17042025-LSTL-01.qxd 4/16/2025 7:34 PM Page 1 c m y b SAGARIKA WELCOMES BABY BOY TRIBUNE Painful time Life Star struck! Actress Sagarika Ghatge Khan and former cricketer Zaheer Khan have become parents to a baby boy. The Chak De fame actress shared the joyous news in a joint post with her husband on Instagram. The couple has named their baby boy Fatehsinh Khan. On the latest episode of her podcast, Confessions of a Female Founder, Meghan Markle opened up about her miscarriage five years ago. “I knew, as I clutched my firstborn child, that I was losing my second,” she said. LUDHIANA | THURSDAY | 17 APRIL 2025 Producer of Takdeer, actor Nav Bajwa says the upcoming Punjabi web series highlights the role of astrology in society Mona T HE filmmaker who introduced sci-fi genre to Pollywood is at it again. This time, he picks up astrology as a subject for a web series. Astrology, which is synonymous with superstition, is the theme for the web series being produced by Nav Bajwa titled Takdeer. On Wednesday, Nav along with a series of actors, including BN Sharma, Deepak Niaz, Ashita Sharma and child actor Saarthak, introduced the first two episodes of the series— Deport and Aulaad. Present on the stage, along with the writer Kumar Ajay and directors Gaurav Bhalla and Jatin Suthar, was the astrologer—a turbaned jyotish acharya Satvinder Singh, who took many questions, as this unique subject was revealed. Nav is no novice to astrology, but he shared in all his earnestness that growing up he was confused between astrology and astronomy. “I wanted to be an astronaut— the ones who could go to the moon. And while trying to figure that out, I realised that there was another branch of study called astrology.” The former pilot embraced the glamour industry while turning an actor, writer, director and producer in due course. “I can read anyone’s birth chart (teva) and comprehend,” admits Nav. Though he claims that apart HIGH FLYING Acting was always his dream, but Nav followed his father’s diktat to pursue flying. “My father served in the Indian Air Force and it was his dream that I follow in his footsteps. I did become a pilot out of respect for him because I am not the one who would rebel and run away from home.” After becoming a pilot, he talked about his dream with his father, who supported him. “I still live with my parents and owe all my success to them,” he shared. from release date, he hasn’t followed it up much. It were the two stories— one of foreign dreams, another of father-son bond— that brought him on board for this series, “Astrology is often confused as a superstitious mumbo-jumbo, but we wanted to bring thescientific aspect of it to the fore.” Does he believe in astrology? Nav says, “I go by tera bhana meetha lage (divine will tastes sweet).” Navigating life Meanwhile, Satvinder Singh shared, “Astrology is there in almost every culture, but it’s our jyotish vidya that is quite exact.” He makes no claims that he can help a film become a hit, but sure tell the most favourable dates for the start and release of particular projects. But why the need to know the future? BN Sharma shared, “You navigate well if you know where you are headed. Some seek astrological guidance to navigate through life.” One episode of the series will be released each month, while Deport and Aulaad would be available soon on Satvinder Singh’s YouTube page. Nav is full of ideas for the Punjabi industry. Many tell him that he has the looks of a Bollywood hero, his Hindi is on point and his choice of subject international! Why doesn’t he try other languages? Nav answers, “I want to give my best to the Punjabi film industry. See how well South Indian cinema has done; I have similar dreams for our industry.” The film Madhaniyan, which will be released in September, sees Dev Kharoud and Neeru Bajwa, along with Nav in the lead roles. Nav is also eyeing festival circuits. “I want to take Punjabi cinema to Cannes,” he shared. He is working on a film, tentatively titled Iqbal Singh, with Gurpreet Ghuggi. It’s a reallife story, a very intense one. Also in the pipeline for him are a couple of short films, which he wants to take to the global market. “The idea is to bring Punjabi on par with the international market.” Astrology is often confused as a superstitious mumbojumbo, but we wanted to bring the scientific aspect of it to the fore...I can read anyone’s birth chart (teva) and comprehend. Good times are here Punjabi cinema today is in an amazing space. “Karan Johar did Akaal with Gippy Grewal, I am also in talks with Boney Kapoor. I could have made Madhaniyan in Hindi such is its budget and scale, but it’s in Punjabi because that is where my heart is,” says Nav. Starting with music, he has enjoyed success as a filmmaker, but amongst all he prefers writing. “An idea is the beginning of it all. To create a new cinematic world gives me the most joy.” PHOTOS: PRADEEP TEWARI TEAM TAKDEER ‘Like mixing poison with oxygen’ Oscar-winner AR Rahman says there are both good and bad aspects to the use of artificial intelligence in music, but there will be chaos if it is not controlled. The musician is not averse to new technology in music and, in fact, used an AI software to recreate the voices of late singers Bamba Bakya and Shahul Hameed for a track, Thimiri Yezhuda from Rajinikanth-starrer Lal Salaam. But he did that with proper permission from the family of the musicians. Rahman acknowledged that the use of AI in music had ‘gone wild’. “I don’t know what’s going to happen. Some of the songs are so filthy, yet they come out with the voices of popular singers. It needs to be controlled because if it’s not, there’ll be chaos,” the musician said. The music maestro, who has two Oscars, a Golden Globe and Grammy to his credit, said it was important to have rules for ethical use of the AI technology. “There are both good and bad aspects, and the good things should be used to empower people who never had the chance to put their vision into action. But overusing it in a bad way is bad for us. It’s like mixing poison with oxygen and breathing it in. PTI AR on AI: Misuse in music should be avoided There should be rules, like certain things you can’t do. Like, how they talk about ethics or behaviour in a society, this is also behaviour in the software and digital world,” he added. Rahman is currently working on his much-anticipated The Wonderment Tour, to be held on May 3 at the DY Patil Stadium. The concert was conceptualised by the composer himself in collaboration with Percept Live and co-produced by Percept Live, Fair Game and Jo Entertainment. The global premiere of ‘The Wonderment Tour’ is said to be a grand concert under the aegis of the WAVES summit taking place from May 1 to 4. Tickets are now available on Zomato app. The 58-year-old musician has a slew of projects in the pipeline, including the romantic film, Tere Ishq Mein, with his frequent collaborator, filmmaker Aanand L Rai, Mani Ratnam’s Thug Life, Rajkumar Santoshi’s Lahore 1947, Meena Kumari biopic, and the Hansal Mehta-directed Gandhi series. He is also reuniting with Imtiaz for his next after Chamkila. “The more you see people loving Vida Karo and Mirza, it forces us to look back and get that beautiful aura of that era in your way. So that’s a good thing to see,” he added. Rahman is also excited about the upcoming Hansal Mehta series on Gandhi, which is headlined by Pratik Gandhi. “The Gandhi series is unexpectedly beautiful; I never expected that to be such a beautiful experience. Working with Hansal Mehta and Sameer Nair was fascinating. Even Gandhi ji’s life... I feel that’s like a textbook, and it’s a fantastic textbook for the previous or the future generations to see the father of the nation,” he said. Meanwhile, Rahman attended the MAMI Film Festival 2025, in Mumbai, on Tuesday.— PTI c m y b Coffee, black if you please Black zone NUTRI SHOTS Need black coffee to keep going through the day? Here are some pros and cons Vikrant Parmar Is a cup of hot black coffee your first wish each morning? Is it a staple, almost a ritual? If yes, here’s a heads up on the beans that create multiple health benefits. Only if consumed as much as is required; remember, excess of everything is bad! Early morning dose? Tricity-based nutritionist Dr Isha Ahuja says the early morning cup of coffee is best avoided. “Our body cleanses toxins the whole night and repairs dead cells, but coffee first thing in the morning destroys all that effort. I would suggest the first cup of coffee should not be taken before 11 am.” Benefits galore Black coffee has multiple benefits and Dr Ahuja says it is just not a ‘fad’. ■ Metabolism boost: Before a workout session, it gives the much-needed energy fillip to the body. IS A DAILY DOSE NEEDED? ISTOCK Is it necessary that black coffee should be a part of daily diet? “No. If you feel like adding it to your diet you can, but it is not a requirement.” As for how to consume black coffee, Dr Ahuja says, “Boil the water separately or with coffee, but make sure you don’t take sugar with it. The latter adds lethargy and fat to the black coffee cup.” ■ Increases focus: If your body is losing its focus while working-out or there is a mental block, a cup of black coffee does wonders. ■ Mood changer: Feeling down? Fret not, black coffee can lift sullen shoulders immediately. ■ Fat burner: Going for a weight loss programme? Add black coffee to the diet and shed those extra kilos. ■ Heart, brain and liver health: Coffee aids in the functioning of all these vital organs of the body. ■ Dopamine dose: It is the ‘feel-good’ hormone that black coffee can provide the body. If exhausted, one cup would give that energy push although the effect is only for a short time. “Too much black coffee can harm the body. Two or three cups a day is what I suggest,” says Dr Ahuja. She lists other negatives. ■ Palpitations: Any kind of overdose can make your heart pump faster and that leads to uneasiness. ■ Anxiety: Too much black coffee can make one anxious and lead to nervous behaviour. ■ Blood pressure: Those with high blood pressure issues should avoid black coffee. ■ Dehydration: Too much caffeine will lead to a major loss of water from the body. Black coffee, therefore, should be consumed within limits. ■ Sleep disorders: If you consume coffee late at night, there can be sleep deprivation and other issues. ■ Acidity, digestion issues: Those having all these problems should not consume black coffee. Boost the flavour “Add a tinge of extra virgin coconut oil to boost the flavour of your black coffee. It really works wonders,” tips Dr Ahuja.