02102024-LSTC-01.qxd 10/1/2024 9:56 PM Page 1 c m y b GOVINDA OUT OF DANGER Govinda, who underwent emergency surgery for a bullet injury sustained when he accidentally shot himself in the leg at his home in Mumbai on Tuesday, has reassured fans about his health. Govinda updated his fans on his condition, saying, “With the blessings of you all, the bullet has been removed.” TRIBUNE Gender issue Life Kareena Kapoor, best known for her outstanding performances in Chameli and Refugee, in a throwback video, called out the Bollywood industry for its male dominance. LUDHIANA | WEDNESDAY | 2 OCTOBER 2024 For a better tomorrow... Parbina Rashid S EVENTEEN years on and Tisca Chopra still loves to bring Taare Zameen Par into her conversation. Not just because the Aamir Khandirectorial was India’s official entry to the Academy Awards that year and got her the top awards and a score of nominations for her portrayal of Maya Awasthy, but for the lessons the movie imparted and the message it conveyed. The film, overall, made a deep impact on her as a person. Tisca revived the memory of the beautiful film during her interaction with the students of Chitkara University recently. Among other topics like work-life balance, parenting, integration of theatre in education and mental health, she spoke about how being part of the heart-warming story of a dyslexic child moved her, and made her sensitive to other people’s needs and desires. This trait has been ingrained in her persona. She is not just sensitive towards others’ needs, but vocal too when the situation demands. She recently condemned the Kolkata rape case in strong words. “As the mother of a young girl, how do I feel when another woman is raped? An ‘independent’, educated working woman at her place of work, after working a 36-hour shift. A doctor,” she wrote in her post. Earlier, she had spoken on the exploitation of women in the film industry. Her outbursts brought her admiration and ire from her fraternity in equal measure. During an informal chit-chat, she tells us about her activism, both online and on ground. “To be silent when such a heinous crime is committed against a woman, will be no less than a crime. Women like us, who are educated and have a voice, must stand up for the vulnerable and the exploited. Most of the times we remain silent thinking our solitary voice will get drowned in the cacophony of trolls, but speak we must! Even if a few listen to what we have to say and amplify that voice, that’s enough. A small step toward the right direction is what I am aiming for,” she says. Does she harbour any political ambition? “No, not at all,” she clears her stand. “Let’s say, as a mother of a growing girl, I am try- Women like us, who are educated and have a voice, must stand up for the vulnerable and the exploited, says Tisca Chopra ing to bring a change in society so that my daughter feels safe.” At the mention of her daughter’s name, Tara, the conversation veers to the territory of motherhood. And that brings us to her Insta reels on cooking. “I’m not very fond of cooking. My tryst with pots and pans started during the lockdown as there was no other alternative. Now, I cook for my daughter. I love to try out new dishes and surprise her. That’s my way of showing my love, I guess,” she says. While her love for pots and pans is a nowoff-now-on affair, her love for storytelling is only getting intense by the day. Her cinematic journey has certainly crossed a milestone as she just turned director for a movie, Saali Mohabbat. “The story is the heart of film-making and I have always loved telling or backing a good story,” she says, referring to her earlier venture, a short film titled Chutney, which she wrote and produced. How does it feel to wear the director’s hat for a film, a thriller no less! “I love thrillers… Paatal Lok, Kohrra, you name it. When I locked down on the script, I thought ‘ mazze karte hain’. Having Manish Malhotra on board as the producer added to the fun factor.” Has she taken inspiration from her favourite thrillers, or her latest web show Murder Mubarak? “I am not going to say anything about the film. It’s for the audience to find out whether they see glimpses of other thrillers in it when they watch Saali Mohabbat. In fact, I would like them to tell me whether they see the story through a male gaze or a female gaze…” she leaves it at that, to keep the suspense building. This Gandhi Jayanti, celebrate the great man and the values he championed with these films… All about Gandhi Jayanti, a day to mark the enduring values that the Mahatma championed — truth, non-violence, and the profound power of simplicity. The man on our currency is as ubiquitous on the screen. Some biographical, others fictional — filmmakers love for Gandhi continues to grow. Here’s a list of films and stories that celebrate the man who taught how ‘In a gentle way, you can shake the world’. Mahatma GANDHI ‘Perceptions based on the trailer’ Guru Randhawa on Shahkot backlash Singer and actor Guru Randhawa, who is gearing up for the release of his upcoming movie Shahkot, has addressed the controversy surrounding protestors burning the film’s posters due to concerns that it supports Pakistan. He expressed that the public’s perceptions are largely based on their initial reactions to the trailer, emphasising the importance of understanding the film’s true narrative before jumping to conclusions. Recently, the Shiv Sena Punjab had organised a protest against the release of the film Shahkot. During the demonstration, the protesters had burned posters of the film, and chanted slogans against Pakistan. Reacting to the same, Guru, who was present in Delhifor the promotions of the film, said, “Jab tak aap mujhse mile nahi ho as an artiste aap kuch bhi perception bana sakte ho. Jo log iska virodh kar rahe hain unko lag raha hai ki ye film ek alag direction me ja rahi hai.” (Unless you meet me as an artiste you can create any perception about me. Those who are opposing it feel that this film is going in a different direction.) —IANS After being unjustly thrown out of a firstclass train compartment despite holding a valid ticket, Gandhi is spurred into action, sparking his lifelong commitment to justice. The 1982 Ben Kingsley-starrer masterpiece, directed by Richard Attenborough, engagingly captures his early victories setting up the stage for his iconic role as a leader who would change the course of history. THE MAKING OF THE MAHATMA Directed by Shyam Benegal, The Making of the Mahatma, which was released in 1996, offers a look at the transformative years of Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi’s life in Gandhi Godse Ek Yudh South Africa. It captures the complex and turbulent journey of a young Gandhi that shaped his philosophy of non-violence. It’s a powerful portrayal of how a single man’s resolve and courage ignited a revolution. GANDHI, MY FATHER The 2007 Indian biographical drama film by Feroz Abbas Khan gives an intimate look into the complex and strained relationship between Mahatma Gandhi and his son Harilal. Far from the typical portrayal of the revered leader, this film dives into the per- Gandhi c m y b fictionalises Gandhi being saved despite Godse’s bullet. How the two serving time together in prison engage in multiple debates and arguments and get to understand each other is the core of this Deepak Antani-Chinmay Mandlekar film. MAINE GANDHI KO NAHIN MARA sonal struggles and conflicting ideologies that tore a father and son apart. Another fictional drama follows a retired professor Uttam Chaudhary’s (played by Anupam Kher), who believes he killed Gandhi accidentally while playing with a toy gun that had real bullets. The film won laurels for Kher and Urmila Matondkar, who played Prof Chaudhary’s daughter. LAGE RAHO MUNNA BHAI UPCOMING SHOW The 2006 Rajkumar Hirani directorial, this Sanjay Dutt- Arshad Warsi satirical comedy revived an interest in Gandhism under a new label — Gandhigiri. Relatable and hip, here Gandhi in a gangster’s imagination led to a blockbuster. Hansal Mehta is helming a three-season web series on Gandhi with actor Pratik Gandhi playing the titular role. GANDHI GODSE – EK YUDH The 2023 Rajkumar Santoshi-directorial Gandhi My Father The Making of The Mahatma BOOK MARK If movies not style, you can tap into audio books — Gandhi’s Story, Mahatma Gandhi: The Father of the Nation and Hind Swaraj are some of the titles available on Audible. — TNS Maine Gandhi Ko Nahin Mara