16092023-LSTL-01.qxd 9/15/2023 10:43 PM Page 1 c m y b TRIBUNE TAHIR, MOUNI TEAM UP Fun zone Actor Benedict Cumberbatch stood out in the trailer of his new film The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar. In a mockingly sarcastic tone, the actor went full on ‘Sherlock’ mode. Actors Mouni Roy and Tahir Raj Bhasin will be seen sharing screen space in Milan Luthria’s Sultan of Delhi series, which is based on the book Sultan of Delhi: Ascension by Arnab Ray. LUDHIANA | SATURDAY | 16 SEPTEMBER 2023 DIRECT IN THE ACT From Tigmanshu Dhulia to Anurag Kashyap to Farhan Akhtar, many contemporary directors have tried their hand at acting too. Whether for fun or genuine interest, their acts have received a mixed response Sheetal Actress Huma Qureshi turns author with the book Zeba ‘Deeply personal’ Actress Huma Qureshi is now an author. On Friday, she announced her debut novel titled Zeba An Accidental Superhero. Taking to Instagram, Huma wrote, “Finally the cat is out of the bag! Super-excited to share the announcement of my debut novel: Zeba An Accidental Superhero with @harpercollins… Been working on this for the past two years and everyone around me knows how much this means to me. Book out in December 2023 . Comments below will be seen as a vote of interest to buy the book.” Huma said that her novel is ‘deeply personal’. “I have learnt that accepting who you are, with all your quirks and uniqueness, is the most empowering journey one can embark on. We live in a world that needs diversity, and every individual’s story is a piece of that beautiful mosaic. Stories of fierce women are not just the need of the hour; they are the timeless tales that inspire. We need these stories to remind ourselves that we too can be the heroes of our own lives. This novel is deeply personal and puts out there the most unfiltered version of me,” she added. — ANI W ELL-known director Anurag Kashyap showcased his acting skills in the currently streaming Netflix film Haddi. Even South Indian director Atlee shook a leg with Shah Rukh Khan for a song in Jawan, which is ruling the box-office as of now. While many Bollywood directors preferred remaining behind the camera, from time to time there have been instances of some who forayed into acting due to genuine interest or for just pure fun. Here’s a look. VILLAINOUS ACT From Tigmanshu Dhulia, Amol Gupte, Karan Johar to Anurag Kashyap, all of them played villains in the their first outing on screen. Tigmanshu started his career as a casting director. Later, when he became a screenwriter, he wrote cameo roles for himself in films like Dil Se and Saheb Biwi Aur Gangster. Then, director Anurag Kashyap saw the villain in him for Gangs of Wasseypur (2012) and he remained an important character in both parts of the film. Interestingly, Tigmanshu cast Kashyap in his 2011 film Shagird as a villain! Kashyap also played a corrupt police officer in Sonakshi Sinha-starrer Akira. In the recent release Haddi, Kashyap again is seen as a villain. FIRST TAKE Ace choreographer-turneddirector Farah Khan tried her hand at acting as the lead SRK reveals why he chose the bald look for Jawan Anurag Kashyap Tigmanshu Dhulia heroine in Shirin Farhad Ki Toh Nikal Padi. The film starred Boman Irani opposite her. Not only was their chemistry loved by the critics and audiences, but their comic timing was praised as well. The film was written by none other than Sanjay Leela Bhansali and directed by Bela Bhansali Sehgal. Farah’s maternal cousin Farhan Akhtar is no different. Although Farhan had started his career in direction with hits such as Dil Chahta Hai, Lakshya and Don, it took him six to seven years to act. Farhan’s production Rock On helped him launch his acting career. Later, he was part of films like Luck, Karthik Calling Karthik, Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara, while bipoic Bhaag Milkha Bhaag was a superhit. Similarly Mahesh Manjrekar had to direct several films before his acting prowess was applauded in the film Kaante, directed by Sanjay Gupta. Farah Khan NOT FOR HIM Not many know that Karan Johar started his career in the entertainment industry as a kid with Doordarshan TV show Indradhanush, back in 1989. Later, he forayed into direction and gave cult films like Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, Kal Ho Naa Ho and many more. In fact, in Kal Ho Naa Ho, he did a cameo alongside then choreographer Farah Khan. But KJo’s fullfledged acting debut, as a villain, came under Anurag Kashyap’s direction in the film Bombay Velvet. Farhan Akhtar CAMEO GAME Directors Anurag Basu Ayan Mukherjee Subhash Ghai Yash Chopra Madhur Bhandarkar ‘Out of laziness’ Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan, who has been receiving immense appreciation from across the world for his recently released movie Jawan, has opened up about his preference for anti-heroes. He also shared why he chose the bald look for the action entertainer. Directed by Atlee, Jawan stars SRK in dual roles of Captain Vikram Rathore, an ex-commando; and Azad, the jailer of a women’s prison. SRK said: “I never wanted to play the hero. I find heroes very boring. I find them doing all the good things. Playing the puppyeyed good guy repeatedly is boring after a point. Personally, I love playing a bad guy,” he shared. About his iconic bald look in, SRK said: “I chose the bald look out of laziness because then I didn’t have to wear two hours of makeup. I’d rather just go bald. I just hope girls like bald men because I like bald girls!” He further described himself: “If I was to explain myself, I would explain myself as an actor somewhere in India who has tried, and is still trying very hard.” Talking about Jawan’s genre, the Baazigar fame actor said: “There is a genre of filmmaking that exists in South India. It’s louder, larger than life. It’s a roller coaster ride of everything packed into two-anda-half hours. It can be an out-of-body experience for global audiences.” On his entourage of female actresses in the movie, SRK said: “The idea was to take five fierce, dangerous women on board. All of them have learnt how to do action for the film, some for the first time. More than the fierceness of the girls, I’ll miss their support.” — IANS c m y b Karan Johar Films Ludo Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani Taal Dil To Pagal Hai Fashion Madhur Bhandarkar Subhash Ghai Yash Chopra Family time Beyonce celebrates 42nd birthday in French Polynesia Popstar Beyonce celebrated her birthday with style, as the 42 year-old took a break from her Renaissance World Tour to enjoy a family vacation in French Polynesia. “It was a nice break for Beyonce. The tour has been intense. She needed to recharge for a few days,” a source said. The Grammy-winning singer went for the family vacation with her husband JAY-Z, 53, along with daughters Blue Ivy, 11, and twins, daughter Rumi and son Sir, six.The family ‘rented several private villas’ and spent a great deal of quality time together. They enjoyed the beach, had family dinners and engaged in several activities. Everyone had the best time.” The Break My Soul artiste reportedly travelled with her family right after her birthday concert in Los Angeles at SoFi Stadium on September 4, before returning home in time to resume the North American leg of her tour in Vancouver. Queen Bey’s 42nd birthday festivities kicked off on stage during the final of her three Renaissance shows in Los Angeles. — IANS