08052022-LSTL-01.qxd 5/7/2022 11:36 PM Page 1 c m y b ALL SMOKE, NO FIRE? Many pictures of Aamir Khan and Gippy Grewal went viral during the shooting of the film Laal Singh Chaddha, leading to speculations. Gippy, however, has clarified recently , “I am not doing any cameo in the film. I am an admirer of Aamir Khan’s work. I visited the set since he was shooting in Punjab. ” —IANS TRIBUNE New tune Life Twinkle toes Madhuri Dixit Nene has shared a sneak-peek of her single Tu Hai Mera, which will drop on her birthday on May 15. She had released her first single Candle during the lockdown. — IANS LUDHIANA | SUNDAY | 8 MAY 2022 This Mother’s Day, celebs pick their favourite Maa from among the many who have immortalised the character in films Mona If there is one character that’s been put on pedestal in Indian cinema – it’s that of a mother. Clad in a white saree, an image of virtue and sacrifice, the portrayal of a mother has changed over the decades to a fun, peppy and sassy woman – with a mind of her own. Amongst the finest actresses who have immortalised the character on screen, this Mother’s Day, celebs talk about their favourite Maa on screen. BEAUTIFUL CHARACTER My favourite mother is Lajwanti Lajjo Singh (Farida Jalal) in Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge. How a mother who has made sacrifices all her life, makes her daughter’s dreams come true was a beautiful character and she nailed it. Her looks, delicate dance moves and how beautifully she portrays a mother’s desire for the very best for her daugh— Gippy Grewal, actor-director ter is just superb. Maa... I love you! ABSOLUTE JOY TRUE EMOTION I recently watched the show Masaba Masaba and absolutely adored Neena Gupta ji. My favourite character She reminded me of my own mother! She of maa on the screen has looks natural, simple and feels so real. She always been Reema Lagoo. owns her simplicity and at the same time The way she performed and flaunts her glamorous side proudly. In portrayed the role was amazMasaba Masaba, there was but a thin ing. I loved her as Salman’s line between her fictional and factual mother in the movie Hum Aaprepresentation of being Masaba’s mothke Hain Koun. To be very honer, and it was an absolute joy to watch — Rajshree Thakur, actor est, I got emotional. She has her on screen. been an intellectual and downto-earth personality all her life and regret I could not meet her, but she is still alive in her reel life. — Guneet Sharma, actor COMIC TIMING I adore Kirron Kher for her acting. She was phenomenal in Dostana as Rani Acharya, playing Abhishek Bachchan’s mother. Her comic timing is excellent. She is good in all roles, be it serious or comedy. She is my favourite onscreen Maa. I will like to play her son in movies. My film journey is just starting and it’s my wish to work with her. She is a seasoned actress and it translates into good performance. Shivin Narang, actor FABULOUS PORTRAYAL I adore Supriya Pathak in Mimi as Shobha Rathore, playing the mother of Kriti Sanon. For one, I loved my scenes with her and second, she is just fabulous in the film. Cinema has ‘ma’ in it, that’s how pivotal a mother has been in films. PUNJABI TURF In context of Punjabi cinema, my favourite maa is Harwinder Kaur Babli. Recently I worked with her in Saade Aale. Her expressions, dialogue-delivery and energy are just amazing. And in Bollywood I love the acting of Shefali Shah. She gave a great performance in web series Delhi Crime and in the movie Waqt: The Race Against Time. — Pankaj Tripathi, actor Going global Brahmastra Part One becomes the first ever Indian film to make it to Disney’s global theatrical release slate Filmmaker Ayan Mukerji’s ambitious trilogy Brahmastra has been the talk of the town for reasons more than one. To begin with, the epic drama promises to be a never-seenbefore visual spectacle with an exciting ensemble cast. Now, the film has added yet another prestigious feather to its cap. The Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures has added the first part of the trilogy and magnum opus Brahmastra Part One: Shiva, to its global theatrical release slate. This is the first time an Indian movie has made it to the list. It means the film, featuring Amitabh Bachchan, Ranbir Kapoor, Alia Bhatt, Mouni Roy and Nagarjuna Akkineni, will hit screens worldwide on September 9. Along with Brahmastra, other movies that will be released by the studio this year include Thor: Love and Thunder, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, Avatar 2 and many more. — Sonpreet Jawanda, actor Break the silence Buhe Bariyan is a completely new take on love inspired by Punjabi folk, says Kanika Kapoor The big leap Farhan Akhtar confirms his Hollywood debut with Ms Marvel Hema Malini lends support to film Yes Papa that talks about child abuse ‘I am in love with music’ Celebrated singer Kanika Kapoor, who recently released her new independent song Buhe Bariyan, says that it is a completely new take on love that is inspired by the Punjabi folk. The lyrics of Buhe Bariyan are written by Kunwar Juneja and song is composed by Gourov Dasgupta and Shruti Rane. Kanika shared an interview, “This was the first time I sang a love song like that. Even though the first two lines of the song we have taken from the old Punjabi folk, it is a very new and refreshing take on a love song. It usually does not happen when I get hooked to my own song but this one is special.” —IANS Veteran actress and MP Hema Malini , shared the teaser of debutant director Saif Hyder Hasan’s Hindi feature film Yes Papa, based on child safety and sexual abuse. Talking about why she decided to lend her support to the film, Hema Malini said, “This is an important issue, and when creative producer Ram Kamal Mukherjee showed me the teaser, I felt that we must make films to create awareness in this society. Child abuse is a heinous crime, and these criminals need to be punished. Kudos to filmmaker Saif Hyder Hasan for treating this sensitive subject with care.” It revolves around a girl victim who was assaulted by her own father for years. —IANS Yami Gautam with her idol Kiran Bedi (L) Fangirl moment Yami Gautam is quite active on social media and often gives fans a sneak peek into her life. Recently, she attended the Goa Fest and had a ‘fangirl’ moment with Kiran Bedi. The actress shared a photo on Twitter with Bedi and penned a heart-warming note calling Kiran her ‘inspiration’. Yami captioned her post saying, “My fangirl moment with one of my strongest inspirations since I was a little girl growing up in Chandigarh! I shall never forget how an already wellplanned city transformed further for the best, when ma’am got posted there! Door to door cops used to visit every home & ensure our safety! Strict night patrolling was introduced even in the remotest parts of the city! ” After months of speculation, it has finally been confirmed that Farhan Akhtar will be seen in the Disney+ series Ms Marvel, marking his international debut in MCU and fans could not be more excited! The actor confirmed the news on Saturday on Instagram and wrote, “Grateful that the universe gifts these opportunities to grow, learn and in this case have a ton of fun while doing it.” Details regarding Farhan’s character have been under wraps and not much has been revealed as yet. Ms Marvel will premiere on June 8 this year introducing Iman Vellani as Kamala Khan, who is a Muslim American teenager growing up in Jersey City day-dreaming about a superhero life. Farhan will be part of the Marvel Comics Universe (MCU) with this series which also stars Aramis Knight, Saagar Shaikh, Rish Shah, Zenobia Shroff, Mohan Kapur, Matt Lintz, Yasmeen Fletcher, Laith Nakli, Azhar Usman, Travina Springer and Nimra Bucha. Singer Madonna wants to discuss ‘important’matters with Pope Alia Bhatt and Ranbir Kapoor in Brahmastra Singer Madonna, who was criticised for blasphemy by the Vatican following the release of her controversial 1989 video Like a Prayer, which featured burning crosses, a black c m y b Jesus and statues crying blood, said that she wants to meet him to discuss “important matters”. She tweeted: “Hello @Pontifex Francis — I’m a good Catholic. I Swear! I mean I don’t Swear,” Madonna tweeted at the Pope. “It’s been a few decades since my last confession. Would it be possible to meet up one day to discuss some important matters? “I’ve been ex-communicated 3 times. It doesn’t seem fair.” The Pope is yet to respond to Madonna. According to reports, in 2006, Madonna was also accused of blasphemy following a controversial performance in Rome, when she was “crucified” on stage. At the time, the late Cardinal Ersilio Tonini spoke with the approval of thenPope Benedict XVI, saying the Vogue hitmaker had gone “too far”. — IANS