14052025-LSTL-01.qxd 5/13/2025 8:51 PM Page 1 c m y b COMING UP FOR KHER Bollywood actor Anupam Kher is keeping fans updated about his directorial project, Tanvi The Great. Now, the makers have posted his character poster on social media. He will be playing the role of Col Pratap Raina. TRIBUNE Voice over Life Bollywood star Ajay Devgn and his son Yug Devgan are set to lend their voice to the Hindi version of the Hollywood film Karate Kid: Legends. LUDHIANA | WEDNESDAY | 14 MAY 2025 ‘Every film has its kundli’ Nonika Singh Like a true blue Punjabi, noted director-producer Guddu Dhanoa says it the way it is; no sugarcoating, no socially correct filters. Indeed, being the cousin of superstar Dharmendra has held him in good stead. Without batting an eyelid, he asserts being related to Dharmendra did open doors for him. With pride, he says, “Daughter of our family, my buaji gave birth to such a phenomenon.” In the same note of candour, he, who has gone on record to express his dismay with yet another Punjabi sensation Diljit Dosanjh, will not backtrack or cover up his sentiments on the singer-actor. Though he will not talk about Diljit, whom he had given a break in The Lion of Punjab, he does quip, “I don’t know why they behave differently when they are newcomers, call you godfather, touch your feet and then change with time.” However, that is not the reason why Dhanoa has not cast heavyweight stars in his upcoming film Romeo S3. All his life, the producer, who has given us one of the biggest names in the film industry, has worked with newcomers, be it Govinda and Kimi Katkar back in Mera Lahoo or King Khan in Deewana. And, yes, he does single out Shah Rukh Khan and Priyanka Chopra among those actors unaffected by success. “Success and failure in this industry are never a constant but unpredictable,” he observes, So, what makes him think Romeo S3 will work, especially when films are flopping left right and centre? He agrees no one can know which film will work and when, “Every film has its kundli. Even a good film can flop and people try to find reasons, but no one can decipher the success code.” He cites the example of Sanam Teri Kasam, which flopped initially, but became a massive hit when re-released. He does believe that odds are in favour of his Romeo S3, whose trailer has already garnered a massive viewership. One of the reasons possibly could be that the film has been made with a modest budget of Rs 10 crore and hence it will not be difficult to recover costs. As for its title, before you presume S3 is an acronym for something else, well it stands for the film’s lead character’s name Sangram Singh Shekawat. Since his titular character too is a police officer, does he fear comparison with other films? Almost every superstar there is has played a cop with aplomb and filmmaker Rohit Shetty has almost created a ‘copverse’. Well, he is not afraid of comparisons and asserts, “Thakur Anoop Singh, our hero, has played his part exceptionally well and not copied anyone.” Dhanoa is all praise for his heroine Palak Tiwari, ‘big star of future’. Renowned director Guddu Dhanoa, who has come up with the film Romeo S3, says even a good film can flop at times and there is no sure-shot formula for success Quinoa & cat nap Paras Madaan is busy shooting for his show Pocket Mein Aasmaan, but despite his hectic shooting schedule, he makes it a point to hit the gym every morning. The actor, who has been a part of TV shows like Qubool Hai, Nath and Laado 2, talks about his fitness regimen. What’s your daily fitness routine like? Despite my hectic shooting schedule, I make it a point to hit the gym every morning. My daily fitness routine strikes a balance between cardio, strength training and flexibility exercises. I aim for at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise, such as brisk walking on the treadmill, to keep myself energised and focused throughout the day. For Paras Madaan, staying hydrated and a balanced diet is the key to good health Do you follow a specific diet or nutrition plan? I prioritise a balanced diet rich in whole foods, including an array of colourful fruits and vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins and healthy fats. By focusing on nutrientdense foods, I aim to minimise my intake of processed and sugary foods, fostering a healthy and sustainable relationship with food. How do you maintain your energy levels while working long hours? Does Dhanoa who made the patriotic film Shaheed on the life of Shaheed Bhagat Singh have any message for his countrymen or Indian Army? He says, “Who am I to give any message to our Army, rather they have given us a strong one. They are the real heroes who have stood like a pillar between us and the enemy. It is because of them that we are safe in our homes.” As for working with his nephews, Sunny Deol and Bobby Deol, in Shaheed and other films, he lauds them both for being thorough professionals and recalls how Sunny, in fact, was the biggest star he had ever worked with in Ziddi. If you think in recent years Dhanoa was on a hiatus of sorts, he shares how he was busy with regional cinema and even made a Marathi film. He adds, “At times, certain projects don’t work out. Like we were almost ready with Bichhoo 2, but Bobby told me someone else had already started making a film with the same story. So, we had to look for another subject.” Right now, apart from Deewaana 2 and Bichhoo 2 in the making, he is busy with a web series Shubhchintak, starring ‘fabulous actors’ Dimple Kapadia and Anupam Kher. Clearly, Dhanoa would not like to be associated with one kind of cinema, but a bouquet. For now, it’s action time as actioner RomeoS3 releases May 16. From the romantic Deewanamaker, Romeo incidentally stands for Operation Romeo and not any lovelorn lover. Of course, Dhanoa’s love for making movies will never ever ebb. As he says, “I feel alive only when I am on the sets.” So, lights, camera, action…will forever be his life! To maintain my energy levels, I prioritise getting enough sleep, which is essential for overall health. Staying hydrated is also key, so I drink plenty of water throughout the day. Whenever I get a break from shooting, I take a few minutes to stretch and move around. Additionally, I always carry healthy snacks like almonds, cashews and fruits with me on sets. As a coffee-lover, I also rely on a cup of coffee to give me an extra energy boost when needed. REUTERS ROBERT DE NIRO The 78th Cannes Film Festival is a star-studded affair The show begins HALLE BERRY RAHI CHADDA The 78th Cannes Film Festival opened on Tuesday with expectations running high for what could be a banner edition. All of the ingredients — an absurd number of stars, toptier filmmakers, political intrigue — seem to be lined up for the French Riviera spectacular. Over the next 12 days, Cannes will play host to megawatt premieres. At the festival’s opening ceremony, Robert De Niro received an honorary Palme d’Or, 49 years after Taxi Driver won Cannes’ top prize. Cannes is coming off a 2024 festival that produced a number of eventual Oscar contenders, including Emilia Perez, The Substance, Flow and the best picture winner, Anora. Meanwhile, like every year, Cannes 2025 will witness a significant presence of Indian talent and films. With the special screening of legendary filmmaker Satyajit Ray's Aranyer Din Ratri to Anupam Kher's directorial Tanvi The Great, the upcoming international film gala promises a grand affair for cinema buffs. Here’s a look at all the Indian films that are set for the global spotlight. Aranyer Din Ratri: Legendary filmmaker Satyajit Ray's Aranyer Din Ratri, which featured Sharmila Tagore and Soumitra Chatterjee in key roles, will be screened. Tanvi The Great: After a long gap, legendary star Anupam Kher returned to director's chair with Tanvi The Great, which will hit the theatres soon. Before that, the film will be screened at Cannes on May 17. What’s your go-to meal for a healthy and fit body? Homebound: Filmmaker Neeraj Ghaywan's Homebound, which stars actors Janhvi Kapoor and Ishaan Khatter, has officially been selected for the 'Un Certain Regard' section. My go-to meal for a healthy and fit body is grilled chicken or fish paired with roasted vegetables, quinoa or brown rice, and a side salad with avocado and nuts. This balanced meal provides me with the necessary protein, complex carbohydrates and healthy fats to fuel my body. Charak: Charak, which is directed by Sheiladitya Moulik, will also be screened. A Doll Made Up Of Clay: The Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute (SRFTI) production A Doll Made Up of Clay has been selected for the prestigious La Cinef section, which highlights the work of student filmmakers. — AP SIMI GAREWAL MAKES CANNES DEBUT ANI VALENTINA FERRAGNI, HEIDI KLUM AND TOM KAULITZ c m y b Veteran actress Simi Garewal is set to make her debut at the 2025 edition of the Cannes Film Festival as part of the screening of the 4K restored version of Satyajit Ray’s 1970 film Aranyer Din Ratri. Garewal, who played a tribal Santhal girl named Duli in the Bengali movie, will attend the showcase, which will be held under the Cannes Classics section on May 19. The actress shared a video on Instagram in which she could be seen choosing her outfit for the event. Garewal, 77, will wear an ensemble from Karleo, a couture label established by Karan Berry and Leon Vaz. “So, I’ve finally decided as to who will design my ensemble for the red carpet in Cannes!! It’s on 19th May, when we present my film with Ray, Aranyer Din Ratri, restored by Wes Anderson, Martin Scorsese and Heritage Foundation. Because I love their aesthetics...I’ve chosen @karleofashion (sic)” she wrote in the caption. PTI Do you believe in cheat days, what’s your favourite indulgence? I don’t believe in traditional ‘cheat days’ but rather in allowing myself occasional treats to maintain a healthy relationship with food. I enjoy good food and give in to cravings from time to time. My weaknesses are pancakes and tiramisu — I just can’t resist them! What’s your favourite workout or fitness trend? Growing up, I drew inspiration from fitness icons like Arnold Schwarzenegger and Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson, whose remarkable achievements in bodybuilding motivated me to prioritise my own physical well-being. My fitness routine incorporates a mix of effective workouts, including highintensity interval training (HIIT) and strength training. I’m also a fan of circuit training for its efficiency and calorie-burning benefits. However, my true passion lies in calisthenics — I love the challenge of pushing my body to its limits using nothing but my own weight as resistance. Have you tried meditation or mindfulness to stay mentally fit? To calm my mind and body, I practice meditation by listening to binaural music and doing deep breathing exercises.