25102023-LSTC-01.qxd 10/24/2023 9:52 PM Page 1 c m y b TRIBUNE Coming up Actor Shahid Kapoor on Tuesday said the title of his upcoming action thriller film is Deva and it will hit the screens on October 11, 2024. The film also stars Pooja Hegde. CHANDIGARH | WEDNESDAY | 25 OCTOBER 2023 Dark, yet bright Get set for Starfish THE BLACK BOOK A stellar act by Director: Editi Effiong Cast: Richard Mofe-Damijo, Ade Laoye, Sam Dede, Ireti Doyle and Shaffy Bello Rating: ★★★ Mona Power packed Singer-actress Ila Arun to challenge Sushmita Sen in Aarya 3 Two successful seasons, an International Emmy Award nomination and actress Sushmita Sen’s OTT debut launch vehicle, Aarya, is coming back with its third season. With new challenges as well as enemies, this season sees veteran actress and pop singer Ila Arun join the cast. Stepping into the shoes of Nalini, Ila Arun says, “It’s going to be an interesting outing. Now whether I join hands with Aarya or oppose her, or how long we walk together, is going to intrigue the viewers.” The 69-year-old Rajasthani folk-pop singer, who has given popular numbers such as Delhi Shahar Mein Maro Ghaghro and Choli Ke Peeche Kya Hai, has dabbled in the world of acting and singing for nearly four decades, yet her enthusiasm remains intact. “In Aarya 3, both Sushmita Sen’s character Aarya and mine, Nalini, have been through a lot of struggles in the past.” Ila portrays another strong foil to Sushmita’s character, who wants to expand her transport business along with drug trade. However, Nalini (Ila) is the undisputed queen of the business. “It’s a powerful role that challenged me, as much as I enjoyed it,” adds Arun. OTT has opened up a whole new world and Ila is enjoying the fresh wave of content. She recently played a transgender, Amma, in Nawazuddin Siddiqui-starrer Haddi. “It was a different experience, but right now I am all focused on Aarya.” As for singing, she shares, “I am singing, also doing shows while handling couple of acting projects. Yes acting has taken over singing for a while, but I will continue to sing, dance and act as long as I can.” Aarya, also starring Sikandar Kher, Indraneil Sengupta, Vikas Kumar, Maya Sarao and Geetanjali Kulkarni, has been created, produced, and directed by Ram Madhvani. Its third season will stream on Disney+ Hotstar from November 3. — TNS S ILENCE is the enemy… runs the theme for Editi Effiong’s debut directorial film The Black Book. This Nollywood (prolific Nigerian cinema industry) outing, which Editi calls his ‘love letter to his country’, has at its core a father-son story. Detailed scripting, catchy dialogues, superb performances and a story with a heart make this drug syndicate thriller standout amongst the numerous similar projects on OTT. The film opens in Lagos, where Professor Craig’s (Bimbo Akintola) husband and infant daughter are kidnapped. The scene moves to a home where Paul Edima (Richard Mofe-Damijo) and son Damilola Edima (Olumide Oworu) are seen engaged in a friendly banter, with Paul advising his son to take spirituality more seriously. As this young advertising professional decides to make his dad, a deacon at Church, happy by going to his lecture later that day, he’s intercepted and killed in cold blood. Authorities name him as the mastermind behind Craig family kidnapping case. Thereon begins the Richard Mofe-Damijo, sharp dialogues and slick action make Nollywood outing The Black Book trend on global charts journey of Paul to clear his son’s name of the blame and claim his body for burial. The premise is familiar; Rajinikanth’s recent release Jailer too is on the similar lines. However, what makes The Black Book an intriguing watch is the setting. Those under the impression of Lagos being a modern city are introduced to its underbelly — a seat of drug syndicate’s operations, where corruption mars all sectors. Richard Mofe-Damijo (popularly called RMD) is an incredible lead for this crime thriller. Playing a devout man with a dark past, the 62-yearold reportedly trained for 13 months to come across as convincing in his action scenes. Almost invincible, this father, who had left the bad world, isn’t ready to let go till he achieves his goal. RMD is stellar in his act, whether it’s the scene where he cries inconsolably, seeing his young son’s body, brutally murdered just because he resembled one of the kidnappers (being black and tall with dreadlocks). Or, being face-to-face with General Issa (Alex Usifo), challenging his former master. Ade Laoye as Nigerian society, shows a hopeful exit. Editi Effiong, who has written, directed and produced the film, says, ‘Art must reflect society, and if the cards are played right, art can influence society.’ We sure want to hold on to that hopeful thread! Going by global ratings, Editi proudly proclaims, ‘The Black Book is a film by Black people, Black actors, Black producers, Black money 100 per cent, and it’s gone ahead to become a global blockbuster. ’ If thrillers are your genre, this one is totally worth your time! Together, they rock ‘Want to make optimistic stuff’ Actress Reese Witherspoon on movies she prefers doing American actress and film producer Reese Witherspoon opened up about her obsession with comedy during a panel discussion at Hello Sunshine’s inaugural Shine Away Event in Los Angeles. “I came to this realisation and I’m sure you guys are going to find this shocking: I’m not meant to be doing dark, heavy, intense, horror, gore, darkness movies. People like to see me do light movies. And I was like, okay…,” she said. “I want to make optimistic stuff that excites girls to be women in this world because it is a wonderful thing to be a woman in this world,” added Witherspoon. Even while Witherspoon has been seen in darker, more serious roles (Election, Wild), she is best known for her comedy work with films like Legally Blonde and her most recent Netflix rom-com Your Place or Mine, alongside Ashton Kutcher. — ANI Vic Kalu, a fearless journalist, plays her part convincingly. Shaffy Bello, as the woman ruling men’s world, shines in the land of gangsters. In fact, women characters here are competent and fierce, whichever side of law — right or wrong — they are on. Ireti Doyle is another one on the list, as the commissioner who can’t be bought. While some situations do look contrived, one is ready to overlook them for greater good. ‘The past must die to truly serve the future,’ says Paul, and this film, despite being set in the deep-seated corrupt Salman Khan and Katrina Kaif Not done! American media personality and businesswoman Paris Hilton shared her heartache over ‘cruel and hateful’ people’s response to a photograph she posted on social media of her eight-month-old son, Phoenix Barron. The TV personality addressed the nasty comments on Instagram, saying it was ‘unacceptable’ for fans to ‘target’ her child. On October 19, Hilton, 42, posted a series of photos of her son, whom she shares with her husband Carter Reum, on Instagram, to mark his first trip to New York City. A TikTok user pointed out the negative response the post received, prompting Hilton to reply that her ‘angel is perfectly healthy’ and ‘just has a large brain.’ On Instagram, Hilton wrote, “This hurts my heart more deeply than words can describe. I’ve worked hard to cultivate an environment that is all about love, respect, and acceptance, and I expect the same in return.” — ANI Salman Khan and Katrina Kaif are back again in Aditya Chopra’s Tiger 3, reprising their iconic characters, super-agents Tiger and Zoya, from the YRF Spy Universe! Salman and Katrina look drop-dead gorgeous in the dance track Leke Prabhu Ka Naam, which has been composed by Pritam, while Amitabh Bhattacharya has written the lyrics. Choreographer Vaibhavi Merchant is delighted with the response to Leke Prabhu Ka Naam; she says, “I have been a part of Ek Tha Tiger, Tiger Zinda Hai, and now Tiger 3, so the expectation is always to do better. I think Salman and Katrina’s chemistry is rocking.” Directed by Maneesh Sharma, Tiger 3 is set to release on November 12. Paris Hilton says ‘unacceptable’ to target her child The teaser of Khushalii Kumar’s upcoming film Starfish, which stars Milind Soman, Tusharr Khanna and Ehan Bhat, in the lead roles, has been dropped by the makers. About the film, Khushalii says, “When Starfish was first offered to me, I was mesmerised by the world it brought on the big screen. Playing a skilled commercial diver, Tara, has been therapeutic for me; she is strong and also has a vulnerable side.” Milind Soman adds, “I play a ‘guru’in the movie and the entire vibe of this character is fascinating. Other than this, the story is quite an interesting one.” Directed by Akhilesh Jaiswal, the thrilling drama is set in an underwater world. Starfish is based on Bina Nayak’s best-selling book titled Starfish Pickle. The film releases on November 24, 2023. Wedding bells... Singer Megan Thee Stallion to come up with a new track Angela Krislinzki, IndoPolish actress and model, who primarily acts in Telugu and Hindi films, married her longtime boyfriend Madhav Mahajan in Jalandhar on Monday. They first met on the sets of the song, Chann Vi Gavah. Apparently, the actress confessed to have been married at the same location they had initially met. Mahajan is doctorturned-musician. Around a month ago, Angela had sparked break-up rumours with her now husband as she posted that they were no longer together. However, on Monday the couple had a fairy tale wedding in Jalandhar. — TNS Exhibition Cum Sale Spooky stuff Rapper-songwriter Megan Thee Stallion posted a video on Instagram on Monday, teasing a new ‘spooky’ track alongside what looks to be its potential new music video. The Grammy-winning rapper, 28, shared a short video focusing on her lips in pitch black background as she utters the words: “Just as a snake sheds its skin, we must shed our past, over and over again.” Then she suddenly appears out of the blue with her visage hidden in darkness. — IANS Karwachowth Special Designer Pakistani Suits Pakistani Jewellery Hand Embroidered Collections PAKEEZAH HOTEL AROMA HOTEL AROMA Sector 22, Chd. c m y b