27022021-LSTL-01.qxd 2/26/2021 11:42 PM Page 1 c m y b BACK WITH A BANG Sushmita Sen has announced the second season of Aarya. She posted a photo on her Instagram and captioned it, “She sees a storm coming…in the mirror!!! #Aarya #season2 your wish is our command” I love you guys!!! Let’s do this…” TRIBUNE It’s a wrap Actor Arjun Rampal has completed the shoot for the upcoming action film Dhaakad. He plays the antagonist Rudraveer in the Kangana Ranaut-starrer. LUDHIANA | SATURDAY | 27 FEBRUARY 2021 ‘I have never beencompetitive’ The method actor that he is, Abhay Deol puts himself out there and believes what he can do others can’t Nonika Singh A human life is a human life.” With this thought Abhay Deol explains the philosophy behind his series 1962: The War in the Hills currently streaming on Disney+Hotstar. Playing a brave-heart Major Suraj Singh leading handful of his men to take on the enemy, while bravery might be inherently built in his character and the series, jingoism he insists is not. When the series and he personally take a stance that no war has done good to anyone and that differences can be solved through diplomacy, he feels there would be no space for jingoistic war-cry. As for the creative liberty that the series, based on a reallife incident of 125 Indian Army men fighting 3,000 Chinese soldiers, may have taken, he insists that the question is for the director, Mahesh Manjrekar to answer. Yet he adds, "When you are depicting that the psychological effect of a war is the same on both sides, when you are highlighting I LOOK FORWARD TO MORE CONTENT THAT WILL not just bravery but also PLAY UPON MY vulnerability, even if you INDIVIDUALITY AND NOT fictionalise a FORCE ME TO real-life inciCONFORM. dent, it won't be far from truth." ❝ Whether war sagas have come a long way from Haqeeqat and Border, he feels that not just representation of war themes, Bollywood in general has transformed for the better in most departments. "We have really improved upon our craft." Not too long ago, he was one of the few actors ready to take risks, acting in what he calls non-Bollywood films, and almost became the gold standard for quality cinema. On such effusive praise, he says, "I don' t choose parts to set the gold standard. I do what I believe in like 1962 and that sets the standard." On OTT, just the right medium for him, however, we wonder if he is still looking for the role that would measure up to his immense talent? Well, like always, he would not like to compare himself to others, certainly not his cousin Bobby Deol who is currently making waves on the OTT platforms. "I have never been competitive and have nothing to prove. I always believe what I can do others can't and vice versa. We all bring value to the project." Today, he can only see/sense more opportunities for himself in the unlimited digital space, teeming with endless possibilities where both mainstream and non-formula content find equal representation and marketing push. As he looks back at his journey dotted with some memorable parts as in Dev D, Shanghai, Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara and many more, he is grateful for the respect that he has earned. Mostly a critics' darling, he is open to criticism provided it is constructive and not venomous. Alas, he rues, "Indian media is driven either by biases or agendas." There were some names he held in high regard, till he saw them indulging in blind items. However, whatever others may say, his reasons for doing a part remain the same-relatability. The method of acting lies in understanding the graph of his character, the physical changes that it may require and working on diction, accent, etc. Besides, his choices will always be guided by who he is, "I have tried to be really authentic, follow my words with action. I really put myself out there." Off camera, however, he admits to being not-soexpressive. While his Dev D co-star Mahie Gill became emotional while reuniting with him in 1962: The War in the Hills, he feels he too could have been more vocal about his excitement to be working again with her. As a rule, he goes the extra mile to make his co-actors comfortable, "We want each other to shine; if we shine, the film or the web series we are doing would." To know how well, check out 1962: The War in the Hills. Bring them back Lady Gaga is offering $500,000 as a reward for the return of her French bulldogs Koji and Gustav that were stolen in Hollywood. Reportedly, the singer’s dog walker was shot and the dogs were stolen on Thursday. Gaga is currently in Rome, shooting for a movie and her three French bulldogs remained in Hollywood. The outlet said Gaga’s dog walker was walking the dogs on Wednesday evening when he was shot. The third dog, Miss Asia, escaped and was later recovered. The source close to Lady Gaga, who shared details of the incident, said that the singer was urging anyone who has the dogs to contact her on email, return the dogs and retrieve the reward, no questions asked. Talking about the dogs, French bulldog is a popular breed and there has been a growing trend of the dogs, which can cost several thousand dollars as puppies, being stolen for resale or breeding. We hope Gaga gets her pets soon! An act ‘I left Britain to escape toxic press’ Ticket to Bollywood of love Guru Randhawa and Neha Kakkar share screen space for the first time! While they have sung together earlier, Guru Randhawa and Neha Kakkar are coming together for the first time in a music video titled Aur Pyaar Karna Hai. Both Guru and Neha took to their respective Instagram handles to share the news with a teaser picture. The teaser image announcing the collaboration between the two, drove the internet into a frenzy. The romantic track is composed by Sachet-Parampara. The two now take on a slow, melodious track penned by Sayeed Qadri, which will treat fans to their electrifying chemistry. Featuring in a video together for the first time, which is directed by Arvindr Khaira, it tells a beautiful story of how love is eternal and gives you strenght even during the most challenging times. This love ballad by Guru and Neha will be out on T-Series’ YouTube channel on coming Wednesday, March 3. Last week, Buckingham Palace announced that Queen Elizabeth’s grandson and his American wife Meghan had made a final split with the royal family, and would not be returning as working members and would lose their patronages. Harry (36) and Meghan (39) sent shockwaves through the monarchy in January 2020 when they announced their intention to step back from royal duties and embark on a new life across the Atlantic. “It was never walking away. It was stepping back rather than stepping down, there was a really difficult environment as I think a lot of people saw,” Harry said in an interview with James Corden, host of the Late Late Show in the United States. “We all know what the British press could be like, and it was destroying my mental health, I was like this is toxic. So I did what any husband and what any father would do is like, I need to get my family out of here.” Before they moved to California, the couple had complained about the British tabloids’ treatment of Meghan, whose father is white and mother is African-American, some of which they said amounted to bullying or racism. Earlier this month, Meghan successfully sued one tabloid for breaching her privacy by printing extracts of a letter she wrote to her father while last month “It was never walking away. It was stepping back rather than stepping down, there was a really difficult environment as I think a lot of people saw.” Harry won a libel case against the same paper over a story which said he had turned his back on the military. Critics of the couple, who announced this month they were expecting their second child, have said they are keen for publicity but only on their own terms. An in-depth interview they have given to the US chat show host Oprah Winfrey is due to be aired on March 7. There was also disapproval of Harry and Meghan’s response to last week’s split when they said they were committed to a life of service. Some commentators contrasted their life with the duty shown by the 94-year-old queen during her 69-year reign. DECISIONS ON THE OTHER SIDE “And as far as I’m concerned whatever decisions are made on that side, I will never walk away,” said Harry, who commentators have said was unhappy with losing his treasured royal patronages, particularly those connected to the military in which he served for 10 years. “But my life is public service so wherever I am in the world it’s going to be the same thing.” During his interview, carried out on a tour of Los Angeles, Harry told Corden that Netflix’s hit series The Crown, a fictional account of the life of the queen and her family, was “loosely based on the truth”. —Reuters Deepika Padukone mobbed outside eatery Actress Deepika Padukone was mobbed while stepping out of a restaurant in the city’s Khar area. The incident happened late on Thursday, and photos and videos of the incident have gone viral. In a viral video, the actress can be seen stepping out of a restaurant when a couple of women selling tissue papers try to approach her and a crowd tries to mob her. Deepika managed the situation with calm, but suddenly someone pulled her red sling bag away from her shoulder. The actress’ security guards immediately snatched the Mega selfie bag back and returned it to her before helping her into the car . —IANS Actor Salman Khan posted a cheerful picture on Friday with many Bollywood and cricket celebrities. He calls it a mega selfie. The actor is seen taking a selfie with many artistes including Rajkummar Rao, Genelia Deshmukh, Ritesh Deshmukh, Govin- c m y b da, Shraddha Kapoor, amongst others. Incidentally, all these celebrities are part of a new music reality show Salman is promoting.” Yahan to ek selfie banti hai. The world’s biggest music league is here! Chal Mega selfie lele re,”he captioned it.—IANS South superstar Thakur Anoop Singh is all set to make his Bollywood debut with the Hindi remake of Tamil hit film, Singam 3. Interestingly, the actor was also a part of the Singam 3 but as an antagonist; he is now geared up to play the protagonist. Usually seen playing negative roles, he will be seen playing the leading man in the Bollywood film for the very first time. Talking about the same, Thakur Anoop Singh said, “I feel lucky to be a part of this project, and I’d like to thank Gada (Jayantilal Gada) sir for believing in me always. This is like a dream come true, and I’m going to give it my absolute best.” The shoot for the film will begin soon and Anoop Lady Gaga offers $ 500,000 reward for her stolen dogs Thakur Anoop Singh to play lead in Hindi remake of Singam 3 seems to be excited to be a part of the currently untitled film. The handsome hunk recently even went through a major image makeover after he decided to chop his long locks that he’s been maintaining since he was a part of the television show, Mahabharat. Here to stay Emma Watson is ‘not’ retiring from her acting career Harry Potter fans were in a shock after a report on Thursday stated that Emma Watson might just be bidding adieu to her acting career to settle down with boyfriend, Leo Robinton. It all started when a report that mentioned Emma’s career as ‘dormant’ and stated that she ‘is not taking on new commitments’. The report further stated that ‘Emma has gone underground; she is settling down with Leo. They’re laying low. Maybe she wants a family’. While fans were disappointed and wondered why Emma took such a decision, others made memes on it. But now, her manager has come forward to address the rumours. Setting the record straight on Friday, Emma’s manager Jason Weinberg in a statement said, “Her social media accounts are dormant but her career isn’t.” Emma is known for playing Hermione in Harry Potter films. Jason’s clarification about her career will be a big relief for all her fans!