24102024-LSTL-01.qxd 10/24/2024 12:01 AM Page 1 c m y b NEXT UP FOR SCARLETT Scarlett Johansson has come on board to produce, along with Scott Stuber, an adaptation of The Girl in the Lake, a new novel by author Lauren Oliver. She is also in talks to play the titular character. Amazon MGM Studios and producer Scott Stuber have teamed up to acquire the film adaptation rights. TRIBUNE Life Once more Telugu star Prabhas, who celebrated his 45th birthday on Wednesday, has started shooting for the follow-up to his 2023 film Salaar: Part 1 — Ceasefire’. LUDHIANA | THURSDAY | 24 OCTOBER 2024 ‘No one stays popular forever’ Gurnaaz L AUGHTER truly is the best medicine and, Pritish Narula, a stand-up comic from Chandigarh, is living proof of that mantra. With a captivating blend of humour and heartfelt storytelling, he has been making audiences laugh across Canada, Australia and beyond. Currently on a trip to Australia, his talk show Sounds Good was launched on October 18. As we dive into his journey, we uncover not just the laughs but also the struggles and sacrifices he has faced along the way. So what’s the essence of his craft? “It takes a lot of stage time. There are a lot of hits and misses, and constant refinement of the content. It’s a continuous process, and we keep working on it. Eventually, something good comes out of it.” This dedication highlights the persistence required to succeed in stand-up, where every performance is a learning experience. The pressure to entertain large crowds is immense, but Narula navigates it with a seasoned perspective. He explains, “When I’m on stage, that’s my world for that time. The audience is there, and, honestly, I block out everything else.” For him, the stage transforms into a personal realm where he experiences instant validation, “If your joke lands well, you know it immediately.” What happens when a joke does not? Narula reflects, “Then you go back and work on it. You keep reworking the joke, adding things, Stand-up comedian Pritish Narula has a simple take on life — he believes if one does not evolve, one becomes a dinosaur! and taking things away until it feels right.” He explains that failure is not the end; instead, it’s an opportunity for growth and refinement. “For example, if I perform a oneand-a-half-hour show today some jokes will land while others won’t. Audiences are always different,” he notes. Pritish’s journey into comedy was not immediate. He has worn many hats —banker, theatre artiste, and entrepreneur — before discovering his passion. “Stand-up is a relatively new art form that I’ve discovered. I’ve always loved the stage, it gives me a high,” he shares. This high is intoxicating, and, once tasted, it becomes a craving. He recalls a pivotal moment in his life. “After doing comedy off and on for two years or so, in 2019 I quit comedy altogether and only started again in 2022.” His decision to return to stand-up was not When I’m on stage, that’s my world for that time. The audience is there, and, honestly, I block out everything else. From Rekha to Kartik Aaryan, the who's who of B-town attend Manish Malhotra’s Diwali party ALIA BHATT SHINES IN MEHENDI LEHENGA Alia Bhatt is known for setting trends with her fashion choices, and as always she stunned everyone with her dazzling look at Manish Malhotra’s Diwali party. She arrived with her sister Shaheen Bhatt to attend the celebration. The Jigra actress, who is an advocate for sustainable fashion and often proves that it is not just a trend but part of her lifestyle choices, wore her exquisite mehendi lehenga for the blingy festive bash. Alia looked mesmerising in a pink lehenga that was specially curated with 180 textile patches. This time she kept her look simple yet glamorous with a styled bun, golden earrings and minimalistic make-up. She has once again proved that no one should be hesitant to re-wear, recreate, or restyle their ensembles. Her sustainable fashion game has become an inspiration for others. At the 69th National Film Awards ceremony, Alia Bhatt left everyone in awe as to receive the Best Actress award at the prestigious event, she chose to wear her wedding day saree. Aditya Roy Kapur, Rekha and Manish Malhotra Festive & fabulous! Diwali is around the corner and celebrations have already started in B-town. Last night in Mumbai, many celebrities attended Manish Malhotra's gala event. The star-studded party was graced by several celebrities, including Ananya Panday, Sidharth Malhotra, Kiara Advani, Neha Dhupia, Angad Bedi, Suhana Khan, Gauri Khan, Kriti Sanon, Shriya Saran, Huma Qureshi, Alaya F , Alia Bhatt, Rekha, Arjun Kapoor, Janhvi Kapoor, Khushi Kapoor, Tahira Kashyap, Aparshakti Khurana, Shilpa Shetty, among others. Shilpa Shetty arrived at the Diwali bash and as always stunned everyone with her glamorous look. She attended the party with her sister Shamita Shetty. Janhvi Kapoor dazzled in her shimmery saree. Kriti Sanon, who was recently seen in Teri Baaton Mein Aisa Uljha Jiya and Crew looked amazing in a bright yellow saree. Arjun Kapoor also graced the event. Actress Raveena Tandon attended the party and captivated everyone. Shraddha Kapoor grabbed the eyeballs with her simplicity and grace. Veteran stars Rekha and Shabana Azmi posed together at the Diwali bash. Rekha could be seen kissing Shabana Azmi on her cheeks. The ace designer also posed with the stunning actors. Ananya Panday arrived at the gala night too. Kartik Aaryan, who is gearing up for his next project, Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 was also among the attendees. Several other celebs graced the Diwali bash including Sharvari Wagh, Kajol, Shahid Kapoor, Mira Rajput, Sobhita Dhulipala, and many others. Their presence added a glam quotient to the grand event. — ANI Shraddha Kapoor Janhvi Kapoor c m y b made lightly. He explains, “If you want to be successful in art, you can’t do anything else. People talk about multitasking, but it’s not feasible.” The commitment to his craft often means sacrificing comfort, as he admits to averaging only ‘two-three hours of sleep a night’. Despite the challenges, Pritish feels grateful for the opportunities he has. “I get to travel, meet new people, and the best part is that I have the freedom to create what I want,” he expresses with joy. This love and support from audiences serve as motivation, even when he questions whether he deserves it. Reflecting on the nature of success, he states, “I think I’m prioritising myself. I’m important right now, and in that sense, it’s selfish but I want to fully live this time.” This self-awareness allows him to navigate the ups and downs of popularity with grace, understanding that in the entertainment industry, “No one stays popular forever.” As he continues to evolve, Narula acknowledges the rise of new talent in the comedy scene. “I know that tomorrow someone else will come along... But at my age, it’s easier for me to understand that this is a part of life. Had it been me 10 years back, I am not sure if I could have taken it this well,” he says, revealing a mature outlook towards the industry. He cites fellow comedians who inspire him, like Amit Tandon, whom he admires for reinventing himself with time. “He’s on a level that many of us dream of... If you don’t evolve, you become a dinosaur,” he warns. The landscape of comedy in India is changing rapidly and Pritish sees this as an opportunity rather than a threat. “Comedy has really taken off, and it’s growing so fast,” he notes, underscoring the influx of new audiences discovering humour through digital platforms. Kajol jokes she trained Ajay ! Kajol, who is gearing up for the release of her streaming movie Do Patti, has shared that she imparted training to her husband, superstar Ajay Devgn, to portray his iconic character of Bajirao Singham in the film Singham. Kajol is set to grace the upcoming episode of the streaming comedy show The Great Indian Kapil Show, along with her co-star Kriti Sanon and Shaheer Sheikh, ahead of their film’s release. The makers on Wednesday shared a clip from the show, which shows Kapil asking Kajol if she took any tips from Ajay since she was playing a cop for the first time in her career in Do Patti. To this, Kajol replied, “No, because I’m the one who trained him for Singham.” — IANS