11082025-LSCB-01.qxd 8/10/2025 9:03 PM Page 1 c m y b FAMILY BOND Actor Salman Khan was seen celebrating Rakhi with his family at sister Alvira Agnihotri’s Mumbai residence. The Sultan star smiled as Arpita and Alvira tied Rakhi. Arbaaz and Sohail Khan also joined in, showering their sisters with love and blessings. Salman is now gearing up to step in as an Indian Army soldier in Battle of Galwan. WHAT’S HOT TRIBUNE Life Dharamsala KULCHA CHRONICLES I Chandigarh F you’re in Dharamsala and longing for that authentic North Indian street food vibe, Him Feast is the place to be. Tucked away in the bustling Civil Lines area, right opposite the Centre Point Hotel, this small food joint has quickly become a local favourite. What sets Him Feast apart? It’s one of the first eateries in Dharamsala to introduce the iconic Amritsari Kulcha — a crisp, buttery flatbread stuffed with spicy fillings and served with flavourful chole, creamy raita, and tangy chutney. A true kulcha lover’s paradise. Whether you’re a local, a tourist from Punjab or Haryana, or just someone wandering through the scenic streets of this hill station, Him Feast offers the perfect stop for a hearty breakfast or a satisfying mid-day snack. The aroma, the taste, and the generous portions will leave you coming back for more. play DANCE DUEL A Amritsar DVANCE bookings for Hrithik Roshan and Jr NTR’s highly awaited film, War 2, have officially begun. On Sunday, the makers confirmed the update and also unveiled a brand-new pre-release promo. The thrilling footage shows the lead actors, Kabir and Vikram, confronting each other in intense action scenes, teasing a rivalry that remains at the heart of the film. Earlier, Yash Raj Films shared a glimpse of the actors’ dance face-off in the song Janaab-eAali. A teaser of the song was posted across social media platforms, evoking subtle reminders of Hrithik’s dance battle with Tiger Shroff in the Jai Jai Shivshankar song from the first film. Directed by Ayan Mukerji, War 2 brings back Hrithik Roshan as Major Kabir, now up against a new enemy — Vikram, played by Jr NTR. Kiara Advani also joins the cast as Kabir’s love interest and a fellow soldier. War 2 is set to hit theatres on August 14, 2025. love DRUM HEALING D RUMMING can be incredibly therapeutic — helping us connect with our inner selves while offering a fun and energising way to relax and rejuvenate the mind, body, and soul. Backed by research, this growing trend of “Mindgenics” or drum healing is gaining ground. A powerful example was on display at Phulkari – Women of Amritsar’s drumming workshop, conducted in collaboration with Drum Café and led by Mumbai-based Dr Vinod Hansal. Dr Hansal, who has conducted these workshops internationally, explains that with every beat, barriers are broken and each individual finds resonance with the collective. Drum Café has delivered over 30,000 performances worldwide. One participant shared that the immersive experience stimulates all five senses and also uplifts and invigorates. So the next time you’re feeling blue — drum it away! Veteran actor Rekha says classic track Kaisi Paheli from Parineeta is not just a song. “Kaisi Paheli was a mood, a vibe, and a metaphor for life. It reminded me of a woman who owns her narrative,” she shared. LUDHIANA | MONDAY | 11 AUGUST 2025 Rangeen creator Amardeep Galsin speaks on tackling the ‘ticklish’ subject of paid intimacy Nonika Singh When fiction is B eat Kaisi paheli… EFORE we go any further, let it be said that The Tribune can take some credit for affirming the writer in Amardeep Galsin. For it was in its hallowed spaces that the first poem of sixth grader back then had found her first moment of glory. Today as her web series Rangeen figures among top five web shows on Amazon Prime Video, it’s not just the writer but also creator in her which is in full bloom. The subject of Rangeen, the world of gigolos she admits is rather ticklish, especially when you are trying to explore women’s sexuality. Besides, Amardeep knows, “There are no easy answers to infidelity. When it comes to uncomfortable truths, it’s not easy to navigate the tricky space.” But both she and her cowriter and co-creator Amir Rizvi wanted to handle the subject sensitively, focus on vulnerabilities and human emotions. Combination of boldness and sensitivity came from her ‘first boss,’ noted filmmaker Kabir Khan whom she assisted in Kabul Express and many documentaries. Interestingly, though the genesis of Rangeen lay in a newspaper report of a doctor doubling up as male escort, her documentary background made her deep-dive into the subject. Says she, “I didn’t want it to be a figment of imagination nor a sex comedy.” The more she read and researched the more she realised, “Paid intimacy is not just about sexual desires but somewhere also about emotional intimacy.” therapeutic ❝ cept a was to ac are The ide . We ina as she is of male Na ting more accep lawed beings as f characters uch of women. but not so m P GALSIN We are more accepting of male characters as flawed beings but not so much of women.” Interestingly, though the series has a decent IMDb ratings, critics have not reacted kindly. Her answer to the critics is, “Right from the onset we knew the show would open to — AMARDEE Precisely why, both she and particularly Amir decided not to make Rajshri Deshpande’s character of Naina justify her action, “The idea was to accept Naina as she is. Gaga adds to the Wednesday BUZZ Jenna Ortega’s Wednesday Addams has officially returned, this time with darker plot twists at the Nevermore Academy. Nearly three years after the first season came out, Netflix released Part 1 of Wednesday Season 2 on August 6, bringing back the chaotic characters and unsolved mysteries. While fans had been highly anticipating Wednesday’s return to the academy after the summer break, the addition of pop sensation Lady Gaga only added to the buzz. Netflix stated that the actorsinger will join the second season as Rosaline Rotwood — a “legendary Nevermore teacher who crosses paths with Wednesday”; however, Jenna Ortega has something else to say. In a conversation, Ortega was asked about the singer’s appearance as a teacher on the show. “She’s not a teacher. That’s your little clue. Whatev- er you’ve heard, it’s wrong,” Ortega playfully said. The actress also opened up on her experience of working with Lady Gaga and said, “One of the kindest, most grounded people I’ve ever had the pleasure to work with, such a powerhouse.” Catherine ZetaJones, known for famously essaying the mother, Morticia Addams, was also present at the interview. “She was an addition that was made in heaven. We’d say hell, which is a good thing. — ANI c m y b JLo handles Chanel snub like Jennifer Lopez’s recent stop in Turkey came with an unexpected moment for the pop star after she was turned away by a luxury store. Lopez was in Istanbul earlier last week before performing at the Yenikapi Festival Park, where she went shopping at the Chanel shop in the upscale Istinye Park Mall. To her surprise, when Lopez tried to enter the store, she was stopped by the security guard who seemingly didn’t recognise the singer-actor. He explained that she couldn’t enter the store as it was at full capacity, the outlet confirmed. Lopez, though, remained unbothered as she said, “OK, no problem.” According to the report, the store security later approached the singer during her trip, inviting her to the Chanel store again; however, she turned down the offer. This a Queen is not the first time that Jennifer Lopez’s calm response has caught attention. In a recent instance, her skirt literally ended up falling during the performance. Lopez handled the unexpected wardrobe malfunction like a pro, as she played along by smiling big and joking, “That’s gonna be everywhere. I’m glad that they reinforced that costume.” Jennifer Lopez is currently busy with her Up All Night: Live in 2025 tour, which she kicked off in July. On the film front, Lopez also has the upcoming film adaptation of Kiss of the Spider Woman with director Bill Condon. — ANI mixed responses. If we go a little overboard we would be criticised and if we played safe, then also there would be censure.” Even casting was a challenge. Lead actor Vineet Kumar Singh ‘first choice for Adarsh’ came on board easily. But convincing others took a long time, since after reading the synopsis, many actors assumed that the series might be titillating or vulgar, something which was farthest away from their mind. Responsible, social reflection, commentary, laced with humour is her kind of cinema and she would also like her work to further some conversation. Just as Naina’s unapologetic stance is. Amardeep’s zindagi is rangeen or not… she is constantly looking at life’s various shades, ones which excite her imagination and of viewers too. As for the voice of the Punjaban in her, well this Ludhiana di kudi, daughter of an academician mother and physicist father is certainly drawn to stories from her homeland. She shares, “I even began writing a dark family satire but realised two more films on the same subject were being made.” So, right now, a buddy Hindi flick and a period crime series which she will be helming as a show-runner are on her platter. Writer of successful documentaries like Roar of The Lion tracing the comeback of IPL team Chennai Super Kings, if she finds documentary making explorative, ‘which challenges your notions’, fiction is ‘therapeutic.’