06062025-LSTC-01.qxd 6/6/2025 12:45 AM Page 1 c m y b HINA WEDS ROCKY JAISWAL Hina Khan tied the knot with her boyfriend Rocky Jaiswal. Announcing their sacred union, Hina and Rocky in a joint Instagram post wrote, “From two different worlds, we built a universe of love. Our differences faded, our hearts aligned, creating a bond to last lifetimes.” TRIBUNE Life Leading lady Nicole Kidman is set to headline Girls and Their Horses, a new murder mystery series, for streaming service Prime Video. The show is based on Eliza Jane Brazier’s novel of the same title. CHANDIGARH | FRIDAY | 6 JUNE 2025 Being different is not your weakness: Kubbra Sait AananditaGuptaa A nudge toward healing S At just 13, Kubbra’s mother enrolled her in a personality development course. “It felt strange at first—I mean, who does that at 13?” she laughs. But looking back, she realises it was the first thread in her tapestry of healing. “That course planted a tiny seed. I didn’t know it then, but it gave me tools I’d keep turning back to for the next 20 years.” HE’s fierce, fearless and fabulously real. Whether she’s lighting up the screen in Sacred Games, sharing insights on stage, or speaking her truth in heartfelt interviews, Kubbra Sait is a woman who wears her scars like armour. But behind that bold voice and dazzling confidence is a girl who once felt invisible—mocked for her name, her looks and even just her presence. This isn’t just the story of a successful actress. It’s the story of a survivor, who turned pain into purpose and silence into strength. The actress, who will next be seen in Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai, opens up on turning her pain into power Haunted by her name Before the world saw her fiery presence on-screen, Kubbra was a child trying to navigate the pain of being different. “I was bullied for my name, I was bullied for my hair, I was bullied for the colour of my eyes,” she shares, her voice calm but the memory still tender. These weren’t harmless taunts. They were barbs that pierced deep, leaving emotional bruises that lingered long after the school day ended. “It was like the world had decided I didn’t fit in... and I started to believe it too.” From kathal nihari to meen polichattu —Qisa offers authentic South Indian flavours Mona Does your craving for South Indian delicacies go beyond dosa, idli or vada? Well, there’s a reason to cheer. Chef Manav Suri, a familiar face in the Chandigarh’s food scene, has unveiled his latest restaurant — Qisa. And with it, he brings a bold, regionally-rooted exploration of dishes inspired by the Southern Spice Route. Qisa is a serene space adorned with traditional motifs and potted greens in Sector 17. Manav, the eversmiling turbaned chef, is right at home here. With longs years of experience in this field, it’s his own life story that has shaped every element of Qisa — from the menu to the mood. A PLATE FULL OF STORIES The menu at Qisa is anything but predictable. It kicks off with coastal-flavour inspired Dimsums – kadhipata edamame, Andhra qorma vegetables, Coorgi mutton roast and curried prawn har Goa. The menu also showcases Manav’s personal favourites. The mutton pepper roast with appam is a must-try — rustic, spiced and deeply satisfying. Another standout is the kathal DISHING IT OUT nihari, served with soft, pillowy khameeri roti. Accompanied by chopped ginger, green chillies, fresh coriander, and a wedge of lemon on the side, it’s comforting and flavourful. ROOTS AND ROUTES Manav’s journey into the world of food began rather early. Manav grew up eating his Nani’s lip-smacking food. His Nani, Harbhajan Kaur, famously launched her barfi business at the age of 90, and Manav proudly carries that legacy forward. “My mum would pack rather lazy meals like chiniwali roti or malai roll,” he laughs. “That egged me to get innovative with tiffins.” Soon, salami sandwiches made it to his tiffin. After completing his school, Manav joined a course in bakery and patisserie at IHM Aurangabad — one of the few options available those days. That decision led him to stints in the kitchens of fivestar hotels across Mumbai, Pune, Goa, Bengaluru, Chennai and Kolkata. When he Qisa food ka returned to Chandigarh, he brought along the flavours, techniques and inspirations that he gathered over the years, which were reflected in his earlier ventures like Gusto, Four Folks and Dastaan. VADA PAV WITH A BACKSTORY Qisa isn’t just about South Indian fare — it also reflects Manav’s own food memories. A brief stint in Mumbai made him fall in love with vada pav, and he re-invents it in his signature style — vada pav served with Nashik shingdana (peanut crumble) and date chutney. For Manav, it still falls in the category of street food, but not stripped of its soul. SIP, SWEETEN AND SAVOUR To beat the harsh summer heat, guests can sip on a mildly flavoured lemongrass cooler, Saigon Sol, which is light, fragrant, and refreshing. And for those who need their sweet ending, the Coorgi coffee brownie with a scoop of icecream hits all the right notes — rich, indulgent, and the perfect finale to a spice-laden meal. Every dish has a story. It’s a mosaic of places Manav has worked, meals he has loved, and memories he now shares with diners. With its blend of earthy design, regional authenticity, and personal warmth, Qisa offers more than a meal. Rating FOOD: Fabulous AMBIENCE: Relaxed SERVICE: Good c m y b Theatre — her sanctuary The real breakthrough arrived when Kubbra discovered theatre. It didn’t just give her a stage—it gave her space. Space to breathe, to feel, to finally be seen. “I went so deep inside myself, I discovered something beautiful. I found theatre. I found comfort in crowds. I found confidence in my skin.” It was in the spotlight that she learned to stop dimming her light. Performance became not just an outlet but a declaration, “I am not too much. I am enough.” From shame to sovereignty Today, Kubbra is celebrated not just for her bold roles but for her unapologetic honesty. In interviews, she openly shares her past—not as a sob story, but as a story of triumph. “There’s power in being vulnerable,” she says. “When you tell your story, you give others permission to tell theirs.” And for anyone struggling to fit in, she offers this— “Being different is not your weakness, it’s your superpower.” In a world obsessed with fitting in, Kubbra Sait dares to stand out. And in doing so, she reminds us all—our socalled flaws aren’t our imperfections. They are our fingerprints, our fire, our freedom. SARA ALI KHAN AND ADITYA ROY KAPUR ‘Love isn’t easy’ Trailer of Metro...In Dino unveiled Ace filmmaker Anurag Basu is all set to add a flavour of love to the month of July with his film, Metro...In Dino. The film’s trailer was launched on Wednesday and since then, the audience’s curiosity has increased to the next level. Anupam Kher, Pankaj Tripathi, Konkona Sen Sharma, Aditya Roy Kapur, Sara Ali Khan, Fatima Sana Shaikh, Ali Fazal and Neena Gupta feature in Metro...In Dino, which will be released in theatres on July 4. The trailer gave us a sneak peek into the love stories of the couples - Sara Ali Khan and Aditya Roy Kapur, Konkona Sen Sharma and Pankaj Tripathi, Ali Fazal and Fatima Sana Shaikh, Anupam Kher and Neena Gupta. Basically, it follows four different love stories of couples — young, old and middle-aged — living in a metro, and serves as the spiritual sequel to Anurag Basu’s 2007 film Life in a... Metro. Kher shared the trailer on Instagram and wrote, “Trailer out: Love isn’t easy. It’s layered, flawed, and deeply human. Metro...In Dino captures it all. Watch the trailer now! Catch your own story in cinemas on 4th July 2025!” —ANI