26022025-LSTC-01.qxd 2/26/2025 12:17 AM Page 1 c m y b THE DIPLOMAT POSTPONED A new release date has been announced for John Abraham’s upcoming political thriller, The Diplomat. Initially set to release on March 7, the film will now hit the theatres a week later, on March 14, coinciding with the Holi weekend. TRIBUNE 10 years Life Bhumi Pednekar took to social media to celebrate a decade in the showbiz industry. In her latest Instagram post, the actress marked 10 years of her impactful performances and remarkable growth. CHANDIGARH | WEDNESDAY | 26 FEBRUARY 2025 With a pious heart GREAT ENERGY: Hritik Yadav It’s a day for connecting with Mahadev through meditation, prayers and reflection. I start the day by visiting a temple. The energy of this day is so powerful. I feel closer to Lord Shiva and become more aware of my inner self. Personally, it’s a reminder of Mahadev’s strength, calmness and wisdom. Professionally, I believe Lord Shiva’s guidance keeps me grounded and focused. This day inspires me to stay patient and dedicated to my craft, no matter how tough things get. INNER PEACE: Sherleen Dutt RASHA AND RAVEENA Holy visit Raveena Tandon and her daughter Rasha Thadani offer prayers at Prayagraj Young actress Rasha Thadani, daughter of Bollywood star Raveena Tandon, has on Instagram shared a picture of herself offering prayers in the holy water in Maha Kumbh. In the picture, the actress, after taking a dip in the water, was seen praying. She put the song Ganga Dharay Shiv Ganga Dharay as the background. On February 24, Rasha and her mother Raveena attended the Ganga Aarti, where actress Katrina Kaif was seen too. The mother-daughter duo joined Parmarth Niketan Ashram President Swami Chidanand Saraswati and Sadhvi Bhagawati Saraswati for the Ganga Aarti. Raveena revealed that she would visit Kashi after this and celebrate Maha Shivratri there. This is not the first time, Rasha KATRINA KAIF and Raveena have been on a spiritual sojourn. The two are often seen visiting temples and offering prayers. In November last year, they visited the Mallikarjuna Jyotirlinga temple in Srisailam, Andhra Pradesh. — IANS For me, Mahashivratri is deeply spiritual. It’s a time for reflection, devotion, and connecting with Lord Shiva’s energy. I celebrate it by fasting, meditating, and chanting a mantras. I also visit a temple if possible. It’s more about inner stillness than external celebration. Mahashivratri holds immense significance in my life. Personally, it strengthens my spiritual connection. Professionally, I believe the discipline and devotion practiced during this time help me align my thoughts and energy. Mahashivratri is a time for spiritual reflection and devotion. Celebs from the telly world share what the day means to them and how they celebrate it BEING THANKFUL SURREAL EXPERIENCE: Raviraa Bhardwaj For Subha Rajput and Ram Yashvardhan, from Colors’ Shiv Shakti- Tap Tyag Tandav, Mahashivratri is a special day too. Says Subha, “I consider this show as a blessing from Lord Shiva. It’s a day to show gratitude towards him and be thankful.” Adds Ram, “When you stay in the same character for one-and-a-half years, like I was in the role of Shiva, it’s not easy to detach from it. I am thankful to Lord Shiva for everything.” Mahashivratri is a deeply spiritual occasion for me. It is a time for reflection, meditation and devotion to Lord Shiva. I have even celebrated Mahashivratri once at the Pashupatinath Temple, which was a surreal experience filled with divine energy. Personally, it strengthens my spiritual connection and brings inner peace. Professionally, I believe that devotion and positivity help me stay focused and navigate challenges with clarity and strength. Yes, I do observe a fast. Despite my busy shooting schedule, I manage it by planning well. IT’S AN EXPERIENCE: Sneha Jain TRUE DEVOTEE: Saanand Verma Years ago, I used to keep a fast on Mahashivratri—it was the only fast I observed in a year. But due to my work schedule and the fact that I’m already underweight, my body doesn’t support fasting anymore. Mahashivratri is one of the most important and cherished celebrations for me. It’s not just a festival; it’s an experience that brings me peace and happiness. I usually visit a temple with my family. Mahashivratri is very important to me because I am a devotee of Lord Shiva. I believe that Shiva is the ultimate truth. Fasting doesn’t cause any problems for me; in fact, I’ve observed that my energy levels don’t drop significantly during a fast. I feel great, stay happy, and focus my energy on my creativity. So, there’s no stress on me. Shivratri is a monumental occasion for me. I’m someone who keeps chanting Har Har Mahadev again and again. Everything I am, whatever I have, and whatever I’ve achieved is all because of Mahadev. It’s all his doing. SEEKING BLESSINGS Anupama Solanki FOCUSED & GROUNDED Shivangi Verma Mahashivratri is one of the biggest celebrations for me because I am a devoted follower of Lord Shiva. Recently, I visited the Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga in Ujjain and the Omkareshwar Jyotirlinga. Lord Shiva always protects and helps me overcome negative energies, but I have never expected anything from Mahadev. I only seek his blessings. I have been fasting for the last 10 years, so I don’t feel any pressure during Mahashivratri fasting. Mahashivratri is a very special and spiritual day. While some people see it as a big celebration, I take it as a day for self-reflection and inner peace. I believe Mahashivratri is not just about rituals but about understanding Shiva’s energy and wisdom. On a personal level, this festival brings a sense of calm and positivity into my life. It reminds me to stay strong, just like Shiva, and to find peace even in chaos. Professionally, it helps me stay focused and grounded. In Amritsar, spoken word poet, writer and storyteller Priya Malik talks about her love for Amrita Pritam and her ishq with poetry From with Insta love! Neha Saini Unfiltered, gutsy, thoughtful. The words seem apt to describe Priya Malik and her poetry, which made us millennials tearyeyed and warm in heart with her now famous lines, “iPhone ke zamane mein Nokia 3910 dhoond rahi hoon, soy milk coffee ke zamane mein adrak wali chaai dhoond rahi hoon...main 2024 mein 1999 dhoond rahi hoon.” Malik shot to fame instantly with her piece, 2024 Mein 1999, as the poem hit all the right spots with simple words that this generation could easily relate to. Performing at the third edition of Sacred Amritsar festival this year, Priya, this time, charmed the audience by reminding them of Amrit Pritam wala ishq with her another famous piece, Ishq Hai, Ishq Hai, Ishq Hai. The poem began with ‘Marne Ke Baad Bhi Usse Phir Milne Ki Aas Lagana, (a reference to Pritam’s iconic ‘Mein Tenu Pher Milangi)’. It celebrated the idea of eternal love, transcending lifetimes. “I am a big fan of Amrita Pritam and you would find that a lot of my poems have her reference. I first read her when I was in Australia and it moved me so much,” said Priya. Interestingly, Priya being a student of Hindi literature shared that she had not been familiar with Pritam’s work till 2015. “Not everyone is connected to books or literature as we ought to. The reason why the process of poetic discourse has evolved now. From being a page to visual media poet, the process has reversed, at least in my case, as I got recognised on social media first and now my books will be out soon. But as long as you inspire people to read, to pick up a book and get familiar with Gulzar or Amrita Pritam, it all works out,” she says. PERSONAL REFLECTIONS A spoken word poet, who often faces criticism from the purists for the lack of form or behr (rthymic pattern), Priya says all that matters is if people relate to it. “2024 Mein NEW STOCK ADDED 1999 started as an Instagram caption. I cannot write until I feel passionately about the subject and most of my poems are a reflection of my personal observations. The thought and intent matters the most.” Performing in Amritsar was special for her as her family has roots in Lahore and she is the only one from her generation to make an attempt to trace them. “My dadi was eight months pregnant when they were forced to migrate from Lahore in 1946 and settled in Dehradun. I have grown up listening stories of Bano bazaar, about Surraiya’s songs and the big vedha at my dadi’s home in Lahore. The home we have in Dehradun was built resembling the one they left in Lahore. My dadi’s graduation certificate has mention of Undivided Punjab as she graduated from Panjab University, which was in Lahore at that time. So I really want to once visit Lahore and Amritsar is the closest one can get, at least for now,” she says, of course, with a promise of SHOES FOR MEN AND WOMEN S.C.O. 1130 SEC 22B CHANDIGARH crossing that border at least once! FR SH FRESH ARRIVALS FLAT 40% OFF 9814006820 c m y b Sunday Open