11012023-LSTL-01.qxd 1/10/2023 10:48 PM Page 1 c m y b TRIBUNE What a pain Bollywood actor Kartik Aaryan said that his calves and knees started to hurt after shooting for a song for his upcoming film Shehzada. IANS LUDHIANA | WEDNESDAY | 11 JANUARY 2023 This fire won’t be doused Prashant Nair, creator of Trial By Fire, based on the Uphaar cinema tragedy, says this is a story of courage, resilience & persistence in the face of challenges Mona It’s confirmed T HE fateful Friday, June 13, 1997...Exactly 26 years after on Friday, January 13, a limited series, Trial By Fire, traces over two-decade- long struggle of parents for justice. The Uphaar Cinema fire tragedy took 59 lives and left over a hundred injured. Among those who died were Neelam and Shekhar Krishnamoorthy’s two teenage Rashmika Mandanna not replaced in Pushpa 2 Madhubala The actress has power-packed projects like Chor Nikal Ke Bhaga, OMG2 and Dhoom Dham lined-up in 2023 Actress Yami Gautam Dhar envisions doing a biopic of the iconic and her “favourite” actress Madhubala. When asked whose biopic she would like to do, Yami said, “The most beautiful one would be Madhubala ji. I know that there are some films being announced, but it’s nothing to do with those announcements.” On the work front, Yami has more power-packed performances lined up with projects like Chor Nikal Ke Bhaga, OMG2 and Dhoom Dham. —IANS T AN Yami wants to play A STILL FROM TRIAL BY FIRE H AS PR Recent reports that Rashmika Mandanna has been replaced by Sai Pallavi in Pushpa 2 had left Rashmika’s fans heartbroken.On Monday, Rashmika took to Instagram Story and confirmed her presence in Pushpa 2 in an Ask Me Anything session. When a fan asked her to give an update about her next movie, the diva wrote the names of the films which will release in 2023. She mentioned Animal, Mission Majnu, Varisu and Pushpa 2, making it clear that the reports about her replacement in Pushpa 2 were not true. “Four and many more surprises coming your way,” she further wrote. —ANI NA IR children. In their fight for justice, Prashant Nair, creator of the show, found inspiration to carry on despite odds. Equally nervous and excited, as the show inches closer to release, Nair opens up, “I was moved by the story of the Krishnamoorthys. Theirs is a story of courage and resilience and persistence in the face of challenges.” The show’s producer Sidharth Jain shared this story and Nair felt that it was something that needed to be told. “Cinemas are a part of ordinary life. Many a time, we allow our children to watch a movie while we parents shop at the mall. The basic assumption is that cinemas are safe. What transpired in the Uphaar tragedy and how ‘Context matters’ Adivi talks about G2 amid CBFC removing RAW reference from Pathaan The makers and cast of Gooachari 2 (G2) held a prevision video reveal and press conference in Mumbai on January 9. Actor Adivi Sesh, who is the main lead, discussed what G2 stands for and how there’s no agency connection in the story as in upcoming Pathaan wherein CBFC ordered to remove the name of RAW. As G2 is also a spy thriller action film, we wonder if it would get cuts for naming any agency in the dialogues. Putting all the questions They have made it! Blockbusters RRR, The Kashmir Files, Kantara and Gangubai Kathiawadi have made it to the Oscars 2023 reminder list. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) released a reminder list of 301 feature films eligible for the Oscars 2023. Previously, Pan Nalin’s Gujarati film Chhello Show was announced as India’s official entry for the Oscars 2023. Apart from them, the list also features Indian films Me Vasantrao and Tuzhya Sathi Kahihi, Rock- Krishnamoorthys showed exemplary strength is a story that we found stirring and worth telling. The series is based on the bestselling book, Trial by Fire: The Tragic Tale of the Uphaar Fire Tragedy, by Neelam and Shekhar Krishnamoorthy. “The reference point for the series was the book, supplemented by our own research,” adds Nair. Born in Chandigarh, Nair, an engineer, worked as a social entrepreneur before he decided to follow his passion and head to the film industry. Directing films like Delhi In A Day, Umrika and web series Made in Heaven, Nair believes in the power of the stories. Picking up a real story, not far into the past, has been a challenging ride. “Telling such a story comes with a responsibility, ensuring that it’s a sensitive portrayal and that the survivors or their emotions are not exploited in any way,” says to rest, Adivi Sesh explained, “Our agency (in the film) is Trinetra, not RAW… Context matters…I don’t know the context in which it was used in Pathaan. But ours is a different agency.”—TMS RAJSHRI DESHPANDE #TheKashmirFiles has been shortlisted for #Oscars2023 in the first list of @TheAcademy. It’s one of the 5 films from India. I wish all of them very best. A great year for Indian cinema.” #Pallavi- c m y b fond memories of spending time with my grandparents, playing cricket in the parks in Sector 8 and 35 and going for movies. Post their demise coming to Chandigarh took a pause but I came here last year and was pleasantly surprised the city has retained its charm!” Nair is looking forward to the audience response. “I believe in telling stories that make an impact. I hope this story raises consciousness, and makes a valid point for public safety and justice system.” This web series has been rather draining. Nair intends to take a break from reality and his next two projects are fictional. Produced by Endemol Shine India and House of Talkies, this human drama also stars Rajesh Tailang, Ashish Vidyarthi, Anupam Kher, Ratna Pathak, Shilpa Shukla and Shardul Bharadwaj. It streams from January 13 on Netflix. Make way A story of polarised times for Pathaan Anubhav Sinha and Hansal Mehta’s3thriller Faraazto hit big screen on February Shah Rukh Khan is returning to the silver screen after four years with his upcoming spythriller Pathaan, multiple trailers of which were unveiled on Tuesday by its makers. The trailer is laced with punchy dialogues and thrilling action sequences with SRK executing them flawlessly even at the age of 57. Shah Rukh even shared the teaser with his fans on social media.—IANS Director Hansal Mehta is back with another hard-hitting story based on the reallife terrorist attack that ravaged a Dhaka cafe in 2016. After an overwhelming response at the BFI London Film Festival 2022 where it had a world premiere, the Zahaan Kapoor and Aditya Rawal-starrer is set for theatrical release on February 3. Producer Anubhav Sinha says, “Faraaz is a story that needs to be told and Hansal has done justice to the story of the catastrophic event that shocked the world. It is a story about a hero, who made a brave choice.” RRR, The Kashmir Files, Gangubai Kathiawadi, Kantara make it to Oscars 2023 reminder list GANGUBAI KATHIAWADI etry: The Nambi Effect, Iravin Nizhal and Kannada movie Vikrant Rona. Sharing his excitement, director Vivek Agnihotri took to Twitter and wrote, “BIG ANNOUNCEMENT: ❝ IT’S INDEED AN HONOUR TO BE A PART OF THIS PROJECT. NEELAM IS AN INSPIRING CHARACTER TO PLAY AND WAS A LOT OF HARD WORK, ESPECIALLY AS THE STORY PANS OUT OVER TWO DECADES. WHENEVER I APPROACH A ROLE I TAP INTO THE CHARACTER’ EMOTIONAL, MENTAL STATE TO SOME EXTENT PHYSICALITY TOO. TRIAL BY FIRE IS ONE SERIES THAT MUST BE WATCHED BY EVERYONE SO THAT WHAT HAPPENED ISN’T REPEATED, EVER. Nair. He and his team were moved to the core during this journey. “There are no words to describe the pain of the parents who lost their children. The responsibility to bring out their story to the screen in the most sensitive way possible was shared by our entire crew.” They found their lead characters in Abhay Deol and Rajshri Deshpande. “It was a challenging role and we approached Abhay Deol and were fortunate that he came on board. We reached out to Rajshri Deshpande and she agreed for an audition. As she enacted a scene, we were so moved that instantly we knew that we had found our Neelam,” says Nair. Nair has spent many a summer in the City Beautiful. “I have Joshi #MithunChakraborty @DarshanKumaar @AnupamPKher are all shortlisted for best actor categories. It’s just the beginning. A long long road ahead. Pl bless them all,” he added. Rishab Shetty also took to Twitter and shared a thankful note for the fans for an overwhelming response to his film Kantara. “We are overjoyed to share that Kantara has received 2 Oscar qualifications! A heartfelt thank you to all who have supported us. We look forward to share this journey ahead with all of your support. Can’t wait to see it shine at the #Oscars #Kantara @hombalefilms #HombaleFilms,” he wrote. According to Variety, the 9,579 eligible voting members will begin filling out their ballots on January 12 and ballots will close on January 17. The official Oscar nominations will be announced on January 24 with the ceremony on March 12 at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood. —ANI Mehta adds, “To me, Faraaz is a story of our polarised times. Through the one event that rocked Dhaka, I’ve tried to explore the broader theme of violence.” Isn’t it sweet! Actress Kate Winslet won many hearts after a video of her motivating a first-time interviewer during the Avatar: The Way of Water promotions went viral. Winslet was being interviewed for a German TV network when the young reporter, Martha, told the Oscar winner, “Um, it’s my first time.” Winslet paused the interview and leaned closer to the reporter. “This is your first time doing it?”Winslet asked. Sharing her words of encouragement Winslet added, “Ok, well guess what? When we do this interview, it’s going to be the most amazing interview ever.” ANI Kate Winslet pauses Avatar 2interview to make interviewer less nervous