18052023-LSTC-01.qxd 5/18/2023 12:12 AM Page 1 c m y b AMISH TRIPATHI GETS MARRIED Months after he announced his engagement, Amish Tripathi, the writer of many Hindu mythology-based bestsellers, has tweeted that he has finally tied the knot. He identified his wife as just Shivani, and did not disclose more for sake of her and her child’s privacy. IANS TRIBUNE Life T HELEN MIRREN Hello Anais Anais Demoustier, president of the Camera dOr Jury, posed during the 76th Cannes Film Festival – Photocall. Anaïs is a French actress. She has appeared in more than 50 films since 2000. REUTERS LUDHIANA | THURSDAY | 18 MAY 2023 The drama unfolds HE Cannes Film Festival red carpet sprang to life with the premiere of the Louis XV period drama Jeanne du Barry, with Johnny Depp, as the French Riviera movie pageant launched a star-studded and potentially controversy-rife 76th edition. Throngs of onlookers shouted “Johnny!” as Depp, in purple-hued sunglasses signed autographs and edged back into the spotlight following his explosive trial last year with ex-wife Amber Heard. ESHA GUPTA Cannes Film Festival kicks off with Johnny Depp’s Jeanne du Barry and a galaxy of stars PHOTOS: REUTERS, PTI & ANI ELLE FANNING L MURUGAN AND GUNEET MONGA ARAYA HARGATE Jeanne du Barry, directed and costarring Maiwenn, has been billed as Depp’s comeback — though his prominent presence at Cannes has been hotly debated. A coterie of stars streamed down Cannes’ famous red carpet for the opening night ceremony on Tuesday, including Brie Larson, Uma Thurman, Gong Li, Elle Fanning, Naomi Campbell, Catherine Deneuve (who graces this year’s festival poster) and a blue-haired Helen Mirren, who carried a fan labeled #worthit. During the opening ceremony, Michael Douglas received an honorary Palme d’Or, with his wife, Catherine Zeta-Jones and their daughter, Carys Zeta Douglas, looking on from the audience. “I’m even older than the festival,” said Douglas, 78, after receiving a warm standing ovation. Douglas and Deneuve officially declared open a festival that promises a Cote d’Azur buffet of spectacle, scandal and cinema set to be served over the next 12 days. Stars set to hit Cannes’ red carpet in the next week and a half include Natalie Portman, Leonardo DiCaprio, Cate Blanchett, Sean Penn, Alicia Vikander, Scarlett Johansson and Abel Tesfaye — also known as the Weeknd. MICHAEL DOUGLAS, CATHERINE ZETA-JONES (R) AND DAUGHTER CARY (L) NAOMI CAMPBELL MAIWENN AND JOHNNY DEPP Sandeep as she posted her pictures against the blue Mediterranean Sea. ESHA DAZZLES IN WHITE Jannat 2 actress Esha Gupta also walked the prestigious red carpet as she looked sensational in a white gown with exaggerated floral detailing. Esha attended the film festival as part of the Indian government delegation. She chose Nicolas Jebran couture for her debut Cannes appearance with thigh-high slit. ‘EMBROIDERY BY MY LOCAL TAILOR’ MANUSHI IN FAIRYTALE GOWN UMA THURMAN Former Miss World and actress Manushi Chhillar recently walked the red carpet at the 76th Cannes Film Festival. For the occasion, she chose a lovely white dress by Fovari. The dramatic white dress had a lace bodice and trail that swept the floor behind her. Sara Ali Khan made her Cannes red carpet debut and went full desi for her maiden outing. The actress wore a lehenga by Indian designer duo Abu- Union Minister Murugan poses with Oscar-winning The Elephant Whisperers producer Guneet Monga Union Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting L Murugan, who is leading the Indian delegation at the ongoing year’s Cannes Film Festival, posed with Oscar-winning documentary The Elephant Whisperers producer Guneet Monga. Murugan walked the red carpet in traditional attire. He was seen meeting Guneet at the Cannes film festival. His face will go on and on... Tom Hanks on AI making it possible to continue to appear in films even after his death Hollywood star Tom Hanks is talking about AI technology that could potentially make it possible for him to continue appearing in new films even after his death. “What is a bona fide possibility right now, if I wanted to, (is) I could get together and pitch a series of seven movies that would star me in them in which I would be 32year-old from now until kingdom come,” Hanks said on The Adam Buxton Podcast. Hanks added, “Anybody can now recreate themselves at any age they are by way of AI or deep fake technology. I could be hit by a bus tomorrow and that’s it, but my performances can go on and on and on. “Outside of the understanding that it’s been done by AI or deep fake, there’ll be nothing to tell you that it’s not me and me alone and it’s going to have some degree of lifelike quality.” Hanks, who has reteamed with Forrest Gump director Robert Zemeckis for the movie Here, will most likely use AI technology for the project to de-age him. Hanks says that Hollywood agents are already drawing up contracts. “I can tell you that there (are) discussions going on in all of the guilds, all of the agencies, and all of the legal firms in order to come up with the legal ramifications of my face and my voice and everybody else’s being our intellectual property,” he said.—IANS c m y b In the picture, Murugan is dressed to the global community. in a white shirt which got the National Flag on its left side and a G20 logo PRETTY IN PINK on the right. He paired it with Veshti Actress Urvashi Rautela attended the to represent his culture at the global Cannes Film Festival as she put her level. Guneet, on the other hand, opt- best fashion foot forward. The actress was seen wearing a pink tulle gown ed for a golden-tone saree. Ahead of Cannes, Murugan said, paired with statement jewellery. Her “The embroidery on the shirt has been gown was designed by Sima Couture and the necklace was by Cartier. done by my local tailor. It makes The actress took to Instame immensely proud to gram to share photos wear Tricolour on my and videos of herself, chest.” “Since we are which attracted all doing so many events kinds of reactions. and showcasing our She wrote in her capheritage at the G20 tion, “76th annual year-long plan, it is Cannes Film Festival only befitting that we red carpet opening...” tell the world about it,” Urvashi will be reporthe added. URVASHI RAUTELA edly presenting the This year’s special focus Parveen Babi biopic at the will be on India’s culture and heritage at the India Pavilion. The theme French Riviera. Urvashi will be part for this year’s Pavilion is based on the of a photocall launch event, where Goddess of knowledge, Saraswati. It has she will have a platform to represent been designed by the National Institute her character. It will give a glimpse of of Design, Ahmedabad with the theme - what lies ahead for the highly-anticiShowcasing India’s Creative Economy pated film’s release. —AP, IANS & ANI PTI Eric Garcetti & Shah Rukh Khan SRK hosts US Ambassador to India The newly-appointed US Ambassador to India Eric Garcetti was hosted by Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan at his home Mannat in Mumbai. Garcetti took to Twitter, where he shared a string of pictures from his visit, which also features SRK, his wife Gauri and his manager Pooja Dadlani. He captioned the image: “Is it time for my Bollywood debut? Had a wonderful chat with superstar @iamsrk at his residence Mannat, learning more about the film industry in Mumbai and discussing the huge cultural impact of Hollywood and Bollywood across the globe. #AmbExploresIndia.” On the acting front, Shah Rukh Khan was seen in the blockbuster Pathaan alongside John Abraham and Deepika Padukone. —IANS