17022025-LSTL-01.qxd 2/16/2025 8:14 PM Page 1 c m y b BRIDGET JONES’ JOURNEY Renee Zellweger called the reunion with Colin Firth and Hugh Grant ‘a warm hug’. “It was both wonderful and sad,” Renee said, referring to the fact that this is likely the final Bridget Jones movie. HOT Win some... Life “It wasn’t complete torture,” Jacob Elordi said on losing weight for his role in Narrow Road to the Deep North. He shared that the weight loss process was “a calming experience” to go through with his fellow cast members. LUDHIANA | MONDAY | 17 FEBRUARY 2025 Kanika Kapoor calls Gori Hai Kalaiyan 2.0 a vibrant reinterpretation of a beloved number VikrantParmar H ER peppy voice and infectious energy are hard to miss. Little wonder then, whenever singer Kanika Kapoor croons a number, it becomes an instant hit with the audience. Having sung chartbusters like Baby Doll, Chittiyaan Kalaiyaan and more, Kanika is back with Gori Hai Kalaiyan, an effervescent number from the film Mere Husband Ki Biwi. The film, starring Bhumi Pednekar, Rakul Preet Singh and Arjun Kapoor, will be releasing on February 21, and the song, featuring Badshah, Sharvi Yadav and IP Singh, has been creating a buzz for its vibrant reinterpretation of a beloved classic. Kanika believes Gori Hai Kalaiyan is special because it blends nostalgia with the modern times. “The original track was sung by the legendary Lata ji and it’s an absolute honour to have my voice featured in the same song. The excitement of bringing a fresh touch to such an iconic melody is truly overwhelming and I feel privileged to be part of this musical journey,” she beams. The track has the charm of classic melodies, but with an energetic vibe. “The moment I heard the composition, I knew it had that uplifting, playful, feel, and bringing it to life was an exciting process for me. amritsar WHAT’S TRIBUNE eat & drink LIFT YOUR SPIRITS T HE brunching rules got a bit trending last year with low on alcohol cocktails, spiked slushies, fancy ice-cubes and experiential cocktails setting the standards. Continuing with the trend, fruit and herb infused cocktails are now making it to the table while elevating the brunch or fine dine experience. At The Bagh, Amritsar, the cocktail menu competes for one’s attention with an equally interesting food menu. You have Sunset Theory, a gin based cocktail with mango, saffron and turmeric; salty goodness with strong flavour of Tequila and citrusy line juice and olive brine, and the classic yet popular. Aperol Spritz and Espresso Martini to lift your spirits. Literally! Beat upbeat! Seeing the love it’s getting is truly amazing.” The film too has an entertaining plot and Kanika was instantly drawn to the project. “I felt it did justice to my voice. The song was a perfect fit for my style—playful, catchy and full of energy. Everything about it just clicked in the very first go. The shooting process was fantastic too and I enjoyed it to the hilt.” Sometimes, it’s just the beat that draws a singer to a particular song, as happened with Kanika. “As soon as I heard the beat, I knew it was going to be a hit. We experimented with different vocal styles to capture the perfect tone and energy. The rhythm was so infectious that I was literally dancing in the studio while recording.” So, what sets this number aside from the others she has sung so far? “Gori Hai Kalaiyan brings the best of both worlds. It has an old-school Bollywood essence with a fresh, high-energy twist. The combination of both is reflected in the final product and how!” Traditional, yet contemporary Balancing traditional and contemporary styles is not easy, but Kanika has done that with aplomb and she loves experimenting with different genres too. “Growing up with classical Indian music, while being influenced by global pop and electronic sounds has shaped my style. I always try to maintain my roots while bringing in fresh, modern elements. Moving forward, I want to explore more genres—Afro, R&B, and even collaborations with other talented artistes.” With every song’s success, the pressure to keep raising the bar follows and Kanika agrees to the same. “Of course, every hit raises expectations, but I see it as a motivation rather than pressure. I focus on enjoying the creative process and giving my best to every song. Some tracks become instant hits, while others take time to grow on people. The key is to stay true to my music and let everything else fall into place.” As for the coming times, Kanika has some amazing projects lined up, both in India and internationally. “There are collaborations across different genres. There’s a lot of exciting music on the way—can’t wait to share it with everyone.” Sounds good! Ranveer Allahbadia’s comment was highly disrespectful, just an apology isn’t enough, say celebrities love FOR A BETTER WORLD T Jalandhar HE hearing impaired from the Jalandhar region enjoyed an exciting three-day event recently. The 9th edition of the India International Deaf Film Festival was organised by the Deaf Leaders Foundation at CT Group of Institutions, Jalandhar, from February 14 to 16. The creativity of filmmakers engaged in highlighting the challenges and opportunities in the world of cinema, especially for the hearing impaired community, was showcased during the event. There was also be a competition to encourage the deaf filmmakers in various categories, including International Cinema, Country Focus and Retrospective. Manbir Singh, MD, CT group, said the event, which has been supported by the Ministry of I&B and National Film Development Corporation, was aimed at promoting better understanding of disability issues, while also mobilising support for dignity, rights and well-being of persons with disabilities. Play DREAMS & REALITY I chandigarh N the ever-evolving landscape of storytelling, The Networker intends to offer a unique cinematic experience, blending the complexities of multi-level marketing (MLM) with a deeply emotional narrative. At its core, The Networker offers a layered and intricate portrayal of human emotions, set against the backdrop of MLM—a system that thrives on networking, persuasion, and belief. The film delves into the psychological and financial struggles of individuals who enter this world, often with dreams of financial independence but facing unexpected challenges. The film aims to resonate with audiences who have encountered the MLM industry or have been on their own emotional journeys of aspiration and setbacks. The film has an ensemble cast, including Vikram Kochhar, Vindhya Tiwari, Atul Srivastva, Vedika Bhandari and Brijendra Kala. The India’s Got Latent row refuses to die. The YouTuber and podcaster Ranveer Allahbadia, also known as ‘Beer Biceps,’ has now alleged that individuals posing as patients attempted to intrude into his mother’s clinic amid a wave of death threats against him and his family. The threats follow his controversial remarks on the now-deleted comedy show India’s Got Latent. Taking to his X handle, Allahbadia said, “My remark about my parents was insensitive and disrespectful. It is my moral responsibility to do better and I am genuinely sorry. People have invaded my mother’s clinic posing as patients. I’m feeling scared and I don’t know what to do. But I’m not running away. I have full faith in the police and the judicial system of India.” Allahbadia said. Meanwhile, Ranveer Allahbadia’s comment was highly disrespectful, crosses the line, say the celebrities. They speak about the need for self-censor and how it mustn’t go unpunished. From bad to worse Just an apology isn’t enough NAMITA LAL HANSA SINGH Show must be banned Ranveer’s statement under India’s got Latent was extremely shameful and disgusting. It clearly shows that the image he had built on his podcast until now was completely one-sided and fake. His real personality came out in through just one statement, he revealed a lot about his upbringing, the values he was taught, and what his parents must have gone through at home. Shows like these, which promote vulgarity in the name of standup comedy, should be banned immediately. Social media is used by everyone today—people of all genders, from children to adults. Because of such individuals, society is being negatively impacted in the worst way possible. This is affecting say, it’s that humanity should be our guiding principle. People should listen to their good senses and their hearts and consider the impact they’re having on others. If the effect isn’t positive, then don’t do it. It’s just not right. Namita Lal, actress Vinashkaal vipreet buddhi (when destruction is near, judgment fails). This particular podcast seems somewhat X-rated based on its content. As per the host, it was meant for a selected audience through subscriptions. However, it went viral, likely because even the subscribers disapproved of it. Clearly, the content was low-class and inappropriate. It reflects a person’s mindset, and unfortunately, our society has a very problematic attitude when it comes to topics like sex and intimacy. Even if some argue about freedom of speech and democracy, this kind of content cannot be justified. There should be a punishment. A simple apology is not enough. Hansa Singh, actress Be honest, but also kind and respectful AADESH CHAUDHARY people’s mindsets and raising unnecessary questions and discussions. Therefore, banning such shows is extremely necessary. Harsha Richhariya, influencer Please think before you speak I do not support such behaviour, neither in public nor even in private conversations with friends. First of all, I do not support foul language, c m y b HARSHA RICHHARIYA hurtful words, or disrespect in any way. So, of course, this is the worst thing, and I completely disagree with it. People these days speak without thinking. Podcasts are about discussing the guest and their life, not about the host. How a host behaves in real life is completely different from what happens on the podcast. Nehal Vadoliya, actress NEHAL VADOLIYA Adhere to standard norms of behaviour It’s so controversial, and there are so many sides to the matter. However, as far as the comments are concerned, I did find them going a bit too far. I sometimes feel that these things escalate really, really quickly, especially in how they affect teenagers and children. It’s just not nice. I don’t know how we can control it. It’s not just about this country or any other specific country—it’s about the way social media and podcasts are evolving and their widespread availability to a much younger generation. I think we all need to exercise self-control and adhere to certain norms of behaviour. If there’s anything I would I believe in freedom of expression, but comedy should be respectful. It shouldn’t hurt or offend people. Stand-up comedy often pushes limits, but we need to think about how our words affect others. Unfiltered conversations, especially among youngsters, can normalise abusive language and other bad habits. Being honest is great, but we also need to be kind and respectful. These days, people care more about getting attention than having real, meaningful discussions. This can make us insensitive to important issues. Aadesh Chaudhary, actor Dharam Pal, ANI