02082022-LSTL-01.qxd 8/1/2022 10:51 PM Page 1 c m y b TRIBUNE Aamir Khan on Laal Singh Chaddha Twitter trend Really there Bollywood actress Aahana Kumra will be seen hosting The Inventor Challenge, a competitive reality show. — IANS LUDHIANA | TUESDAY | 2 AUGUST 2022 Where has the Sheetal ‘People feel I don’t like India’ P Bollywood superstar Aamir Khan has finally spoken his mind on the “boycott Laal Singh Chaddha” trend on Twitter. The film is getting flak on social media for comments that the actor made about India a few years ago. This resulted in many asking for a boycott of the film. According to a leading newsmagazine report, when asked if such campaigns against his films make him upset, Aamir said that it makes him “sad”. The superstar said, “Yes, I feel sad. Also, I feel sad that some of the people who are saying this, in their heart, they believe that I am someone who doesn’t like India. In It is rather their hearts they believe, but it is untrue. It is rather unfortunate that unfortunate that some people feel that way. That’s some people feel that not the case. Please don’t boycott way... That’s not the my film. Please watch my film.” Laal Singh Chaddha is a case. Please don’t remake of Hollywood classic Forboycott my film. rest Gump. It also stars Kareena AAMIR KHAN Kapoor and has Aamir in the role of a simple, kind man, played originally by Tom Hanks in the 1994 iconic film. Twitter users went down the memory lane to dig up Aamir’s controversial “India’s growing intolerance” statement and circulated it on Twitter. In 2015, Aamir made a controversial statement in an interview. He said, “Our country is very tolerant, but there are people who spread ill-will”. His wife Kiran Rao also made headlines for saying that she considered leaving the country for the safety of their children. Produced by Aamir Khan Productions, Kiran Rao, and Viacom18 Studios, Laal Singh Chaddha also stars Mona Singh and Chaitanya Akkineni. —IANS ❝ Star Trek actress Nichelle Nichols passes away Nichelle Nichols, who was known for playing Lieutenant Nyota Uhura in the original Star Trek series, passed away on Saturday night in Silver City, N.M. She was 89. Confirming the news, in a statement posted on Facebook, her son Kyle Johnson wrote, “I regret to inform you that a great light in the firmament no longer shines for us as it has for so many years. Her light, however, like the ancient galaxies now being seen for the first time, will remain for us and future generations to enjoy, learn from, and draw inspiration.” Nichols’ passing away has left fans as well as celebrities heartbroken. gone? Post Sidhu Moosewala’s brutal killing, Punjabi artistes are reluctant to release new songs. We check out how the music industry is trying to get its act together... LISTENING TO SIDHU Lyricist YoungVeer has written songs for Nawazuddin Siddiqui’s upcoming film Noorani Chehra and also Punjabi film Jind Mahi. He says, “It is only film songs or music by new artistes which are out. As people are trying to come to terms with Sidhu Moosewala’s death and many singers are revisiting Moosewala’s songs and reinterpreting his verses. In other words, his death has reintroduced his songs and those are the only songs beside few tribute songs which the audiences have accepted. But as most of the shooters have been caught, hopefully that will help the music industry to move on.” Moosewala’s 2021 song 295 made him the first Punjabi artiste to enter Billboard Global 200 Chart in June, for the song made a surprise entry owing to the diaspora exploring his works. Moosewala’s death has reintroduced his songs and those are the only songs the audiences have accepted. YOUNGVEER As for Moosewala’s legacy, neither anyone was in competition with him, nor will he be replaced. THE LABEL ANGLE The owner of newly launched music label Alpha Studios, Rupinder Sandhu, has released just one song, Heart Attack. Post that, their songs have been on hold as a mark of respect to Moosewala. He says, “Punjabi songs are shot and recorded well in advance. After the unfortunate incident, no one would like to hear songs that have gun culture as a theme. This creates a complicated situation. The audience is still grieving. Many artistes have tried to revive Punjabi music in this past two months but nothing has clicked.” NO COMPETITION According to singer Sajjan Adeeb, “I have a few songs on hold. Those will be out once the situation improves. As for Moosewala’s legacy, neither anyone was in competition with him, nor will he be replaced.” Actress Rumman Ahmed feels the industry and audiences are grieving this loss together. She says, “Since most Punjabi songs have fun and celebratory vibes, they don’t sound right considering the mood of the state. Going against this emotional tide might cost artistes their fan base.” But the situation has not been able to dampen the craze for Punjabi music if the sold-out live shows in foreign countries are anything to go by. SAJJAN ADEEB SPREAD LOVE NOT HATE Actor and RJ Ranjha Raja says, “A few singers did release their songs post Moosewala’s murder, but people have rejected them. Many have put negative comments on those releases. We are forgetting that just like a regular employee, it’s an artiste’s job to create. It is an entertainment for the masses but it’s employment for the artiste and those in the entertainment business. It’s easy to judge someone and comment, but let’s not forget that saying bad things to any artiste will be like sowing the seed of hatred.” HARD TO CREATE Lyricist-writer-actor Gill Raunta, who was a part of Sidhu Moosewala’s last film, Yes I Am Student, is finding it hard to return to writing after the incident. He says, “Many artistes are now finding the true meaning of words such Bear with her! Make way for Prem Geet3 The first Indo-Nepali film releases on Sept 23 The first Indo-Nepali film, titled Prem Geet 3, is set to storm cinemas on September 23. Along with the release date announcement, the makers of the film have also launched an exciting poster of Prem Geet 3. The film is the third part of the super-hit Prem Geet franchise. Pradeep Khadka, the biggest star in the Nepali film industry, who was featured in the first two parts, also stars in Prem Geet 3 as the lead hero. Unlike the first two, the third part of Prem Geet is a period action film, mounted on a huge scale. Indian filmmaker Subhash Kale is the producer of Prem Geet 3. Lead actor Pradeep Khadka says, “It is my UNJABI singer Sidhu Moosewala’s murder has cast its shadow on the Punjabi music industry. Barring a few tribute songs for Moosewala, film songs and a few melodies from new artistes, not much has been released post the shocking incident. The big names of the industry seem to have turned to their film career and live concerts for the time being. While many feel creatively crippled and are reluctant to go back to singing and some are patiently waiting for things to go back to normal. We talk to artistes, young and seasoned, to know whether it is the toughest time they have faced so far, both creatively and commercially. new birth as I will be having a new identity as someone who got a chance to venture into a new world, representing the Nepali film industry for the first time.” After Ajay Devgn, Akshay Kumar, Rajinikanth and Vicky Kaushal, Ranveer Singh was the latest Indian celebrity to feature in the Bear Grylls-starrer show Into The Wild. And now, Bear Grylls has expressed his desire to work with Priyanka Chopra and Virat Kohli for his show. During a recent interaction, Bear said, “Virat would be amazing to adventure with – a true heart of a lion and kind spirit.” When it comes to any female star from India he would love to work with, Bear said, “Priyanka Chopra would be incredible. I took her husband on a journey once and he was a great guy. People would love to hear her story.” Bear also opened up about working with Ranveer and said, “Life is all about finding our true purpose and living with eyes and heart wide open with courage and gratitude – those qualities shone bright in Ranveer.” c m y b as ‘fame’, ‘glory’, ‘success’ and ‘dreams’. The name Sidhu Moosewala meant success. The dream to become like Moosewala has turned into a nightmare now. Everybody needs time to sit back and think before going back to work. I am finding it difficult to write. There’s nothing but the shared memories. All I could write after that unfortunate day is a poem for him and his parents. Things will change but when is the question.” Singer Harleen Singh feels new artistes who thought they would become public figures by singing songs and releasing their album will now be considering other career options. “Forget about fresh melodies, the audience is not even ready for tribute songs as they feel the singers are trying to gain from this tragedy. Singers will now distance from lyrics which involve gun and violence,” he adds. Priyanka to join Bear Grylls for an adventure? The audience is not even ready for tribute songs as they feel singers are trying to gain from this tragedy. HARLEEN SINGH Shining Punjab Punjabi films are celebrated for their wholesome entertainment and music. Owing to this, Punjabi actors are now getting immense popularity in Hindi cinema as well. Few Punjabi films, which are high on content, have been selected for a special screening at the Indian Film Festival of Melbourne 2022. The list includes Jaggi, Adh Chanani Raat and Raavi. Jaggi, directed by Anmol Sidhu and starring Ramnish Chaudhary, Harmandeep Singh, Gaurav Jasuja, Aks Mehraj and Harmeet Jassi. RAAVI ADH CHANANI RAAT Adh Chanani Raat (Crescent Night) is directed by Gurvinder Singh. The cast includes SS Dhiman, Veera Gill, Samuel John, Dharminder Kaur and Jatinder Mauhar. Raavi is a short film directed by Jasmine Kaur Roy, starring Sukhjinder Kaur in the main lead role. Three Punjabi films to have Australian premiere at IFFM 2022