24062022-LSTL-01.qxd 6/23/2022 10:38 PM Page 1 c m y b SET FOR A BIRTHDAY IN PARIS Arjun Kapoor, who has been working non-stop on back-to-back film projects without taking any break, will celebrate his birthday (June 26) in Paris with his girlfriend Malaika Arora, a source close to the actor revealed. TMS TRIBUNE New venture Life Priyanka Chopra has launched a kitchenware brand named Sona Home. The actress shared a video on Instagram where she is seen talking about her new venture. TMS LUDHIANA | FRIDAY | 24 JUNE 2022 ‘OTT is like a buffet’ sider myself fortunate that I am one of the chosen few who are pursuing their passion.” OTT has made Divyenndu, who believes a flawed character gives an actor a whole arc to perform, a binge-watcher like many of us. A fan of thrillers, he pretty much enjoyed Ozark lately. Mona D Long journey Pankaj Tripathi would’ve been a farmer... It took Pankaj Tripathi almost two decades to reach where he is today in the world of cinema. However, the acclaimed actor said if he wasn’t in the world of showbiz, he would have been a farmer or would have made a career in politics. Pankaj is currently gearing up for the release of his upcoming film Sherdil: The Pilibhit Saga, a dark humour-laced satire inspired by true events. He says, “My father was a farmer and that was my ancestral work. I would’ve done farming. Or maybe since I was a student leader I would probably have been in politics. I don’t know.” The 45-year-old star debuted in 2004 with minor roles in Run and Omkara. His breakthrough came in 2012 with Gangs of Wasseypur franchise. Later, he was lauded for his work in films such as Fukrey, Masaan, Nil Battey Sannata, Bareilly Ki Barfi, Newton, Stree, Ludo and Mimi. Pankaj also made a name in the web world with his work in series such as Mirzapur, Criminal Justice, Yours Truly and Criminal Justice: Behind Closed Doors. However, it was not an easy ride. “My acting journey is a long story. I left farming and student politics... Was unsuccessful in five-six jobs and that’s how I came towards cinema. Here also it took 15-20 years. I don’t know if I am successful or not but to reach where I am today took me 15-20 years.” — IANS IVYENNDU, Nishant aka Liquid of Pyar Ka Punchnama and Munna Bhaiya in Mirzapur, steps into the shoes of Saurabh in SonyLIV’s Salt City. Directed by Rishabh Anupam Sahay, the web series is set in the city of dreams — Mumbai. This edgy family drama showcases the journey of the Bajpai family, five siblings, and their rivalry. “Saurabh is a guy who is clueless in life. In a dysfunctional family, how he navigates his way makes for this story,” says Divyenndu. The actor, who has impressed the audiences with his craft, always knew his path. “I started acting in school and continued in college; I always knew that I was going to be an actor,” he adds. After college, he joined FTII, Pune, an experience he deems valuable in his journey. Can actors be trained? “Most definitely yes, provided one has an actor’s DNA,” he quips. “At FTII, I trained not just to be an actor but also how camera, sound and direction work. In film- making, each and every department is equally significant, it’s such a collaborative art!” Personal note A still from Salt In the web zone While his film Pyar Ka Punchnama won him an Award for Most Promising Newcomer – Male, it’s OTT that fetched him recognition. He gives a very interesting analogy on film vis-à-vis OTT. “Films are like a thali—you get a little portion of dal, sabji, thoda sa dahi and other things. OTT is like a buffet. An artiste can choose what they want and how much. It’s a buffet for the audience too, who sure can enjoy a few family titles or follow their own genres, say horror or thrillers, which may not be everyone’s cup of tea.” Ask him if he is close to his vision and he says, “I just wanted to act. It is good that I am a professional actor now and people know me. I con- His other passions include tending to plants, music, swimming and travelling. Divyenndu loves to take a trip to the mountains. “Not as much as I would want though, I am working too much for my comfort,” he laughs. So, what does he think about pay parity in the industry? “It’s definitely not an equal world. At the end of day, it’s all commercial; how saleable you are and your market value decides your fees. While that stays, we sure need minimum wages and fair working conditions for all.” Divyenndu would next be seen in Imtiaz Ali’s theatrical and Yash Raj’s OTT debut, along with some other projects. Meanwhile, Salt City, produced by Applause Entertainment in association with Sunshine Productions, and also starring Piyush Mishra, Manish Anand, Gauhar Khan and Pranay Pachauri, among others, is streaming on SonyLIV. Boney, Janhvi on screen together Time for Surprise element promotion Jessica Chastain played Donald Trump’s Liger, directed by Puri Jagannadh, will feature young and in-demand actor Vijay Deverakonda. Vijay is best known for Dear Comrade, Geetha Govindam, Arjun Reddy, and World Famous Lover. While fans are impatiently awaiting the movie, the actor tweeted a cryptic tease. “Know that I hear you...your man has always got a plan. ‘10’ #Liger,” Vijay Deverakonda’s tweet reads. This implies that Vijay Deverakonda has been closely monitoring his fans’ request to jumpstart the promotional activities for ‘Liger’, as the movie is nearing its release. Deverakonda intended to make it clear through his cryptic message that the theatrical trailer for Liger is anticipated on July 10. Puri Jagannadh, Ananya Panday, Vijay Deverakonda, and others will engage in media events. Liger stars Vijay Deverakonda, who will be seen as an MMA fighter, while the pan-India movie also marks boxing legend Mike Tyson’s debut in Indian cinema and introduces Ananya Panday to south audiences. —IANS Divyenndu, seen in the web series Salt City, says in the digital world artistes can choose what they want & how much sister for free in Armageddon Time Actress Jessica Chastain turned down the fee for her surprise special role as former US President Donald Trump’s politician sister, Maryanne Trump, in James Gray’s Armageddon Time, but with one condition attached—if her involvement was never formally announced. Armageddon Time is based on writerdirector Gray’s own childhood in the early 1980s at the Kew-Forest School in New York City. Costarring Anne Hathaway and Jeremy Strong as the film’s young protagonist Paul’s parents, and Anthony Hopkins as his grandfather, the movie premiered at the Cannes Film Festival last month where Chastain’s cameo surprised audiences. “When James reached out to me, I hadn’t read anything yet, and I was like, ‘yeah, I’ll do it’, because he told me it was his story. I love when someone wants to tell a personal story,” said Chastain. — IANS Janhvi Kapoor will soon be seen with father Boney Kapoor on screen for the first time. Producer Sandeep Singh Bedi has announced that he will be getting the father-daughter duo together soon. However, it is not for a film, but an advertisement. Although details of the ad weren’t revealed. While Boney Kapoor has generally maintained his role of a producer and a director, he is supposed to make his big acting debut with a Luv Ranjan film, starring Ranbir Kapoor and Shraddha Kapoor. Speaking of Janhvi Kapoor, the actress has a number of projects in her kitty. She will next be seen in the OTT release Good Luck Jerry, which is a remake of Tamil film Kolamaavu Kokila. It will be followed by a series of films like Bawaal with Varun Dhawan, Mr. and Mrs. Mahi with Rajkummar Rao, Bhediya, where Janhvi will reprise her role as Roohi, amongst others. There are also reports that she will be doing a dance number in Rocky Aur Rani Ki Prem Kahani, starring Ranveer Singh and Alia Bhatt in the lead roles. — TMS Boney Kapoor is supposed to make his big acting debut with a Luv Ranjan film Negative positive Sanjay Dutt on his menacing role in Shamshera Sanjay Dutt plays Ranbir Kapoor's nemesis in Shamshera and he has relished every bit of his villainous avatar. Sanjay says, "It is always exciting to play the antagonist because you get to bend the rules, break the rules. I realised that when you play the antagonist, there are actually impositions or moral boundaries. You can be disruptive. You can take a character from paper and play it the way you want to. I have a lot of fun when I play an antagonist and I'm fortunate that people have loved my performances as the nemesis of a hero so far." Sanjay adds, "It is also quite interesting that I'm pitted against Ranbir, who played me in Sanju. So, the on-screen enmity between him and me becomes all the more interesting for people. Ranbir is a brilliant actor but this film sees him in a new avatar. His boyish charm is inimitable, but in this film he is a man who finds his footing and looks glorious on screen." Although on expected lines, the cat and mouse game makes She Season 2 worth a watch SHE SEASON 2 Cast: Aaditi Pohankar, Vishwas Kini, Kishore Kumar G, Shivani Rangole, Sam Mohan and Suhita Thatte Director: Arif Ali Rating: ★★★ Nonika Singh Bhumi change ho rahi hai...Indeed how and wow! The once low on confidence constable Bhumika Pardeshi (Aaditi Pohankar) is no longer her diffident self. Slowly finding her groove, we watch her grow into a picture of confidence. Of course, we do see her vulnerable facet too especially when she is face-to-face with dreaded narcotics smuggler Nayak (Kishore Kumar G), who is also her lover. Much of the screen time in the second season of Imtiaz Ali’s She, streaming on Netflix, is devoted to the chemistry between these two. And in the other half, the director and writer team keeps us guessing who Bhumi is trying to con. Is she manipulating the conniving Nayak or double crossing the Mumbai police force to which she belongs? A double life of a double agent and obviously misgivings abound leading to many a c m y b NET, FLICKS & MORE She factor suspenseful juncture. One step forward and one backwards; the cat and mouse game involving Nayak, Bhumi and the police force makes She a binge-watch for sure. Sucked into the vortex of crime, can she escape unscathed is a question that intrigues, tantalises and is the hook that keeps you hooked. If the first season was about Bhumi discovering her sexuality, this one hinges upon the power within. How she unleashes it, how she learns to ace the survival game has all the trappings of a reasonably well-made thriller. Indeed, similarity to an international series headlined by a woman handling narcotics trade is a bit obvious. Besides, certain turns are on the expected lines. When Nayak tells Bhumi, ‘ We all can kill the ones we hate. It’s only when you kill the one you love you truly wield power’, you know which way the tide will turn. Despite the writing, ahem killing, on the wall, the series has your attention. Aaditi Pohankar, whom Nayak calls a ‘natural’ in the series, sure has it all. With a suitable back story justifying his evil ways, Kishore Kumar G as Nayak is menacing but not over the top or loud or melodramatic. Yet in his interfaces, especially with Bhumi, he sends a shiver down your spine. Vishwas Kini as ACP Jason Fernandez is consummate. But his role this time, even as doubting Thomas, doesn’t have much heft and in particular we fail to understand his ‘unhinged’ act close to the finale in the seventh episode. Of course, the real star of the show is Aaditi, who gets the many nuances of her part spot on. Be it as a loving daughter, ardent beloved and above all a woman in need to assert herself, both physically and mentally, she lets her quivering lips, the furtive smile, her coquettish demeanour, say it all. Her assertion in an interview that her role is like a satiated sumptuous meal is on point. Yet, certain ambiguities still plague the narrative. Why should she initiate a physical affair with another man while she seems to be enjoying a fully satisfying one with Nayak? Yes, we get it a woman’s sexuality is the point of interest here. But, at certain points like Nayak watching every move of Bhumi, the series too takes its viewers on a voyeuristic ride. Yet even if you are a prude and find it difficult to stomach excess of sex-rated scenes, nothing takes away the engaging quotient of She. Even as it leaves a door wide open for another season, it ends almost conclusively in the second season.