24112025-LSTL-01.qxd 11/23/2025 8:25 PM Page 1 c m y b CELEBRATIONS HIT PAUSE Smriti Mandhana's wedding to music composer Palash Munchal has been postponed indefinitely due to her father's sudden illness. Mandhana decided to delay the ceremony until his health improves. Her father was hospitalized after his condition worsened unexpectedly. Celebrated designer Manish Malhotra steps into filmmaking with his maiden production Gustaakh Ishq: Kucch Pehle Jaisa, a tribute to oldschool romance THE FLYING NOODLES A YATRAWITH AANCHAL L Ludhiana UDHIANA is set to host a soulful evening as Yatra with Aanchal arrives at Studio Mastaani on Friday, November 28. Presented by Studio Mastaani and Kaafikultured, the event promises a rich blend of folk and Sufi music, brought to life by the evocative voice of Aanchal Srivastav. Known for her immersive mehfils that entwine storytelling and melody. Aanchal’ s performance will unfold in Hindi over three hours of lyrical mystique and cultural resonance. As the stage lights dim and the music begins, audiences can expect a journey that stirs both memory and spirit. C INEMA has always been Manish Malhotra’s first and only love, which first inspired him to become a celebrated costume designer and now a filmmaker, eagerly awaiting the release of his maiden production venture Gustaakh Ishq: Kucch Pehle Jaisa. For Malhotra, the foray into production marks the realisation of a dream he nurtured as a six-year-old child in love with movies. “I’m that odd child who was born in love with movies. From the age of six, I was very fond of films. I didn’t study as much as I loved films. I’m very grateful to my mother that she never stopped me. I watched a lot of films — everything from their music to their clothes to lifestyle. Malhotra began his career as a costume designer in the early 1990s, becoming one of Bollywood’s most soughtafter stylists. He was praised for redefining on-screen fashion through films such as Rangeela, Dil To Pagal Hai, Kuch Kuch Hota Hai and BUN TIKKI Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham. He later launched his own couture label, which grew into a leading fashion house known for its craftsmanship and celebrity clientele. As a movie lover, Malhotra said he always wanted to “write, direct and produce” but got busy with his career. “I have never had a day without work. I had film after film, then I launched my brand. I always wanted to get into production and direction but the brand took over my time,” he added. It was during the COVID-19 pandemic when he thought of finally taking a plunge into love Chandigarh filmmaking. Gustaakh Ishq, which is set to be released in theatres on November 28, is described as a tribute to old-school romance, blends poetry, nostalgia and the timeless charm of classic love stories. It features an ensemble cast of Naseeruddin Shah, Vijay Varma, Fatima Sana Shaikh and Sharib Hashmi. Directed by Vibhu Puri, the story unfolds across the bylanes of Purani Dilli and the fading kothis of Punjab, exploring themes of passion and unspoken desire. Malhotra spoke about roping in Shah for the project, someone he has known and admired for years. “This was my first meeting to discuss his fee. It was a Sunday evening, his house is 5–7 minutes away, and I kept thinking, ‘How will I discuss with him his fee?’ Then I told myself — ‘You’re a producer now, you have to do it’. The meeting was lovely. It was great working with him because Vibhu already knew him. One day I got a text from him: ‘You’re one of the best producers I’ve worked with’. That meant everything.” Gustaakh Ishq also features the song Aap is Dhoop Mein, penned by cinema icon Gulzar, composed by Vishal Bhardwaj and sung by Arijit Singh. “When Vibhu first mentioned Vishal ji and Gulzar sahib, I was like — I love them but I don’t know them. But I felt the film needed them. Working with Vishal ji was a cherished memory. He was so receptive and understanding,” he added. Recalling his first meeting with Gulzar, Malhotra said he had gone in with a simple request. “When I met Gulzar sahib… I told him I wanted a song around the word ‘ musafir’. We went to his house, and I reminded him of Musafir Hoon Yaaron from Parichay. Malhotra said he was struck by the legendary writer’s warmth and openness. “At 91, he is so open.” Besides Gustaakh Ishq, Malhotra’s banner is ready with two more movies — Bun Tikki, starring Shabana Azmi, Zeenat Aman and Abhay Deol, and Saali Mohabbat, which marks the directorial debut of actor Tisca Chopra. “All my first three films are different from each other,” Malhotra said. — PTI CHAT UP COSTELLOE NO MORE Irish fashion designer Paul Costelloe, personal designer to the late Princess Diana who became a fixture at London Fashion Week for four decades, has died aged 80, his family said in a statement over the weekend. SRK FOR PEACE Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan paid tribute to the victims of the 26/11, Pahalgam terrorist attack and Delhi blast at the Global Peace Honours event 2025 on Saturday. The Global Peace Honours event brought together families of 26/11 victims, survivors of the Pahalgam attack, national leaders, dignitaries, and artists for a heartfelt tribute to India’s bravest. It was organised by the Divyaj Foundation and led by Amruta Fadnavis. While addressing the gathering, Shah Rukh Khan paid tribute to the soldiers and jawans of the country while highlighting their pride, courage, and values. Suparn slams hypocrisy OF PUNJAB’S BAZAARS Y OUNG author and innovator Shaurya Prabh Sharma officially launched his debut book PANJAB INC in Chandigarh, presenting a powerful new narrative of Punjab not as a land defined by conflict but as a civilisation built and sustained by commerce, enterprise and innovation. The18-year-old author traces the region’s business history from the 9th century to the modern day, arguing that the driving force behind Punjab’s resilience has always been trade not war. “History remembers the battles but overlooks the bazaars. PANJAB INC is about a mindset of courage, creativity and community. A major section revisits the reign of Maharaja Ranjit Singh, portraying him not just as a military strategist but as a ruler who understood that long-term peace depended on economic stability. LUDHIANA | MONDAY | 24 NOVEMBER 2025 dream! eat play Bollywood actress Kriti Sanon, who hails from Delhi, has expressed deep concern over air pollution in the national capital, saying it is getting “worse and worse” and something needs to be done about it. Living the HOT T Koyo Koyo, noodles don’t just sit on the plate, they rise. The chefs have crafted a noodle experience that defies gravity, quite literally. As the server places the bowl on the table, guests witness something magical: floating chopsticks, suspended in mid-air, gently lifting a cascade of fragrant noodles coated in our signature house-made sauces. Aromatic steam curls upward like the warmth of a midnight Tokyo street stall, drawing guests in. The dish feels alive — capturing eyes, cameras, and smiles in an instant. Guests lean closer, mesmerised. It isn’t just food — it’s theatre, emotion, and a spark of culinary magic. Clean Delhi Life Chandigarh WHAT’S TRIBUNE Chay’s special day After creating massive anticipation with two behind-thescenes videos, the makers of Yuvasamrat Naga Chaitanya’s much-awaited project #NC24, directed by visionary filmmaker Karthik Dandu, have revealed its look. The film is officially titled Vrushakarma. The first look poster presents a raw, intense, and powerpacked visual. Meanwhile, Sobhita Dhulipala shared a romantic wish for her husband, Naga Chaitanya, on his birthday. In a heartwarming post on Instagram, Sobhita shared a picture, capturing a cute moment as Chay could be seen helping his wife with a jacket. “Happy birthday lover,” she wrote in the caption. Ranveer Singh’s upcoming film Dhurandhar has become a hot topic of discussion right before its theatrical release. As the action-packed trailer of the spy thriller sparked mixed reactions online on account of violence, director Suparn S Varma has reacted to the criticism. Speaking on the sidelines of International Film Festival of India (IFFI) in Goa, Varma described the responses as a “double standard”. He noted that when films from other countries showcase violence, “everybody loves the violence,” but similar appreciation is often not extended to Hindi cinema, even when the genre demands it. Varma said, “When a Marco comes out, everybody loves the violence. Violence exists; it has existed for eons, and violence is beautiful if you do it cinematically.” Dhurandhar is scheduled to release in theatres on December 5. — ANI MEHBOOBA REIMAGINED Rapper Divine has released his new single You & I, featuring Kalyani Priyadarshan, reimagining the 1975 Sholay classic Mehbooba Mehbooba. Part of his fifth album Walking On Water, the track is out on all major streaming platforms. Na To Karavan Ki Talash Hai … Aditya Dhar’s Dhurandhar revisits one of hindi cinema’s most beloved qawwalis — Na To Karavan Ki Talash Hai. The trailer of Aditya Dhar’s film has ignited tremendous excitement online, not only for its sprawling cast led by Ranveer Singh along with Sanjay Dutt, Akshaye Khanna and R. Madhavan, but also for the unexpected musical homage tucked into its final minutes, originally from the 1960 classic Barsaat Ki Raat. c m y b