22042022-LSTL-01.qxd 4/21/2022 11:43 PM Page 1 c m y b BABY’S NAME REVEALED Hollywood couple Priyanka Chopra and Nick Jonas welcomed their first child, a baby girl, earlier this year via surrogacy. Now, we hear that they have named their little one as Malti Marie Chopra. TRIBUNE Mystery girl Life The first look of Kiara Advani’s character Reet from Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2 was unveiled on Thursday. The actress took to Instagram and wrote. “Meet Reet, Don’t be fooled She’s not so sweet.” —IANS LUDHIANA | FRIDAY | 22 APRIL 2022 On the Highway to Punjab Churi, gur, mitti, khet, folk music, logon ka jazba and Guru ki bani; Imtiaz Ali likes everything Punjabi W RITER-director Imtiaz Ali feels a special connect with Punjab. His work brings him to the state again and again, and each time he discovers new things that inspire him to make more films. “I don’t know why I feel so much at home in Punjab. Not everything can be understood through mind and intellect,” says the director, who is much in love with Punjab’s churi, gur, mitti, khet, music, logon ka jazba and Guru ki bani! With films like Jab We Met, Highway, Rockstar and Tamasha to his credit, Imtiaz is a success story but he doesn’t take himself too seriously. “I am just a medium that these stories, films flow through.” His next film too has a deep connect with the state. “I am not at liberty to divulge much, but it’s about something unique from Punjab, and hope you will like it,” he says. In city to be a part of the 2nd Chandigarh Music and Film Festival 2022, Imtiaz interacted with the students of University Institute of Film and Media Studies, Chandigarh University, sharing his journey, he says, “In the process of writing and filmmaking, at times even the subconscious becomes a part of the process.” About Tamasha, which was screened at the event, Imtiaz insists that the film is not autobiographical, but it does pick up some elements from his life. Can acting, filmmaking be taught? To some extent, believes Imtiaz. “When you go to a film school, the very environment and sharing of ideas become the elementary process of filmmaking. But, yes, that spark has to exist within you!” His theatre days at Hindu College, Delhi, is what Jab Harry Met Sejal’ s director recounts as his happiest and saddest time. “Bhaut hooting hoti thi mere plays ki!” With a penchant for storytelling, Akshay Kumar issues apology and steps down as the brand ambassador of a tobacco firm ‘I promise to be mindful in future’ Akshay Kumar was recently seen in an advertisement of elaichi for a brand that also makes tobacco. He received backslash and was trolled for endorsing a tobacco brand. The actor has now issued an apology and has pledged to donate his endorsement fee in charity. Taking to Twitter, Akshay wrote, “I am sorry. I would like to apologise to you, all my fans and wellwishers. Your reaction over the past few days has deeply affected me. While I have not and will not endorse tobacco, I respect the outpouring of your feelings in light of my association with Vimal Elaichi.” Imtiaz measures the success of his film not on the basis of box office numbers, but how much could he convey through his work. His viewers matter the most to him. Here’s an incident which shows how much he cares. Once after a show of Tamasha, he stayed back in a single screen theatre in Mumbai, gathering feedback. “There was a woman in her 30s who kept looking at me intently. I asked her how did she like the film, and she said, “You should a have made this film earlier, ab to bahut late ho gaya’ and left. I couldn’t find her later, but I do want to tell her ‘it’s never too late’, maybe I will do that through another film!” If his films are about self-introspection and exploring bonds, his web debut She was a crime drama, very different from any of his previous works. “I had this story with me for a while, but I couldn’t make it for I thought it won’t fit into the time slot of a film. I am glad I could make it finally, courtesy OTT.” The rise of the digital medium is heartening, says Imtiaz. “Now the audience is aware. These are innovative times. I feel more and more progressive films will be made.” Cinema from South India is winning the audience all over the country. “It always has. These days we see lots of good work from the Malayalam film industry. This is good. All cinema is one, India is one; in fact, the world is one. We should see and emulate the best irrespective of the fact wherever it comes from.” Through cinema, Imtiaz wishes to explore things which he hasn’t so far, “I like to discover the exotic through cinema – visit places that I haven’t, meet people I couldn’t meet earlier!” Imtiaz’s advice to aspiring filmmakers, “Follow your heart, and the journey. Leave logic in art, then it becomes art,” he signs off. Deepika to attend Met Gala When you go to a film school, the very environment and sharing of ideas become the elementary process of filmmaking. But, yes, that spark has to exist within you!. — IMTIAZ ALI Investing for a better tomorrow On Earth Day 2022, celebs tell us how even a small step goes a long way when it comes to saving the earth Mona Reduce, recycle Let’s take care of the earth; after all it’s the only planet to live! Even though Jeff Bezos and Elon Musk are working towards escaping the earth, so far this remains only human address. This Earth Day, the theme being - Invest In Our Planet - artistes talk about what they are doing to make our planet a better place! Opt for sustainability Earth Day is really important and it’s a reminder that we need a shift towards a more sustainable economy that works for both, people and the planet. For our selfish motives, we are cutting trees, dumping waste into the sea and affecting nature. I believe in a two-pronged approach to save our planet – planting trees and opting for sustainable practices. — Geetika Mehandru, actor Eco-friendly, all the way Gurbani says, “Pawan Guru paani pitaa/ maata dharat mahatt.” Our Guru sahib has called air our guru, water our father and earth our mother. So, it’s our duty to protect mother earth and spread awareness by celebrating this day. I try to conserve energy throughout the year. I planted five trees last year on my birthday and this year I will try to plant 10 more. Reducing, reusing and recycling are on my mind next. At an individual level, I intend to invest time and resources in various big and small steps towards an eco-friendly lifestyle. This can range from using eco-friendly packing material for our day-to-day purchases, all the way to changing to an electric vehicle. Installing solar panels is definitely a great way forward. We all can contribute in our own ways towards making the earth a better place. We should consume responsibly, giving preference to ecofriendly products. Further, we should judiciously use our natural resources such as water and green covers. — Swaransh Mishra, singer Care for your home The earth is our home and if it’s destroyed, we are destroyed as well. We should make sure that we are taking care of our home by cleaning it regularly and making it a better place for the coming generation. I buy eco-friendly products like glass jars, sustainable shopping bag, sustainable daily wear and more. I hope to contribute on a higher level and play my part by using eco-friendly products, making sure I am not wasting food, not using plastic since it’s universally known to be a harmful pollutant, and donating to foundations which are looking after our earth. — Ayaana Khan, singer — Anjum Batra, actor Save water Conservation of natural resources is essential to protect the environment. I believe small measures can lead to a greater impact and therefore, I save water by doing things like cold-washing clothes in the machine, showering instead of bathing, and air-drying dishes rather than using the dishwasher. In addition, I water my indoor plants using the same water that I use to wash vegetables and fruits. On this day, I would like to appeal to all my fans to save water and save lives. — Mouli Ganguly, actress c m y b PHOTO: NITIN MITTAL Mona Met Gala 2022 is all set to take place in New York City on May 2. The theme for this year’s Met Gala is In America: An Anthology of Fashion. Reports suggest that the actress will be representing Louis Vuitton at the Gala. Reportedly, Louis Vuitton is set to announce Deepika as their global brand ambassador by this month end for which she shot in Spain after attending Time 100 impact award in Dubai. However, an official announcement from the actress is awaited. Deepika made her debut at the Met Gala in 2017. She has always put her best foot forward with her glam looks. It will be interesting to see what will be her look at the red carpet of Met Gala this year! Nimrat Kaur reacts to trolls over weight gain Nimrat Kaur became the target of trolls due to her weight gain during the shoot of Dasvi. For her character, she had gained almost 15 kg. Nimrat has now penned an impactful letter addressing the trolls. The Airlift actress took to Instagram and shared a before and after wright gain picture with the letter that read, “Born with what’s typically categorised a small to a medium body type, with Dasvi came the require- ment for me to size ‘up’. The idea being to be as unrecognisable and physically as dissimilar from ‘being Nimrat’ as possible.” She further wrote, “On purpose, not always would I declare the ‘why’ behind what I was looking like or consuming. But always did I observe the ease with which people made my ‘larger than usual’ body and/or meal their business. I could’ve been unwell, under medication, hormonally battling something, or quite simply very happy to eat and be me whatever size that was.”