29112022-LSTC-01.qxd 11/28/2022 10:29 PM Page 1 c m y b TRIBUNE New role Ram Charan, who gave a massive blockbuster RRR, is starring in another panIndia film under the direction of Shankar. LUDHIANA | TUESDAY | 29 NOVEMBER 2022 Smriti Kalra, who will be seen in Kaagaz 2, says after crazy telly schedules, she felt pampered on the film sets Always up fora challenge enge KRITI SANON Hint taken Did Varun just confirm Kriti Sanon’s relationship with Prabhas? Varun Dhawan and Kriti Sanon have got a positive response from audiences for their movie Bhediya. Recently, a video of Varun hinting at the dating rumours of his co-star Kriti with Prabhas has been doing rounds on the internet. During the promotions at the dance reality show Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa, while interacting with Karan Johar, the Jug Jugg Jeeyo actor hinted at Kriti’s relationship. When the filmmaker asked Varun about a list and why Kriti’s name was not on it, the actor replied, “Kriti ka naam isiliye nahi tha kyunki Kriti ka naam kisi ke dil me hai. Ek aadmi hai jo Mumbai me nahi hai, vo iss waqt shooting kar raha hai Deepika Padukone ke saath.” After his statement, Kriti was seen blushPRABHAS ing.—ANI Mona A CTOR Smriti Kalra likes a good challenge. When she got to audition for a new project, she was so confident that she challenged the team to cast anyone who could do it any better than her. She got a call back, and interestingly it turned out to be a film and none other than Kaagaz 2, helmed by veteran actor-filmmaker Satish Kaushik. Touted to be a sequel to 2021 Kaagaz that had Pankaj Tripathi, Monal Gajjar and Amar Upadhyay in lead roles, Kaagaz 2 again addresses a common man’s issue. Smriti is kicked up about sharing screen space with the likes of Anupam Kher and Darshan Kumaar. “Anupam sir is an institution in himself. Darshan recently delivered a Rs 400 crore hit. With Satish Kaushik sir leading the team, it’s been an amazing experience. While they all come from a theatre background, they wanted a strong performer and they chose me,” says Smriti. Not at the liberty to reveal much about her character, Smriti says, “I play a girl of today, strong and mature, who is the backbone of the hero, which is played by Darshan.” Smriti, who’s been a part of the film, Cash, looks for a good project. She is not finicky whether it’s a film or a show, “Someone who’s done a daily soap is trained for anything. It was music to the ear when our DOP told us to wrap up soon and have ample of sleep to look fresh for the camera the next morning. After crazy telly schedules, I felt so pampered on the film sets!” Aiming to be a journalist, Smriti worked as a RJ before she cracked an audition for 12/24 Karol Bagh. Happy to accept challenges, she gave acting a go. “It seemed glamorous from far, but what gruelling schedules! I was pray- Shows she likes Longing for langars Interestingly Smriti Kalra, who started with telly shows, wasn’t allowed to watch TV or films during her growing up years. “I had only heard stories of Kuch Kuch Hota Hai and Kaho Naa... Pyaar Hai from school mates.” Her favourite genres now are documentaries, real-incident inspired fiction and romcoms. “I like to watch real stories, but occasionally when feeling down and out, I go for something like Emily in Paris to feel good about life again. It’s escapism but sure works! Daughter of an Army officer, Smriti grew up across the country. “I was born in Pathankot. My father was in the Sikh regiment. Growing up I have fond memories of gurdwaras – kadah prasad and langars! ing for it to get over to claim my life back,” she says. Soon, offers for similar characters followed. A year of backpacking and getting her health back in shape, she did Suvreen Guggal – Topper of The Year. “It was during Dil Sambhal Jaa Zara that I realised that I loved facing the camera. Now I am an actor for life.” Smriti of late has ventured into the world of audio entertainment with her upcoming Amazon Audibles audio Total ‘Men like Chetan Bhagat will always blame women’ dhamaka The makers of Rohit Shetty’s upcoming movie Cirkus unveiled its teaser on Monday. The film marks Ranveer Singh’s third collaboration with the superstar Bollywood director Rohit Shetty after Simmba and the Akshay Kumar-starrer Sooryavanshi, where he had an extended cameo appearance. The teaser features a bunch of Rohit Shetty regulars such as Sanjay Mishra, Ashwini Kalsekar, Mukesh Tiwari, Marathi actor Siddharth Jadhav along with Jacqueline Fernandez, Pooja Hegde and Varun Sharma. Both Ranveer and Varun seem to be playing dual roles in the film. The teaser not just announces the date (December 2) when the trailer would drop, but also said the film will be released during Christmas this year. —IANS Internet personality Uorfi Javed took on popular writer Chetan Bhagat as a result of a comment made by the latter in which he called her a “distraction” for boys. Although Bhagat later clarified that he’d been quoted out of context, Uorfi went after him, all guns blazing. Uorfi took to her Instagram Stories and shared a series of his chats that had gone viral a few years ago during the #MeToo campaign. He was then accused of sexual misconduct by author and yoga instructor Ira Trivedi. After drawing attention of her followers to the allegations against Bhagat, Uorfi reacted to the author’s comment, “Guys, let’s not forget how so many women accused him during #MeToo case!!” She added that men like Bhagat only blame women and said there was no need to drag her into the conversation and make comments on the kind of clothes she chooses. “Men like him will always blame women than accept their own shortcomings!! Just because you are a pervert does not mean it is the girl’s fault or what she is wearing!” Uorfi said. Uorfi also pointed out how Bhagat’s comment showed that his thinking was quite old-fashioned. “Stop promoting rape cul- ture, you sickos out er accept your own shortcomings there! Blaming or faults! People like you are miswomen’s clothes guiding the youth, not me. for the behaviour Encouraging men to put the of men is so ‘80s. blame on women or their Mr Chetan Bhaclothing when they are at gat. Who was disfault.” tracting you The former Bigg Boss when you OTT contestant said messaged all this in a video she girls half shared, where she of your asked what was age?” Uorthe need for the fi said. ‘ Two States’ “Always author to take blame the her name in a opposite literature fesgender, tival, even and nev- CHETAN BHAGAT AND UORFI JAVED though she is Would love to collaborate with Indian talent, says Faudaco-creator Lior Raz not a writer. “I do not understand the need of mentioning my name at a literature festival. I am not an author. Also, you said the youth is getting distracted by watching my photos. Leave that aside. First, tell me why you, who is double the age of youth, were sending messages to girls half your age? Was that not distracting? Were your marriage and your children not getting affected by it?” Uorfi asked. Bhagat also took to his Twitter handle to clarify that he was being unnecessarily questioned for what he had not said. —IANS c m y b Way to go Amala Paul’s highly anticipated Christopher’s first look out now Thanksgiving Lior Raz, the co-creator of the critically-acclaimed Israeli series Fauda, says he is looking forward to visiting India again and teaming up with Indian artists. He was speaking at the Asia premiere of the fourth season of Fauda, which was showcased in Panaji on Sunday evening as part of the 53rd edition of the International Film Festival of India (IFFI). Raz also expressed his gratitude towards the festival for hosting him and series co-creator Avi Issacharoff. “We would like to thank the IFFI for having us here and letting us experience the love the people have for the show. “We would love to collaborate with Indian creators and we hope to be back here soon with more great stories to tell,” the writer, who was on his second visit to India, said. Ahead of the screening of the first episode of the upcoming season of Fauda, Raz and Issacharoff graced the red carpet. Later, Raz Issacharoff, Rajkummar Rao and Monika Shergill, vice-president of content at Netflix India, took part in a panel discussion titled ‘Storytelling in the Era of Global Entertainment’.—PTI TEAM FAUDA series Malang Ishq. Her next acting project is for OTT. “It’s a web series with an A-list star cast. ” Kaagaz 2, touted to be a remake of the critically acclaimed Malayalam film Nirnaayakam, will release early next year. After a successful 2022, Amala Paul is now ready for her next adventure. The makers of Christopher have finally revealed the first look of the film! The poster was released on social media on November 28. Directed by B. Unnikrishnan, Christopher stars Amala Paul and superstar actor Mammootty. The actress recently revealed her excitement on pairing with actor Mammootty and director Unnikrishnan and how great an experience it was working alongside the talented duo. Meanwhile, Amala is currently working on her forthcoming releases Aadujeevitham and Bholaa, in which she will have a special appearance.