01012023-LSTL-01.qxd 12/31/2023 9:50 PM Page 1 c m y b HAPPY NEW YEAR: AJAY DEVGN Ajay Devgn wished everyone a Happy New Year and also dropped several unseen pictures of himself with his family. Taking to Instagram, Ajay wrote, “Digging through the gallery and found these gems... Cheers to traditions, loved ones, and the warmth that always fills our hearts during the holidays!! Wishing you all the same magic this new year.” TRIBUNE Thank you Life In 2023, Sunny Deol witnessed mega success after two decades with Gadar 2. As the year has come to an end, Sunny expressed gratitude to the audience for showering love. LUDHIANA | MONDAY | 1 JANUARY 2024 Formula for happiness Gurnaaz Kaur C OME New Year and the first thing one thinks of is making resolutions. Although a very popular New Year's tradition, most people struggle to keep up with those well-intentioned commitments. If that sounds all too familiar, here's a way to turn over a new leaf and make 2024 different. Go beyond those typical promises of hitting the gym, quitting social media or journaling and take a cue from these Bollywood celebrities on how they are planning to create a happier, healthier, meaningful life this year. Their hopes and aspirations for 2024 should give an idea or two. Daler Mehndi If you are done with those typical New Year resolutions, take a cue from these celebs who are planning to create a happier, healthier, meaningful life this year by staying fluid, yet focused HOPING FOR A BETTER TOMORROW Dot LIVE ONE DAY AT A TIME Chandigarh's very own Wamiqa Gabbi has made an impression in the entertainment world with her work in Jubilee, Charlie Chopra and Khufiya. Overwhelmed by the success she earned in 2023, all that she wants is that the trend carries forward to 2024. “The last year has been very special for me professionally and personally. So, I am praying 2024 is the same as 2023. I’ve experienced growth and contentment and that's what I want should continue. My mantra in life is to live each day as it comes, not think too much about future. That keeps me calm.” Wamiqa Gabbi Ayesha Kanga Manjot Singh Adah Tahir Raj Bhasin Reflecting on the every changing world, Ali Fazal keeps it simple when he says, “It’s been an eventful year for me. The world as we know keeps changing drastically and we hope that it changes for the better in the coming year. I hope that my craft continues to evolve and I can be part of good storytelling. At the end and at the start of it all, we as artistes always aspire to move people in as many ways as we can. I look forward to the many exciting narratives I'll be stepping into. And at the same time I want to give enough time to family and my loved ones.” Richa Chadha has added another feather to her cap as a producer and that role she hopes is on the frontline in 2024. “I hope I can continue to do great parts as an actor, explore new and challenging characters, humanise them and win over the audience. As a new producer, I hope to tell interesting stories, bringing Indian narratives to the world. As a person, I just hope to be better overall.” ON SERIOUS NOTE Fukrey actor Manjot Singh is gearing up for a change, and that's his commitment to self and his audience. “In the coming year, I hope to change the perception of filmmakers and audience that I only do comedy films or that I chose funny roles. I want to surprise them with my serious side or in a romantic avatar, so I am aspiring to do something on those lines. It's my wish, resolution, vision for 2024.” CLEAN MY CUPBOARD The Kerala Story actor Adah Sharma has it all chalked out for 2024. There is something personal, professional and noble on her list. “I want to clean my cupboard. It's such a mess and I always find an excuse to not fix it. When it comes to work, I never had a goal of being part of the highest female grossing film ever with The Kerala Story, so feel I should just continue doing my work and trying my best to spread happiness. And something that's close to my heart is being a part of rehabilitation of abused elephants. I hope we can help as many as possible." CHANGE IS WELCOME Punjabi singer Daler Mehndi is doing something beyond music. In 2024, he is all set to show his acting talent with Welcome 3 and is quite excited about it. “I am looking forward to my acting debut and I am grateful that my film journey takes off with the industry's best team, including Firoz Nadiadwala, Suniel Shetty, Sanjay Dutt and others.” On the music front, he adds, “You will also see many Gurbani songs being released on my Gurbani channel.” KEEP IT FREE-FLOWING Netflix's coming-of-age film The Archies has revealed a promising actor in singer Dot. Her promise for 2024 is, “I hope to continue following my gut and explore whatever excites me creatively. I tend not to make too many goals set in stone because I know life has a way of taking you places you don't expect! That being said, I'd love to finish my new album in the coming year.” Richa Chadha and Ali Fazal FOCUS ON FITNESS Tahir Raj Bhasin put on 8 kg for Sultan Of Delhi but this method actor has it sorted in mind. For 2024, he says, “I want it to be a year of great roles and fantastic scripts. I also aim to make time for my family and friends. These are people who matter the most and bring me job. Travel is always on my yearly plan. I’d also like to focus on fitness and make it my best year yet for both physical and mental health.” THE JOY OF WORKING With her captivating performance in Class, Ayesha Kanga won the audience. Moving forward, she hopes that, “2024 is just superlatives of 2023. It's all about the joy of working for me and I'll work to be more creative than the year before. Perhaps read about a new concept, artist or designer that fills my life up with a lot of late night inspiration. I’m very driven by craft, whether it is consuming or creating it. I hope I find myself in a place where this is celebrated. I’ll always push for it… and we'll see how far that takes me. So far, so good.” ALL FOR PHILANTHROPY Ending it and beginning it on a philanthropic note, Sonu Sood defines his aspirations for 2024. “I believe in doing something that is not related to just one day; it has to happen every day of your life. This year, I am planning to start an orphanage and old-age home, the work for which has already started. Few schools for the needy are also on the chart. Providing education and medical facility for all those in need is my priority.” An exhibition of photos, titled The Melody of Kalka -Shimla Heritage Railway Line, captures the mood of the hills in all its glory Life’s lesson Kangana Ranaut’s 2023 learning Bollywood's Queen Kangana Ranaut reminisced about her 'dreams' and shared her learning of the year 2023, saying, that if one feels out of place, “remember you are on your way home.” She is an avid social media user and has 9.4 million followers on Instagram. She took to the Stories section and penned a note, reflecting upon the year 2023. She wrote, “I grew up with an inbuilt feeling of being out of place, I made the home of my dreams, farms and cottages, I felt happy, l felt content, l also felt at peace but I never felt at home. Slowly it became evident that maybe we are not meant to settle in this body, it's a fleeting phase and we must recognise that and never try to be at home.” “Ever since I acknowledged that I am at home... This was my learning of 2023. If you feel out of place and feel that you fail to belong anywhere, remember you are on your way home,” she added. — IANS ‘Tom will be dearly missed’ The Full Monty star Tom Wilkinson dies at 75 Dr Shubh Mohan Singh and Sanjay Kaushal Sheetal In every walk in with nature one receives far more than he seeks." — John Muir, Scottish-American philosopher These words of John Muir, also known as John of the Mountains, truly highlight the spirit of the photography exhibition, The Melody of Kalka-Shimla Heritage (KSR) Railway Line, at Underpass Gallery, Sector 17 Chandigarh. Organised by the Chandigarh Lalit Kala Akademi, the exhibition features a collection of photographs clicked by two passionate photographers Sanjay Kaushal and Dr Shubh Mohan Singh over the years. While Kaushal is an insurance professional and lives in Panchkula, Singh is a psychiatrist residing in Chandigarh. Even though photography is not their profession, the exhibition will have you believe otherwise. Their frames capturing the landscapes look more like paintings on canvas. For someone who has never explored the Train & PHOTOS: VICKY most challenging part was to select a limited number of pictures for the exhibition. We had to leave out many well-deserving images. We hope that this collection may give the viewers a glimpse of this wonderful organism that is the KSR.” In past 10 years, they visited the hills every year in every season. Singh explains, “It's the monsoon season that gives you the best colours, especially the time between February to April after the winter rains; it's a mix of autumn, winter and onset of spring.” They have captured the music that nature sings in all its glory. In fact, the duo can print a New Year calendar as they have the perfect picture for each month! Their frames capturing railway tracks, trains, stations, terrain (plains to hills to snow-clad mountains) replete with flora are indeed a must-watch. The exhibited pictures are also for sale, priced at Rs10,000 per frame. On view till January 11 between 10 am and 8 pm at Underpass Gallery, Sector 17 terrain hills on a train, it's a huge motivation to book a ticket on the next train to Shimla. “It never felt tedious to wait for the perfect shot or perfect weather or opportunity. In fact, while at first it was difficult to gain the confidence of the Railway staff, later they all became like family members. Some of them would even suggest a place or time for capturing the best shot,” shared Singh. Singh and Kaushal's passion and consistency have resulted in three photo books, besides exhibitions. Kaushal says, “The c m y b British actor Tom Wilkinson, who appeared in films like The Full Monty, Shakespeare in Love and The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, passed away in the UK. He died at the age of 75 on Saturday. He won a BAFTA for supporting actor for The Full Monty. "It is with great sadness that the family of Tom Wilkinson announce that he died suddenly at home on December 30. His wife and family were with him," the statement from his family to the BBC read. Wilkinson also appeared in films such as Rush Hour and The Grand Budapest Hotel. He also had roles in The Green Hornet, Batman Begins, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind and Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol. From George Clooney, Michael McKean to Richard Roeper, several celebrities paid their condolences. In a statement, Clooney said, "Tom made every project better, made every actor better. He was the epitome of elegance, and he will be dearly missed by all of us." Taking to X, McKean described Tom as a "great actor." — IANS & ANI RIP, Romanus Actor Richard Romanus, who is known for his roles in The Sopranos and Mean Streets, passed away. He was 80. He died December 23 in a hospital in Volos, Greece. No cause of death was given. Romanus was known for his tough-guy roles including Michael Longo in 1973's Mean Streets. In the Martin Scorsese-directed crime drama, Romanus played a loan shark who gets into a memorable confrontation with Johnny Civello (Robert De Niro). — IANS