10072025-LSTL-01.qxd 7/9/2025 8:40 PM Page 1 c m y b TRIBUNE Cat’s back Life Armani unveils Black Velvet elegance Indian artistry Giorgio Armani showed his latest Privé haute couture collection at the label’s gilded Paris headquarters on Tuesday, displaying black velvet evening wear with shimmery touches — once again, without the Italian designer, who continues to rest at home. “In twenty years of Armani Privé, this is the first time I haven’t been to Paris,” said Armani, who turns 91 on Friday. — REUTERS in Paris Rahul Mishra took Paris Couture Week by storm with his mesmerizing collection, ‘Becoming Love’. It took inspiration from the seven stages of love — beginning with the first bloom of attraction, traversing through infatuation, surrender, reverence, and devotion, and culminating in obsession and the eternal farewell. The Each stage was represented through ethereal fabrics paired along with exquisite Tanishq natural diamonds. “At the heart Rahul Mishra and Tanishq’s design philosophy lies an unwavering commitment to craftsmanship that speaks to a global audience,” said Mishra. Post Schiaparelli Haute Couture, Cardi B made another striking appearance in ‘Wild Rose’ from Rahul Mishra Fall 2025 Couture collection. YatheshtPratiraj Phool Salman leavies fans in spl ts ed his lighter lman Khan show Bollywood star Sa y post for his brother-in-law, Atul side with a birthdaes a candid picture of Atul fast Agnihotri. He shar Alvira’s shoulder. Salman wrote, asleep on his wife ul … Thank u for taking care of At “Happy birthday n u plz be u the man I knew, ter … now ca ickly took to my sis Man U r.” Fans qu 1 day I vil be the ion to react if it hinted at ct the comment se ts on marriage. Salman’s though Special screenings of Pyaasa & Kaagaz Ke Phool at IFFM 2025 The Indian Film Festival of Melbourne (IFFM) is set to pay a tribute to Guru Dutt. IFFM will host special screenings of two of his most iconic masterpieces, Pyaasa and Kaagaz Ke Phool. Festival Director, Mitu Bhowmick Lange said “Guru Dutt was far ahead of his time, both in terms of cinematic technique and the emotional depth of his narratives. His films are not just classics, they are cultural treasures that speak to the soul of Indian cinema.” What happens when five powerful female voices — each shaped by a different musical journey, yet drawn to the soul of Indian classical music — come together with zero egos and a whole lot of creative hunger? You get Raagraanis — an album that doesn’t just blend ragas with contemporary sound, but throws open the doors of tradition, letting in a breeze of experimentation, emotion and sisterhood. It started small. But as singer-composer Prajakta Shukre puts it, “Everyone we reached out to just said yes and suddenly, we had a full album in the works.” Varijashree The much-loved orange cat is making a comeback. Actor Chris Pratt is all set to voice Garfield once again in a sequel to 2024’s The Garfield Movie, which made more than $230 million at the global box office. LUDHIANA | THURSDAY | 10 JULY 2025 NonikaSingh A FILM titled after an ionic song from Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s memorable film Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam, starring a ‘nepokid’ Shanaya Kapoor and it is bound to whip up attention for the wrong reasons. But before you go all guns blazing and cast aspersions, meet calm and poised director Santosh Singh. As he who has directed many web series is ready with his first big screen outing Aankhon Ki Gustaakhiyan in which Shanaya daughter of noted actor Sanjay Kapoor, younger brother of superstar Anil Kapoor makes her debut, he is ready for all kinds of salvos. First and foremost he takes charges of promoting nepotism head on, and his riposte is simple; nepotism is not confined to just film industry. Besides, everyone must get a fair chance, though some get an opportunity easily. So he entreats viewers to watch Shanaya’s performance before passing any judgement. To trolls who believe often selfmade actors like Vikrant Massey, the film’s male lead are used to promote star kids once again he does not offer a fiery response. He feels, “If we are fine with receiving love from our fans we should be ready for brickbats too. Audiences will reject what is substandard and appreciate, when, an actor, star kid or not, delivers. ” Only he asks viewers to hold their horses and not jump to conclusions. He asserts, “Give your verdict Talent counts Audiences will reject what is substandard and appreciate, when an actor star kid or not, delivers, says director Santosh good, bad, ugly after the film’s release on July 11.” For now as a director he is mighty pleased with Shanaya whose audition tape for another project came his way through a casting director. More rounds of auditions and tests and he was certain she could play Saba Shergill. The chemistry between consummate actor Vikrant with whom Santosh has worked in his first web-series Broken But Beautiful and raw debutant Shanaya he insists is crackling and her fresh appeal has worked in the film’s favour. The film is based 5 raanis FLIPPING RULES Venugopal, the Grammy-nominated Carnatic vocalist, breaks it down: “We’re all singing ‘bandish’ compositions, but the presentation is designed for a wider, global audience. It respects tradition, but it’s not afraid of growth.” No boys allowed (this time) Let’s talk lineup. You’ve got Prajakta Shukre, Himani Kapoor, Varijashree Venugopal, Pratibha Singh Baghel and Kalpana Gandharv. Prajakta has not only sung a track but she was a composer in the project too, while Himani wrote a song in the playlist. “I took a risk,” Himani admits.." That's the quiet revolution in Raagraanis. It's not waving a feminist flag in your face — it's just doing the RAGAS REWIRED Raagraanis is technically a five-track EP, but that’s like calling a royal banquet “just a few snacks.” Each track is rooted in the ‘bandish’ style — a structured form of classical composition — but reimagined with instruments such as the esraj, flute and even saxophone. Traditional? Sure. But wrapped in arrangements that feel... global. Not fusion for fusion’s sake, but music that’s willing to stretch its limbs a little. Varijashree Venugopal, Pratibha Singh Baghel, Prajakta Shukre, Himani Kapoor & Kalpana Gandharv c m y b on Ruskin Bond’s short story The Eyes Have It. “To make characters emote without the most important tool of expression, their eyes, is no cakewalk.” Yes you read that right…Vikrant’s Zahan is visually impaired and in many scenes in the trailer you see Shanaya’s character of Saba Shergill blindfolded too. Not ready to reveal more of how the cookie crumbles, he does profess the screenplay penned by Mansi Bagla is a risk for the stars and for the Zee studios which is backing the film. To make a love story click music too has to be top-notch. But since his film’s title comes from Bhansali’s melodious number… is he afraid of comparisons? He says, “I dare not compare my film’s songs with the memorable melody but I am placing my bets on songs like Alvida and Nazaara.” work, making space and creating something joyful. Tradition & just a little jazz Let's not pretend everyone loves genre-bending classical work. Varijashree is the first to acknowledge the tension: "Traditionalists have every right to protect what they love. But if we don't experiment, how will we grow?" The team's now planning a four-city unplugged tour. They're bringing the songs to life, raw and real. "Corporate shows are the best," laughs Prajakta. "People walk in all elegant, suits and sarees... but the minute we hit a dance number, it's a full-blown wedding." “You can’t stop people from saying what they want to. All you have to do is work on your craft and I think Shanaya has done a wonderful job. I think it’s a gutsy move, on the part of our stars and for many months both Vikrant and Shanaya worked on how to live without seeing.” ❝ Aankhon Ki Gustaakhiyan is an out and out love story. Vikrant is not seen as a lover-boy but our film will change that. Simone joins The Devil Wears Prada 2 Bridgerton actress Simone Ashley has joined the cast of The Devil Wears Prada 2. The British star will be seen alongside original cast members Meryl Streep, Anne Hathaway, Emily Blunt, and Stanley Tucci. Actor Kenneth Branagh has also joined the film. The upcoming movie is a sequel to the 2006 hit The Devil Wears Prada. In the new film, Streep’s character Miranda is dealing with the fall of print media, while Blunt’s character Emily Charlton has become a top executive in fashion. The two characters are set to clash in the story. — ANI