03082024-LSTL-01.qxd 8/2/2024 8:06 PM Page 1 c m y b VIJAY ROCKS IN VD12 POSTER The makers of VD12, starring Vijay Deverakonda, have locked the official release date of the film along with the new intriguing poster. Taking to his X handle, Vijay treated fans with his new character poster from the Gowtam Tinnanuri’s directorial, where he appears in a never-seen-before avatar. TRIBUNE On panel Life Nora Fatehi will join the Indian Film Festival of Melbourne as one of the esteemed jury members for the highly anticipated dance competition. LUDHIANA | SATURDAY | 3 AUGUST 2024 PHOTOS: VICKY Megha Barsenge, which brings to fore the plight of abandoned brides by NRI grooms, aims at sensitisation of women in the region Mona T Kinshuk Mahajan and Neha Rana DIRECTOR SANGEETA RAO AT THE HELM Megha Barsenge has been directed by Sangeeta Rao. “It’s rather a rarity having a woman directing a TV show. There are only two that I know of — Sangeeta ji and Nandita ji (Nandita Mehra). I was pretty scared of how it’s going to be. Sangeeta ji is one passionate, gentle director with whom I loved working,” shares Kinshuk Mahajan. “Working with her was like a mother gently guiding one on the path.” offers Neha Rana. ODAY we speak of women being equal to men, or even superior, in different walks of life. Academics, professions, managing home or business, sports or space, women are thriving. But when it comes to a wedding, one harsh truth raises its ugly head for these very accomplished women. “Teri beti koi doctor ya engineer thodi hi hai jo koi free mein le jayega,” the father of a girl is asked in the promo of Color’s latest show Megha Barsenge. The show, based in Punjab, brings to fore the plight of ‘abandoned brides’ by the NRI grooms. To promote the show, its lead cast — Neha Rana and Kinshuk Mahajan — made a pit stop in Chandigarh on Friday. “Megha Barsenge deals with a serious offence. There are as many as 40,000 women in Punjab alone who have been abandoned by their NRI grooms,” they say. Kinshuk was looking dapper in his new lean look; Neha effervescent in a magenta bridal get-up with tikka, nath and chuda with Manoj written on it. “While there are exceptions, more often than not it’s the girl who carries the tag of chodi huyi aurat despite the act being committed by a man,” opens up Kinshuk. He plays Manoj, a conman who beats one and all. Kinshuk readily said yes to the role as he has seen one such case in his family, and wanted to be part of the project that could spread awareness about it. The process has been a huge learning for him. “Playing Manoj gives me chance to be this Mr Right on screen, someone that every girl dreams of. His other shade is that of a man who actually believes that it’s all right to turn a girl into a free naukarani for his family and run away abroad to earn.” He has shed considerable pounds for this role, enlisting the help of a dietician to turn from the elder brother of Pandya clan in Pandya Store (his last show) to Manoj of Megha Barsenge. For Neha, it was a homecoming. This girl from Ludhiana loved the experience of shooting the initial bit in Amritsar. “Food, people and their FIGHT AGAINST NON-RELIABLE INDIANS PLOT LINE Megha Barsenge charts journey of an Amritsar girl Megha, whose father has saved Rs 25 lakhs for his daughter. He doesn’t want to spend on the wedding, but give her as gift to secure her future. Enters a conman who smooth talks the girl and family, robbing them of their hard-earned money. The show sees Neha Rana in the role of Megha, Neil Bhatt as an IAS officer Arjun, who is on a mission to catch the culprit. Kinshuk Mahajan plays the grey lead Manoj, the fraudster NRI groom. hospitality, it was like being at home. People were so kind that they opened up their halls for us to rest in between shoots, such was their love and concern. And, here I am not talking of crew, but actual residents of the locality we shot in.” She said yes to play Megha realising that her mother is a thanedarni. “A thanedarni’s daughter looked intriguing to me.” She has had her challenges essaying the part, “Our story is rooted in reality. To play this diffident girl who is very different from the real me took some effort. The support of the other cast members helped me get into the groove.” Such frauds are being reported from different parts of the country, but most are from Punjab. “I am happy that now Punjab police is actively pursuing the cases. Yet, there are many awaiting justice. If our show helps even one single woman and saves her life, our goal is fulfilled,” she avers. (The show airs from August 6 at 7:00 pm on Colors) As Khatron Ke Khiladi’s Season 14 takes off, the contestants talk about fear and how the mind learns to overcome it Vikrant Parmar There is a thin line between being brave and being foolish. These guys walk this line and they are for sure brave! As Khatron Ke Khiladi’s Season 14 takes off on Colors TV, the dashing host Rohit Shetty is back with a bag full of chills and thrills. With the new tagline Desh Naya, Khel Naya, the reality show, shot in Romania, has an interesting line-up of contestants who have overcome fear and faced each task with gusto. Daughter of Bollywood’s celebrated actor Jackie Shroff, Krishna Shroff is one among them and hopes to ace every challenge thrown at her. She shares, “I’m excited because taking risks in life and not setting limitations for yourself sets the tone for how far you can go. Fear is something that lingers in the mind, which leads to reactions and emotions. Being encouraged by fellow contestants and yet competing with them is a great feeling though. Also, getting trained each day is something that helped conquer that fear factor from within.” Aditi Sharma, a popular face from the television industry, is quite excited too as she feels the urge to do something adventurous. “The best part about adventure is that you feel nervous, but then you love it! This show is actually something where no strategy works; all you can do is be on the spot and just dive into it. And now I’m no more scared of lizards, cockroaches and spiders; I can just ignore them. I have emerged as stronger and courageous.” As for Sumona Chakravarti of The Kapil Sharma Show, it’s a break from the comedy genre. “This is all about getting real. It’s the kind of reality show that is quite balanced. It resonates with my vibe and sensibility because I love travelling as well as adventure. It’s once-in-a-lifetime kind of opportunity because of the stunts you get to perform. It’s the kind of reality show where you don’t have to over-dramatise something just for masala or content purposes; there are no judge giving you points, no public voting. Adventure Here are the real khiladis! Sumona Chakravarti for me is adrenaline, the element of surprise, of the unknown, the head-rush you get when your heart starts beating really fast. Anything thrilling, not necessarily dangerous, which gives me butterflies in the stomach is adventurous for me,” she says. Karanveer Mehra, a television veteran who has also worked in Bollywood films, is all set to show his brave side through this thrilling reality show. He says, “You get to travel and experience, for which you get paid! From hiking to diving, everything is adventurous.” Another contestant, Gashmeer Mahajani believes it is all in the mind. “It has nothing c m y b Krishna Shroff Gashmeer Mahajani Khatron Ke Khiladi contestants with Rohit Shetty Aditi Sharma Niyati Fatnani Karanveer Mehra to do with your body or physical strength. I feel fear is something that is very important. It keeps your alert and aware. It’s just that fear shouldn’t be able to control you; you should be able to control it. I just stop thinking about the thing I’m scared of,” he says. Niyati Fatnani too wanted to get out of her comfort zone and do something adventurous. She says, “Anything that is out of your comfort zone and makes you a little uncomfortable is an adventure. Fear of failure is the biggest fear. No one wants to fail and which is why everyone strives to be successful. The show has definitely helped me come out stronger.”