08102024-LSTC-01.qxd 10/8/2024 12:23 AM Page 1 c m y b TOUGH PHASE OF REESE'S LIFE Actor and producer Reese Witherspoon recalled the most difficult moment of her career that helped her to make a wise business decision. "Right after Big Little Lies, I had self-funded my first company," she said while referring to Hello Sunshine, which she founded in 2016. Mona A N actor, entrepreneur and Miss Universe 2000, Lara Dutta isn’t the one to sit pretty on past laurels. Challenging herself, carving new paths, forever-on-the-go girl, Lara made a brief halt at Chandigarh on Sunday. From aloo paranthas and the sequel to one of her most successful films, Lara talked it all. Ramayana on celluloid has been a dream of many a star, and Lara has achieved it. “It’s an incredible opportunity to be part of Ramayana. It’s my first time working with director Nitesh Tiwari and sharing screen space with Ranbir Kapoor,” she said. She has also teamed up with her Ishq-eNadaan director Avishek Ghosh for a revenge thriller titled Suryast, which also stars Patralekhaa. A couple of other films on the anvil, Lara shared that a sequel to one of her most successful films is on the cards too. With films like Andaaz, No Entry, Partner, Housefull and Don 2 to her credit, it’s Chalo Dilli that fetched her much love. “In 2011 when we did Chalo Dilli, there weren’t many actresses as producers. As a woman producer, I realised that people were open to discussing the creative process but not business. It feels great that I created and opened space for women who came after me. Today’s actresses, be it Anushka (Sharma) or Alia (Bhatt), are producing content.” Breaking fresh ground keeps Lara fuelled, and every decade she has strived to take on what’s not done. She credited the opportunities that came her way to her Miss Universe crown, “I call it the biggest gift that universe has bestowed upon me. An incredible opportunity, not once in a lifetime but that of many lifetimes.” But it’s her entrepreneurial journey that brought Lara to the city. “Arias is Saira (her daughter) spelled backwards. It was my way of having her with me everywhere. Naming my brand associated with my daughter’s name is a commitment for me to have something outstanding, which adds value to someone’s life,” she shared. On Sunday, she launched Arias home collection with Neel Kamal Homes at the TRIBUNE Life On shoot Actress Vaani Kapoor is currently shooting in London for the upcoming romantic comedy christened Abir Gulaal. Her co-actor in the film is Pakistani star Fawad Khan. CHANDIGARH | TUESDAY | 8 OCTOBER 2024 PHOTO: PRADEEP TEWARI She means business Movies like Ramayana, Suryast and a blossoming business venture — Lara Dutta has lots on her platter, but there’s still enough space for aloo paranthas! In Chandigarh, she talks about her love for all things Punjabi Elante Mall. “Arias has been a learning ground for me. It started with Arias Skin Care. It was a natural transition being in the beauty business for over 25 years now.” Not seeing a home-grown product that really addressed Indian skincare needs led her to skincare brand, which was followed by Arise Fragrances. “From a beauty queen to an actress to a mother to a homemaker… I think it is important to embrace that change and to take it along with you. That is why it was a natural transition to do Arias Home, which has grown into Kidswear, an eco-conscious fashion brand for kids.” Invested truly in her business, Lara has an EMBRACE THE CHANGE The year 2000 was special for India, as we won triple crowns in beauty pageants — Lara Dutta won Miss Universe, Priyanka Chopra Miss World, and Dia Mirza Miss Asia Pacific titles. A feat that probably cannot be repeated for now tittles, criteria and managements have changed. With genders evolving from mere man and woman and inclusivity being the buzzword right now, beauty pageants too are transforming big time. “The old order has to change to accommodate the new. Something bigger and better has to be on way,” shared Lara. aim to penetrate each home in India with her quality and affordable products. Her Sunday visit was hectic and amongst all the other things, aloo parantha weighed the heaviest on her mind! “Wherever you go, you cannot take the Punjaban out of me,” she laughed. An Air Force kid and having grown up across the country, she has a special connect with Punjab. “My father is from Jalandhar and coming here feels like coming home, maybe because of my grandparents. Chandigarh is a city that, unfortunately, most of the time I am making quick stops at, but it is always a great city to be back in,” she signed off. PHOTO: PTI Notes of the land HEMA DELIGHTS IN DANCE DRAMA Hema Malini, the veteran actress and BJP MP from Mathura, has expressed happiness after performing a dance drama at Nav Durga Mahotsav in Mathura on Sunday. “I am very happy to perform here today,” said Hema, who portrayed Goddess Durga. Punjabi actress-singer Delbar Arya, who is coming up with a song titled Jaam, says complex emotions come easy to her Punjabi actress Delbar Arya, who has recently collaborated with Gurnazar Chattha for a song titled Jaam, instantaneously connected with the notes as she believes everyone has gone through some sort of heartbreak at some point of time in their lives. “Gurnazar is a very good singer and has a unique sense of music. We had a great time and laughed a lot on the sets of Jaam. The song is even more special since it’s got a classical touch to it,” she says. — ANI Ramayana with a contemporary twist The makers of Singham Again on Monday treated cinephiles with the action-packed trailer of the film, which had the essence of Ramayana with a ‘contemporary twist’. The over four-minute trailer gives a peek into the world of the fifth instalment of Rohit Shetty’s cop drama series. It begins with actress Kareena saying: “Kal humaare Ram-Leela main Ram ji 14 saal ke vanvaas ke liye niklengay.” The story begins from there when Kareena’s character’s son asks if she ever gets kidnapped by a Ravana like person will Ajay Devgn, who plays DCP Bajirao Singham in the movie and also the actress’ husband in the franchise, save him? The trailer then showcases how Bajirao Singham turns into Lord Rama to save his Avni after she is kidnapped by Arjun Kapoor, who has traits of Ravana in the movie. Arjun is heard saying: “Teri Ramayana ka Raavan hun main.” But it is Ajay’s line that brings the chills down the spine when he says, “Agar Avni ke liye nahi aaya na main toh Singham asli Maratha nahi.” To save his wife, Singham has his own army, including Tiger Shroff, Ranveer Singh and Akshay Kumar, whose characters have adapted the traits of Lakshman, Hanuman and Jatayu. What is interesting to see is actress Deepika Padukone, who plays Lady Singham named SP Shakti Shetty! Before the trailer ends, Ajay’s character is heard saying: “Tere saamne jo khada hai woh Mahatma Gandhi ka toh aadar karta hai lekin poojta Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj ko hai.” The trailer encapsulates all of Shetty’s main ingredi- ents such as funny dialogues, lots of car sequences and serious action, making the film a complete entertainer. Singham Again went on the floors in September 2023, and was wrapped up in September 2024. The film was shot in Mumbai, Hyderabad, Kashmir and Sri Lanka. It is scheduled to be released on Diwali 2024. It features the biggest of stars of Hindi cinema, including Ajay Devgn, Kareena Kapoor, Akshay Kumar, Ranveer Singh, Deepika Padukone, Tiger Shroff, Arjun Kapoor and Jackie Shroff. Singham Again is a sequel to Singham Returns. — IANS Her journey in the Punjabi music and film industry have shaped Delbar’s artistic identity. “To begin with, the Punjabi film industry enriched me with a beautiful language. I learned Punjabi from a scratch — learnt to read and write in Gurmukhi script so that I was aware of the correct pronunciation, and develop a feeling for every word and sentence. And, of course, with language comes a whole new world to discover. I am grateful to the people of Punjab and the Punjabi film industry,” she adds. Delbar credits her family for all that she has achieved so far. “My whole family is artistic, so since childhood I have experienced arts in depth. As a result, complex emotions come very naturally to me,” says Delbar, who believes the revival of old-school music and singing is good news for the Punjabi industry. As for her upcoming projects, she says, “In my upcoming film Damdaa I have played the role of a village girl, which was an absolutely new experience. There are a few more projects lined up.” To the aspiring musicians out there, her advice is simple, “It’s all about authenticity. Be 100 per cent yourself because this is what the world wants to see.” (As told to Dharam Pal) THE CAST AND CREW OF SINGHAM AGAIN c m y b