29062026-LSTL-01.qxd 6/28/2026 8:00 PM Page 1 c m y b TRIBUNE Life Celebrity baiting is a provocative media tactic designed to rile up famous figures into giving headline-grabbing controversial replies. Here’s how celebs are pushing it back! Subhash K Jha During a press conference for the reality show Lock Upp: Sach Ya Sazaa, a journalist asked Riteish Deshmukh whether he would invite his close friends Salman Khan and Sanjay Dutt to appear on the show. The reporter then added a provocative twist, saying that the two actors have “plenty of real-life experience with lock-ups,” and asked what punishment Deshmukh would give them. Visibly annoyed by the blatant attempt to exploit his personal friendships and the legal histories of his peers, Deshmukh shut down the question with a sharp, tactical response, “First of all, I don’t think I would want to give any dignity to your question by answering it. It is your question, not my answer.” The anatomy of celebrity baiting RITEISH DESHMUKH LUDHIANA | MONDAY | 29 JUNE 2026 TRAP for celebs relies entirely on generating high-engagement traffic. By targeting sensitive boundaries, media creators trigger responses that fall into predictable categories. Celebrity baiting is fuelled by a potent mix of professional pressure, sensationalism, and algorithmic demands. Social media platforms reward highly dramatic interactions. A 10-second video of an angry or uncomfortable celebrity yields more views than standard project promotions. Celebrity baiting is a provocative media tactic designed to rile up famous figures into giving controversial, headline-grabbing replies. Widely regarded as the master of quick wit, Shah Rukh Khan frequently turns baiting questions back onto interviewers. When TV host Mandira Bedi tried to stoke rivalry by asking if having other female actors as competing IPL team owners would sour his relationships, Khan effortlessly shut it down. Gaurav & Akanksha call it quits DEEPIKA PADUKONE & PARINEETI CHOPRA He responded, “Well Mandira, I hope not. You see, I started their careers. And as far as I can remember, I started yours too.” Priyanka Chopra Jonas has a track record of systematically dismantling regressive or trap questions, especially regarding her co-stars or personal life. During a press conference, a reporter repeatedly pushed her to answer if she and a prominent male co-star would make a “better romantic pair” on stage. Priyanka shut down the narrative ABHISHEK BACHCHAN, PRIYANKA CHOPRA JONAS & SHAH RUKH KHAN Gurnaaz From Australia to Mumbai studios, devotional artiste Premanjali Dasi is crafting a new sound that blends mantras with jazz, blues and Hindi pop pushed me out of my comfort zone and put me on stage without much choice. That's The Symphony of Devotion was a grand devotional concert held on June 27 at the Jio World Convention Centre in Mumbai. Anil Kapoor graced the event’s Bhakti Carpet in a stylish traditional outfit. The viral Devotion gets a jazz-y twist There’s a quiet shift underway in how young people are engaging with music, moving away from passive listening toward something more immersive, more intentional. Devotional music, once seen as niche or traditional, is finding new resonance with global audiences. And for Premanjali Dasi, this isn’t a trend so much as a return to something essential. “Everyone is looking for something higher, something to take shelter of in this difficult world,” she says. “Some know it, some don’t.” Raised in a Bhakti community in Australia, Premanjali didn’t arrive at this understanding later in life, she grew up with it. It was only in her teenage years, when she began to see how differently others lived, that the choice became conscious. “That was when I had to actively decide that this was the life I wanted, which I did. And, it’s the best decision I ever made,” she adds. Despite her ease today as a kirtan artiste and teacher, confidence didn’t come naturally. The turning point, she says, came from the people around her. “There were a few key people who really Spotted when I became more confident, and also when I started getting noticed." But for Premanjali, kirtan was never about being noticed. “It really is the mantras and prayer that are moving people. We’re just the vessel sharing them.” That distinction between performance and participation is perhaps what’s drawing more young people toward kirtan today. In a world defined by speed and distraction, the appeal lies in something slower, more intentional. “Chanting mantras really does bring mental peace,” she says. Through her platform, Learn Kirtan, Premanjali works with students across the world. Her approach is less about technical perfection and more about unlocking confidence. “I feel everyone actually loves singing — they just need someone to believe in them.” Her debut single Shyama Anna blends traditional kirtan with influences like jazz and blues. For her, it’s less calculated fusion than authenticity. “If it felt authentic to just sing traditional kirtan, I would have done that. But I wanted to write my own songs, and that’s what felt true.” Her message remains simple: “Devotional music is just music with prayer and intention to serve. It’s all about perspective.” by looking directly at the reporter and stating, “I can romance anybody… that is my job.” Parineeti Chopra refuses to let reporters use euphemisms or treat natural biological functions as taboo. Once, a male reporter phrased a question about menstruation, referring to periods as a ‘problem’. Parineeti corrected him, "Periods are not a problem. When a problem occurs, periods stop.” Deepika Padukone is known for drawing strict boundaries when media personnel try to invade her privacy. When reporters once attempted to hound her with invasive questions regarding her personal life and relationship dynamics, she called out the reporters by asking if they would ask the same invasive questions to a male actor in her position. Abhishek Bachchan handles both live media baiting and digital trolls with dignified sarcasm. When online commentators or reporters try to bait him regarding his career choices, box office runs, or family legacy, Bachchan relies on polite, crushing comebacks. MONDAY, UNLIMITED M ONDAYS just got a serious upgrade at Underdoggs, Ludhiana. The allyou-can-eat-and-drink feast is crafted for those who don’t believe in stopping at one plate, with an unlimited spread of favourite bites and drinks from cheesy slices to loaded nachos. Two hours, no limits, good vibes. Underdoggs, Aggar Nagar, Ludhiana on Mondays. play FRANCIS LIVE S TUDIO XO Mohali hosts an unforgettable Bollywood night as Francis takes the stage with timeless classics, charttopping hits, and crowd-favourite anthems. Known for his engaging stage presence and soulful vocals, the two-hour set promises romantic melodies, energetic dance numbers, and electrifying vibes in a premium setting. Studio XO, Mohali on June 29 at 9 pm. laugh CHAT UP NO ‘PRIVILEGE’ TAG HARRY COLLAPSES Courteney Cox and Snow Patrol musician Johnny McDaid have ended their relationship after more than a decade together. The couple, who first met in 2013 and got engaged less than a year later before briefly separating and reconciling, have now called it quits. Madonna has revealed that her daughter, Lourdes “Lola” Leon, was initially hesitant to collaborate with her because she did not want people to think she was benefiting from her mother’s fame. Madonna is working with daughter on a song. Harry Styles left fans worried after he appeared to choke on water and briefly fell to the stage while performing at Wembley Stadium in London during his Together, Together residency. According to PEOPLE magazine, the incident occurred on Friday. c m y b TANDON IN TOWN A ludhiana COX, McDAID SPLIT Akanksha Chamola took many by surprise when she revealed during the premiere of Lock Upp Season 2 on Netflix that she and Gaurav Khanna were heading for a divorce. Akanksha, who is one of the contestants on the reality show, shared the news with hosts Farah Khan and Riteish Deshmukh. She said, “Gaurav and I are getting a divorce. We have been living separately for the last one year, and it has not been public.” Akanksha added, “Things are not bad between me and Gaurav. We still talk to each other. We don’t think we are compatible as partners because we both see very different futures. And, unfortunately, it’s not with each other.” —ANI Half a billion WHAT’S HOT views in a week! eat With 590.8 million views, Spiderludhiana Christopher Nolan has called on Hollywood studios to embrace greater creative risks in mainstream filmmaking, arguing that audiences are eager for original ideas rather than safe, formula-driven blockbusters. mohali TAKE CREATIVE RISKS: NOLAN MIT TANDON, one of India’s most loved comedians, is bringing his latest stand-up special Aise Kaise to Ludhiana. Scheduled on July 11 at Guru Nanak Bhawan, at 7 pm, the two-hour Hindi comedy show will see him unravel the quirks of changing times, family rituals, and everyday frustrations with his trademark wit and relatable storytelling. The evening promises laughter, sharp observations, and a dose of humour that questions the logic behind our habits and traditions. Man: Brand New Day’s second trailer has set record! Spider-Man: Brand New Day continues to rewrite history. After becoming the first film trailer ever to cross 1 billion views globally, the film’s second trailer has now achieved an extraordinary 590.8 million views in its first week. According to a report, this has gone down as the second biggest trailer launch of all time. The milestone reflects the incredible excitement and anticipation surrounding the next chapter in one of cinema’s most iconic superhero franchises. The overwhelming response to Spider-Man: Brand New Day reflects the excitement surrounding Peter Parker’s next chapter as he faces new challenges unlike ever before. Fans across the globe are eagerly awaiting the return of their beloved superhero as he swings into one of his most emotional and defining adventures yet. SpiderMan: Brand New Day is set for a big screen release on July 30 in India. — TNS