10052023-LSTC-01.qxd 09-05-2023 23:57 Page 1 c m y b TRIBUNE Being host Bollywood actor Rajkummar Rao will be seen co-hosting the upcoming IIFA Rocks 2023 in Yas Island in Abu Dhabi. The two-day event will begin on May 26. IANS CHANDIGARH | WEDNESDAY | 10 MAY 2023 ‘I hope to choose well’ Nonika Singh P Murder mystery Vidya Balan returns to theatres with Neeyat Abundantia Entertainment and Prime Video have announced the release date of their murder mystery film Neeyat. The movie features Vidya Balan in the lead role and will be released in theatres on July 7. Neeyat is helmed by Anu Menon, who last directed Vidya Balan in the 2020 film Shakuntala Devi. Neeyat also features Ram Kapoor, Rahul Bose, Neeraj Kabi, and Amrita Puri, among others. Neeyat has been written by Anu Menon, Priya Venkataraman, Advaita Kala, and Girvani Dhyani, with dialogues by Kausar Munir. Produced by the Vikram Malhotra-led Abundantia Entertainment, which also produced Shakuntala Devi, and co-produced by Prime Video, Neeyat narrates the gripping story of an unlikely detective (Vidya Balan) who investigates mysterious murders at a billionaire’s party, where nothing is what it seems and all suspects hide a secret or two. Neeyat marks Vidya Balan’s return to theatres after her stint on OTT. She featured in films like Shakuntala Devi (2020), Sherni (2021), and Jalsa (2022). The producers released a teaser poster of the movie that gives the audience a sneak peek into the film. LAYING a heroine of yesteryear for new generation girl like Wamiqa Gabbi you might think would be a Herculean task. Fun may not be a word you would associate with her layered performance of Nilofer in megaseries Jubilee. But Wamiqa, our Chandigarh di kuddi, the bubby Punjaban who has been vowing viewers with her stellar act in Jubilee not only found exploring her character fun, she dubs working with filmmaker Vikramaditya Motwane a fun experience too. Sure her character is complex. “But then we all are, who among us is simple?” she quizzes. Clearly Motwane has a painstaking eye for detail and prior to signing up for Jubilee, she was told he is indeed rather stern and strict. But not once during the one year shoot did she see him lose his temper. On his creative process, she shares, “Whatever prep Motwane sir has to do, he does it during workshops. Once the shoot begins he is already in a different zone, in the world he has created in his mind.” “My fitness secret involves drinking lots of water, following detox diets and keeping the gut healthy.” Chandigarh girl Wamiqa Gabbi, who is basking in the glory of web series Jubilee, says OTT has opened up many opportunities for newcomers Doing her homework well As for her entering the Jubilee world, well she did catch up on movies like Mughal-e-Azam, Pakeezah and even Dilip Kumarstarrer Devdas. But more than movies she tuned into songs of 1940s and 50s. So immersed was she in the music of the bygone era that most songs are today on her playlist and she joyfully hums, “Dheere dheere chal chaand gagan mein.” If being a Motwane heroine has been an overwhelming experi- PTI End game The legacy of Fast and Furious is coming to an end with Fast X: The End of the Road. It is a journey where we will see all the iconic characters from the Fast and Furious saga come together for one last time. The plot is based around the Toretto family and how Dom is going to save his loved ones from danger. The film stars the iconic recurring cast members Vin Diesel, Michelle Rodriguez, The trailer of Adipurush was released on Tuesday. Taking to Instagram, actor Prabhas treated fans to the trailer of the upcoming mythological pan-India film and shared the poster of his look as Lord Rama. He captioned the post, “Hari Anant, Hari Katha Ananta. Jai Shri Ram. #AdipurushTrailer out now! #Adipurush in cinemas worldwide on 16th June.” The trailer was first screened exclusively for fans of Prabhas in Hyderabad, followed by a grand launch event in Mumbai that was graced by the presence of the star cast, director, and producer. The trailer was released in 70 countries worldwide, turning it into a truly global celebration. ANI ence, she is equally overjoyed that she has been chosen to play significant roles in not one but four projects of gifted director Vishal Bhardwaj. In Bhardwaj’s OTT debut Charlie Chopra & The Mystery Of Solang Valley an adaptation of Agatha Christie’s novel The Sittaford Mystery, she is the titular character Charlie. She also gets to rub shoulders with the likes of Naseeruddin Mona professional capacity. About Hollywood, he says, “Increasingly, the role of middleman is diminishing. The artiste and studio heads or the director get in touch directly, which saves time, effort and boosts efficiency.” Being professional A turbaned Sikh, how has his c m y b When Tom met Shakira Hollywood star Tom Cruise apparently brushed shoulders with Shakira at an unlikely place. When attending the inaugural Formula One Miami Grand Prix, the Top Gun: Maverick lead man was caught on camera seemingly having an interesting chat with the Hips Don't Lie hitmaker. In a video uploaded, the 60year-old Hollywood star was seen hanging out with the 46year-old singer in a VIP area for the sports event. The two stood close to each other while chatting. Joining the two of them was one of Shakira's sons. — IANS Cannes calling Sunny Leone releases new still of Kennedy Tyrese Gibson, Chris, Nathalie Emmanuel, Jordana Brewster, Sung Kang, John Cena, and Jason Statham. While the new editions are Daniela Melchior, Brie Larson and Jason Momoa. Directed by Louis Leterrier, Fast X is written by Justin Lin and Dan Mazeau and produced by Neal H. Moritz, Vin Diesel, Justin Lin, Jeff Kirschenbaum, and Samantha Vincent. The film will release in theatres on May 19. Sunny Leone is gearing up for the release of her upcoming film Kennedy, which also marks her first collaboration with director Anurag Kashyap, at the Cannes Film Festival. Sunny Leone recently released a new still from the film with the caption, “2 weeks to go!” Kennedy is the only Indian film selected by the esteemed jury for a midnight screening at the 76th Cannes Film Festival. Visually appealing Calling Los Angeles his legal and spiritual home, city lad Hansjeet Duggal, has added another feather to his cap. Visual Effects Supervisor with Air, an American biographical sports drama film, directed by noted director Ben Affleck, has been one of his dream projects! A visual effects (VFX) artist, Duggal started early in the field of animation. Starting from his school days, he studied at St. Xavier’s, Chandigarh, Lovely professional University, Jalandhar and Chapman University, California. Right through, his love for animation stayed strong. And, eight years on, he is part of the film industry in the Shah, Neena Gupta and Ratna Pathak Shah. As she almost pinches herself, “Is it true”, she adds, “Working with such great filmmakers as Vishal and Ranjan Chandel (Grahan) has taught me that you don’t have to just work on your character but evolve as a person and human being. I have also learnt how important it is to be empathetic, sensitive and vulnerable as a person to be able to Heart’s wish Though she does not have any plans for future, on the top of her wish list is, “to play lead in Imtiaz sir’s film.” No she is not being greedy or over-ambitious. Working with Imtiaz Ali is something very personal for her. It’s where she began (Jab We Met), he was the one who told her — ‘finish your studies and come to Bombay’. Though, nothing has been signed on the dotted line yet, she has sent out a signal to the universe and she is positive her dream will come true soon. Meanwhile, she is busy with her upcoming projects and her six dogs at home. On OTT, the medium where she is making her mark, she says, “OTT has become the de facto family for outsiders as it provides opportunities to newcomers, just the way filmy family kids get.” She, however, has no designs on future, quoting from Osho, “Aasha se hi nirasha hoti hai,” she is not letting fame sway her off her feet. As for the answer to the ultimate question, do we get to see the second season of Jubilee, she promises, “As and when it happens I would be the first one to post it on Instagram.” Fast X, the 10th instalment in the Fast and Furious series, will release on May 19 PHOTO: PRADEEP TEWARI PRABHAS AND KRITI SANON Adipurush trailer out FIT & FINE play the wide range of characters.” Of course, she began her career with yet another top notch director Imtiaz Ali. From a bit part in Jab We Met to lead role in Jubilee, she has indeed come a long way. Whether she identifies with the struggle of Nilofer, she muses, “Her struggle is unlike mine, for I have had a beautiful family to protect and take care of me.” In fact, what has kept her going all these years is love of not just her family. but that of the film industry. “Faith in your ability too is a form of love.” Today as more and more makers are reposing faith in her talent and she is deluged with offers, her only fear is, “I hope to choose well and find the courage to say yes to the right parts and no to the not-so- significant ones.” VFX artist from the city, Hansjeet Duggal has collaborated with Hollywood director Ben Affleck on multiple projects identity been perceived there? “In the work circuit, there aren’t many except Waris Ahluwalia and one or two more, and I have been fortunate that people have been rather professional. Even if someone has something in the heart, it is never spoken,” says Duggal, who also admits that outside professional circuits, he has sometimes been a target of racial slurs. Air hasn’t been his first project with Affleck; there was a music video before and some small assignments too. With Air, he knew it’s a huge technological leap. “The movie was set to be a visual masterpiece, with 400-500 VFX shots that varied in complexity. Some shots were approved in the first go, while others required multiple ver- sions and tweaks to get to the finishing line,” he shares. Duggal feels strongly for Hollywood screenwriters, “Their demands are fair. Studios with billions of dollars of budget are not able to give writers their due. Hopefully, they should get their due.” During his student days, Duggal was part of two Student Oscar winning projects — Gardeners of the Forest and It’s Just A Gun. Not just Hollywood, Duggal is also passionate about his Sikh roots. A part of Sikhlens, he is associated with films like Okra King, Shades of Indigo and Jutti Kasoori. Working with his team that is spread across the US, Canada, Spain and India, Duggal is ready to take risks and chart newer courses with VFX!