11032023-LSTL-01.qxd 3/11/2023 12:34 AM Page 1 c m y b TRIBUNE Once more Saiee M Manjrekar, known for her impressive debut in Dabangg 3, is all set to charm the audience with her upcoming project opposite Ram Pothineni. LUDHIANA | SATURDAY | 11 MARCH 2023 The countdown begins... Mona ‘It absolutely bothers me’ Saba Azad hints at her relationship with Hrithik Roshan Saba Azad is a part of SonyLIV series Rocket Boys, which will soon be returning with its second installment. The actress plays the role of Parvana Irani. In a recent interaction, she hinted at her ongoing relationship with actor Hrithik Roshan, which has made her a subject of interest more than her professional achievements. They have not made their relationship status official but their PDA moments have stated the obvious. Saba said, “It absolutely bothers me. For long, women have been seen as a means to facilitate the men in their lives. That is a universal phenomenon. That is a product of patriarchy. That has gone on for far too long. But I also think it is changing now. Women are in every field now and they are succeeding equally as the men. However, we are still fighting for equal pay, the safety of women, women’s health and so much more that haven’t even been given a thought.” ‘The bigger purpose’ Rani Mukerji shares that the target of her upcoming film, Mrs Chatterjee Vs Norway, is not box office numbers Actor Rani Mukerji is currently busy promoting her upcoming social drama Mrs Chatterjee Vs Norway. During a recent promotional event, Rani along with the film’s producer Nikkhil Advani talked to ace filmmaker Karan Johar about her upcoming film. Rani said, “The purpose of this film is bigger than a box office success because it needs to create awareness around the stories which happen day in and out for parents outside the country.” During her chat, the Hum Tum actor revealed that she took inspiration from her mother for her role as Mrs Chatterjee and quipped, “I saw it as someone so connected to her roots.” Recently the makers of the film, based on a reallife incident, unveiled the official trailer which has since received a massive response from the fans. Directed by Ashima Chibber and produced by Zee Studios and Emmay Entertainment, Mrs Chatterjee Vs Norway will be out in theatres on March 17. —ANI The Oscars is all set to be starstudded affair in its 95th outing at Hollywood’s iconic Dolby Theatre. As the Academy invites Jimmy Kimmel to host the event, cinephiles across the globe are looking forward to Sunday night rooting for their favourites to lift the coveted honours. For ‘the perfect host’, Kimmel, it’s going to be his third Academy outing after 2017 and 2018. India @ Oscars 2023 India has high hopes at clinching the oft eluding trophy! Three Indian titles stand a chance at the Academy Award in three different categories. Naatu Naatu from RRR is nominated in the Best Original Song category. It’s pitched against Applause (Tell It like a Woman), Hold My Hand (Top Gun: Maverick), Lift Me Up (Black Panther: Wakanda Forever) and This Is A Life (Everything Everywhere All at Once). All That Breathes is in competition for the Best Documentary Feature Film along with All The Beauty And The Bloodshed, Fire Of Love, A House Made Of Splinters and Navalny. Shaunak Sen’s documentary follows siblings, Mohammad Saud and Nadeem She- As we wait in anticipation for Naatu Naatuto rock the Oscars, here’s what else to root for at the 95th outing at Hollywood’s Dolby Theatre on Monday ALL THAT BREATHES Blunt, Dwayne Johnson, Michael B. Jordan, Zoe Saldana, Jennifer and Melissa McCarthy along with others. It also has Indian presence in Deepika Padukone. The Pathaan actress recently turned heads at Paris Fashion Week. Jai NTR NAATU NAATU FROM RRR hzad, who rescue and treat injured birds. All The Beauty explores the life of activist Nan Goldin; Fire Of Love is about volcanologists Katia and Maurice Krafft; A House follows the story of children from a special orphanage in eastern Ukraine and Navalny documents events related to the poisoning of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny. The Elephant Whisperers is vying for the Best Documentary Short Film and is fighting against Haulout, How Do You Measure A Year?, The Martha Mitchell Effect and Stranger At The Gate. Kartiki Gonsalves’s The Elephant Whisperers documents the bond between a couple and an orphaned elephant Raghu. Haulout is about Russian scientist Maxim Chakilev; How Do You Measure A Year? is about bonding between a father and his daughter. The Martha Mitchell Effect centres around the Watergate whistleblower and Stranger At The Gate is based on an Afghan refugee coming face to face with a US Marine, who has secret plans to bomb their community centre. Presenting to you... The star-studded presenter brigade includes Emily Gathering steam for Naatu Naatu, that’s already won Critics’ Choice Awards, Golden Globe Awards, Hollywood Critics Association, RRR actor NTR Jr landed in the US to a warm welcome. As his fans showered their idol with flowers and cheers of Jai NTR, he bowled over his fans with his humility, “I love you more than you guys love me. You’re all my brothers though we are not related by blood. Our relationship is stronger than any blood relationship. I’m indebted to you.” In the first time forever Promoting RRR ahead of Oscars, actor Ram Charan became the first Indian to ever appear on the popular talk show, Good Morning America, in New York. He touched hearts with his humility on the show. It’s also a lavish babymoon for him and wife Upasana who are expecting their first child. High hopes ■ Everything Everywhere All at Once leads the pack with 11 nominations in Best Picture, Director, Actress and Original Screenplay and other categories. ■ Martin McDonagh’s Irish black tragicomedy film The Banshees of Inisherin and Edward Berger’s German epic anti-war film All Quiet on the Western Front score an impressive nine Oscar nominations. The 95th Academy Awards are due on March 13 (IST). MOVIE REVIEW In the lanes of love Luv Ranjan marries modern-day love with his version of Hum Saath Saath Hain and creates a light-hearted romcom with a twist Nonika singh He is a breakup specialist. Even if it’s not his prime vocation, richie rich Rohan aka Micky (Ranbir Kapoor) loves to help young boys and girls snap out of relationships. Pyar hota hota kai baar hai, he croons with full gusto. Only expected his heart too would break and someone would do unto him what he does to others. Till then Ranbir Kapoor as Micky looks good, nay dashing. Shraddha Kapoor as Tinni is the hot babe. They meet, hook up and romance in ‘out of this world’ locales, exotic Spain to be precise. Ranbir packs the same energy one saw in Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani and the same lovelorn look as in Ae Dil Hai Mushkil. Heroines’ character sketch is not writer-director Luv Ranjan’s strength… we know he views the world, ahem female sex, through his prism. But in Tu Jhoothi, he is not exactly out to deride women or paint them as vamps, only shows us women want what they want…. And it has to be all or nothing. Foregrounding break up, Ranjan keeps you entertained till the first half and smiling by the time it closes. Songs by Amitabh Bhattacharya and music by Pritam keep the feel good momentum going. The break point of interval is something you see coming. Indeed, the premise is interesting. In this day and age, breakups happen at the slightest pretext and most relationship statuses not just Tinni’s are complicated. Only instead of truly wandering into the lanes of love aaj kal and give us a peek into what goes on in the Film: Tu Jhoothi Main Makkaar Director: Luv Ranjan Cast: Ranbir Kapoor, Shraddha Kapoor, Anubhav Singh Bassi, Dimple Kapadia & Boney Kapoor Rating:  Despite flaws, Luv Ranjan does manage to tug at your heart strings. The over the top climax leaves you teary-eyed. minds of modern day Heer Ranjhas, Ranjan doesn’t dive deep. Rather conveniently he marries modernity with tradition. No harm in that, for we Indians indeed are essentially both. Why, even our break up guy is no marriage breaker. Marriage and family in Indian scheme of things are sacrosanct, only here we get Ranjan’s version of Hum Saath Saath Hain. Yes, the film even tips the hat to the famous Barjatya film that drove home the pluses of joint family system, which may not sit well with millennials. Gosh, have we let the cat out of the bag? But don’t we all know what drives a Ranjan film is not the suspense or thrill element. A twist or two might be part of dramatic tension…where he scores invariably is in the friendship dynamics. Once again he gets it right, only here it’s not only bromance that blooms but also the bond c m y b and banter between girlie friends that is oh-so- genuine. Cameos are spot on and Anubhav Singh Bassi as Micky’s friend Dabas truly makes you chuckle. But if you are looking for laugh-outloud moments as in Pyaar Ka Punchnama, well despite Ranjan’s lucky mascot Kartik Aaryan and master of cheeky monologues making a special appearance, there are none. Of course, long winding dialogues do surface, a few strike home and a few don’t. However, more than humour it’s the lighthearted tone that sustains in what is essentially a modernday love story with a twist. You may not always agree with Ranjan’s social messaging concerning the fair sex. Here, you may take umbrage at a scene or two involving the young girl child of the family, even though we know precocious kids are real. Despite flaws, Ranjan does manage to tug at your heart strings. The over the top climax leaves you teary-eyed. If you are looking for some fun with an added dose of familial message Tu Jhoothi… should work for you. Like the large hearted big Punjabi family of Ranbir led by perky and pesky Dimple Kapadia, the film has a heart. It may not make yours go dhak dhak all the time and at times, exasperation may set in at certain turn of events. You may even be rattled by Micky’s rant and want to echo thoughts of his friend Dabas, “ise koi chup karavaeyga. But like most of Ranjan’s films this one is breezy, smile inducing, says it the way it wants to and watchable. Clearly, no deal breaker. Action begins here A picture of Kamal Haasan from the sets of much anticipated film Indian 2 has gone viral. Indian 2 is a vigilantethriller, directed by S Shankar. Kamal Haasan, who is the lead in the film, was clicked with his action design team and the picture has been shared multiple times on Kamal Haasan’s picture from the sets of Indian 2 goes viral internet. Indian 2, a sequel to the 1996 classic of the same name, features Kamal Haasan in the role of an aged freedom fighter who decides to wage a war against corruption. The film, like the first part, is likely to have a strong message. It also stars Kajal Aggarwal, Rakul Preet Singh, Priya Bhavani Shankar and Siddharth. It is produced by Subaskaran Allirajah and Udhayanidhi Stalin.