30082024-LSTC-01.qxd 8/29/2024 9:58 PM Page 1 c m y b PROUD OF HIS JOURNEY Karan Johar, who last directed the rom-com Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani, has said that he is proud of his journey as a human being and wouldn’t trade a thing to live it any differently. KJo appeared on the podcast Jaane Mann with astrologer Jai Madaan and talked about his childhood. L ONELINESS, caste and class divide, discrimination against women to bridging the gap between our roots and modern sensibilities — Chandigarh Sangeet Natak Akademi’s five-day National Theatre Festival in the tricity covers varied subjects. Theatre groups from Bhopal, New Delhi, Lucknow and Chandigarh bring many themes, and showcases their relevance in contemporary times through their productions.. Now is the time to be one Sanjay Mehta’s play Shivoham opened on Tuesday. It offered a peep into the life and work of Adi Shankaracharya. “Now, more than ever before, we need to be one and Adi Shankaracharya’s life and teachings implore us to do that,” said Mehta, who runs Rangshirsh Sanstha in Bhopal. That he has Muhammad Faizan play Shankaracharya says a lot about him practicing what he preaches. “We have long been divided into religions, communities and castes, while Adi Shankaracharya talked of all living beings as one braham. To see and acknowledge all of us as one is a message that must be conveyed.” Faizan feels fortunate to have landed the lead role. “To rise to the challenge, and the faith reposed in me by my guru has been one significant journey,” shared Faizan, who extensively studied scriptures and memorised shlokas to play the saint. “I am from Muslim faith. While my mother was all supportive, not the others. It was as if I was living Shankaracharya’s life all over again, where people were not receptive to his ideas of Advaita Vedanta,” said the actor, who called theatre his only karma and dharma! High pitch Bollywood actor Sidharth took to Instagram and shared pictures and a video of himself playing cricket on the National Sports Day on Thursday. LUDHIANA | FRIDAY | 30 AUGUST 2024 Peep SHIVOHAM Mona TRIBUNE into the PHOTOS: PRADEEP TEWARI AND NITIN MITTAL we have minute-to-minute reporting of what happened in Kolkata, social media sure has kept youngsters up to date.” times A wide spectrum of topics, notable performances and thought-provoking themes — the five-day theatre festival organised by the Chandigarh Sangeet Natak Akademi offers a deep insight into life Loneliness amongst elders SOHNI MAHIWAL Getting real with life Theatre director Priyanka Sharma adapted Neil Simon’s The Star-spangled Girl into Haye Padosan. “We have done lots of intense productions. We wanted to make something fun this time around,” said the founder of Silly Soul Foundation, New Delhi. She began the play before Covid, and later made some change to add mirthwhile also amplifying the message. “It’s the story of a man who woos his padosan. I cross-dress as a man to ensure it tickles while also pointing out that it isn’t so funny when a man does it.” She raises a valid point about cinema blurring reality with increased use of screens through her play. “You say a situation and there is a set dialogue or song for it. But is life so filmy?” she questioned. On how safe she feels living in Delhi, she said, “As I have grown older and confident, I do feel safe.” HAYE PADOSAN She recalled how back in college days her in-time was five in the evening, “I studied at Miranda House, Delhi University. I remember the dread as evening approached. We trembled with fear and would implore the seniors to let us leave to make it back at home in time.” She remembered how cycle-rickshaws were the only option, as auto-rickshaws were considered unsafe. Today with phones and cabs, things have become easier. “Now, women have become stronger, more confident and don’t mind saying their mind, something which probably isn’t going down well with men and leading to crime. While women can finally report it, earlier it went unaddressed,” she said. She also pointed out how social media had made news more accessible. “Now Surya Mohan Kulshreshtha brought his play Shikashta. A new production, the Chandigarh audience caught its second show. Written and directed by Kulshreshtha and Bhartendu Kashyap from Nipa Rangmandali, Lucknow, this one talks of growing loneliness amongst the elders. “In two to three decades time, India would have the largest population of senior citizens in the world. How they adjust to changing dynamics is what the play is all about,” said Kulshreshtha. A two-character play, it talks of how a man and a woman come together in an old-age home but how their respective egos make them clash. “Now is the time how our country is going to deal with senior citizens — would the retirement age still be 60, with many going nuclear family way would we need old-age homes…if we don’t start now, it would be rather late,” he emphasised. For the remaining two days of the festival, August 30, will witness a lecturecum-demonstration by eminent theatreperson Mohan Agashe and Dhrupad exponent Pt Umakant Gundecha. On the concluding day, August 31, Sohni Mahiwal will be staged. The play is written by Ekam Maanuke, designed and directed by Navdeep Kaur, Chairperson, Department of Indian Theatre. It gives a new lease of life to this folk tale of Punjab. “The live folk music of Punjab gives it a complete regional flavour. It’s our attempt to bridge the gap between our roots and modern sensibilities through theatre. To explore the cultural heritage of our region and our traditions with the young generation is a beautiful experience,” shared Navdeep. (On at the Tagore Theatre from 6:30 pm onwards) PRIYANKA SHARMA Vikrant Parmar With Shah Rukh Khan as his idol, and having sat outside his house, Mannat, in Mumbai, to seek inspiration often, it was a reward worth its weight in gold when Guneet Singh Sodhi’s performance in the recent movie Bad Newz was appreciated by King Khan’s son, Aryan Khan, at the premiere. This lad from Ludhiana, who was earlier seen in the film Laal Singh Chaddha, brings a freshness to the screen with his portrayal of Harman Satija in the Vicky Kaushal, Ammy Virk and Tripti Dimri-starrer Bad Newz. About the journey of securing the role, Guneet says, “I auditioned for this role, but waited a long time to get any news. I happened to be at the Ajmer Sharif Dargah with my family during that time and prayed for this role, as my audition had gone really well. A few days later, I received a call from the makers of Bad Newz that I had been selected. My prayers were sure answered.” Guneet plays the character of a lover boy in the film, who, “is the perfect fusion of Amol Palekar and Hrithik Roshan — good-looking and sharif ladka. His love for Saloni (Tripti) is pure and till the very end he keeps saying, When work is FUN From bonding with Vicky Kaushal over their Punjabi roots to jamming to Ammy’s unreleased songs, Ludhiana lad Guneet Singh Sodhi cherishes the time he had on the sets of Bad Newz romantic at heart.” Having been in the company of experienced actors like Vicky and Ammy, were there any starry tantrums on the sets? “Not at all. In fact, they are both really simple and down-to-earth. They were perfect team players and as I was the youngest on the sets, they encouraged as well as pampered me. We often shared our meals. Vicky and I had many shoot A STILL FROM BAD NEWZ ‘Saloni ji main aapko har haal main apnaane ko tayaar hoon’. Harman is an ideal boy with a heart of gold. His track is that of unrequited love, but he is a genuine c m y b days together and bonded over our roots in Punjab. We also enjoyed jamming to Ammy’s unreleased songs,” he informs. Growing up in Ludhiana, Guneet moved to Chandigarh for higher education, “I studied at the DAV College and was part of the Aaghaaz Theatre Group. Acting became a real interest there and I represented the institution in many national competitions. Chandigarh is one place I will forever remember.” Guneet, who was a part of Love Aaj Kal 2 alongside Sara Ali Khan, was also seen in Rakshak on Amazon Mini TV. “I am waiting for an offer to act in a Punjabi film, as it’s my home turf.” Is anyone in the Punjabi industry listening? Preferring the bada purdah, Guneet is not too keen on television. But he is eyeing the OTT space. “I certainly want to foray into OTT, as the scope there is immense. I want to diversify and explore various genres. Meri shakal cute si hai so sab lover boy hi banate hain, but I want to essay some negative roles too,” he quips. For the youngsters trying their luck in tinsel town, Guneet’s advice is clear, “Don’t focus on struggles. Just come and test the waters. Keep working hard.” That’s the way to go!