01102024-LSTC-01.qxd 9/30/2024 8:17 PM Page 1 c m y b TRIBUNE DO PATTI COMING SOON Do Patti, starring Kajol and Kriti Sanon, has finally received a release date. Netflix revealed that the murder mystery will be available for streaming from October 25. Khiladi No. 1 Life Karan Veer Mehra has been crowned the winner of the Colors show Khatron Ke Khiladi. Krishna Shroff and Gashmeer Mahajani made their mark as the first and second runners-up, respectively. LUDHIANA | TUESDAY | 1 OCTOBER 2024 Self-made superstar Nonika Singh F ROM art-house cinema to dancing sensation, from lead actor to memorable cameos, Mithun Chakraborty’s journey has been a momentous one and decorated too. The Padma Bhushan recipient, former member of Rajya Sabha has been chosen for the highest cinematic honour, Dadasaheb Phalke Award, to be conferred on October 8 during the 70th National Awards Film Ceremony. Despite Mithun’s political affiliations (he is currently member of the BJP), few can grudge this latest feather in his cap. Making the announcement when Union Minister of Information and Broadcasting Ashwini Vaishnaw writes on X, ‘Mithun Da’s remarkable cinematic journey inspires generations’, he is not way off the mark. Winner of three National Awards, the very first with his debut film itself, the muchacclaimed Mrigayaa, directed by Mrinal Sen, Mithun has indeed delighted cinegoers of nearly every decade. If cinephiles of yore remember him for movies like Mujhe Insaaf Chahiye, Hum Se Hai Zamana opposite Zeenat Aman, and Basu Chatter- Some hail him as a director’s actor, while others vouch for his dancing prowess. As veteran actor Mithun Chakraborty’s name is announced for the Dadasaheb Phalke Award, he is proud of his humble beginnings and this coveted honour jee’s delectable Pasand Apni Apni, more recently we have seen him etch some memorable parts in films like OMG – Oh My God!, The Tashkent Files and The Kashmir Files. The devious smile playing on his lips in OMG will probably go down as one of the finest portrayals of stylised mannerisms. Umesh Shukla director, OMG – Oh My God!, shares, “Brilliant, versatile actor, a star; you always want to work with such an actor to make your film memorable.” Goutam Ghose calls him a ‘director’s actor who will deliver exactly what the director desires’. Ghose, who directed him in Gudia, which was screened in the UnCertain Regard section at the 1997 Cannes Film Festival, has known Mithun since mid-1970s and recalls how the actor was struggling in those days even after receiving a national award. Born as Gouranga Chakraborty on June 16, 1950, in Calcutta, now Kolkata, Mithun has often spoken about his trials and tribulations as well as the ‘skin colour bias’, which he faced during the early days of his career in the Hindi film industry. But fame was around the corner and stardom came with Disco Dancer in 1982, which proved to be a true-blue blockbuster — a hit in Soviet Union too! With movies like Dance Dance, Pyar Jhukta Nahi and Commando, the original dancing star rose to greater heights. If back in time India grooved to songs like Jimmy Jimmy and I Am A Disco Dancer, the GenNext rediscovered Jimmy Jimmy during the Covid pandemic. It became a new anthem of protest against the lockdown in China. Mithun’s signature dancing moves are hailed as iconic till date and he is in the Limca Book of Records for a maximum number of movie releases — 19 — in 1989. He acted in over 100 films in one decade. With stardom, he revealed once, also came loneliness as many feared he might have become too big for his boots. Ghose, however, swears by his sincerity both as an actor and as a person with no starry airs. He shared how Mithun made usal paav for the entire team on the sets of Gudiya. Vivek Agnihotri, his director in The Tashkent Files and The Kashmir Files, adds, “He is not a typical showbiz person. He loves animals and any animal-lover I believe is a great human being.” But then the actor, who believes in being a good human first, and is today extremely touched by the honour, has never forgotten his humble beginnings. In a recent interview, he talked about how it was unbelievable that a man from the footpath could rise to receive such a great honour. Any wonder his son Namashi Chakraborty calls him a ‘self-made superstar’. But no moniker can define or contain the talent of this Film Training Institute of India, Pune, graduate, whom we have seen dominate both Hindi and Bengali cinema, many mediums from cinema to television. In popular television show Dance India Dance, he was seen as the Grand Master for years. His digital debut in psychological thriller Bestseller in 2022 may not have been a perfect landing, but then the actor of over 350 films in various languages knows too well that not every film makes the cut. Nevertheless, for someone who has reinvented himself time and again, who calls his life ‘a hit’ will keep making a distinctive mark. Agnihotri who has cast him in his upcoming The Delhi Files too feels, “He has so much left in him to perform, so many characters he can do with his vast experience, preparation and understanding of cinema. May dada live for more than 100 years.” Amen! On International Coffee Day, television stars talk about their love for the brew and whom they would love to share a cup with... Coffee is more than just a beverage — it’s a ritual, a comfort, and a source of inspiration for many. In the bustling world of entertainment industry, where creativity and energy are paramount, television stars reveal their unique relationships with this beloved drink. From the comforting filter coffee of South India to the energising embrace of black coffee, they talk about their personal choices and whom they would like to share a cup with. MOTIVATING DRINK: Jaideep Singh Coffee is love but I’m not a caffeine addict, as I follow a strict diet plan. However, when I’m on the sets, I need my hot cup of coffee in the evening — it definitely motivates me. If I’m out with friends in the evening, I enjoy my regular cold coffee. Whenever my friend Priyanka, from Mangalore, invites us for a South Indian breakfast or lunch at her place, the filter coffee she makes after meals is something to die for. I would have loved to have coffee with Satyajit Ray if he was alive today! I admire his work and how he thought far ahead of his times. More recently, I’ve been drawn to Satinder Sartaj, the Jaideep Singh day. There’s something about that pure, unadulterated flavour that energises me, giving me the boost I need. Coffee, after all, is a great way to kickstart your day. Speaking of energy, it reminds me of Salman Khan. He’s a powerhouse, always full of vitality. I can’t help but wonder — what’s the secret that keeps him going? Perhaps, it’s something as simple as a strong cup of coffee. SIP& savour Punjabi singer and actor — I love how he writes his songs, with meaning, heart, and a depth that surpasses the usual stuff we come across today. coffee — the richer, the better! Black coffee is my staple, but I occasionally indulge in flavoured lattes or cold brews. Coffee not only perks up my mood, but also fuels my creativity. It’s my trusted companion during long shoots. If I could share a cup with anyone, it would be the legendary actor Raj Kapoor. We’d discuss the evolution of Indian cinema, the intersection of art and culture, and the secrets behind his iconic storytelling. MOOD LIFTER: Rushad Rana I am not a coffee addict, but I usually have coffee during shoots or in meetings. Whenever I go out, it’s usually for coffee. It depends on my mood whether I want to have a cold coffee, chocolate-based coffee or black coffee. I would love to have coffee with SRK, as I admire his career graph and work. He is an inspiring personality and such a wellread person. FULL OF VITALITY: Mishal Khan CREATIVE DOSE: Deekshha Sonalkar I’m a coffee-lover, but my preference is simple — black coffee, and just one cup a A steaming cup of coffee helps me unwind and focus. My go-to choice is strong, black Deekshha Sonalkar Rushad Rana Mishal Khan c m y b REDUCES STRESS: Shivangi Verma I am a coffee-lover. I mostly prefer cold coffee over hot, as it refreshes me. I like to have coffee twice a day. In the morning, I have hot coffee and in the evening a cup of cold coffee. Yes, of course, I am a coffee addict, and feel it reduces stress. It refreshes my mind and soul. If I could have a cup of coffee with any actor, Shah Rukh Khan is the name that comes first to mind because he is one of my favourites. I guess the conversation would be about how he stays so fit and still looks so charming. (As told to Dharam Pal) Shivangi Verma