09052024-LSTC-01.qxd 5/8/2024 9:16 PM Page 1 c m y b TRIBUNE Up next Priyanka Chopra has wrapped the shoot of her next film Head Of State, which will be releasing digitally. The Hollywood movie also stars Idris Elba and John Cena. LUDHIANA | THURSDAY | 9 MAY 2024 PHOTO: VICKY Passion for his art Ashutosh Rana gets the shivers when he sees himself on screen Another act Robert Downey Jr to debut on Broadway with McNeal Hollywood star Robert Downey Jr is set to make his Broadway debut with McNeal, a new play by Pulitzer Prize-winner Ayad Akhtar. Downey Jr, who recently won his maiden Oscar trophy for Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer, will play the titular author in the play, which is being staged by Broadway giant Lincoln Center Theater at its Vivian Beaumont Theater. Directed by Bartlett Sher, McNeal is described as a ‘startling and wickedly smart examination of the inescapable humanity — and increasing inhumanity — of the stories we tell’. “Good writers borrow, great writers steal. Jacob McNeal (Downey Jr) is a great writer, one of our greatest, a perpetual candidate for the Nobel Prize in Literature. But McNeal also has an estranged son, a new novel, old axes to grind and an unhealthy fascination with Artificial Intelligence,” the official synopsis read. Downey Jr will also produce the stage show through his banner Team Downey in collaboration with Lincoln Center Theater. McNeal will begin previews on September 5, and will play a strictly limited engagement from September 30 to November 24. Downey Jr is also known globally for playing superhero Iron Man in multiple Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) movies. — PTI Singer Jasbir Jassi, who collaborated with his two sons, Simba and Jerry, for their debut song Liar, says it is a combination of their technological knowledge and his fascination of folk tunes A familyintune Sheetal Rest in peace Renowned for his portrayal of Kevan Lannister in HBO’s epic series Game of Thrones, actor Ian Gelder has passed away. He was 74. The news of Gelder’s demise was confirmed by his partner, Ben Daniels, who wrote on Instagram, “It is with a heavy heart that I announce the passing of my life partner Ian Gelder.” Daniels revealed that Gelder had been battling bile duct cancer since December, and his passing came swiftly. Tributes began pouring in from fellow actors and industry peers, offering condolences and sharing fond memories of Gelder. — ANI Game of Thrones actor Ian Gelder passes away at 74 T HINK Jasbir Jassi and memories of Dil Le Gayi Kudi, Koka and Laung Da Lashkara come flooding back. We loved those songs and we loved the man who sang them. So, when we were invited to interact with the singer, who gave so many hit Punjabi numbers, in Mohali recently, we were excited. This meeting, however, turned out to be not about Jassi but his sons — Simba Sing and Jerry Singh — as it was the launch event of their song Liar. For the first time, we got to see Jassi as the beaming father, proud of the fact that his sons decided to follow in his footsteps and what’s more, the two budding singers collaborated with their famous father for their debut album! Jasbir has co-written the song with his sons, which is released under his music label, JJ Musics. In fact, Jassi and Jerry have composed the music and the whole album, while Simba has sung the songs. The EP East West Boy consists of six songs showcasing sensibility that aligns with — ‘Eastern heart, Western mind’. Shared Jassi, “There’s no bigger subject than music to bond with my sons. I have always been interested in sounds and instruments all my life. Even though I am glad they have studied the same from the best of schools in the West, where you cannot get in without auditions, I still have better knowledge about Indian local instruments and folk music! Of course, they have become masters of advanced technology of sound, but I would love to see how they incorporate all that knowledge in Punjabi music.” NO SHORTCUTS Unlike many others, Simba and Jerry didn’t take a shortcut to enter the industry. Simba went to Berklee College of Music in the US to train himself and Jerry learnt music production from Point Blank in London. “I wanted to train them in sound the moment I had the idea they wished to pursue music. There was always an environment of music at home and my sons picked on that. Today, music changes every two months and that’s because of sound advancements. I have a big library where I have recorded songs from different folk artistes and regional instruments of different parts of India,” he said. Mandeep Kaur Sandhu and Aditya Lakhia join Deepak Tijori-directed Tipppsy, which is a thriller based in Goa Remember the 90s films Aashiqui, Khiladi, Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar and Kabhi Haan Kabhi Naa? One of the prominent actors of these yesteryear hits, Deepak Tijori, is returning to the silver screen once more as actor-director. The film, Tipppsy, releasing this Friday is about four friends celebrating a bachelorette party in Goa, which goes awry as they discover a dead body the next day! Tipppsy is an Indianised version of famous Hollywood film Hangover, has a total female cast at the helm, including Alankrita Sahai, Kainaat Arora, Sonia Birje, Natasha Suri, Aditya Lakhia and Mandeep Kaur Sandhu. While Tijori plays a cop, Jacob, who leads the investigation, Mandeep Kaur Sandhu, a resident of Yamunagar, will debut as a police officer, Jessy Lobo. We talk to Sandhu and Aditya Lakhia, who will essay the character of Dr Gerard. Sandhu says, “I am the daughter of an Army officer, so donning a uniform in this movie was a dream come true.” Party gone wrong Mandeep Kaur Sandhu and Aditya Lakhia On the other hand, Lakhia, known for his iconic role in Lagaan, says, “It is very different from the roles I’ve essayed before. I play a doctor in this film, who helps the girls when they are in trouble.” About the director, he says, “I have worked with Deepak in films like Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar and Kabhi Haan Kabhi Naa, but in those films we were fellow actors. In Tipppsy, I was directed by him and it was really different feeling. Apart from Deepak being a friend, he’s an extremely meticulous, honest and sharp director, whose craftsmanship in the art of filmmaking is excellent.” c m y b HELLO LADIES! As for the star cast, he says, “All five girls on board are very talented. Each one has her own charm. My favourite is the Haryanvi girl named Yami in the movie, a role played by Kainaat Arora. Being a Haryanvi myself, I really loved it.” Meanwhile, Lakhia is seen on every medium; while Bengal 1947 was released in theatres in March, Crackdown Season 2 is streaming on JioCinema. Moreover, he is producing a Gujarati film, Khape, which will release in June. As for upcoming projects, there’s Irani Chai, Goodnight, Death Tale and Ab Jaane Ki Zid Na Karo. “It’s a year to look forward to by all means,” he adds. Lakhia doesn’t mind taking a back-seat in this female-driven screenplay and is hopeful that audiences would like it. “Tipppsy is a fast-paced thriller and with five beautiful women at the helm, it’s sure to bring audiences to the theatres,” he signs off. — Sheetal ON CHAMKILA As the trio animatedly discuss how they ‘have the intention to bring something fresh for the Punjabi audiences’, we ask Jassi for his opinion about the controversial Punjabi singer Amar Singh Chamkila, as Imtiaz Ali’s recent biopic has brought him back into conversation once more. Jassi feels Chamkila was an outstanding artiste even though he chose to sing on some vulgar subjects. However, he was so much more than what the latest film, Amar Singh Chamkila, would have us believe. He said, “Often when a biopic is made or somebody says something, it’s perceived differently by audiences. And I fear that many who binge-watched the film will associate Chamkila with Punjab’s culture, which would be a very wrong inter- pretation. Bollywood has sold Chamkila as Punjab’s culture, but he was one of many Punjabi artistes. It’s a problem with Bollywood; it picks one popular face of a state or city and presents it to the world as that region’s culture. Later, people form stereotypes. They didn’t show Chamkila, but more so represented him as ‘Sexila’! It was wrong presentation of an artiste.” Actor Ashutosh Rana, who has been in the industry for over three decades, has shared that he still gets the shivers when he sees himself on screen, calling it an ‘extraordinary’ feeling. The actor, who is set to play Peter in the upcoming psychological thriller Murder in Mahim, shared, “I have always been passionate about acting and I strive to live up to my potential. Whenever I see myself on screen I still get shivers. It’s an extraordinary feeling. It’s a feeling that makes peace with my being.” On his upcoming show, Ashutosh added, “I feel that OTT platforms have changed the way of looking at content. I have been fortunate to play some compelling and hard-hitting characters.” The series explores a chilling murder and the underbelly of Mumbai, highlighting the reconciliation of a lost friendship between Peter (Ashutosh) and Jende (Vijay Raaz). Adapted from a critically acclaimed book by author Jerry Pinto, the gripping series is helmed by Raj Acharya, and created by Tipping Point Films and Jigsaw Pictures. It also stars talented actors Shivani Raghuvanshi and Shivaji Satam in pivotal roles. Murder in Mahim is set to release on May 10 on JioCinema Premium. — IANS PAPA DON’T PREACH Bringing back the conversation from Chamkila to the LP , that has songs like Aat, Psycho and Liar, all based around the dating culture, we ask Jassi if his boys were comfortable discussing their dates with him. Jassi replied, “It’s actually the other way. I would discuss anything and everything under the sun with my sons, but they shy away at times.” ‘No-brainer’ Here’s why Madhuri Dixit took a break from acting Actress Madhuri Dixit Nene has spoken about her decision of taking a break professionally to start a family with her husband Shriram Nene. On the show Kiska Brand Bajega, Madhuri spoke about her decision, “For me, it was one of the dreams I had for myself.” Madhuri got married in 1999 with Shriram, a cardiovascular surgeon from Los Angeles. They welcomed their first born, named Arin, in 2003. It was two years later that they had their second son Ryan. Madhuri shared that having a family and children was always something she looked forward to. About whether she was worried about her time off, the actress shared, “I am going to have kids, and this is going to be fun was the only thought.” Madhuri, who made her comeback to acting in 2022 with The Fame Game, emphasised the fact that choosing to have a family was a nobrainer for her. — IANS
The Tribune, now published from Chandigarh, started publication on February 2, 1881, in Lahore (now in Pakistan). It was started by Sardar Dyal Singh Majithia, a public-spirited philanthropist, and is run by a trust comprising four eminent persons as trustees.
The Tribune, the largest selling daily in North India, publishes news and views without any bias or prejudice of any kind. Restraint and moderation, rather than agitational language and partisanship, are the hallmarks of the paper. It is an independent newspaper in the real sense of the term.
The English edition apart, the 133-year-old Tribune has two sister publications, Punjabi Tribune (in Punjabi) and Dainik Tribune (in Hindi).