24012024-LSTC-01.qxd 1/23/2024 10:24 PM Page 1 c m y b COMING SOON: EMERGENCY Written, directed and produced by Kangana Ranaut, the film Emergency is slated to hit the screens on June 14. The release date was announced on social media by the actress through a poster, which features her as the late Prime Minister, Indira Gandhi, on the front page of a newspaper. TRIBUNE Discharged Life Actor Saif Ali Khan returned home with his wife Kareena Kapoor from the hospital after undergoing ‘tricep’ surgery on Tuesday. Saif sustained the injury while performing an action scene. CHANDIGARH | WEDNESDAY | 24 JANUARY 2024 SRK’s mantra to stay jawan at heart ‘Gratifying moment’ Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan has shared the mantra to remain Jawan at heart and in life. SRK’s action packed pan-India film Jawan has enthralled audiences across the globe with its gripping plot, brilliantly choreographed action sequences and good dialogues. Opening up on the mantra to remain jawan, he said: “The only way to be jawan at heart, happy at heart is to be pure at heart. The only way to do that is not to have cynicism towards people or things that you’re doing. Have the nicest and highest regards for people that surround you, love your family and friends, and just be kind-hearted. I think it takes very little to remain young at heart,” he said. — IANS Actor Boman Irani to receive a special honour from British Parliament Actor Boman Irani, who is known for Munna Bhai franchise, 3 Idiots, Khosla Ka Ghosla, and others, will be conferred with a special honour by the British Parliament for his contribution to Indian cinema. The actor has also been invited as a featured speaker at Oxford University and The London School of Economics. Boman will be travelling to London today with his family for the events. On January 25, he will deliver speeches at the aforementioned venues. With this memorable achievement, Boman has now joined the ranks of esteemed speakers at Oxford, following in the footsteps of Shah Rukh Khan and Shashi Tharoor. Boman expressed his gratitude for the opportunity and honour, as he said: “It’s truly humbling to represent India on such esteemed global platforms and receive this recognition, especially as my family will be present with me to witness this gratifying moment.” He added, “I look forward to sharing my life experiences and the wisdom gained throughout my twodecade career with other bright minds there. Taking a piece of India with me, I’m truly grateful for this opportunity.” Boman was recently seen in the Shah Rukh Khan-starrer Dunki. — IANS Touch of reality Nicole Kidman to star in and produce the film Mice Hollywood star Nicole Kidman is set to star in and produce the film Mice, the feature film adaptation of author Gordon Reece’s debut novel. The film will be directed by Justin Kurzel from a script adapted by Shaun Grant. The two have worked on the Canneswinning Nitramand and the upcoming TV series The Narrow Road to the Deep North. Mice, which was published in the US and the UK in 2011, follows Shelley and her mother who are pushed to their limits as they confront their moral convictions, and the line between right and wrong in the face of bullying, violence and fear. Kidman will also produce the movie through her banner Blossom Films, alongside Bruna Papandrea of Made Up Stories, and Kurzel and Grant of Thirdborn. Blossom’s Per Saari, Made Up Stories’ Steve Hutensky and Jodi Matterson will also produce Mice. Jeanne Snow will executive produce the film along with Nicole O’Donohue and Harriet Warner. Kidman is currently awaiting the release of her latest series Expats. Created by Lulu Wang of The Farewell fame, the show will also feature Ji-young Yoo, Jack Huston, Sarayu Blue and Brian Tee. It will be released on Prime Video on January 26. — PTI The cast of Karmma Calling Taking the right call R Nonika Singh UCHI NARAIN is calling again… as the Guilty director gets ready for her lush and plush series Karmma Calling, she is waiting with bated breath for audiences’ reaction. “Pata nahi mere din kaise katenge till January 26,” she quips with an infectious smile. As the series happens to be an official adaptation of the American drama Revenge, comparisons are a given. But she reasons, “In Oscars there is a special category for adapted screenplays. Adaptation is not translation; it’s an art form in itself.” Precisely why, the title is Karma and not the literal translation Badla. Indeed, Karmma Calling is a ‘cheeky take’ and not only does it refer to karma as we understand it in the Indian context, but it also happens to be the name of one of its key characters. She shares how the catchy name of the series came from her lead heroine Raveena Tandon. Reasons for casting ‘ravishing’ Raveena as the uber-rich billionaire woman were pretty obvious. “She looks the part, Indian and rooted and also a welltravelled woman of the world. Besides, she packs a punch.” Being a billionaire As the series delves into the top layer, nay speck, of society whose lives most of us are not even privy to, she nods, Ruchi Narain, director of upcoming series Karmma Calling, believes adaptation is not translation but an art form in itself WINNING FORMULA As a woman director, Ruchi Narain is not overtly conscious of women characters. She says, “I write people, not women and that’s why both, men and women, come out strong.” She did not care to alter the original storyline of Revenge, for “Why change a winning formula?” “Indeed, even I had a sideway peep into the ways of billionaires not just in India but across the world, and I feel they have a different set of values and ways of doing things.” Interestingly, the idea to transpose the drama onto the Indian soil came to her many years ago, as she thought the story of the American television series lands well in the Indian milieu. On whether we are rather judgmental while assessing the rich, she feels, “On the contrary we look up to them.” One of the reasons why she thought the series would find an audience is that it would give them their fair share of ‘guilty pleasure’. To those who may have seen the original, she promises a very desi interpretation. As for the naysayers who are likely to be rather uncharitable while assessing, she says, “Some people are likely to be unkind whatever you may do.” Prior to Revenge, Ruchi has always done original work. Hazaaron Khwaishein Aisi, which she wrote for Sudhir Mishra, for instance won her many plaudits. Whether the gifted director Mishra has left any indelible impact on her directorial signature is for others to say. All she knows is that when she later worked with Karan Johar, the maker of extravagance, she found no contradiction. Actually she has known Johar ever since his Kuch Kuch Hota Hai days and he even offered her associate director’s position for the film. But as destiny would have it, she was to work with him much later when Dharmatic, the digital arm of the Dharma Productions, was born. The only way to be jawan at heart, happy at heart is to be pure at heart. OTT space OTT, for which she has also directed a web series, Hundred, she agrees has opened doors for makers like her who do not belong to filmy families. “But a level playing field for women directors,” she insists, “is still a distant dream.” Never mind, she is confident, “We will get there soon.” Indeed, apart from the strong possibility of many seasons of Karmma Calling, her production company R.A.T Films, which she formed with Ashutosh Shah and Taher Shabbir, has many projects in the pipeline. Working on different subjects comes naturally to this maker whose animation film Hanuman: Da’ Damdaar had Salman Khan giving the voice over. While she would like to be known simply for ‘good and impactful work’, to aspirants, especially outsiders, her advice is simple, “There is no substitute for hard work.” Ruchi has worked through ordeals like her late father’s sickness. She observes, “Don’t get carried away by the red carpet looks; industry is much more than stardom.” Meanwhile, she is all set to offer you the ultimate slice of glamour, creating which, needless to add, has involved oodles of hard work and dedication. When Rihanna met Natalie Singer Rihanna recently had a fan-girl moment with Natalie Portman, as they had a run-in at a fashion event. The 35-year-old singer and the 42-year-old actress had a sweet interaction when they were outside a fashion show in Paris. At the time, the singer was posing for pictures when she saw the actress and they greeted each other. Natalie quickly approached Rihanna before they excitedly shared a warm friendly hug. At one point, Natalie said, “I love you.” In response, Rihanna told Natalie that she was one of her ‘fans’. Seemingly surprised by Rihanna’s revelation, Natalie asked, “Are you kidding me?” Rihanna then gushed over Natalie’s appeal by saying, “You are one of the hottest…you have the most innocent look…” In return, the actress stated, “Excuse me, I’m gonna faint.” Returning the love, Natalie took her chance to voice her opinion on Rihanna. The Oscar winner said: “I love you and I listen to your music all the time.” She went on to marvel, “You’re just such a queen. Thank you.” — IANS (Karmma Calling streams on Disney+ Hotstsar from January 26) ‘Like people in uniform’ Actor Sidharth Malhotra, who has donned the uniform in the award-winning film Shershaah, Mission Majnu and Indian Police Force, says he likes people in uniform because his grandfather comes from the Army. The actor recently shared: “I personally like people in uniform because even my grandfather comes from the Army. This is my second time wearing a uniform; first, it was the Army with Shershaah and now the police with Indian Police Force.” In his upcoming film, Yodha, Sidharth will be again be seen portraying the role of a man from the Indian defence services. — IANS Sidharth Malhotra in a still from Indian Police Force c m y b Rihanna Natalie Portman
The Tribune, now published from Chandigarh, started publication on February 2, 1881, in Lahore (now in Pakistan). It was started by Sardar Dyal Singh Majithia, a public-spirited philanthropist, and is run by a trust comprising four eminent persons as trustees.
The Tribune, the largest selling daily in North India, publishes news and views without any bias or prejudice of any kind. Restraint and moderation, rather than agitational language and partisanship, are the hallmarks of the paper. It is an independent newspaper in the real sense of the term.
The English edition apart, the 133-year-old Tribune has two sister publications, Punjabi Tribune (in Punjabi) and Dainik Tribune (in Hindi).