20062025-LSTC-01.qxd 6/20/2025 12:30 AM Page 1 c m y b TOM RHYS JOINS CLAYFACE Tom Rhys Harries has scored the highprofile lead role in the Clayface. On X, James Gunn wrote, “After a long and incredibly exhaustive search, we finally have our DCU Clayface in Tom Rhys Harries. Both (The Batman director) Matt Reeves and I were just blown away by this guy, and can’t wait for you to see this film.” TRIBUNE The narrator Life Ryan Reynolds has turned narrator for docu-series Underdogs. The National Geographic docuseries “celebrates the unique behaviors of the animals.” CHANDIGARH | FRIDAY | 20 JUNE 2025 The Bachelor Boy Parbina Rashid The chronology of confessions! 2013: “If I get married and have children, then I will become a status-quoist and will be concerned about bequeathing my position to my children.” 2023: “When the right girl comes along. I will get married. I mean if she comes along, she comes along. It will be good.” 2024: “I don’t plan it, but if it happens...” 2025: It has not happened yet and Rahul Gandhi still retains the title of the Most Eligible Bachelor of India. hazy and he is not offering much information on this subject. However, what we do know is that there is no dearth of admirers. Bollywood actress Ameesha Patel is a diehard fan. She finds Rahul “extremely cute,” “well-educated” and “dynamic.” She has been consistent with her admiration since 2001 when on Simi Garewal’s talk show, Rendezvous with Simi Garewal, she openly declared him a ‘desirable match’. Patel continues to stand by that sentiment, calling him “the most eligible bachelor in politics.” She said it! SHOULD HE, SHOULDN’T HE As Rahul Gandhi turns 55, the nation wants to know if this milestone year will end his Brahmacharya! As Rahul turns 55, the question arises again—Will he? Won’t he? Is he still singing Cliff Richard’s song Bachelor Boy that goes — “As time goes by I probably will meet a girl and fall in love …But until then I’ll be a bachelor boy, and that’s the way I’ll stay…” Or, has he decided to remain a singleton for life? Not sure. Our crystal ball is As we still don’t know the answer to the question we set out with, we talk to a few celebs to know how they see the future of the most eligible bachelor of the country. We land ourselves at a divided camp! ■ I don’t think Rahul Gandhi should get married. He can stay single and focus on politics. He should upgrade his knowledge about the nation. I think with so many responsibilities it would be harder for him to balance personal and professional life. —RINHEE SUBERWAL ■ I feel Rahul should get married. Shaadi ka ladoo he must eat atleast once. At the end of the day it is his choice to have a life partner or not. Ideally, he should get married to a professional person. —SHIVANGI VERMA ■ Rahul Gandhi shouldn’t get married. The concept of marriage and society has changed. He can focus on politics. — GAURAV SAXENA THE PRIVATE WORLD OF RAGA Aditi Tandon Though much is known about Rahul Gandhi’s political life, Rahul, the person, remains a quintessential recluse. His very private world, however, has a lot of space for family, four canine pets, music and fitness. “Rahul is an early riser, loves to bike, gym and practise gentle art, a blend of Jiu Jitsu, Aikido and nonviolent conflict resolution methods which Buddhist monks practise. He does the gentle art regime at least once a week,” says someone who closely follows Rahul’s life. On a personal level, Rahul’s world revolves around mother Sonia Gandhi. The former Congress chief was captured tying his mother’s shoe laces during the Bharat Jodo Yatra and often fetches her slippers unhesitatingly. “Mother, sister Priyanka, his nephew and niece make up most of Rahul’s world. He spends a lot of time with Sonia Gandhi. Even when he was living at 12 Tughlak Lane house, he would often drive down to 10 Janpath to have dinner with her,” says a Congress leader. Not too much of a foodie, Rahul Gandhi prefers simple, non-spicy food, savouring local cuisines of states that he visits. So, if parathas and pickles are My first big buy Multicultural me! My accent’s all over the place now, says Banita Sandhu, who after Brigerton and couple of South Indian movies will be seen in Diljit Dosanjh-starrer Sherdil Celebrities share stories behind their first luxury purchase There’s a special kind of joy in buying something expensive for yourself— especially when it’s bought with your own hard-earned money. It’s not just about owning a designer item or a shiny gadget; it’s about celebrating your journey, your hustle and the quiet victories along the way. For these television actors, their first luxury buy was more than just a purchase; it was a moment of pride, emotion and selfrecognition. The key to success Neel Samarthh Yes, I remember it clearly. The first expensive gift I bought for myself was a Yamaha PSR SX 900 keyboard. It was a very special moment for me because I deeply connect to music. I actually came into the industry with the dream of becoming a singer, but destiny had other plans and I became an actor instead. Still, music has always stayed close to my heart. Buying that keyboard felt like a personal victory. It was not just a gift, it was a reminder of where I started and what I truly love. In the driving seat Rahul Sharma Yes, I clearly remember that item I bought with my own money. It was a car. I was working on a show, EK Ghar Banaunga. I didn’t really have any mode of transport and commuting every day had become a big problem. So, I kept telling myself, ‘I need to buy a car’. Eventually, I bought a second-hand car. I really liked the brand Niya, so I ended up getting that model. It cost me around Rs 4 to 5 lakh. It felt like a really big, luxurious purchase. It was a very special moment, because for the first time, I was buying something so important with my own hardearned money. The whole experience of buying it was really special. Everything happened within two to three days — the deal was done and the car was mine. I felt rich! I felt proud that I had made something of myself. In good time Harleen Kaur Rekhi I gifted myself a watch from Emporio Armani, and I absolutely loved it. It had a very sleek and classy design, very minimal, yet super stylish. It felt really nice to own something like that, especially because I bought it with my own hardearned money. There’s a special kind of pride you feel when you buy something for yourself using your own income. It makes you feel like you’ve achieved something in life, that your dreams are turning into reality. You feel independent and capable. YatheshtPratiraj Phool Waqt badlega Rozlyn Khan I bought a Rolex Oyster Perpetual Datejust. Not to show off but to remind myself — Achha time aayega. Life had shown me both glam and grime, but I wanted something that would last, something timeless. This watch became a symbol of that quiet promise I made to myself — Tu ruk mat… waqt badlega. Luxury isn’t always about labels. Sometimes, it’s about owning your journey. And every time I wear it, I remember how far I’ve come. Sense of pride Aadesh Chaudhary When the first iPhone was launched, I bought it for myself. It wasn’t super expensive like today’s phones, but it still felt like a big deal back then. I used my own hardearned money to buy it, and that made it really special. It gave me a strong sense of pride and independence. It was one of those moments where I felt like, ‘Yes, I did this for myself’. That feeling still stays with me. his favourite pick in Punjab, in Kolkata, he would always visit Peter Cat on Park Street for its famous Chelo kebab. So far as the Lok Sabha leader of Opposition’s leisure preferences go, his aides say he barely has time to relax. But when he does, he is learnt to watch movies, listen to music or simply pet his Jack Russell Terriers at home. An important part of Rahul’s personality is his stress on a nonflashy lifestyle. Former Indian Youth Congress leaders speak of incidents where Rahul, as former General Secretary, in charge of the frontal organisation, would urge colleagues not to flaunt expensive stuff — be it watches, cars or clothes. Rahul himself appears mostly in his signature white TShirt or kurta pyjamas sourced from Khadi. He is known to be a stickler for comfortable shoes though, sneakers mainly. When asked about his favourite hangouts, Rahul's aides pointed to Fujiya in Delhi's Malcha Marg, a quiet little place where Rahul would visit with his late father Rajiv Gandhi. He is also known to frequent Khan Market joints, Andhra Bhavan canteen in central Delhi and a restaurant located in the Italian Embassy in the capital. Brad Brad Pitt talks about new film F1, his new hairstyle c m y b I was 18. Alone They’re both incredible Working with Diljit and Boman? Banita lights up at the mention. “They’re both incredible,” she says. “Watching them work was like sitting through the best acting class a white Chanel purse. of my life.” Pitt opened up about his favourite memShe recalls her ories from filming the movie, “I got a lot,” scenes with said Pitt, adding, “But, every time I got in Boman Irani. “It the car, these tracks are just like halfelt natural. He’s lowed ground. Silverstone. The spa in such a loving, Belgium was the most memorable. Abu caring man and Dhabi. We really got spoiled.” has this effortless Pitt’s character Hayes was Formula 1’s charisma.” “most promising phenom of the 1990s until an accident on the track nearly 1 foot in every industry ended his career.” The film also stars Banita’s career hasn’t Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, followed a straight line Tobias Menzies, Sarah Niles and — and that’s how she likes Samson Kayo, while Lewis it. At one point, she was Hamilton is one of the proworking on an English TV ducers. F1 is in theshow while juggling a South atres on June 27. Indian production. Two wild—ANI ly different sets, industries sports buzz cut Brad Pitt recently talked about his latest look at the New York City premiere of his new movie F1 and shared why he has brought back his iconic 2004 buzz cut. “I just finished a job,” Pitt teases. “It’s for a character we did.” Pitt completed his shaved head look on the red carpet with a navy blue double-breasted suit, a crisp white shirt and a satin pocket square. He was first spotted rocking the dramatic cut while driving around Los Angeles last month. Pitt was joined at the premiere by his girlfriend Ines de Ramon. De Ramon was seen in a sheer halter top and a long, feathered skirt. She accessorised the look with You know how some people just belong on screen? Banita Sandhu is one of them. But don’t mistake her for someone who’s had it easy. When we spoke to her ahead of the release of Zee5’s Detective Sherdil — where she stars alongside Diljit Dosanjh and Boman Irani — Sandhu was disarmingly honest… and storytelling styles. “That’s just how my career’s unfolded,” she says. “And honestly? I love it. ” But that kind of cross-cultural shuffle has some quirky side effects too. Like her accent. “It’s a mess now,” she laughs. “I’ve done so many different accents for different roles that my natural voice feels like a weird blend of everything.” Banita doesn’t shy away from talking about the tough stuff. “I started acting when I was 18,” she says. “I was still in college in London. I had just moved out of my parents’ house. And I was working in India — a country I had never even been to before.” “There were times I neglected my mental health. But I’m grateful I learned those lessons early,” she says. “Now, I know it’s the simple stuff that keeps you sane — the hours you sleep, the people you’re around, the food you eat. Meditation has been huge for me since I moved to India. It keeps me grounded.” Mistakes make you move “There’s so much I wish I could go back and tell my younger self,” she says. “Would I have been more successful if I had avoided a few mistakes? Maybe. But I also wouldn’t be the same person.”