warm. Velvet is the ‘A fearless agitation’ FESTIVE CUT ARCHANA JAJU’S CREATION AN OUFIT BY NIMRAT KAHLON perfect textile for it and can be seamlessly incorporated into the traditional Patiala salwar kameez,” says Yashraj, spokesperson of Label Varsha. Designer Shruti Jamal of Scarlet suggests traditional gararas and shararas with short-length shirts that make for very nice Lohri outfits. She says, “Of late, even khadi salwars or straight salwars their way back into the fashion scene. It looks great with a long or midlength shirt. Phulkaris can be teamed up to add cultural flavour to your festive look.” Colour code This vibrant festival calls for equally bright colours in your of clothes. “Bright hues like squash orange, sunflower yellow, scarlet red, paired with fun patterns and motifs like parrots, swans and peacocks, can bring the right amount of style to your day,” says designer Nimrat Kahlon. Apart from the evergreen salwar-kameez, a fitted kurti A DRESS BY SHRUTI JAMAL c m y b MORE DESIGNS BY SHRUTI with palazzo, which is either ankle-length or floor-length, is also trending. But if your mood is to experiment with what’s already in your closet, Nimrat recommends, “Pair a Banasri dupatta with a plain salwar kameez. Just jazz it up with a Punjabi jutti and a long braid with paranda and danglers in the ears.” To sync the ethnic and the modern, Nim- GURVINDER SINGH, FILMMAKER Critically acclaimed filmmaker Gurvinder Singh, who is making a crowdfunded documentary on the ongoing farmers’ agitation titled Trolley Times, using the newspaper as the context and fulcrum to explore the protest, says the most striking aspect of the agitation has been ‘fearlessness’. “We have not seen this kind of fortitude to be able to say anything against the government. This agitation seems to have given the people a platform to vent their anger against the state. Right from extremely artistically refined ways to the most crude ones — one sees a full range.” The multiple times National Award-winning director, whose debut movie Anhe Ghore Da Daan premiered at Venice International Film Festival in 2011 and Chauthi Koot witnessed its premiere in Un Certain Regard competition at the Cannes Film Festival in 2015, adds that the ongoing protest has also brought together divided people. “Be it Jats and non-Jats or Punjabis and Haryanvis; of course, the colour of the agitation remains predominantly Punjabi.” — IANS On Punjabi soil Janhvi Kapoor begins the shoot of her next film RIGHT FOOTWEAR “To style a jutti, one can opt for classic gold or silver with brightly hued embroidery. For a more understated look, there are printed options. Juttis with heels are available as well,” says designer choice have made Laksheeta Govil. ❝ WE HAVE NOT SEEN THIS KIND OF FORTITUDE ... THIS AGITATION SEEMS TO HAVE GIVEN THE PEOPLE A PLATFORM TO VENT THEIR ANGER AGAINST THE STATE. rat says, “Umbrella-cut sleeves with a long shirt, paired with a fitted pant, is another look that helps you make a statement.” And if you are in a mood to make no effort and yet rule the show, pair a floral dress with a short jacket to add fun to your attire. Don’t forget to wear a Jodhpuri and some bangles to complete the look! Janhvi Kapoor had wrapped up the shooting of her horror-comedy Roohi Afzana in which she is paired opposite Rajkummar Rao. The actress was slated to begin work on Dostana 2 but since its schedule is not confirmed yet, Janhvi has moved on to her other project, which is titled Good Luck Jerry. The shooting of Good Luck Jerry began on Monday, 11 January, in Punjab. The first schedule will continue till March. Giving a glimpse of her look in the film, Janhvi shared pictures from the sets on social media. In the image, she is seen wearing a blue-coloured salwar kameez, along with an orange dupatta, walking along a narrow lane. Janhvi is seen sporting a bindi with her hair styled in braids. The film also stars Deepak Dobriyal, Meeta Vashishth, Neeraj Sood and Sushant Singh. Good Luck Jerry is the Hindi remake of Tamil film Kolamaavu Kokila.