28112024-LSTL-01.qxd 11/27/2024 8:04 PM Page 1 c m y b TRIBUNE SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE SEQUEL A newly launched production company named Bridge7 has acquired the rights to the film sequel and TV adaptation of the Academy Award-winning film Slumdog Millionaire. The company, based in Los Angeles, is run by producer Swati Shetty and veteran CAA agent Grant Kessman. Premiere Zeenat Aman’s upcoming film Bun Tikki is all set to have its world premiere at the prestigious 36th Palm Springs International Film Festival in California on January 5, 2025. LUDHIANA | THURSDAY | 28 NOVEMBER 2024 ISTOCK As Chandigarh does not find a place in Conde Nast Traveller’s ‘India’s Top 50 Restaurants’ list, one wonders whether the city has slid into a comfort zone where paid awards and paid reviews mean everything Foodfor thought Food for SILVER SPOON Parbina Rashid H ere’s a reality check. One may find a Sher-ePunjab dhaba even at Tawang in Arunachal Pradesh, but Punjab just missed being on the Conde Nast Traveller’s ‘India’s Top 50 Restaurants’ list! Beyond the Chicken Neck, home cooks may be abandoning the traditional chicken curry in favour of Chicken Patiala, but when one craves for a hearty Punjabi meal in style, one thinks of Dhaba — The Claridges in Delhi. It took 100 eminent food critics, writers, chefs, fashion designers, artists, curators and others, who know their food, to exclude Chandigarh, the food destination of Punjab, from the elite list! The problem may just lie in the word ‘elite’. The luxury and lifestyle travel magazine Condé Nast Traveller seems to be too comfortable in the big metro settings to turn its lens on Chandigarh eateries. The only one they picked up from the region beyond Delhi is NAAR, an exclusive destination dining experience curated by Chef Prateek Sadhu. Nestled at Darwa village near Kasauli, it’s at a stonethrow distance from Chandigarh but I wonder how many people know about this gourmet destination. I have never come across any advertisement nor read about it in the local media. Though it has been periodically written about by all luxury lifestyle magazines, including Conde Nast Traveller India. As elitist as they come! So, the industry insiders, who rue the fact that it’s not just great food and good ambience that secures a position on such a list, but depends on ones networking capacity too, just may have a point. The jury that voted for restaurants that fall in the Delhi circuit (Lucknow, Chandigarh, and cities and towns all the way up to Srinagar and Leh) had Magandeep Singh, writer and sommelier, Vikram Achanta, co-founder of 30 Best Bars India and Shivesh Bhatia, food blogger, author and food stylist, along with senior journalists Neha Prasada and Priya Rana, and lifestyle influencer Sakshi Sidhwani, executive director of Forest Essentials Samrath Bedi, cofounder of Juggernaut Books Chiki Sarkar, and director of Roli Books Priya Kapoor. MasterChef India 2016 finalist Sadaf Hussain, veteran food writer Sourish Bhattacharyya, fashion entrepreneur Pernia Qureishi and Wedding Design Company’s creative director Vedika Mohan. None of them are from Chandigarh! That is odd considering the fact that Chandigarh has attracted all major food chains from Delhi and other metros to open branches here. Paharganj ke mashoor chole bhature? Yes, bring it on! Kareem? Welcome! The Hyatt, The Taj, The Lalit…more the merrier! But is Chandigarh just a dumping ground for the franchise-happy biggies? Seems so. Here is an example. Virat Kohli’s signature restaurant One8 Commune, which Virat Kohli’s signature restaurant One8 Commune, which recently opened an outlet in Mohali, is still awaiting the cricketer’s visit. He is yet to see his own restaurant! With such ‘step-ownerly’ treatment, Chandigarh’s outlets have little hope of outshining their big-city counterparts. recently opened an outlet in Mohali, is still awaiting the cricketer’s visit. He is yet to see his own restaurant! With such ‘step-ownerly’ treat- ment, Chandigarh’s outlets have little hope of outshining their big-city counterparts. But then, what about those indigenous ones — Ghazal, Mehfil, ShivalikView, Mountview and score of others? “We are stuck in our comfort zone,” say some industry insiders. Is this a comfort induced by Chandigarh’s limited geographical area, people’s conservative taste-buds or trouble in procuring the right ingredients? While they admit that procuring even simple ingredients like fresh jalapeno, oyster leaf and sea foods can be a task, the good news is that there is an emerging segment which is experimental enough. If the city lacks in anything, it’s talent. “No good chef is willing to work here for more than six month,” they tell me. Not those who come from outside, not even those who the city’s numerous hospitalityrelated institutes are producing. Because whatever action is happening in the epicurean world, it’s happening outside. In such a scenario, dreaming of a chef-driven venture like NAAR is just that — a dream. But then where there is a dream, there is a way. And the way Chandigarh is looking at is the pop-up phenomenon. This involves inviting a renowned chef from another city, and surrender the kitchen to him for a limited period. He curates a menu, cooks and introduces the city patrons to a new taste, a new concept. It’s a win-win situation for all three parties — the chef gets visibility, the clients get to acquire a new taste, and the owner makes a neat profit, if the sold-out tables at any pop-up event is any indication. Many feel that pop-up chefs are going to be the toast of 2025. So, a movement has already been initiated, though the Conde Nast Traveller stamp still remains unattainable for the moment. Maybe, till we get there, some corporate house, which may or may not be related to food and hospitality, can take inspiration from Michelin, the tyremaking company (which initiated Michelin Star for restaurants), and initiate a rating system. Let’s face it — paid awards and paid reviews may bring visibility, not credibility. Subhi all set to unveil her second Punjabi track titled Khel Play on SUBHASH GHAI V ETERAN Bollywood star Sharmila Tagore joined singer Sonu Nigam to croon the 1967 number Aasmaan Se Aaya Farishta to pay a tribute to legendary singer Mohammed Rafi at the 55th edition of the International Film Festival of India (IFFI). Several of his old classics were presented on the stage by popular names such as Subhash Ghai, Anuradha Paudwal, Sonu and Shahid Rafi. Sonu and Sharmila were seen singing the song, which is from the film An Evening In Paris. The track SONU NIGAM is originally pic- A tribute to Rafi turised on Shammi Kapoor and the veteran star. IFFI 2024 is paying a tribute to several Bollywood personalities, including Raj Kapoor, Tapan Sinha, Akkineni Nageshwar Rao and Mohammed Rafi. Rakhee makes a comeback The ongoing 55th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) became a platform for cinematic nostalgia and fresh beginnings as renowned actor Rakhee Gulzar returned to the silver screen after nearly two decades. Walking the red carpet for her comeback film Aamar Boss, Rakhee exuded elegance and enthusiasm. Sharing her excitement about attending IFFI in Goa, Rakhee remarked, “A new atmosphere, a new city. Earlier, I used to be in Delhi; I go there too. This time, I came here, and it feels good — just a little short on time.” Directed by the renowned duo Shiboprosad Mukherjee and Nandita Roy, Aamar Boss, scheduled to release in December, is a poignant tale of a single mother’s unwavering determination to provide a better life for her son despite financial hardships. The film also stars Shiboprosad Mukherjee and Pradeepto Ray. Rakhee, who became a household name with her iconic role as Durga Singh in the 1995 blockbuster Karan Arjun, also spoke about the re-release of the beloved classic. “The young generation will really like it, and even small children will enjoy it a lot,” she said. — IANS & ANI c m y b Rising artiste Subhi is excited to announce the release of her upcoming Punjabi single, Khel, a powerful anthem about modern dating and self-empowerment that builds on her successful debut track Intezaar. With Khel, released through the dynamic label Desi Trill, Subhi continues to make a mark in the Punjabi music market, showcasing her unique sound and relatable lyrics. Khel draws inspiration from Subhi’s conversations with friends and the frustrations many experience in their pursuit of genuine connections, crafting a bold message about self-respect and authenticity. Khel speaks to a new generation of confident women who are aware of the dating landscape and ready to reclaim their power. “I wrote Khel to reflect the experiences of those who feel disillusioned in their search for true love. In today’s fast-paced world, everyone seems eager to explore options rather than commit, and I wanted to emphasise that honesty and authenticity still matter,” she said. She added, “While talking to my single friends, it became clear how exhausted they were from the dating game — whether through word of mouth or dating apps. This inspired me to write this song. People today don’t have much time to invest in just one person — they want to test the waters, but this game isn’t always fair.” Following a remarkable start to her career, Subhi is quickly establishing herself as a notable figure in the Punjabi music industry. Khel was launched on all major streaming platforms on November 27. — TNS