07012022-LSTL-01.qxd 1/6/2022 11:29 PM Page 1 c m y b TRIBUNE GUNEET SEEKS BLESSINGS Incredible journey Netflix India on Thursday announced its next film, Chakda Xpress. The film, starring Anushka Sharma is being produced by Clean Slate Filmz and directed by Prosit Roy. It is inspired by the incredible story of Jhulan Goswami. Hit back Life Actor Guneet Sharma visited the famous Maa Chintpurni Temple to seek the blessings of the Almighty during the beginning of the year. Sharma who made his debut with the TV show Aladdin: Naam Toh Suna Hoga, is now seen playing the character of Amrik in the show Tere Dil Vich Rehan De. IANS Gauahar Khan has slammed Bigg Boss 15 contestant Karan Kundrra for his insulting comments on Tejasswi Prakash. —IANS LUDHIANA | FRIDAY | 7 JANUARY 2022 le path e midd king th Ta Anushka Sharma is back on screen with the story of Jhulan Goswami Talking about the film, Anushka says, “Chakda Xpress is inspired by the life and times of former Indian captain Jhulan Goswami and it will be an eye-opener about the world of women’s cricket. At a time when Jhulan decided to become a cricketer and make her country proud on the global stage, it was very tough for women to even think of playing the sport. This film is a dramatic retelling of several instances that shaped her life and also women’s cricket.” The actress adds, “Her life is a living testimony that passion and perseverance triumph over all adversities.” Famous five Kriti Sanon clearly outshone all in the last year with her outstanding performance in Mimi. Shehas the greatest number of releases announced for 2022. Kriti will have some massive releases, including Adipurush with Prabhas, Bachchan Pandey with Akshay Kumar, Ganapath with Tiger Shroff, Bhediya with Varun Dhawan and Shehzada. New York Kabul Express Nonika Singh H E had credible reason to gloat and float on cloud nine as 83 recreating India’s 1983 Cricket World Cup victory won rare plaudits. But the closure of theatres in certain territories of the country came as a bolt from the blue. The successful and acclaimed director Kabir Khan, in his own words, may have protected his film 83 for long, finding the right time for its release. But in the uncertain times that we live in he says, “Who can complain? Pandemic is in nobody’s control.” Besides, while 83’s box office collections may have been below expectations, the praise that has come his way more than compensates. Flooded with adulatory messages which are not limited to one line congratulatory notes but comments running into pages, he stands overwhelmed. “The strongest responses,” he shares “are from people who don’t watch cricket.” Even otherwise, he feels, sports dramas are not so much about the sport as the triumph of human spirit. And 83 in particular is a classic underdog story. So box office magic or not, he is grateful for the unbelievable love that his film has received. Besides, he draws comfort from ace cricketer Kapil Dev’s words who told him, “See, when we won the world cup we didn’t get any great money but tremendous respect, so much so you made a film on us 40 years after. Similarly, your film will be remembered 40 years hence.” Khan’s films are also known for making us cry, call them tears of joy if you wish. The emotional connect is important to him because, “It’s all about emotions. When people tell me they were moved by my film, I take it as a big compliment.” And what about being panned at times for wearing patriotism up his sleeve? He reasons, “I will always stand for my ideology. People will appreciate me for it and some will pan me for it, so be it.” Patriotism in his lexicon is unconditional love for your Bajrangi Bhaijaan 83 Director Kabir Khan, who has given us smashing hits like Bajrangi Bhaijaan & 83, says his not-so-extreme personal viewpoints reflect in his films, making them relatable for the audience country. “You don’t need a specific enemy to show it. Nor does it have to be toxic.” As for his love for his drama, rather melodrama, he observes, “I work very organically and will push drama to a point I am comfortable in. You don’t make films for others, for you don’t know others. You always make films for your- Films are beyond box office and correct timing. We are living in unpredictable times and we can’t sit and complain during pandemic. On a creative pursuit Mona In the New Year, Tagore Theatre, Chandigarh gets its new director in Chakresh Kumar. The 37-year-old actor/director has been living in the city since 2003. Being associated with performing arts, in 2005 he founded the theatre group, Alankar. Recipient of Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar (2014), he holds the distinction of performing for continuous 144 hours at Tagore Theatre. Happy to take on the new role, the director shares his vision for Tagore Theatre. Creating the right environ Though I have had my share of challenges, this city has welcomed me with open arms. Now, as the director of Tagore Theatre Society, I would like to ensure that artistes and the cultural organisations get the right kind of creative environment and creative opportunities. I realise, times are tough, but as our Prime Minster says ‘ Aapda ko avasar mein badalane ka samaya hai (it’s time to turn challenges into opportunities).’ From UP to Chandigarh I belong to village Bakhtiyarpur, Etawah, UP Since my . father joined the Army, I grew up in different towns across the country. I joined a college in Chandigarh and later pursued masters from The Department of Indian Theatre, Panjab University. It As theatre person Chakresh Kumar takes charge of Tagore Theatre Society as director, he shares his vision for this cultural hub of tricity ❝ I want to bring artistes from different fields and have them as a family here at Tagore Theatre. I have seen this family divided into various groups. I want it to be the place where we all come together to help each other out. was only after 2008 that I got recognition as a director. Art is a celebration I want to bring artistes from different fields and have them as a family here at Tagore Theatre. I have seen this family divided into various groups. I want Tagore Theatre to be the place where we all come together to help each other out. Art is a celebration, we must celebrate ourselves and others, which we can do by valuing and working with one another. Right now there are two challenges – first is to ensure that artistes continue with their work and are supported through this pandemic period. Second is to devise new ways of art to be connected to the masses. I have just joined; I am working on a plan, and also looking forward to have my senior artistes in varied fields to join forces for a better cultural scene. I have an eclectic work experience. I have worked with slum children, special children; I have performed in festivals and in small towns and villages, workshops with teachers as well as people from MNCs. I want to bring these different sections of society together. Many people in Chandigarh want to be associated with Tagore Theatre, get better facilities. My effort would be to bring them all together. For budding artistes I was a very passionate and hard working theatre artiste c m y b to begin with. What I lacked was proper guidance. I would like Tagore Theatre to be the right platform so that budding artistes don’t go directionless but come on track right in time. To make it buzzing Yes, I have performed for continuous 144 hours here. I have seen and experienced both the old and new Tagore Theatre; the place is vibrant with energy of our amazing artistes – Neelam Mansingh, Kamal Tiwari, Dolly Ahluwalia, Atamjit and others from the National School of Drama. My dream is that city artistes come here with open heart and I am willing to put their vision into reality. The Forgotten Army self, for your own self is the only person you know best.” So, how much does his background as a documentary filmmaker impact his work? He answers, “Every story demands its own treatment. So, if I am making Bajrangi Bhaijaan, I will make it like a fairy tale. For 83, I spent two years of my life, researching and getting the details and characters right. Yes, there will always be dramatic flair and creative liberty. But down to what may seem like fictitious characters like the Sikh fans, who chased the team, are rooted in reality.” However, the biggest challenge for him has been whether, “we would be able to recreate the emotion that the country felt at that iconic moment.” A mission in which he and his team, most importantly Ranveer Singh, succeeded with aplomb! On working primarily with superstars he offers no apology but a credible rationale. “A superstar gets you a wider base and visibility. And when you get someone of Ranveer’s caliber, who is one of the biggest superstars of his generation too, you get the best of both worlds. When the superstar becomes your true collaborator the film truly flourishes. In fact, a film works only if the superstar becomes that character as in Bajrangi Bhaijaan. Sure Salman is a mega star but the film was appreciated because Salman became Bajrangi.” As Salman has announced a sequel we wonder what bridges this one would create. He says, “Vijayendra Prasad is still writing it. Till I read the script I can’t say anything. Besides, it’s only the story and not the idea of a sequel which excites me.” But nine on ten he does manage to get his fans excited. As for the secret behind arriving at a balance that successfully marries commercial constraints with artistic parameters, he proffers, “I am a middle-of-the-road person, I am not extreme in my views. I stay true to my roots. I feel what appeals to me will appeal to most people.” Do you still need to wonder about his enduring appeal? Applause for inclusivity Vaani Kapoor has been the toast of the nation for her gutsy portrayal of a transgender woman in Chandigarh Kare Aashiqui. Given her performance on screen, Vaani is surely a front-runner to bag awards this awards season. If she wins, Vaani wants to dedicate her awards to the transgender community in India who have been discriminated upon for a long, long time. Vaani says, “I have never chosen films thinking I will win awards for them. I have always chosen projects from my heart.” She adds, “If I were to win awards, I would dedicate them to the transgender community in India because we wanted to speak about inclusivity. When vision is more than eyesight Bhushan Kumar, Krishan Kumar and Nidhi Parmar Hiranandani are set to bring audiences a compelling story of Srikanth Bolla. Starring Rajkummar Rao and directed by Tushar Hiranandani, Srikanth Bolla is a biopic of an industrialist who didn’t let his visual impairment come in the way of his vision and founded Bollant Industries spearheaded by Ravi Kanth Mantha. Born to poor, uneducated parents, Srikanth faced struggles early in life right from his birth to fighting a long-standing legal battle with the state after class 10 to study science. Rajkummar Rao to play lead in biopic on Srikanth Bolla However, Srikanth always had bigger dreams. He not only cleared his tenth and twelfth standard exams with flying colours but also managed to be the first international visually impaired student to study at the prestigious Massachusetts Institute of Technology, USA. A strong, trailblazing visionary as he firmly believes that vision is much more than eyesight, and has to do more with the mind! — TMS Rajkummar Rao For safety & health The 64th Annual Grammy Awards ceremony, which was scheduled to be held at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles on January 31 this year, has been postponed. The awards ceremony has been officially pushed indefinitely because of the rapid spread of the Omicron variant of the coronavirus. Grammy Awards 2022 postponed due to Omicron outbreak A joint statement was issued on Thursday from the CBS and the Recording Academy that read, “After careful consideration and analysis with city and state officials, health and safety experts, the artist community and our many partners, the Recording Academy and CBS have postponed the 64th Annual Grammy Awards Show.” It further read, “We look forward to celebrating Music’s Biggest Night on a future date, which will be announced soon.”