21022025-LSTC-01.qxd 2/21/2025 12:22 AM Page 1 c m y b TRIBUNE Stage again Life ‘I still get maar from my mom’ VICKY KAUSHAL Bollywood heartthrob Vicky Kaushal has talked about how so much has changed around him over the years, but that he still gets maar from his mother, which has not changed till date. It was in 2012 when Vicky started his journey in acting with Luv Shuv Tey Chicken Khurana. His first leading role was in the independent drama Masaan in 2015, following which he starred in Anurag Kashyap’s psychological thriller Raman Raghav 2.0. The actor gained stardom with his work in films such as Uri: The Surgical Strike, Raazi, Manmarziyaan, Sardar Udham, Zara Hatke Zara Bachke, Sam Bahadur, Bad Newz and his latest release Chhaava. About how he’s been the same person since his maiden film to now considering so much has changed around him, Vicky said, “One thing that hasn’t changed till date is that I still get maar from my mom. And till the day that’s going to be there, everything’s going to remain the same.” — IANS Second innings Knew I wasn’t going to be offered hero roles, says Bobby Deol on accepting Aashram Bobby Deol on Wednesday said the opportunity to play the anti-hero protagonist Baba Nirala in the web series Aashram came to him at a time when he believed that he would no longer be offered hero-like roles. As someone who wanted to try out playing characters of different shades, the actor took up the job that eventually led to a career turnaround for him, kickstarting a second innings in showbiz. Directed by Prakash Jha, Aashram revolves around a selfproclaimed godman Baba Nirala (Deol), who leads an illegal empire of fraud, drugs and preys on young women of his ashram. The first season premiered back in 2020. “We, as actors, want to play characters which we are not in real life. As an actor you get an opportunity to be someone else without being that person... I was trying to do different roles. I knew I wasn’t going to be offered hero roles anymore. That is why when I accepted this show. I did not tell anyone in the family. I was waiting for the show to come and then see their reaction,” Deol said. The actor was speaking at the trailer of Aashram season threepart two, titled Ek Badnaam Aashram, in Mumbai. It will premiere on Amazon MX Player on February 27. Ek Badnaam Aashram will see Chandan Roy Sanyal and Aaditi Pohankar reprise their characters. — PTI Actress Neha Dhupia recently opened up about her return to the stage after a seven-year hiatus. On Instagram, she expressed her gratitude for the opportunity to perform a recital and a dance. CHANDIGARH | FRIDAY | 21 FEBRUARY 2025 Beyond PHOTO: PRADEEP TEWARI @beerbiceps “Y Mona OU don’t choose comedy, it chooses you,” says Sharul Channa, a well-known stand-up comic, who is in Chandigarh for a show. Girls aren’t taught to tell jokes but be pretty, be demure and cook well. Things might be changing, yet, largely, in North India, gender distinction exists still, believes Sharul. Chandigarh has been a staple of her growing up years, as her Singapore-based parents duly brought all their children to India to visit relatives every year, so that they could be streetsmart. “Not that we were allowed to go on the streets ever,” Sharul laughs. LOVE FOR THE STAGE A trained theatre artiste, around 13 years back, Sharul was asked by the owner of a club in Singapore to do a three-minute slot. Apprehensive to begin with, she loved every second of being on stage. “It’s like the best job ever—you are your own writer, director and producer. Just take your money and leave, no big organisations controlling you, it’s so liberating.” She’s been a fan of Jaspal Bhatti, Johnny Lever and Umar Sharif of Bakra Qiston Pay fame. “When I started with comedy, Singapore had character comedians but in the stand-up space there was only Kumar, a drag queen, who was hilarious!” Sharul does theatre, but largely comedy shows now. Two of her solo plays deal with significant themes. Am I old? is about single women who have been lifelong caregivers to the parents, but when they pass on, these women are left alone and that too in their later years. Her other monologue, Crazy Poor Sita, is about supporting women in low income families. “In Singapore, we have invisible poverty. The challenges of this social strata are specific.” NO WOMEN COMICS One of the very few female comedians, she says, “Chandigarh has a bustling comedy scene, but except Gurleen Pannu no woman’s name ever comes up. It’s unfortunate that the comedy scene is dominated by men,” she says. Back to Chandigarh, she sees the same warmth and crazy good food each time. “It’s so difficult to stay thin with such delicious food around. All whom I know would say, ‘Suit khulne ditte hain’ (given suits to the tailor to loosen them),” she jokes. However, she also sees brands taking over. “Everyone in Chandigarh has a Louis Vuitton, the brand should open a factory here. I rarely see the Phulkari or manjiyan (charpoys) – I wish they stay a part of life too and not become antiques.” One has to learn to manage fame, says Singapore-based stand-up comic Sharul Channa, in Chandigarh for a show, about the Allahbadia controversy FORGIVE RANVEER ALLAHBADIA On the recent Ranveer Allahbadia controversy, Sharul says, “Every artiste has said inappropriate stuff on stage; it’s part of the growth or the journey. But one has to learn to manage fame; it comes with its highs and lows. Yet, I believe the voice should always be raised for the right cause. Back to Ranveer, if he has apologised, forgive him, beshak censorship kal se laga do.” She stresses on the value of empathy in every profession, including comedy too. As for her, she refrains from joking about rape or natural disasters. “If it has happened to you personally, only then you can talk about it,” she says. BEST OF BOTH WORLDS Proud of her Indian roots and life in Singapore, Sharul states, “I have best of both the worlds. This year Singapore-India celebrate 60 years of their friendship, which is so special to me. Both very diverse, I love the warmth of Indians and am amazed how the government of Singapore has ensured cohesiveness in a multicultural society.” Sharul has performed in Chandigarh before and is really looking for her gig today. At the Laugh Club-26, called Sharul Channa Live, it will comprise jokes from her life, being married and jibes on mother-in-laws. Though an English stand-up comic, she sure is looking forward to add some Hinglish tadka to it, now that she’s in Chandigarh! Sector-17 Beyond The Façade, a photography exhibition, presents the plaza in its different hues Vinya Singh As night falls and city lights flicker over the underpass connecting Sector 17 market and the Rose Garden, a photography exhibition titled Sector-17 Beyond The Façade, celebrating the hub, invites visitors to explore the urban landscape through a different lens. Set against the backdrop of the underpass, the event showcases a stunning collection of cityscape photography, highlighting the beauty of the mundane; bustling market square, ordinary people, and architectural marvels. The exhibition features works by Sanjay Kaushal and Subh Mohan Singh, both celebrated photographers of the Tricity, each capturing the essence of the city’s heart through the seasons and beyond. The interplay of the elements in the photographs creates an immersive experience by re-introducing viewers to the fabled Sector 17 Plaza and surrounding landscapes, where the audience can look for themselves in the Heart of the city carefully preserved moments. Kaushal says, “It’s quite archival, I wanted to capture Sector 17 and document it for the future generations to look back and perceive Chandigarh in this moment of time.” By putting Sector 17 as the subject, the photographers aimed to shift focus from the neon signboards of the shopping plaza and weave a brand new narrative, revolving around the beauty of everyday life in Chandigarh. Both the photographers are frequent collaborators, who have worked predomi- SUBH MOHAN SINGH AND SANJAY KAUSHAL nately in the region and made Chandigarh their home. Subh Mohan Singh says, “Sometimes I go along with my family, sometimes I go alone to work; it’s not a chore to capture the area when it’s so beloved.” From fleeting moments at the picturesque plaza to shadowy alleyways surrounded by lush Visitors admire photographs at the exhibition, Sector-17 Beyond The Façade PHOTO: PRADEEP TEWARI BOBBY DEOL AND AADITI POHANKAR c m y b greenery, the images offer a contrasting perspective, inviting the viewers to slow down and look closer at the familiar spaces. Nisha, a local, shares, “They highlighted the things that we frequently overlook; Sector 17 goes beyond flashy shops and eateries.” Beyond the visuals, the evening event offers lively conversation with the local artists and photographers, with live music echoing through the halls while savouring a spread of local snacks and tea. (The exhibition is open to the public till February 27)