12012024-LSTL-01.qxd 1/11/2024 10:49 PM Page 1 c m y b TRIBUNE Digital break Singer-actress Selena Gomez is taking a break from social media. The 31-year-old wrote on Instagram, “I’m off social media for a while... I’m focusing on what really matters.” LUDHIANA | FRIDAY | 12 JANUARY 2024 In characteristic Haryanvi lingo in Chandigarh, actor Randeep Hooda left the audience in splits and also spoke about his upcoming film Swatantra Veer Savarkar PHOTO: RAVI KUMAR Sheetal R Happy space Kareena Kapoor Khan does not seek validation from social media Kareena Kapoor Khan has been in the Hindi film industry for over two decades and enjoys a massive fan following. In 2020, the diva made her debut on social media. Kareena currently enjoys a fan following of 11.4 million on Instagram. About the importance of social media, Kareena said, “I enjoy using social media, but for me it is a way to connect with my fans and give them a glimpse into my life. I don’t seek validation from social media at all, but I’m happy that I get a lot of love from my fans.” “As an artiste, I’m stepping into the shoes of powerful characters and that’s validation enough for me. So, while I appreciate the love on Instagram, my true validation comes from the roles I take on, the stories I tell, and the legacy I’m building as an artiste in the world of entertainment,” she added. However, there have been good and bad days in her journey in Hindi cinema, which began in 2000 with the film Refugee. Kareena also revealed that the toughest part of being a superstar was, “Lack of privacy.” — IANS Perry angry! Hollywood star Matthew Perry was reportedly abusive towards several women before his death, including his ex-fiancee, Molly Hurwitz. According to a report, the Friends alum ‘hurled a table’ at his ex and ‘threw live-in sober companion against a wall’. Sources close to the late actor revealed that he ‘threw a coffee table’ at Molly in 2021 after she questioned him about cheating. Perry and Hurwitz started dating in 2018 and got engaged in November 2020. However, they reportedly called it off amid rumours that he was reportedly flirting with then 19-year-old Kate Haralson on the dating app Raya. They’re back! ANDEEP HOODA — the Haryana lad who made it big in not only Bollywood, but also shone in Hollywood film Extraction — was in Chandigarh on Wednesday to unveil the trophy of the fifth edition of Chitra Bharti Film Festival. The festival will be held in Panchkula this February. Like a proud Haryanvi, his opening lines for the jampacked crowd at the Tagore Theatre, Chandigarh, were, “Sab ne Ram Ram bhai.” Keeping the mahaul light, Hooda made a sarcastic comment about his bad memory as he forgot the names of those present alongside him on stage! He later said, “I have a strong belief that a good film leaves a deep and longlasting impact on the minds of people.” Randeep impact! On a witty note As he talked about films, festivals and their significance, the reference to Manipur enthused the crowd! Randeep, who recently married actress and his long-time girlfriend Lin Laishram, from Manipur, said, “Stories are everywhere; so, a film about Kerala should be watched in Haryana or a story from Haryana in Manipur or one based in North-East in J&K.” As a voice from the crowd asked about Lin not making an appearance with him, Hooda gave a witty reply in Haryanvi, “Unne layyaun tha, Par une dhaar cadd ni thi.” To engage the audience further, Hooda shared why he didn’t marry Haryanavi girl, “I did- Late actor Matthew Perry was reportedly abusive towards women Hurwitz actually broke up with Perry in February 2021 after having a ‘huge fight’ on Valentine’s Day. “He threw a coffee table at her and told her that she was crazy. He hated that she dumped him and he had terrible abandonment issues,” the source said. Perry also allegedly threw his live-in sober companion, Morgan Moses, ‘onto a bed’ in March 2022 during an alleged ‘meltdown’. Morgan later quit her job and ended all contact with Matthew a year before his memoir Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing was released in November 2022. — IANS Real to reel About his most-anticipated film of the year, Swatantra Veer Savarkar, where he plays the titular role, he said, “When the role of Savarkar ji came to me, I knew so little about him. But when I read books, especially English ones, I witnessed how there were just two paragraphs on the Strong Revolution (Sashakt Daddy’s girl IRA AND AAMIR KHAN Bollywood superstar Aamir Khan was seen in an emotional mood at the wedding of his daughter Ira Khan with fitness expert Nupur Shikhare. The wedding took place on January 10 in Udaipur following Christian traditions. It was officiated by Ira’s cousin, Zayn Marie Khan. The couple sealed it with a kiss after being pronounced man and wife. Aamir Khan was overwhelmed as he shed tears of joy during the ceremony. Nupur Shikhare and Ira Khan got engaged in September 2022. Nupur proposed to Ira at the Ironman Italy contest, where he participated. The couple made it official on January 3. They later signed the marriage registration document in the presence of friends and family in Mumbai. The couple will now host a reception on January 13. — IANS Ali Fazal to be the first Indian actor with an international film franchise, Kandahar Going places The ‘Bollyboom Arena Colonial Cousins India Reunion Tour 2024’is on course. It will see famous Indian musicians Hariharan and Leslee Lewis reunite after a decade to take fans through a nostalgic journey with their music. The 11 city pan-India tour will see the artistes visiting Pune, Bengaluru, Delhi, Hyderabad, Mumbai, Coimbatore, Chennai, Kochi, Jaipur, Indore and Kolkata. — ANI n’t have a sarkari naukari.” Kranti) against the British and how the sacrifice of these heroes was undermined. In fact, there are so many untold stories of revolutionaries and their contribution to the freedom struggle.” On taking to direction and production for this film, Hooda said, “I was happy portraying Savarkar ji and knew could perform well, but donning the director’s hat was a whole new experience. I was the first one to arrive on sets and the last one to leave.” Things were no different when due to unforeseen and undisclosed circumstances, Hooda had to also produce the film. “It was actually like being the father of a bride, who is worried about everything. The cast and crew would use the property, but it was the producer who had to keep a tab on damage to property and other logistics. However, desire and determination kept me going.” Hooda also said in addition to entertainment, a film should carry a social message too. “These days, more than feature-length films, people find reels entertaining. My friends asked how I would bring masses to the theatres to watch Savarkar ji’s story, as nobody knew him. So, my idea was to make it entertaining and message-oriented as well.” Actor Ali Fazal may be on the verge of achieving a significant milestone in his career. Sources have revealed exciting prospects for the actionpacked film Kandahar. The film’s remarkable global success has sparked discussions about a potential sequel and if these discussions materialise, Ali Fazal will be making history as the first Indian actor to become a part of a successful franchise of this magnitude. The director, Ric Roman Waugh, is known for creating some c m y b incredible franchises, be it London Has Fallen and Olympus has Fallen, or the Greenland series. Renowned for his roles in Hollywood films such as the Gerard Butler-led Kandahar, Death on the Nile alongside Gal Gadot, and the British biographical drama Victoria & Abdul with Judi Dench, Ali Fazal’s journey continues to be fruitful. Ali’s portrayal of Kahil in Kandahar left a huge mark on both audiences and critics. For Kandahar, Ali undertook the rigorous task of learning dirt biking and executed daring stunts, adding authenticity to his character. Special feeling YAMI GAUTAM As the blockbuster film URI: The Surgical Strike completed five years of its release on Thursday, actress Yami Gautam said that she got to do something different in the film. Yami expressed: “It’s been five years of URI, and I must say it’s undeniably a very special film for me.” Directed by Aditya Dhar, the film starred Vicky Kaushal, Yami Gautam and Paresh Rawal. Yami said: “URI was our modern-day cinematic version of the living legend, our Indian Army. Everyone who was associated with this film cherished the thunderous response we received from every corner of the world. “To be part of URI, a story that celebrates the bravery of our Indian Army and the nation’s spirit, was an honour for me. It was a film where I got to do something different, which I’d been longing to do as an actor.” Yami Gautam, who portrayed the character of Pallavi Sharma in the film, added: “The film was the result of the hard work of every department, which worked day and night to deliver a one-of-a-kind cinematic experience to the audiences. Forever grateful to Aditya for making it all happen and leading the film with unmatched passion and sincerity. Pallavi Sharma is and will always hold a special place in my heart.” — IANS