06032025-LSTC-01.qxd 3/6/2025 12:31 AM Page 1 c m y b NAMASTEY LONDON ONCE MORE Akshay Kumar and Katrina Kaif’s classic romantic drama, Namastey London, is set to return to theatres in a grand re-release on March 14. TRIBUNE Tough guy Life Bollywood actor Varun Dhawan has shared that he is currently training with injuries. Varun shared pictures on Instagram and wrote, “Training season. Training with injuries.” CHANDIGARH | THURSDAY | 6 MARCH 2025 History revisited, reimagined Acclaimed filmmaker Ram Madhvani, who was in Amritsar, shared how a sense of discomfort with India’s colonial history sowed the seeds for the series Waking Up Of A Nation } The film has four Kabir songs, which I feel resonate with the soul of the series and people as well. RAM MADHVANI WITH HIS WIFE AMITA Neha Saini J TAARUK RAINA IN WAKING UP OF A NATION ALLIANWALA BAGH was not an isolated event. Amritsar, before April 13, 1919, was the epicentre of social and political streams that fed the Indian national movement, and fuelled the aspirations of a country wanting to break free from the shackles of slavery. The year was an eventful one for India—Mahatma Gandhi launched Satyagrah against the Rowlatt Act, undercurrents were being felt for the Sikh gurdwara reform movement and it all coincided with the socio-political presence of Gadarites in the holy city. So, when producer-director Ram Madhvani decided to create a series that reimagines one of the most-written-about events in the history of our country, it clearly piqued interest. With some solid credits in filmmaking, remember the refreshingly gripping Let’s Talk, the critically and com- mercially acclaimed Neerja, and International Emmy-nominated Aarya, Madhvani’s craft also means good business. With his latest web series, The Waking Of A Nation, he brings the story of Jallianwala Bagh through the lens of the Hunter Commission’s inquiry. “What follows in the series is set largely in the aftermath of the massacre. I have chosen not to show the bloodbath graphically. Rather, the series raises questions of accountability, about colonial imperialism and the larger dialogue whether there was just a single person responsible behind it or was there something beyond it? It was a conspiracy! Now, the audience needs to find out how Kanti Lal Sahni, the protagonist, is going to prove it,” shared Ram. INVESTIGATIVE THRILLER The series rolls out as a crime investigative thriller, more than a historical period dra- ma. “It’s a courtroom drama. There were eight members in the Hunter Commission, five British and three Indians. The report was a whitewash. So, we have attempted to explore the underlying facts, understand why brown is considered a bad colour? What is the white man’s dilemma? Why do we still use fork and knives to eat our food?” said Ram, as he added that these questions have remained with him since he was seven. The series features an ensemble cast, including Taaruk Raina, Nikita Dutta, Sahil Mehta and Bhawsheel Singh Sahni, among others. Taaruk, Madhvani’s latest find, looks promising in the trailer and we hope that he goes the Jim Sarbh way in adding to the list of fresh new talents in the film industry! “It also a story of four friends, Kanti (played by Taaruk), Hari (Bhawsheel), who has returned from WWII, his wife Poonam (Nikita Dutta) and Allah- Of timeless love stars Adah Sharma and Anupam Kher. The film shines a spotlight on the challenges and societal stigma that couples face when dealing with fertility issues, offering a powerful narrative that aims to break down the barriers and misconceptions surrounding reproductive health. The two-minute and 51-second trailer opens with Anupam taking centerstage. The intense drama unfolds as he faces murder charges, desperately working to prove his innocence. As the trailer pro- Nayanthara does not want to be called Lady Superstar Worthy platform Richa and Ali announce the second edition of Undercurrent Lab 2025, a platform to empower women in cinema c m y b After a five-year journey of bringing the show to life, Madhvani, and his wife and co-producer Amita Madhvani, visited the Golden Temple to seek blessings. They also revisited various landmarks that served as key locations during the filming of the series, including the Gobindgarh Fort and the Kucha Korianwalla lane, where the infamous crawling order was passed by General Dyer. As The Waking Of A Nation gears up for its release on Sony LIV on March 7, Ram’s visit to Amritsar reflects his reverence for history and his spiritual connection to the stories he brings to life on screen. “It has four Kabir songs, which I feel resonate with the soul of the series and people as well. I believe this is the best way to speak to my audience, reverberate with them.” FANS gresses, Adah’s character stands by the dream of her husband, played by Ishwak—of launching an IVF clinic while simultaneously navigating societal judgment. The film also stars Esha Deol in a pivotal role. Loosely inspired by the life of Dr Ajay Murdia, the founder of the well-known Indira IVF chain, the movie explores the challenges of fertility and the stigma surrounding it. Directed by Vikram Bhatt, the upcoming emotional drama is produced under the banner of Indira Entertainment, Shwetambari Bhatt and Krishna Bhatt Sarda. — IANS Ahead of Women’s Day, Richa Chadha and Ali Fazal have announced the second edition of Undercurrent Lab 2025 to empower more women in cinema. The initial workshop was a first-of-its-kind, hands-on training programme that selected 10 talented women through a rigorous interview process to master the art of lighting for cinema. Over the week-long crash course, these women received direct mentorship from experienced cinematographers, gaining invaluable onfield experience by working as trainees on active film sets. Richa shared, “The success of the first edition of Undercurrent Lab has been nothing short of inspiring. We witnessed incredible talent and passion as these women not only learned the technical intricacies of lighting but also embraced SEEKING BLESSINGS ONE FOR HER Ishwak Singh’s Tumko Meri Kasam role reminds him of his parents’ love story Actor Ishwak Singh, known for his work in Paatal Lok and Rocket Boys, is set to make his silver screen debut with Tumko Meri Kasam. He said that his character in the film reminds him of his parents’ love story. About what drew him to the film, Ishwak highlighted its music as a key element that instantly took him back in time. “The kind of music this film has takes me back to my wonder years when music truly meant something. The character I play is so touching—it reminds me of my parents’ love story, appreciating the romance of yesteryear. This tagline is my favourite because it perfectly encapsulates the soul of the film.” Set against a backdrop of timeless love, Tumko Meri Kasam addresses IVF and fertility taboo going by the trailer, which was unveiled on March 4. The film also baksh (Sahil), who are caught in the upheaval that follows the Jallianwala Bagh incident,” said Ram. the creative spirit of cinema.” “Their achievements, especially with some joining the nearly all-women crew of Girls Will Be Girls, affirm our commitment to nurturing female talent in every facet of filmmaking.” With Undercurrent Lab 2025, Richa said they were taking a bold step forward. “We are introducing a new department that will offer comprehensive training in various aspects of film production, ensuring that more women get the chance to break into this competitive industry.” “This initiative is about creating opportunities, building confidence, and providing a platform for aspiring women professionals to thrive. I am incredibly excited about this next chapter and I believe it will be a catalyst for more inclusive and innovative storytelling in cinema.” —IANS In a heartfelt note to her fans, actress Nayanthara has requested that they stop referring to her as Lady Superstar and instead call her by her name. Nayanthara took to her official X handle to share her thoughts, “My life has been an open book that has always found its adornment with your unconditional love and affection. Be it the pat on my shoulder during my success or extending your hand to lift me up during hardships, you have always been there for me.” The actress acknowledged that the title ‘Lady Superstar’ was born out of her fans’ affection, but she humbly requested that they call her by her name instead. — ANI