16012021-LSTL-01.qxd 1/15/2021 11:31 PM Page 1 c m y b TRIBUNE No thanks! Chris Evans has seemingly denied reports that he might be returning as fanfavourite superhero Captain America in a future Marvel Cinematic Universe project. PTI LUDHIANA | SATURDAY | 16 JANUARY 2021 In times when a mere mention of Pakistan is tantamount to being anti-national, here are 40 women who are joining hands to organise a two-day Indo-Pak Peace Summit Leading ladies RICHA CHADHA ‘Our heart is in the right place’ Richa’s statement on Madam Chief Ministerposter controversy Mona F Richa Chadha will soon be seen on silver screen in Madam Chief Minister. The first poster of the film was unveiled recently but it received criticism from netizens over casteism. The makers received backlash over a Savarna, an upper-class woman, playing the role of an untouchable. Many expressed their outrage over the fact that the broom is being used as a prop when it is known as a symbol of Dalit oppression and that the poster is stereotyping the community. After the backlash, Richa Chadha released a long statement on Friday, addressing the issue. The statement read, “This film was a learning experience for me, for us all. The promotions were no differA STILL FROM THE FILM ent. The first poster that was released faced severe criticism, rightly so. What to me (and my privileged eyes) was a mere prop used by my character in a scene, came across as a stereotypical portrayal of Dalits for many of our people… They (makers) responded immediately by retracting the objectionable poster and by releasing a new poster the very next day. It was a regrettable and completely unintentional oversight, not a deliberate insinuation. We are sorry. Our heart is in the right place. Hopefully, you will see that for yourself when you watch the film.” ORTY women come together to collaborate in an effort to build peace in South Asia. Names like Dr Scilla Elworthy – the three-time Nobel Peace Prize nominee from the UK, Dr Meenakshi Gopinath, political scientist and a Padma Shri awardee from India, Moni Mohsin, columnist and bestselling novelist from Pakistan, and Radhya Almutawakel, human-rights defender from Yemen are four of the forty women who gather virtually at the Indo-Pak Peace Summit Led by Women in their effort to bring stability and prosperity. Bringing them all together is Aekta Kapoor. A writer and motivational speaker espouses the cause of women leading for a better tomorrow. An Indo-Pak Summit? “The idea came when I was interviewing Dr Scilla Elworthy, a peace builder from the UK, who suggested the idea. A month on, here we are with some exceptional women joining in for long-term solutions.” It’s tougher than it sounds for sure. “Even floating the idea - an IndoPak Peace Summit– startles people. Why would you want that, they ask. That’s precisely the reason. Why not, we share common history, culture, language, food – why not thrive on our shared heritage,” says Aekta. It’s been frantic putting together the panels, topics, talks and the end product looks like an impressive blend of cinema, literature, fashion, business and more – all geared towards the same end – a better future where women use their intrinsic strength to lead the world. Friendly neighbours has been a dream many chase, many of these women have been working on the theme in their own fields. “These are the women who have been building bridges for an inclusive future. I strongly agree with Dr Scilla that women and youth have to play a significant role in bringing the world together for lasting peace.” Power of Written Word, Documenting Heritage, Firing Imaginations Not Bullets are some of the interesting panel discussions spread over two days – January 16 and 17. How well does it work since it’s virtual? “That would have been the only way possible. Thanks to the last few months that people have become used to working online. With panellists from around the world joining in, a summit of this kind in real time wouldn’t have been possible given the travel restrictions.” Among others there is also ❝ THESE ARE THE WOMEN WHO HAVE BEEN BUILDING BRIDGES FOR AN INCLUSIVE FUTURE. I STRONGLY AGREE WITH DR SCILLA THAT WOMEN AND YOUTH HAVE TO PLAY A SIGNIFICANT ROLE IN BRINGING THE WORLD TOGETHER FOR LASTING PEACE. AEKTA KAPOOR, ORGANISER 1. Radhya Almutawakel 2. Scilla Elworthy 3. Shailija Kejriwal 4. Alankrita Shrivastava 5. Reema Abbasi 1 2 4 a short session on meditation as well. Aekta says, “I have been doing these workshops for a while – for only when we are at peace with ourselves that we extend a hand in friendship.” The event due on January 16 and 17 has tickets available at eShe, organiser of the event. Students, writers, bloggers who are keen can write for the fee to be waived off as well. Worth taking a few deep breaths THE PICTURE SHARED BY ADNAN SAMI ON TWITTER ‘Bandar kya jaane adrak ka swaad’ When Adnan Sami gave it back to a troll on Lata Mangeshkar A Twitter user on Thursday trolled legendary singer Lata Mangeshkar and tweeted, “Indians have been brainwashed into thinking that Lata Mangeshkar has a good voice.” Soon, the tweet went viral and many shared their opinion on the same. Adnan Sami was quick to hit back at that troll. The singer replied to him and wrote, “Bandar Kya Jaane Adrak Ka Swaad...It’s better to stay silent and appear stupid than to ❝ open your mouth & remove all doubt!” Before this tweet, Adnan even shared a throwback picture of legendary trio Lata Mangeshkar, Noor Jehan and Asha Bhosle. He captioned the picture as, “What an Iconic & Historic Photo…” Meanwhile, Vivek Agnihotri also reacted to the tweet on Lata Mangeshkar and defended the singer. He wrote, “One of the reasons I believe in Saraswati and divine is because of Lata Mangeshkar. One of the reasons I believe in devil is because of her haters. I pray to God that in next life Lata Mangeshkar haters are born as humans like us who can understand beauty and understand what is truly divine.” IT’S BETTER TO STAY SILENT AND APPEAR STUPID THAN TO OPEN YOUR MOUTH & REMOVE ALL DOUBT!” ADNAN SAMI Pankaj Tripathi has reached a milestone by crossing 3 million followers on Instagram. The Criminal Justice actor hosted a virtual party for his followers where he asked them to drink a glass of water and breathe deeply 5 times to mark the occasion! Tripathi even shared a series of video, in which he says in Hindi, “Friends, I just got to know that 3 million people are now following me on Instagram. Thank you so much for connecting with me.” He further says, “To celebrate the occasion, I want to host a virtual party with all Pankaj Tripathi crossed 3m mark on Instagram Care for a cuppa? Esha Gupta flaunts perfect hourglass figure in new post 5 Natkhat is in Oscar 2021 race Produced by Ronnie Screwvala and Vidya Balan, Natkhat is now running in the Oscar 2021 race under the short film category. The film has been featured at various festivals. Directed by Shaan Vyas, the 33-minute-film tells the story of a mother (Vidya Balan) and her young, school-going son Sonu (Sanika Patel). It touches upon the sweet mother-son relationship, which quivers with each blow, and settles with a soothing touch. Says Vidya Balan, “After a year that has been turbulent, it feels great to have our film qualify for the Oscars. This film is incredibly close to me since it gave me a chance to play the dual roles of actor and producer.” Director Shaan Vyas adds, “Natkhat was made with a very naïve yet powerful urge to change things.” of you today. On my behalf please go to your kitchen, drink a glass of water and take five deep breaths. I am grateful to you all for liking me so much and connecting with me. Thank you.” Meanwhile, on work front, Tripathi has a great line-up this year with projects like 83, Bachchan Pandey and Dibakar Banerjee’s black comedy Sandeep Aur Pinky Faraar, set to release. If looks could kill! 3 Produced by Vidya Balan, the film is about motherson bonding Jacqueline Fernandez can make ‘filter coffee’ Bollywood actress Esha Gupta on Friday shared a stunning picture flaunting perfect curves in a post she has shared on social media. Esha posted a monochrome picture on Instagram, where she is seen standing on a beach. To caption the image, Esha wrote: “Flow.” Esha, who is known for her work in films such as Jannat 2, Rustom, Commando 2 and Baadshaho among many other films, often treats her fans with steamy images. —IANS Bollywood actress Jacqueline Fernanadez counts making filter coffee among her many talents, going by her social media post. Jacqueline posted two pictures on her Instagram stories. It features a woman preparing some coffee in a hotel for the actress. The second image features Jacqueline pouring the hot beverage in a glass.—IANS KANGANA RANAUT Manikarnika Returns lands in trouble Two days back, Kangana Ranaut announced the second installment of the Manikarnika franchise, titled Manikarnika Returns: The Legend Of Didda. And now, the author of Didda’s biography, Ashish Kaul, has accused Kangana of violating his sole rights. In a statement, Ashish Kaul said that it is illegal and an absolute violation of the IPR and the copyright laws. A STILL FROM NATKHAT c m y b