08022021-LSTL-01.qxd 2/8/2021 12:01 AM Page 1 c m y b TRIBUNE Back again Actress Bhumi Pednekar says she has recovered from sickness and is now trying to get back to routine. Bhumi posted a boomerang video on Instagram. IANS LUDHIANA | MONDAY | 8 FEBRUARY 2021 Singer Shaan, who has come up with his maiden Punjabi track Yakeen, says it is very important to experiment with every aspect of music Melody in each word ally work. There have been offers coming in for acting, but now I am taking steps cautiously. I am waiting for a good script before I take this leap of faith.” Gurnaaz Kaur AYUSHMANN KHURRANA Being popular A Ayushmann is the fastest growing icon on social media: Duff & Phelps report Known as the poster boy of content cinema in India, Ayushmann Khurrana has secured the sixth rank in the latest Duff & Phelps Most Valuable Celebrity in India report, jumping from the 10th spot that he held last year. He is also the fastest growing icon on social media, as his following has increased by 70 per cent. The report states, “Ayushmann Khurrana, known for movies with social messages, has also recently been appointed as UNICEF’s celebrity advocate for children’s rights campaign, joining the likes of former football legend David Beckham. It is believed that his social media reach and following among the masses will help in creating greater awareness around the risk of violence and abuse against children.” The report further states, “Not only has Ayushmann been endorsing several brands during the lockdown, he has also kept his fans entertained with his poetry on Instagram, leading to an increase in his followers by 69.5 per cent (annualised) from 17.4 million in December 2019 to 27.0 million in November 2020.” Duff & Phelps also credits Ayushmann as the most relatable Bollywood celebrity in India today because of his journey to stardom. S he begins humming the verses in his melodious voice, the diction and pronunciation so clear, you are sure that Shaan has entered the Punjabi music scene with much conviction. His maiden Punjabi track, Yakeen’s lyrics made him fall in love with the words and he knew it was time to take the plunge. “Kunwar Juneja has written this song and we recently did six songs for my channel. I fell in love with the lyrics of Yakeen from the very beginning. My only apprehension was whether I’d be able to sing it well, since it is in hardcore Punjabi. But he supervised and helped me with accurate pronunciation,” Shaan says. “I love how beautifully the song is put together and how it describes the power of trust. And how once the trust is broken it feels as if the ground has slipped from under the feet,” he adds. MORE THE MERRIER With many songs in Hindi, Bengali, Marathi, Kannada, Telgu, Tamil, Gujarati and Urdu, is this a one-off experiment in Punjabi or should we expect more? “Yes, of course. TALKING TRENDS ❝ MUSIC SHOULD NOT MAKE ONE FEEL LAZY OR NEGATIVE; IT SHOULD MAKE ONE FEEL GOOD, POSITIVE AND MOTIVATED. SHAAN, SINGER I always think about how Punjabi artistes’ songs are ruling not just India but also the whole world right now. Punjabi listeners have a huge variety of songs to choose from. Even after that, if people love my work in this new avatar and there is good response, I will surely be doing more Punjabi music.” Shaan is not just taking his chances in music, but is open to the idea of acting as well. “I have been thinking about it for quite a few years now. I did try my hand at it before in some films, but it didn’t actu- All for experimental cinema and OTT expansion, the Chand Sifarish singer says, “Good, creative experiments are always welcome but I feel our industry has become very monotonous, there is a lot of repetition - be it topics, patterns or ideas. Maybe people are more inclined towards sad, romantic songs; everyone is only focusing on that.” Shan thinks it is very important to experiment with every aspect of music — be it composing, ideation, voices, etc. “Music is spread across every corner of the country. It should not make one feel lazy or negative; it should make one feel good, positive and motivated.” About the farmers’ protest, he opines. “I feel there is something not right. I think people should try to change the system and not the law. Protests during such crucial times of the pandemic are a huge risk for everyone. My prayer is that no one has to bear any loss.” In the groove Aditya Roy Kapur will next be seen in an action film titled Om. Produced by Ahmed Khan, the film is being directed by Kapil Verma. During a recent interaction, the director revealed that Aditya Roy Kapur picked up martial arts before the film went on the floors in December. While shedding light about how Aditya trained during the pandemic, Kapil said the makers had constructed a gym at Aditya’s house as public gyms weren’t operational. The actor trained in Kung fu, Tai Chi and handling assault weapons for four months. Also, Ahmed Khan had booked a dance rehearsal hall where Aditya would train for two hours every day with his three instructors, two of whom would train him in martial arts and one in cardio as well as stretches. Aditya Roy Kapur’s special prep for Om (AUGUST 23, 1949 – FEBRUARY 6, 2021) WEBSOLUTE FUN Director and stage designer Bansi Kaul will always be remembered for his contribution towards the clown tradition in theatre Mona Love is in the air as we enter the Valentine week. Make a note of these new releases TO ALL THE BOYS–ALWAYS AND FOREVER Comedy, mystery & adventure February 12:Map of Tiny Perfect Things on Amazon Prime Video RIP, Bansi Kaul would call him Bansi da. He too remembers Kaul for his specialised in stagecraft. His magical stagecraft. “I worked contribution towards with him during my days in vidushak (clown tradition) is Bhopal. Once I was doing a folk tale and tremendous. His somehow the wife Anjana Puri stage setting was would contribute not to my liking; I the music for his told him that it productions.” did not seem Channi also hails coherent and he the tough choices said, Abhi bandh he made in life, dete hain. I “Bansi da worked thought he was with people on the Picture of Bansi Kaul sidelanes and yet shared by actor Anupam kidding. But, lo and behold, he managed to be a Kher on Twitter national figure. Whatever he asked for a rope and managed it all.” Mansingh counts Aala touched was transformed.” Afsar, based on Russian play MEMORY BANK Inspector General by Nikolai Renowned theatreperson Gogaul, as Kaul’s finest play. Neelam Mansingh Chowdhry Punjabi playwright Kewal Rajeev Pillai on working with John Abraham The film tells the story of quick-witted teen Mark, whose world is turned upside-down when he meets the mysterious Margaret. Stuck in a time loop, Mark and Margaret form a magnetic partnership to find all the tiny things that make that one day perfect. What follows is a love story with a twist. The film stars Kathryn Newton as Margaret and Kyle Allen as Mark. Friendly vibes MAP OF TINY PERFECT THINGS February 12: Flora & Ulysses on Disney+Hotstar Flora & Ulysses is a delightful comedy-adventure based on the Newbery Award-winning book about 10-year-old Flora, an avid comic book fan and a self-avowed cynic, whose parents have recently separated. After rescuing a squirrel she names Ulysses, Flora is amazed to discover it possesses unique superhero powers. The movie stars child actor Matilda Lawler in the lead role. A wonderful stage designer and a theatre director known for evolving a new idiom of clown theatre, Bansi Kaul took the road less travelled. A National School of Drama pass-out, unlike the other theatres giants who rose and shone in Delhi, Kaul called Bhopal his karam bhumi, establishing the theatre group Rang Vidushak that trained a number of theatre-persons. A Padma Shri (2014) and Sangeet Natak Akademi awardee (1995), Kaul was the designer and show director for the Commonwealth Games’ opening ceremony (2010) and art director for Khajuraho Festival (1986 and 1987). Eminent theatreperson GS Channi recalls, “He was three years senior to me in NSD; we FLORA & ULYSSES February 12: To All the Boys – Always and Forever on Netflix Always and Forever, the final film in the To All The Boys trilogy, is here. As Lara Jean Covey prepares for the end of high school and the start of adulthood, a pair of life- changing trips lead her to reimagine what life with her family, friends and Peter will look like after graduation. Directed by Michael Fimognari, the film stars Lana Condor, Noah Centineo, Janel Parrish and Anna Cathcart. After playing Richa Chadha’s love interest in Shakeela, South-Indian star Rajeev Pillai will next be seen alongside John Abraham in Satyameva Jayate 2. A fitness freak, Rajeev loves to give time to sports or workouts whenever he is free. That’s the common interest both the actors share. Rajeev and John are big fans of football too. Also John’s native place is Kerala, which is also the hometown of Rajeev. Says Rajeev, “On my first day of the shoot, I went and met him; told him that I grew up watching his films. John Abraham and I bonded over two things — fitness and football. He is very passionate about fitness and so am I. He owns the North c m y b East United FC football team. I had played football during my college days. John is also very dedicated towards his work. Be it the action sequences or the normal scenes, he puts in a lot of effort.” South-Indian star Rajeev Pillai(R) will next be seen alongside John Abraham in Satyameva Jayate 2 Dhaliwal feels fortunate to have had Kaul as his guru. “He introduced fresh concept in stage design. In fact, his last production was a play that I wrote. His passing away is a huge loss for theatre.” Meanwhile, many from the film industry mourned his demise. Actor Satish Kaushik tweeted, “Bansi Kaul bhai your immense contribution and dedication to Indian theatre will always be remembered .” Vani Tripathi Tikoo posted on Twitter, “End of an era! My daddu, my life, gone! Theatre thespian and a father to millions, sad to say #BansiKaul passed away leaving millions of aggrieved students and lovers of theatre behind. We will always miss you and this void is impossible to fill...” A happy journey Mukul Dev has come a long way in his career. He has had a journey of close to 25 years in the industry and his range of his work is wide. Not many will know that Mukul is the writer of the Rajkumar Raostarrer Omerta. He has some movies lined-up for release, including Kartar Singh Saraba, Sharik and Barefoot Warriors. Sharik is in Punjabi alongside Jimmy Shergill. Looking back at his journey, Mukul says, “It has been a long time it seems. I started at a very young age and got to work with Dilip Kumar sahab. Then there was a career as a commercial pilot, where I was doing exceedingly well. So life has been full of ups and downs. Earlier it was films and now the OTT has really upped the game.” The actor adds, “There can’t be better times to make Mukul Dev looks back on a long and eventful career… content. I have just finished writing my second story after Omerta, which is based on one of my father’s cases as a cop in the Delhi police. My father was rewarded and decorated for it. Some good news would be coming soon hopefully and it will see the light of the day in 2021.”