06082024-LSTC-01.qxd 8/5/2024 11:53 PM Page 1 c m y b TRIBUNE WHEN TAAPSEE PLAYED HOCKEY Life Taapsee Pannu has shared some pictures, where she is seen playing hockey with her husband, Mathias Boe, at Paris. Coming up Actress Ananya Panday is set to essay the role of a content creator in the upcoming streaming thriller CTRL. The film is a cutting-edge thriller and is helmed by master storyteller Vikramaditya Motwane. CHANDIGARH | TUESDAY | 6 AUGUST 2024 In the city, the cast of Punjabi film Shahkot, including Raj Babbar, Guru Randhawa and Isha Talwar, talks about how the story is an ode to love across borders Mona M ONDAY afternoon saw some stars pour down in Chandigarh, while monsoon continued to play truant! Evergreen actor Raj Babbar, music sensation Guru Randhawa, Mirzapur’s Madhuri aka Isha Talwar, along with their director Rajiv Dhingra, and producer Anirudh Mohta, launched the teaser of their upcoming Punjabi film Shahkot at a city mall. A Jatinder Shah musical that says the story of Punjab — on both sides of the border — the film marks the comeback to Pollywood for Raj Babbar. Seen in the role of a father, he led the team with fatherly care, making sure the young ones took the limelight as he gently nudged them from behind. Interestingly, the film is backed by a Marwari man! “All I can say is that a Marwari businessman never takes a raw deal, so here we are with a film that is bound to do well,” says Mohta. While Guru Randhawa has done a Hindi film, Kuch Khattaa Ho Jaay, before, he counts Shahkot as his debut for this was shot before. “Many people reached out to me saying that I look good and sing well, so I should become a hero but I took my time to face the camera,” says the Tenu Suit Suit Karda hitmaker. “Wherever I go, I represent Punjab. Even in Bollywood, I sing Punjabi numbers and try representing our culture. And Shahkot is a beautiful love story,” says the singer-actor, who has to his credit major hits like Patola, High Rated Gabru, Morni Banke and Lagdi Lahore Di. In another Punjabi story of chasing dreams abroad, Guru plays Iqbal, who falls in love with a woman from Pakistan. His love interest is played by Isha Talwar, the ‘prodigal’ Punjabi girl who returns home after doing Malayalam, Telugu, Tamil and Hindi cinema, along with some hit web shows. “I wish my parents had spoken some Punjabi while I was growing up; it’s only here that I learnt to be comfortable with my mother tongue,” says the Mumbai girl, who also dubbed for the film. “I really like to give my best, learning Punjabi on home turf is remarkable, I am looking forward more roles here,’ she beams. Joined by other cast members — Gurshabad Singh, Manpreet Singh, better known by his stage name Comic Singh, Seema Kaushal and Neha Dyal — there was laughter, some tears and hope for the film to do well, since the mike at the conference didn’t! Comic Singh had everyone in splits as his night-long preparation for the interview was curtailed at a question or two; Neha got emotional on being given love and respect by Randhawa, who is admired by millions. Comic Singh making a film debut with this one and his fans are intrigued about his role. He shares, “When I told my family that I got a film, they were happy. Knowing that I play a naukar, they were happier. They were like, ‘how wonderful, no money to be spent on make-up, and no acting prep either’.” The director, and also the writer Rajiv Dhingra, who has to his credit the film Love Punjab and celebrity show Comedy Nights With Kapil, considers having Raj Babbar on board as an honour. “The film shows how Indians trying to cross the border were taken through the Greece route, but on being caught were transferred to Turkey, Iran and Pakistan, to be exchanged as prisoners of war. But the narrative charts a fictional route, making mohabbat its motto,” he says. (The film hits the screens on October 4) LOVE conquers all SUCCESS HAS ONLY MADE ME HUMBLE: RAJ BABBAR Raj Babbar, who faced the camera for the first time in Chann Pardesi in 1980, maintains his love for Punjabi cinema. In the beginning of his career, he did one Punjabi film every year, playing the romantic lead or the main protagonist. Marhi Da Deeva, Long Da Lishkara, Mahual Theek Hai and Yaaran Naal Baharan, to name a few. “Listening to the story, plenty of soulful songs and having Guru Randhawa on board, I had to do Shahkot,” says the actorpolitician, who on being asked if he prefers one over the other, stoically says, “Cine–maa gave me identity, is closer to my heart and always would be.” He recalls doing Chann Pardesi, “It was experimental cinema – people from Film and Television Institute of India, Pune, got together to do something. It was Manmohan Singh’s first film as a PHOTOS: VICKY I now look forward to doing films in Hindi, Telugu, and Tamil too. To act with the great Raj Babbar is an incredible experience. GURU RANDHAWA ISHA TALWAR Shahkot is an India-Pakistan story, albeit with a different take. It takes the side of mohabbat. RAJ BABBAR Buying a juicer or contributing to the household in other ways, here’s what these celebrities did with their first paycheque The joy of getting your first paycheque is so overwhelming and exciting, and nothing in the world can compete with that! Though the feeling remains the same, what every individual does with the first paycheque varies. We spoke to a few celebrities about their first paycheque. FAMILY FIRST: Seema Kapoor SEEMA KAPOOR Chef Harpal Singh Sokhi I became the breadwinner of my family at a tender age and bore the expenses of the household. All my earnings were contributed for the welfare of my family; therefore, all of it was handed over to my dad, and I was never aware of the amount I earned. I still have the habit of not carrying a purse or cash; whenever I need to buy something, I expect him to pay on my behalf. Moolah matters PRICELESS MOMENT: Hansa Singh My first ever job was as an account executive for a couple of magazines being published from Delhi. When I got my first paycheque of Rs 1,500, I was super-elated and gave it to my mom. Money is important, but happiness on parents’ faces is priceless. HAPPY TIME: Chef Harpal Singh Sokhi My first job was with The Oberoi in Bhubaneswar in 1987. I started working there as a trainee cook and went on to master everything in about one year. My first paycheque was eight hundred rupees, and I was so thrilled to have started earning. This was the primary reason for joining hotel management — to earn money and support my family. So, naturally, the amount went to my parents and everyone back home was so glad that I had started earning. and wanted to show that I could help my sister in running the household. So, I used to make school charts, tables, etc. My first income was very modest; I made five charts for a hundred rupees! DANCE TUTOR: Shiwani Chakraborty I was a dance tutor who gave classes in my hometown. I started earning during my school days, but I don’t remember exactly what my fees were for each student. But if you ask me as an actor, my notable earnings were for the role in Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah. I played a dance teacher’s character, and that episode is still trending today. So, you can say that was my proper paycheque as an actor. The amount was around seven thousand rupees. GOLD RING: Gulfam Khan Hussain When I was in ninth grade, I started giving tuitions without letting my father know about it. Later when I told him, he was quite amused. But I was happy as after the first month, I got around Rs 900. I bought a gold ring with the money and still have it. CHILDHOOD DAYS: Twinkle Arora My first income was when I was in fifth grade. I wanted some extra pocket money c m y b ENGLISH TEACHER: Manmohan Tiwari My first job was teaching. I used to teach English and conduct personality development programmes. This happened because the teacher at the place where I studied had left and the owner of the institution asked me to take over. So, the first time I received a paycheque, I had become a teacher by accident. With that first cheque, I bought a mixer-grinder for my family. (As told to Dharam Pal) cinematographer; Amrish Puri, Om Puri, Kulbhushan Kharbanda and I got together for this project.” Over the decades, he is happy that Punjabi films have earned global recognition. Being the face of immortal songs, including Hothon Se Chhulo Tum, Beete Huye Lamhon Ki Kasak, among others, Raj Babbar says as an actor and being in public life, the only important thing for him is to stay grounded. “Love of the audience can make you a star, but those who lose their head over stardom don’t take long to fall flat. When people still talk of Nikaah, Prem Geet and Aaj Ki Awaaz, it makes me feel grateful.” An alumnus of National School of Drama, we ask him if an actor can be taught? “Kalakar ko tarasha ja sakta hai. Else we are all actors, living our respective roles in life,” he says.