02112023-LSTL-01.qxd 11/1/2023 10:42 PM Page 1 c m y b PIPPA TO RELEASE ON OTT Actor Ishaan Khatter-starrer war film Pippa is all set for an OTT release on November 10. The makers have unveiled the riveting trailer of the movie, which is a thrilling narrative of a landmark moment in history — the ‘Battle of Garibpur’ — during the Indo-Pakistan war of 1971. TRIBUNE Life Hollywood star Ben Affleck bumped his luxury Mercedes-Benz into a car on a recent outing. He was involved in the accident after he was caught on camera chatting with his former wife Jennifer Garner. The 51year-old Oscar-winning actor was spotted out and about in Santa Monica, California. In pictures making the rounds online, it can be seen that he accidentally banged his Mercedes-Benz into a white car, which was parked behind his luxury vehicle. Shortly before the incident, Affleck was spotted having a sweet interaction with Jennifer. — IANS Real to reel Assassinated rapper Sidhu Moosewala’s story is set to unravel on the screen as the book Who Killed Moosewala? is being adapted forthe screen. The rights to the book have been acquired by Matchbox Shots, mentored by Sriram Raghavan. Sheetal K Who Killed Moosewala? set for screen adaptation The book, authored by crime journalist Jupinderjit Singh, sheds light on Punjabi music industry, and offers a spine-chilling account of crime, fame and tragedy in the life of Shubhdeep Singh Sidhu, popularly known as Sidhu Moosewala. — IANS AALA PAANI Ki Asli Dewaar To Bahar Hai… Aur Wo Eeton Se Nahi, Paani Se Bani Hai…from dialogues to casting to performances to location, showrunner Sameer Saxena has done it again with Netflix’s latest series Kaala Paani. It has been co-directed by Saxena and Amit Golani. The executive producer behind web series like Panchayat and Gullak, Saxena reveals how he loves to experiment. The showrunner of Kaala Paani, Sameer Saxena, says one should move away from herd mentality on OTT and come up with fresh ideas to keep the audience invested Leaving Kaala Paani on a cliffhanger was all part of the plan, so that viewers remain hooked. “We wanted the viewers’ first reaction to be ‘why’ and then them asking for season two. But at the same time, we feel it’s a very correct ending. So wouldn’t change a thing about the whole series,” says Sameer. Recalling how the whole idea of giving a new definition to Kaala Paani came into being, he adds, “It is Biswapati Sarkar’s story and Arita Patil, Jupinderjit Singh and Dikssha Jyote Deepika Padukone, Alia Bhatt and others stars light up Jio World Plaza launch SRIDEVI HEMA MALINI LUDHIANA | THURSDAY | 2 NOVEMBER 2023 IN STEADY WATERS Bang, bang! Ben Affleck bumps his luxury car after chatting with ex-wife Jennifer Garner Wrap up Bollywood actress Janhvi Kapoor has wrapped up the Goa schedule of NTR Jr’s film Devara: Part 1, directed by Koratala Siva. She was shooting along with co-stars NTR Jr and Saif Ali Khan. BEHIND THE SCENES ACTION OF KAALA PAANI he stumbled upon this idea during a family vacation to Andaman and Nicobar long back. One of the guides told him that the place was known as Kaala Paani and kaal meant mrityu (death), so there was no escape from here. When he shared the idea of being stuck in a placewith me, it immediately got me interested. We had the idea during the pre-pandemic stage. Also, the subject of survival drama wasn’t much explored till now.” So, did Covid inspire the plot of a possible viral outbreak? “Not at all. It only helped us feel the reality of our thoughts and added ❝ THE CHALLENGE FOR US WAS SHOOTING IN ANDAMAN AND NICOBAR AS OFTEN THE EQUIPMENT REQUIRED WAS NOT AVAILABLE AND NEEDED TO BE TRANSPORTED. THE TERRAIN WAS TOUGH. SAMEER SAXENA around for just one episode, the other actors, Sukant Goel (Chiranjeevi aka Chiru), Vikas Kumar (Santosh Savla), Arushi Sharma(Jyotsna Dey) and Radhika Mehrotra (Ritu Gagra), leave a lasting impression. The fact that the cast didn’t stereotype the local tribe of Andaman and Nicobar in the series deserves a pat on the back for the makers. Saxena reveals how they developed a whole new tribe (Orakas) from a scratch, right from the language, dressing to everything else. While primary characters were played by actors, a lot of secondary roles were taken by locals of Andaman. He adds, “Orakas are a completely fictitious tribe in the series, but we wanted to treat them as characters just like everyone else. Also, we ensured that we do not end up copying from anywhere else.” NOVEL APPROACH weight to the drama, as we knew that people would relate to it.” LASTING IMPRESSION Except Mona Singh, Kaala Paani doesn’t have many known faces, yet the performances of the cast has become a talking point on social media. While Mona sticks One change that Saxena hopes for in the film and OTT industry is that everyone should try to move away from herd mentality of copying what has worked with the audience in the past. “We should always try to give something new because that’s what the viewers expect from us.” Glitz & glamour Several Bollywood celebs on Tuesday marked their presence at the star-studded launch of the Jio World Plaza in Mumbai. Deepika Padukone graced the event in an off-shoulder grey dress, which she paired with black long boots. She kept her makeup heavy and accessorised her look with minimal jewellery. Her husband, actor Ranveer Singh, was present too. Alia Bhatt looked drop-dead gorgeous as she arrived at the event in an off-shoulder allblack outfit. She kept her makeup normal and her hair open. Actress Bhumi Pednekar also graced the event in an all-black look. She tied her hair into a bun. Pooja Hegde arrived at the event in a brown thigh-high slit and deep-neck dress. She kept her makeup heavy and hair open. Katrina Kaif also marked her presence at the event and donned a thigh-high slit floral dress. Madhuri Dixit Nene exuded boss lady vibes as she arrived in a silver shimmery coat pant. Malaika Arora donned an all-black highneck dress. Kareena Kapoor Khan was also seen in a stylish attire. Actor RajKummar Rao arrived at the event along with his wife Patralekhaa. Located strategically in the bustling Bandra-Kurla Complex (BKC) at the heart of Mumbai, Jio World Plaza opened its doors to the public on November 1. — ANI MADHURI DIXIT Best of the best MADHURI DIXIT SHARMILA TAGORE After ‘Bachchanalia’, memorabilia of Bollywood’s top female icons to be auctioned REKHA After the recently concluded ‘Bachchanalia’, where Amitabh Bachchan memorabilia went under the hammer, the auction house DeRivaz & Ives has announced a similar tribute to ‘feminine icons’ of Indian cinema. Vintage souvenirs of Bollywood actresses that will also celebrate a saga of beauty and their acting prowess will be auctioned in Mumbai. The auction will celebrate actresses like Nadia, Jayashree, Devika Rani, Noor Jahan, Suraiya, Nargis, Geeta Bali, Bina Rai, Madhubala, Madhabi Mukherjee, Mala Sinha, Suchitra Sen, Shashikala, Sharmila Tagore, Meena Kumari, Jaya Bhaduri, Hema Malini, Zeenat Aman, Rekha, Sridevi, Madhuri Dixit and many more. Titled ‘Feminine Icons of Indian Cinema’, the auction will be held on November 2325, and a variety of iconic photographs, film posters, lobby cards and other original artworks will be on offer for film buffs. — IANS ALIA BHATT KATRINA KAIF c m y b RANVEER SINGH BHUMI PEDNEKAR DEEPIKA PADUKONE