10022025-LSTC-01.qxd 2/9/2025 11:59 PM Page 1 c m y b PAYAL KAPADIA MISSES OUT All We Imagine As Light filmmaker Payal Kapadia lost out to RaMell Ross of Nickel Boys fame in the Michael Apted First Time Directorial Feature category at the 77th edition of the Directors Guild of America (DGA) Awards. The awards’ ceremony was held on Saturday night. TRIBUNE Life Dazzling diva! Wrap up Actor Anil Kapoor on Sunday said he can’t wait for the audience to watch Subedaar as he finished working on his upcoming Prime Video movie. CHANDIGARH | MONDAY | 10 FEBRUARY 2025 In Chandigarh, as actress Jacqueline Fernandez walked the ramp with elan, she underlined the importance of a sound fitness routine PHOTOS: RAVI KUMAR Gurnaaz The air was alive with excitement at the Blender’s Pride Fashion Tour with Jacqueline Fernandez in the spotlight as the showstopper, her presence as radiant as the glamorous designs she was about to showcase in Chandigarh on Saturday evening. Dressed in a stunning ensemble, she effortlessly blended into the event’s energy, representing both the world of fashion and film. Her smile reflected her deep love for what she does. But this was more than just a fashion show for Jacqueline; it was an evening where she got to showcase not only her style but also her evolution—from a young model to a leading lady in the film industry, and a philanthropist who’s determined to make a difference. Speaking with a sense of joy and passion about her career, Jacqueline shared, “I started my first modelling assignment when I was five.” By the time she was 12, she was walking the ramp. But even as she carved a name for herself in the modelling world, her heart was always set on acting. “I was exposed to modelling, but deep down, I knew I wanted to KANIKA INSPIRED BY HER PUNJABI ROOTS Kanika Goyal was excited to bring her latest collection to her hometown with Blenders Pride Fashion Tour. The collection, Ascendrum, is a vibrant tribute to her Punjabi roots, blending tradition with modern aesthetics. Inspired by the water tanks in the villages of Punjab, the collection reflects a dual sense of belonging—anchored in local heritage, yet connected to global aspirations. Kanika explained, “The water tanks hold an ironic symbolism. Some feature planes, symbolizing children who have settled abroad as pilots. Others display Army tanks, signifying a family member’s military background.” So are her designs, bursting with colour, bold energy, and playful tailoring, inspired by the architecture of Chandigarh, with geometric Phulkari embroidery fused with futuristic patterns. Kanika’s growth as a designer has been shaped by her exploration of human psychology and spirituality. “My designs are an emotional translation of the complexities of the human psyche,” she said. As an entrepreneur, she emphasised, “Talent alone isn’t enough; you need to put in the hard yards.” HARI & SUKHMANI IMPRESS WITH FUSION MUSIC Hari and Sukhmani, the dynamic duo behind the captivating sound of fusion music, have spent over a decade blending the old and the new, effortlessly bridging traditional Indian sounds with modern genres. As they got ready to perform at the Blenders Pride Fashion Tour, they reflected on their journey and emphasised the importance of staying true to the soul of music. “The goal is to preserve the essence of a song while using technology and techniques to enhance it,” Hari explained. Sukhmani added, “We consciously work towards keeping the soul of the song intact, incorporating traditional elements like sarangi and tumbi, while also appealing to a younger, Westernised audience.” Their unique sound isn’t a challenge, but rather an exciting balancing act. “We live between two worlds—electronic and traditional,” says Sukhmani. Despite incorporating electronic elements, the duo’s music often has a spiritual quality. Currently, the duo is revisiting their electro-qawwali project, first introduced in 2009. “We are blending house music and techno with qawwali, experimenting with tempos that go up to 120 BPM,” says Sukhmani. They’re collaborating with Dhruv Sangari, a qawwal trained under Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, to bring this innovative fusion to life. Having worked together since December 2008, their bond remains strong. “We still want to create, perform and travel together,” says Hari. be an actor. It was my true passion,” she explained. And though the journey wasn’t easy, it eventually led her to India, where she made her mark in Bollywood. A thought for the future Sonakshi Sinha extends support to Vir Das over pollution concerns Mumbai’s pollution levels have risen drastically due to heavy construction and infrastructure projects. Actor and comedian Vir Das recently voiced his concern on the matter by sharing a long note on social media. Now, Sonakshi Sinha has extended her support to him. Sonakshi took to her Instagram stories and reshared Vir’s note and commented “100 per cent.” Vir’s note read “Unless something drastic is done, the legacy of each government is going to be the pollution they let us live in. This point will probably be taken up when we realise the long term effect it had on the generation just born, and those in old age too. Right now it feels like new pollution doesn’t it? And if we think it’s unrealistic they’d let us live like that for a decade.” Stressing the necessity to take the required action, Vir added, “Some drastic policy decisions need to happen. Goes without saying that the decisions will make us hugely unhappy in the interim. We will moan like we did when we got new airports and new bridges, but it will eventually be worth it. I’m just saying it’s 7:30 am and the AQI is 170. At this time, there are kids going to school and old people on walks. Air isn’t political, air doesn’t care about your income status, air isn’t religious, air isn’t patriotic, air doesn’t vote. If there’s one thing worth fixing, it’s the air.” — IANS Tom Cruise reveals he passed out on the sets of Mission: Impossible—The Final Reckoning The true action star Tom Cruise has once again shown just how far he’s willing to go for his roles. He has revealed that he passed out several times while filming a particularly intense action sequence for Mission: Impossible —The Final Reckoning. One of the standout stunts featured in the film’s teaser trailer shows Cruise’s character, Ethan Hunt, hanging perilously from the wing of a 1930s Boeing Stearman biplane, racing through the skies over South Africa at 10,000 feet. The high-speed stunt, where Cruise’s face was exposed to the wind at speeds of over 120 miles per hour, presented a serious challenge for the actor. “When you stick your face out, going over 120 to 130 miles an hour, you’re not getting oxygen. So I had to train myself how to breathe. There were times I would pass out physically; I was unable to get back into the cockpit.” The dramatic sequence, which is set to be one of the most thrilling moments of the film, comes as no surprise to fans who have watched Cruise perform daring feats in previous Mission: Impossible films. Cruise’s commitment to performing dangerous stunts has earned him a legendary status in Hollywood, but it has also led to several physical challenges over the years. From scaling the Burj Khalifa in Dubai to holding his breath for over six minutes underwater, Cruise’s passion for thrilling action sequences has often amazed his fans. — ANI c m y b LIVING A DREAM Despite her success in modelling, the shift to acting was overwhelming. “Modelling was something I knew, but acting was a completely new challenge for me,” Jacqueline admitted. With no formal training, she relied on her love for movies and the determination to learn as she went along. Her first major break came with Aladin, which she describes as a dream come true. “It was a big moment for me. I had no idea how, but I knew I was living my dream.” In terms of choosing roles, Jacqueline’s perspective has evolved. Initially, she accepted any offer that came her way. “I was just happy to work,” she laughed. “Now, I ask myself—who is making the film? Who am I working with? What will this role bring to me and my audience?” Her involvement in successful franchises like Housefull 2, Race 2, and Murder 2 earned her a strong following. But Jacqueline doesn’t feel pressurised by these roles—rather, she embraces the opportunity to innovate. “I focus on bringing something fresh to the character, ensuring I don’t repeat myself,” she said. CAUSE BOUND Beyond acting, Jacqueline is deeply involved in philanthropy. In 2021, she founded her NGO, YOLO (You Only Live Once), which supports various causes, including animal welfare. “Once I realised how much I could give back, I took action. Animals need our help and this cause is very close to my heart,” she shared. Staying fit while juggling her career is essential to Jacqueline. “I carry my workout essentials everywhere. Having them within reach makes staying consistent easier,” she said. Her go-to workout is weight training, which she believes is the key to strength and longevity. Looking ahead, Jacqueline is excited about her future projects, including Housefull 5, and her debut in a web series. “There’s so much more to come, and I hope the audience enjoys what we’ve been working upon,” she said with a bright smile. On a mission Brazilian cello player Diego Carneiro performs with Indian musicians Brazilian visionary cello player and Rotary Peace Fellow Diego Carneiro performed with Indian classical musicians during a concert held at the Tagore Theatre recently. Organised by the Rotarians of the city with Rotary Club Chandigarh Midtown hosting the show, Diego is travelling through India as a part of his peace mission. Having come from the Amazon region in Brazil, he learnt piano playing when his mother asked him to learn music and later moved over to cello, which is very close to his heart. He jammed with the group of Indian classical musicians from ‘Arohi’ group and regaled the audience. Diego’s life’s work bridges music and humanitarian action, spreading messages of peace across different parts of the country. “I am learning Indian classical music and am falling in love with it because of its meditative nature,” he said. His story is a testament to the transformative power of music in the pursuit of a more compassionate and connected world. “We seek to network and develop communities using music as a tool. Our causes are related to medicine, education, environment, conflict zones and more,” he said.