23022025-LSTL-01.qxd 2/22/2025 9:28 PM Page 1 c m y b SPIDER-MAN 4 POSTPONED The makers of Tom Holland’s Spider-Man 4 have pushed the release date of the film. The Marvel superhero’s next feature will be released theatrically on July 31, 2026, a week later than previously scheduled. TRIBUNE Game on Life Singer-actress Ariana Grande has shared that she likes to play the game Monopoly online with strangers when she is waiting around on the set. LUDHIANA | SUNDAY | 23 FEBRUARY 2025 SABA AZAD, WHO PLAYS A JOURNALIST IN THE SERIES CRIME BEAT, IS A FOODIE WHO SAYS ‘ALOO PARANTHA RUNS IN MY VEINS’ Proud Punjaban Nonika Singh I NVARIABLY, stars share a love-hate relationship with journalists. But not Saba Azad. Thus, as she plays a journalist in Zee5 series Crime Beat, it is not her role that has made her understand the journalistic fraternity better. She has always known, “How difficult it is to be a journalist and more importantly to stand by the truth if they choose to do so.” Even in her childhood days, she observed them closely as many with a distinct socialistic bent of mind were her parents’ friends. Of course, today as she steps into the shoes of Maya, she does not have any one particular journalist in mind and certainly none from the popular media. Indeed, her Maya is righteous, whose ‘moral compass is very centred’. Niece of legendary theatre-person Safdar Hashmi, art for Saba comes loaded with responsibility of representation. Like her mamu (maternal uncle) whom she remembers very fondly as a ‘dynamo of creative energy’ she doesn’t see, ‘one’s world view as divorced from what one’s art is saying’. Part of Hashmi’s legacy, she states, “Art should reflect and comment upon the times we live in. I will never do a film that propagates hate, false narratives, divisive politics or a cess or failure, but its happy pressure.” However, if you think Saba, who has been around in tinsel town for a while, is waiting for her dream role, well, every role is a dream come true for her. Most certainly, ones that are awaited as well. EASE OF BEING Apart from an Anurag Kashyap film, she will be seen in the biopic of the first female singer of Kashmir. Born to a Kashmiri mother and a Punjabi father, she is proud to be a melting pot of both cultures. Her petite frame might defy her claim ‘ aloo parantha runs in my veins’, she confesses to being a foodie and needless to add, a proud Punjaban. She gushes, “Punjabis have this ease of being; they are extremely NO COMPARISONS propaganda film.” who sells the news and who But is it possible to say buys it.” Effusive about her the right thing in a crime director Sudhir Mishra, Put on the stage early in life, Saba series, whose prime show-runner and coAzad was in a way born for theatre. purpose is to thrill and director of the series, “Screen acting is an extremely technical chill? She nods in the she says, “He is like an craft where camera catches every single affirmative and shares energiser, has endless expression, not just on your face but what is how one of the many energy almost of a on your mind too,” she observes. takeaways of the series first-timer, doesn’t Comparatively, she thinks acting in theatre grants you more freedom but, “I would is the long arduous carry the burden of never compare the two.” There is journey between the being a legend. From nothing to unlearn when she crime happening and it the very onset, he makes approaches either, only, making headlines. Besides, it a collaborative effort ‘learn more.’ she observes, “It’s also about which cinema anyway is.” ACTING IS COLLABORATION She is equally upbeat about her co-star Saqib Saleem, with whom she reunited after a gap of 14 years. Back in 2011, she made her debut alongside him in Mujhse Fraaandship Karoge. No wonder it was incredibly easy to pick up threads with him and adds, “When you are young and work together you not only keep in touch but also wish each happy and earnest people of the soil. We are all about makhan and ghee.” And also being forthright. If her character in Crime Beat is a woman trying to find her place in the world of journalism, in real life too she admits, “Women have to work twice as hard and even then we are not paid as much as a man for the same job.” So, all of you who only see her as this superstar’s girlfriend, remember Saba is a gifted woman in her own right, a musician, theatre-person and an actor all rolled into one. And though ‘I am hardly qualified to pontificate’, her relationship advice is simple and profound, “Stay true to yourself, let nothing compromise your sense of self.” (Crime Beat is streaming on Zee5) other well.” Even otherwise, she feels that acting is not competition but collaboration and equation with coactors is a simple, ‘you succeed I succeed’. Precisely why she loves working in an ensemble cast, as headlining a show like Who’s Your Gynac whose second season is around the corner. Being the face of the show, she admits, “You have to carry the weight of its suc- What a CLASH! Punjab’s No.1 Day-Cum Boarding International School (by EducationWorld 2024-25) The excitement for India’s Champions Trophy cricket match against Pakistan in Dubai is at its peak. On the eve of the clash, one wonders whether viewership and attendance records will be broken! How much are celebs from the telly world looking forward to the match? Here’s a quick check ADMISSIONS OPEN SESSION 2025-26 NURSERY TO GRADE 9 & 11 Scan QR code to Apply HIGH STAKES: Kunal Verma It is a match with high stakes, which brings nations to a standstill. The energy, the passion and the anticipation surrounding this match are unmatched. Fans from both sides eagerly wait for this clash, celebrating cricket like a festival. HEALTHY MEALS ON CAMPUS ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE ALL EAGER: Aadesh Chaudhary Although we know that on paper and on the ground, Team India is much stronger than Pakistan, the tension for this match is palpable. I’m super-excited for this one. I hope our bowling attack performs well because I feel they need to step up. FULL SUPPORT: Sneha Jain I’m really looking forward to this match! I’m not a big cricket fan, but whenever it’s an India versus Pakistan game, the excitement is on another level. We always support Team India. Even though I’m not a huge cricket fan, we always make the most of these matches and have an amazing time. SAFE & SECURE CAMPUS HIGHLY SKILLED TEACHERS AN EMOTION: Aishwarya Raj Bhakuni India versus Pakistan is always more than just a cricket match— it’s an emotion! The anticipation for their Champions Trophy clash in Dubai is at an all-time high and I can’t wait to watch it. I’ll definitely be tuning in and watching it with friends. EXCELLENT SPORTS INFRA LOW STUDENT TEACHER RATIO UNIVERSITY ADMISSION ASSISTANCE Diljit loves coffee! Punjabi sensation Diljit Dosanjh has expressed his love for a hot cup of coffee in a hilarious video on social media. Diljit took to Instagram, where he shared a video of himself sitting in a cafe and enjoying some breakfast. The video starts with Diljit first gorging on a smoothie bowl and then having some mashed potatoes with scrambled eggs and bread. The video then shows the singer-actor enjoying a hot cup of coffee! For the background score, Diljit chose his song Water and captioned the post, “Lokaan ne ki kehna? P - I .S am in love with the coffee.” Earlier this month, Diljit revealed how he keeps his bad mood at bay especially when he is surrounded by good people. The actor posted his stylish photos where he was seen dressed in a black outfit paired with a matching black turban and sunglasses. On the professional front, Diljit is gearing up for the release upcoming movie Punjab 95. A few days ago, he treated fans to his first look from the film and captioned it, “I Challenge the Darkness. 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