06092024-LSTC-01.qxd 9/6/2024 12:12 AM Page 1 c m y b ALIA TEASES JIGRA POSTER Alia Bhatt, who is gearing up for the release of her next film Jigra, also starring Vedang Raina, has shared a new poster of her upcoming project on Instagram. In it, she can be seen standing on the roof of a damaged car with weapons in both hands. She also carries a bag on her back. Mona L OG sirf bolna jaante hain, kisne kitna saha hai yeh nahi jaante… the famous Haryanvi singer and dancer Sapna Choudhary’s life is a story of struggle and survival. Sixteen years of her performing on stage is due to be turned into a biopic and that makes her happy. “Growing up, I was a fierce, fiery girl. Whenever somebody would check me I would always tell them, ‘ek din mere par movie banegi’ . That day is here,” shares an elated Sapna on Wednesday, as the teaser of the upcoming biopic was revealed. The film is titled Madam Sapna and the singer-dancer adds, “My father was ill and as a child I saw my family struggling financially. I had to do something.” Pursuing her interest in dance, while always performing in a salwar suit even now, she took to the stage. She found it disheartening that the very people who enjoyed her show for three hours went home and abused her. Things turned around when in 2016 she was addressed as Madam Sapna on stage for the very first time. “It was like as if all my struggles were vindicated. It was this honour that I was looking for. Madam Sapna is just the prefect title for my story.” Not too early for a biopic, one asks, “Yes abhi bahut life hai, bahut drama baki hai. But the last 15-16 years have been quite a rollercoaster. Each month has been a new challenge for me,” says Sapna. The Haryanvi girl, who popularised numbers like Teri Aakhya Ka Yo Kajal and Solid Body Re, takes pride in her success, especially coming from the society she was born and raised in. “When I started one couldn’t even dress as one liked to. Wearing sleeveless kurtas or even leaving hair open would invite criticism. To make a career in dance then was unthinkable.” Sapna’s name has been dragged into controversies, one even leading her to attempted suicide. “Life’s been a struggle, every single day. But I have so gotten used to twists and turns that if one day it becomes all smooth, I probably wouldn’t like it!” She loves the challenges thrown on her. “In fact, TRIBUNE Filmy kid Actress Sharvari said she was a very ‘filmy kid’, who would often imagine herself wearing a chiffon saree and dancing to songs from Hindi films! CHANDIGARH | FRIDAY | 6 SEPTEMBER 2024 Ek Here’s how these stars celebrated Teacher’s Day... Sapna sach hua! For Haryanvi performer Sapna Choudhary, it has been a rollercoaster ride. With a biopic titled Madam Sapna on her life in the making, she says it is the perfect title for a film on her I invite challenges, as I am capable of facing anything.” Taking Haryanvi folk music to global level, if Sapna is proud of what she has attained, her husband Veer Sahu, an artiste himself, is even happier “Whenever a girl from a lower-middle class family strides ahead, people call her names. But how can they forget that Sapna brought global fame to a regional language like Haryanvi and its Ragni.” Actively involved in the project, Sahu shares, “People say vo nachti hai, if I say anything they think I am just supporting her because she is my wife. Yes, as her husband it’s my dharam to support her. But wait for her biopic’s title song to release…that will silence all her critics.” About the highs of recent times, Sapna talks passionately about Cannes and motherhood. Her Cannes outing on the invite of Air France was her first trip abroad. “I was so scared that I would get lost. I don’t know French and my English is no good. It was only my make-up artist and I, who got clearance from visa authorities. But I had a fabulous time.” Sapna finds motherhood fun, but admits that she’s not a hands-on mother. “Motherhood bahut pyara hai. I have just been blessed with a son, and given him to my mother and motherin-law to raise! I believe I would be bringing up my children’s children in future,” she laughs. Back to the biopic. Veer Sahu says, “That a big production house is making a film on a girl who rose up from a small place is a huge achievement in itself.” However, the duo remains tight-lipped on the director and actor playing her. “Each thing will be unveiled at the right time,” avers Sapna. The film is going to be presented by Mahesh Bhatt and produced by Vinay Bhardwaj. Its aims at a 2025 release. ❝ Sapna Choudhary is a phenomenon that represents the voice of the common people. Her story is one of resilience, strength and defying the odds. This film is not just about her rise to fame, but a celebration of her spirit. — MAHESH BHATT ❝ We are thrilled to bring Sapna Choudhary’s story to the big screen. It is a tale that needs to be told — one that will inspire millions. As a producer, my goal is to ensure that her journey is portrayed with authenticity, capturing both the hardships and the victories that shaped her life. — VINAY BHARDWAJ c m y b JACKIE SHROFF SHEFALI SHAH A day to remember On the birth anniversary of late Dr Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, as entire India celebrates Teacher’s Day, celebrities took the opportunity to wish their fans and recollect fond memories. Back to school TARA SUTARIA Actress Tara Sutaria, on Wednesday, dropped pictures from a visit to her school. She took to Instagram and shared pictures, where she can be seen meeting and giving autographs to students. In one of the images, Tara can be seen sitting on a desk and posing for the cameras. She wrote a heart-warming note in the caption, “Back To School! In my opinion, the most beautiful acres on Pali Hill... How fortunate we were to grow and learn among trees, flowers, endless cottages, open skies and the sweetest cats and dogs (my truest friends then, other than my twin @piasutaria and my sister @missmehtaaa who’ve had my back since day one).” Jungle gym Actress Shefali Shah took to Instagram, where she is seen posing next to a jungle gym, and wrote, “I don’t have a picture of my teachers, but this jungle gym did teach me a lot. It taught me that to climb you have to fall and when you fall you brush your knees, put a band-aid and try climbing again.” Rare pictures Actor Jackie Shroff posted a video story to wish ‘Happy Teacher’s Day’ to all his fans. He shared rare pictures of himself with his mother. Another one with Subhash Ghai, whom he credits for guidance during his early years in film industry. Others included his mother and family members. Mother and daughter Actress Kajol shared that the two biggest teachers in her life are her mother Tanuja and daughter Nysa. Kajol took to Instagram, where she shared a throwback picture from her toddler days. In the monochrome picture, a baby Kajol is seen sitting on her mother’s shoulders and smiling at the camera. “To the two bigggest teachers of my life … my mom who gave me all the lessons and the child me who learnt them in her own way… stumbling and falling and misunderstanding and experiencing ... I can see u both so much clearer now...,” she wrote. — TNS