03012024-LSTC-01.qxd 03-01-2024 00:24 Page 1 c m y b TRIBUNE Rise & shine Life Arjun Kapoor has started the New Year off on a hopeful note. He took to Instagram and shared a video of getting a brand new tattoo, which reads 'RISE'. His tattoo is an inspiration from the Phoenix. CHANDIGARH | WEDNESDAY | 3 JANUARY 2024 ‘You ought to respect your characters’ Acknowledging the magic ‘Grateful’, says Aditi Rao Hydari as she confirms her relationship with Siddharth Aditi Rao Hydari has shared a love-struck picture with Siddharth from their New Year getaway, sharing how blessed, happy and grateful she is with the Rang De Basanti actor. Aditi and Siddharth are reportedly in a relationship for the past few years, but they had not made it official. They worked together in the Telugu romantic action drama Maha Samudram. However, now on the occasion of New Year, Aditi dropped a picture with her beau, leaving everyone in awe of the couple. The Murder 3 actress wrote, “Happy, blessed grateful to magic, happiness, love, laughter unicorns rainbows and fairy dust #happynewyear to you all 2024”. Siddharth was earlier married to Meghna. The couple had announced separation in January 2007. Meanwhile, on the professional front, the actor was last seen in Tamil movie Chithha. He next has Indian 2 and Test in the pipeline. While, Aditi last appeared in Tamil movie Hey Sinamika. She will be seen in Gandhi Talks and Lioness. — IANS Dunki hits ~400 cr mark world-wide Shah Rukh Khan-starrer Dunki has crossed Rs 400 crore mark in gross worldwide collection, the makers said on Tuesday. Directed by Rajkumar Hirani, the comedy drama opened to mixed reviews upon its release on December 21. Red Chillies Entertainment, one of the production houses behind Dunki, shared the the movie has grossed Rs 400.40 crore in globally. “Our banda and his ullu de patthe are reaching new heights at the Box Office with your endless love,” the production banner posted on Instagram. Dunki, based on an illegal immigration technique ‘donkey flight’, also stars Taapsee Pannu, Vicky Kaushal, Boman Irani, Vikram Kochhar and Anil Grover. The film is also presented by JIO Studios and Rajkumar Hirani Films. — PTI Three of Us director Avinash Arun on why he refrained from making the lead character’s illness the hero of the plot and instead emphasised on the closure of a chapter of her life… W 2023 has been great in terms of work. Two of my projects, School of Lies and Three of US, did great. As for 2024, the sequel of Paatal Lok will be released. It would continue with the story of Hathi Ram Chaudhary, played by Jaideep Ahlawat. AVINASH ARUN Swanad Kirkire and Kadamabari Kadam. Not to forget how wonderfully Arun captured the Konkan region through his lens with each frame enhancing the viewing experience. Talking of the same, he reveals, “While writing the script, we had a fair idea about what we wanted for its backdrop — the Konkan region. It has a personal connect too, for I grew up there. So, the familiarity helped.” On the perfect casting for the three lead All charged-up in Mumbai Kusha Kapila on her transition from a Delhiite to Mumbaikar Social media personality and actress Kusha Kapila has opened up on her experience of moving to Mumbai from Delhi, and shared how she is a “different” person when she is in the “city of dreams”. YouTuber Kusha is known for her work as a host of Comicstaan. She also featured in projects like Dehati Ladke, Case Toh Banta Hai and Selfiee among others. The story chronicles the life of a young boy, Rajat, who moves to Lucknow from a small village to pursue his college education, where his life transforms as he experiences the true trials of life. Rajat’s innocence, aspirations, moral compass, and deeds are all defined by his village background, which makes Dehati the central figure in Rajat’s identity. Talking about her experience of moving to Mumbai from Delhi, Kusha said, “Moving to Mumbai has been fantastic. I’m not a stranger to the city, considering I’ve been working here for the last three to four years. But it’s very fast-paced as compared to Delhi. People are workaholics here. I think I’m a different person when I’m in Mumbai.” Kusha said she is very charged and always on her toes, when in Mumbai. “However, whenever I go back to Delhi, I like to take things a little slow. I like to strike that balance between both cities,” she shared. — IANS Karan Singh Grover, who is all geared up for the release of his upcoming movie Fighter, on Tuesday shared pictures of himself, flaunting his chiselled physique and washboard abs. Karan Singh Grover flaunts his washboard abs; fans say Hrithik ko competition milega’ Sheetal ITH limited shows and no promotions whatsoever, the film Three of Us made an unceremonious exit from theatres in November 2023. But after its arrival on Netflix, many, including renowned filmmaker Hansal Mehta, have hailed it as the Movie of the Year. While one might appreciate how OTT propagates good cinema, the need of the hour is to talk, promote and celebrate filmmakers, scriptwriters and artistes for such wonderful projects. Avinash Arun, co-writer, cinematographer and director of Three of Us, finds time to talk to us about the journey of his latest release, plans for 2024 and what makes him a ‘moderate’ man. While writers Avinash Arun, Omkar Achyut Barve and Arpita Chatterjee collectively weaved a tale of fading memories, past-trauma and a bittersweet closure, Arun’s brilliant direction accentuated the stellar performances of lead actors Shefali Shah, Jaideep Ahlawat, Now, ready for a fight characters, Shailaja, Pardip and Dipankar, Arun says, “I never write keeping an actor in mind. In the creative process of writing, you go with the flow. You don’t know where the ink and paper will take you and you have to surrender yourself to it. It is only when you think of filming it, that’s when you think of a face. I was clear that Shefali Shah would be perfect as Shailaja. Jaideep (Pardip) and Sharad (Dipankar) came later in the picture.” Another gem that shines in Three of Us is Varun Grover, who has written dialogues as well as the poem Udgam for the film. Arun shares, “We had this idea for more than five to six years. We were not writing it down but it kept playing in the subconscious mind. Three of Us was my attempt to make something like what Gulzar sahib has done, a film that feels as if it has walked straight out of a book. And going by people’s response, it’s more of a poetry book. So, Varun has actually done it.” Be it critically acclaimed series Paatal Lok, School of Lies, Vishaanu from the anthology series Unpaused or recent release Three of Us, Arun’s characters evoke empathy more than sympathy. On whether the writing process is different for such characters, he laughs it off, “You ought to give respect to your characters. If you make their poor background, problems, disability or illness the hero of the plot, it would evoke pity. In Shailaja’s case, her dementia may have made her act on her long- time wish to visit Vengurla, but it isn’t the entire discourse of the plot, which makes her story relatable.” It’s only been five days since the release of the film on OTT and Arun is inundated with positive feedbacks. He only wishes for the film to do well. Reviews don’t bother him much. “I detach myself from what I have done or achieved. I didn’t take the pressure of Paatal Lok’s success when working on the sequel. Also, I seldom read reviews. A strong like or dislike is not something that I can relate to. Everything should be in moderation. If I wish to make a film or write a script, I would do it anyway. Being too serious or too casual will also not sail your boat.” Indeed, Arun does ‘everything in moderation’. For the budding writers or directors, Arun has a piece of advice, “Whatever story you are going to tell is already being told in a million ways, but that shouldn’t stop you from telling it anyway. It is how you tell it that will make your story personal as well as unique.” On a spiritual note Taylor Swift, Travis Kelce kiss on dance floor Madhuri Dixit had a spiritual start to her New Year, as she visited Siddhivinayak Temple along with her husband Shriram Nene on Tuesday. The actress sought blessings for her upcoming Marathi movie Panchak. In the video captured by papparazzi, the Tezaab actress can be seen wearing a pastel pink coloured anarkali suit with intricate embroidery on it. She kept her hair open, and opted for a minimal makeup. — IANS Sealed with a kiss Singer-songwriter Taylor Swift and National Football League player Travis Kelce seemingly shared a very sensual smooch on the dance floor on New Year’s Eve. The Anti-Hero hitmaker and her boyfriend have enjoyed the holiday season with one another and their families. c m y b And they rounded off the season with a big smooch on the dance floor as they welcomed 2024. In a video circulating on social media platform X, erstwhile Twitter, the Kansas City Chiefs tight end can be seen embracing his girlfriend while dancing slowly in a room filled with partygoers. Travis could be Karan, who is known for his work in the shows like Dill Mill Gayye and Qubool Hai, is a fitness enthusiast and is often seen sharing glimpses of his workout routine on social media. The post was captioned as “Metamorphosis”. Karan, who will be soon seen in the Hrithik Roshan-starrer Fighter, got compliments from the fans, who wrote, “Finally Hrithik ko competition milega.” Hrithik and Deepika Padukone-starrer Fighter features Karan as Squadron Leader Sartaj Gill. The movie also stars Anil Kapoor, Akshay Oberoi, Sanjeeda Sheikh, and Talat Aziz. It will be released in the theatres on January 25. —IANS seen in a black button-down shirt, while Taylor sported a silver sequin minidress with her blonde locks tied into an up-do. This comes after the songstress seemingly wore her boyfriend’s jacket as she attended a Kansas City Chiefs game last night before they headed out together to ring in the new year. — IANS Madhuri Dixit, Shriram Nene visit Siddhivinayak Temple, seek blessings