21042022-LSTC-01.qxd 4/21/2022 12:39 AM Page 1 c m y b SIDHARTH TO MAKE OTT DEBUT Sidharth Malhotra is joining Rohit Shetty’s cop universe, however, it will be for a web series, titled Indian Police Force. The actor makes his debut as a cop. On Tuesday, Sidharth took to his Instagram account and dropped the show’s first look. On Wednesday, the actor released a new video that gives us glimpses of Indian Police Force. TRIBUNE Two much! Life Rashmika Mandanna will be the lead heroine in Ranbir Kapoor’s Animal and will also be seen alongside Vijay Thalapatty in an upcoming untitled film. CHANDIGARH | THURSDAY | 21 APRIL 2022 Together on a desert safari Mona T Get ready for Gippy & son Punjabi superstar Gippy Grewal is all set to headline a new yet-to-be-titled Punjabi film where he will be seen sharing the screen with his son Shinda Grewal. Shinda was recently seen in the Diljeet Dosanjh-starrer Honsla Rakh. The film, written by writer-actor Naresh Kathooria, will be directed by Amarpreet Chabbra, and will go on the floors between July and August 2022. It will release in February, 2023. Naresh is known for super-hits like Carry On Jatta 1 & 2, Manje Bistre 2, Chandigarh Amritsar Chandigarh, Best Of Luck, Bhaji In Problem, Vekh Barataan Chaliyan, Mr & Mrs 420. Talking about the film, Gippy said, “Punjabi cinema is making huge strides and has a growing fan base not just across India but abroad as well and Yoodlee Films genuinely wants to add to this movement by co-creating quality films with regional talent. I respect this approach and am glad that we will be working together.” —IANS It’s official SRK announces his next with Rajkumar Hirani Shah Rukh Khan is set to collaborate with Rajkumar Hirani for the first time and the movie is titled Dunki. Starring SRK and Taapsee Pannu in key roles, the film went on the floors this month. The next schedule will be shot in Punjab. Confirming the development, Hirani said, “Through the course of my career, working with Shah Rukh Khan has always been on my wish list and after trying to collaborate several times in the past, we were finally destined to have Dunki mark our partnership. The energy, charisma, humour and charm that he brings to a film is unparalleled and I look forward to bringing that magic to the big screen.” Shah Rukh Khan adds, “Rajkumar Hirani is one of the finest filmmakers of this generation, we have always spoken about working together and I am extremely happy we are finally doing it with Dunki.” —TMS HAR has superstar Anil Kapoor and Harsh Varrdhan Kapoor uniting again after AK vs AK. And, unlike their previous outing together, they are not just co-actors. For, Harsh Varrdhan also turned producer with this one. Written and directed by Raj Singh Chaudhary, Thar explores the desert state of Rajasthan. A fan of western films, it’s a dream come true for Raj, who is not just passionate about the story but its backdrop – Rajasthan – his home state. “I know Rajasthan like the back of my hand,” he says. At the trailer launch, Anil Kapoor came across as not just a proud father, but also someone who is completely dedicated to his craft. Even after four decades in the industry, Anil approaches a film with utmost sincerity. “Whenever I sign a film, I try to watch almost everything that’s been done in that genre.” Thar became the reason that Anil watched as many western films as he could lay his hands on. “I loved Sergio Leone’s cinema. No Country for Old Men by Coen brothers and Once Upon a Time in America by Sergio Leone are my favourites in this genre.” However, the National Film Award winner clarifies that Thar is not a pure western. As Thar is set to stream on Netflix, Anil Kapoor is beaming with pride; for his son Harsh Varrdhan is not just his co-star but also the producer “There is love, passion, violence and suspense. It’s a film of today!” AK vs AK, Ray and now Thar – is Harsh Varrdhan the blue-eyed boy of Netflix? “I hope they will continue to work with me after Thar,” says the Mirzya actor, who likes the fact that OTT keeps one away from the pressure SOUTHERN SWING The South Indian cinema is currently enjoying unprecedented success. But Anil Kapoor believes it has always been that way. “Good films have been made in the South forever. Be it Ram Aur Shyam or Ek Duuje Ke Liye some of the best films have come from the South,” says the actor whose first film as lead was a Telugu film, followed by a Kannada film. “I learnt to be disciplined, professional and dedicated while working there. They will always make good cinema!” of the first day collections, satellite rights and so on. “The reach that Netflix gives an actor, no price can be put on that. And they are very considerate about their artistes. It’s been great working with them.” If AK vs AK broke the ice for the father-son duo to share screen, Thar ensured that they made work their focus. With immense humility Anil Kapoor admits that his son was instinctively right on the sets more than once. “I asked him to do things in a certain way, but he answered, ‘No dad, that’s wrong’, and sure he was right,” Anil says. The senior Kapoor feels youngsters today are not Fan-tastic observation Kannada actor Yash, who is currently enjoying the blockbuster pan-India success of KGF: Chapter 2, stated that fans are the only group of people who unconditionally love a celebrity. Speaking on multiple topics in one of his interviews, Yash said, “Regardless of the other factors, your fans are the only ones who love you. They buy a ticket, come in, watch you on the screen, and then leave. They are unconcerned about your religion, caste, or community.” Yash stated that his family was surrounded by fake people who only wanted to be with them during good times. On being quizzed about how Yash receives failures, he said, “Failure is practical. It is so real”. —IANS was told budget nahi tha’. I was like ‘mere se le lete’. But Harsh went ahead without a hair or makeup guy,” Anil exclaims. Thar also brings the Mr India-Calendar jodi back. Apart from Satish Kaushik, it also has Fatima Sana Shaikh and Jitendra Joshi. Thar releases on May 6 on Netflix. Johnny Depp takes the stand in defamation trial against former-wife Amber Heard ‘I’m obsessed with the truth’ Proud parents Kajal and Gautam welcome baby boy Kajal Aggarwal and her husband Gautam Kitchlu have welcomed a baby boy on April 19. The couple has named him Neil. Kajal’s sister Nisha Aggarwal took to social media to make the announcement. Sharing a small car bearing the date of birth and name, Nisha shared how excited she was about his arrival. She wrote, “We welcomed our precious munchkin who makes our world so much more beautiful. The most beautiful smile, his twinkling eyes brightened up our day. His tiny little feet and hands, the most perfect nails if you please. We are so thrilled to have you in our world Neil Kitchlu.” Kajal and Gautam got married in October 2020. T. Rama Rao passes away at 83 The man synonymous with actor Jeetendra’s movies in Hindi such as Judai, Jeevan Dhara, blockbusters in the 1980s, veteran director- Ek Hi Bhool, Andhaa Kanoon, Inqulaab, Insaf producer T. Rama Rao passed away in Chen- Ki Pukar, Watan Ke Rakhwale, Dosti Dushnai during the early hours of mani, Nache Mayuri, John Jani Wednesday. He was 83. Rama Rao Janardhan, Raavan Raj, Muqabla, had helmed 70 films in Telugu and Hathkadi and Jung. Hindi, besides bankrolling blockRama Rao started the Madras busters in Tamil. Movie trend in which Hindi films A resident of Chennai’s T. Nagar produced by southern production neighbourhood, Rama Rao died at houses emerged as successful comaround 12.30 am because of an agemercial propositions in traditional related illness. He’s survived by his Hindi film markets. Several movie wife Tatineni Jayashree and children celebrities condoled the death of the Chamundeswari, Naga Suseela and stalwart director. Anupam Kher T. Rama Rao Ajay. Rama Rao entered the Hindi tweeted: “Deeply saddened to know film industry in 1979 and got to team up with about the demise of veteran filmmaker & a leading actors such as Amitabh Bachchan, dear friend Shri #TRamaRao ji. I had the privJeetendra, Dharmendra, Sanjay Dutt, Anil ilege of working with him in #AakhriRaasta Kapoor, Govinda and Mithun Chakraborty. and #Sansaar. He was compassionate, comHe was credited with introducing Superstar manding & had a great sense of humour. My Rajinikanth in Hindi cinema with Andhaa condolences to his family! Om Shanti!” Rama Kanoon. He also made several superhit Rao received many awards. —IANS c m y b afraid of taking risks. “If I was offered the role in AK vs AK which Harsh did, I would have flatly refused. I would have asked for the father’s role!” It came as a surprise to Anil Kapoor when Harsh decided to produce Thar. “I saw Harsh on the sets one day looking distraught, and asked him why he looked that way. ‘I KJo, Parineeti to host IIFA Rocks Filmmaker Karan Johar and actor Parineeti Chopra will host the IIFA Rocks at the 22nd edition of the awards, the organisers announced on Wednesday. IIFA Rocks would be staged at the Etihad Arena on May 20, the opening night of the IIFA Weekend Abu Dhabi. The event would see performances by Guru Randhawa, Honey Singh, Pushpa fame composersinger Devi Sri Prasad, Tanishk Bagchi, Neha Kakkar and Dhvani Bhanushali. Johar said he is thrilled to host IIFA Rocks.—PTI Hollywood star Johnny Depp took the stand in his defamation trial against former-wife Amber Heard, saying he was focused on “clearing the record” regarding allegations that he engaged in domestic violence. “Truth is the only thing I’m interested in. Lies will get you nowhere, but lies build upon lies and build upon lies,” Depp said on Tuesday afternoon. “I’m obsessed with the truth.” Under questioning from his own lawyer, Depp denied that he had ever been violent with Heard, or with any other woman. Heard has accused Depp of striking her, choking her and kicking her over the course of their relationship.—IANS