18102024-LSTL-01.qxd 10/18/2024 12:52 AM Page 1 c m y b APTE EXPECTING FIRST CHILD Radhika Apte has officially announced that she is expecting her first child with her husband, music composer Benedict Taylor. The revelation came during her appearance on the red carpet at the BFI London Film Festival on October 16, where she showcased her baby bump while attending the screening of her latest film, Sister Midnight. TRIBUNE Dear mom Life In the trailer of her upcoming documentary In Her Words, rapper and singer Megan Thee Stallion recalled her mother’s contribution in making her career. LUDHIANA | FRIDAY | 18 OCTOBER 2024 ‘I don’t even sleep Gurnaaz H ISTORICAL narratives have been the focus of the film industry since its inception, and Punjabi cinema has time and again embraced this evergreen trend. But it’s not just a chapter from the past, it’s about recreating a world with all its authenticity and appeal in place. Filmmaker Amitoj Mann recently brought to life Sucha Soorma, a legendary figure in Punjabi history known for his bravery and dedication to the cause of Independence. Set in 1915, the film not alone Filmmaker Amitoj Mann, whose recent film Sucha Soorma, is based on a legendary figure in Punjabi history, believes it was a challenge to balance authenticity with engagement explores its titular character but gives a peek into the rich cultural and historical context of that time. In a conversation with us, Amitoj Mann shares his insights on the challenges of historical storytelling, the evolving landscape of Punjabi cinema and the significance of connecting with one’s roots through film. Through his cinematic journey, he invites viewers to reflect on the past and its relevance in today’s world. Amitoj begins by explaining the intent behind revisiting a piece of history that dates back over a century. He states, “Even if you observe world cinema, people are drawn to history. I began with old Punjab in my movie Hani in 2013, and since then there have been many films set in that era. People loved them in my bedroom’ A leaf from AMITOJ (RIGHT) ON THE SETS OF SUCHA SOORMA history because they wanted to connect with their past.” He emphasises that while historical films can be challenging to create, they allow filmmakers to explore cultural nuances authentically. “There’s a sense of responsibility attached to them,” he notes, highlighting the detailed research required to accurately portray the era. When asked about the effort that went into bringing Succha Soorma to life, Amitoj reveals, “We were actually set to release it in 2019, but due to some misunderstandings, and then Covid, it finally released now.” The film may have been shot in 45 days, but he highlights the importance of pre-production, noting that it took over a year-and-a-half to prepare for the film. “A good film is one which gives enough time to its preparation. Although most of the crew members are from the Malwa region, so we knew the cultural nuances — the way people talked, behaved, and so on, but there was still enough research involved,” he shares. Entertainment remains the core of cinema, but the responsibility around its message is as central to every film. So, when it comes to the deeper message within Sucha Soorma, Amitoj says, “Not every movie needs to have a message—some are purely for entertainment...Our challenge was to balance authenticity with engagement.” He stresses the importance of portraying multiple perspectives in storytelling, stating, “We need to understand different perspectives without biases. And my effort was to show the characters in totality. No person is black or white, there is the grey too.” Going by the event on which the movie is based, is Sucha a hero in his eyes? Amitoj responds affirmatively, saying, “He has certain dialogues, and there are answers given by Sucha...they tell you what the society at that point of time thought. I’m not justifying anyone but simply showcasing how things were and how they are.” He believes in allowing the audience to interpret the characters and their actions. “If the film can’t convey its message, there’s no point in me answering them here in an interview,” he adds. And what goes into the casting process, particularly his collaboration with Babbu Maan that too after years. The director says, “When we started talk- ing about this movie, someone suggested that Babbu would be perfect for the character of Sucha. I agreed because I could see that his mannerisms aligned with Sucha’s character.” Speaking warmly about their friendship and the ease of working together again, he simply says, “Past is past and so are the gaps.” With decades of experience in both Bollywood and Punjabi cinema, a word about the home industry was inevitable. “I think we are maturing but there are still so many untouched subjects, like purana Punjab,” he notes. He points out the different audio levels used in Punjabi films compared to Hindi and English, calling for improvement in production quality. “Every little thing matters, and we need to educate ourselves on these details,” he urges. Amitoj reflects on the power of cinema to represent culture and influence perceptions. “If the cinema is bad, it reflects poorly on Punjabis everywhere... these cameras are like weapons that can cause large-scale damage, so they must be wielded with care,” he states. In a candid discussion at Wondermind’s inaugural Mental Fitness Summit, Selena Gomez revealed the profound impact her mental health challenges have had on her personal life, particularly her relationship with her bedroom. The summit held virtually on World Mental Health Day, served as the platform for Gomez to share her experiences and insights into her ongoing mental health journey. Gomez, the star of Only Murders in the Building, spoke openly about why she no longer feels comfortable sleeping in her own bedroom. “I spent too much time in my bedroom that I actually don’t even sleep in my bedroom anymore,” she explained. She added, “I associate it with a really dark time.” The 32year-old artiste Liam Payne, former One Direction singer, dies at 31 Jolie good show! Hollywood star Angelina Jolie will be honoured with the Maltin Modern Master Award at the 2025 Santa Barbara International Film Festival, the organisers have announced. According to reports, the award was established in 1995 to honour filmmakers who have changed the movie industry through significant contributions and impact. It was renamed the Maltin Modern Master Award in 2015 to honour long-time SBIFF moderator and film critic Leonard Maltin. “Angelina Jolie makes bold choices, both as an actress and as a director. She sets the bar high in both disciplines and always comes through. I look forward to reviewing her career with her in Santa Barbara,” Maltin said. — PTI Singer Liam Payne, the former One Direction star, has tragically passed away at the age of 31. The singer’s death occurred after he reportedly fell from a hotel balcony in the Palermo district of Buenos Aires, Argentina, earlier this week. Local authorities confirmed the incident, with state police revealing details of the fall from the third-floor balcony on Costa Rica Street. Born on August 29, 1993, in Wolverhampton, England, Payne’s rise to fame began in 2010 when he auditioned for The X Factor. Though he initially failed to make an impact in the 2008 auditions, his return two years later, where he performed Michael Buble’s Cry Me a River, catapulted him into the spotlight. This performance led to his place in the newly formed boy band, One Direction, alongside Harry Styles, Niall Horan, Louis Tomlinson, and Zayn Malik. Despite not winning the competition, One Direction went on to become one of the world’s most successful boy bands, with iconic hits such as What Makes You RIP, Liam Beautiful and Night Changes. After One Direction’s hiatus in 2016, following Zayn Malik’s departure, Payne pursued a solo career. In 2017, he released his debut single Strip That Down, featuring Quavo, which became a commercial hit. Over the years, Payne collaborated with artists like Zedd and J Balvin, and his tracks garnered millions of streams worldwide. His music career also saw notable success on the Billboard Hot 100 with hits like For You with Rita Ora and Bedroom Floor. Payne’s personal life often made headlines as well. He shared a son, Bear Grey Payne, born in 2017, with his ex-girlfriend and X Factor judge Cheryl Cole. In recent years, Payne had been open about his struggles, including a sobriety journey. In 2023, he shared that he had been sober for six months after spending time in a rehabilitation facility. Despite facing personal and public controversies, including tensions with former bandmates and legal issues with his ex-girlfriend Maya Henry, Payne’s legacy as both a One Direction member and a solo artist remained significant. Payne is survived by his son, his parents, Karen and Geoff, and his two older sisters, Ruth and Nicola. — ANI Zoya Akhtar, Reema Kagti share details about their docu-series, In Transit All about inclusivity Filmmakers Zoya Akhtar and Reema Kagti have been actively involved in creating exciting docuseries, especially after the success of Angry Young Men. According to reports, In Transit, a nine-part docuseries is being made under Tiger Baby, the production company founded by Zoya and Reema, in collaboration with Amazon Studios. The series focuses on transgender stories from India, an aspect of Indian society rarely explored in mainstream media. Zoya said, “There’s a trans community, and nobody really talks about that community, the people that identify as trans from heartland India. ZOYA AKHTAR REEMA KAGTI Where are they coming from? What are they going through?” The duo also recently c m y b unveiled Taira Malaney’s Turtle Walker, a documentary chronicling the extraordinary journey of conservationist Satish Bhaskar, who walked nearly the entire coast of India in his efforts to protect sea turtles. “He’s such a hero that doesn’t think he’s a hero. He just walked nearly the entire coast of India, which helped the sea turtle not go into extinction. I mean, it’s such a big story, and he’s just one guy,” Zoya said. The film, which will premiere at Doc NYC, won the prestigious Grand Teton Award at the Jackson Wild Media Awards. — ANI described the debilitating nature of anxiety, reflecting on how it kept her from leaving her bed for years. “You have to believe in yourself Selena Gomez opens up about mental health struggles and do the work that will truly enlighten you a little bit,” she emphasised, underscoring the importance of personal growth in overcoming mental health challenges. During her talk, Gomez recounted a particularly restless night leading up to the summit. “As recent as last night, I was in bed and I couldn’t fall asleep till about four, and it was just because my mind was simply racing,” she said. “I just kept saying over and over again, ‘This will pass. Just let it go through your body and it’ll go away’, and, of course, eventually, I fell asleep,” she added. Having previously opened up about her battles with anxiety, depression, and bipolar disorder, Gomez highlighted the value of discussing her struggles with trusted individuals. She expressed gratitude for the support of her mother, Mandy Teefey, with whom she co-founded Wondermind. “I still have days where I need my mom,” Gomez shared. — ANI