16072024-LSTC-01.qxd 7/15/2024 11:37 PM Page 1 c m y b DILJIT MEETS CANADIAN PM Diljit Dosanjh met Canadian PM Justin Trudeau at the Rogers Centre in Toronto and said, “Dil-Luminati tour has been a celebration of our cultural heritage.” The meeting took place during the rehearsals for Diljit’s upcoming sold-out stadium show in Toronto. TRIBUNE Second take The second instalment of the Taapsee Pannu and Vikrant Masseystarrer Haseen Dillruba, titled Phir Aayi Hasseen Dillruba, is set to premiere on Netflix on August 9. CHANDIGARH | TUESDAY | 16 JULY 2024 PHOTO: VICKY When Pradhan ji comes calling Saumya Singh R AGHUBIR Yadav can take criticism as well as he takes praise. The Pradhan ji of Panchayat, who staged his play Piano at the Tagore Theatre on Sunday and followed it with an interactive session called Vaqtavya on Monday morning, told a critic who pointed out a few inconsistencies in the play, an adaptation of Ferenc Karinthy’s French play Steinway Grand,“Kuch cheezein maafi maangne ke liye bhi toh honi chahiye (some things should be left to beg apologies)” But then Yadav has been a student of Ebrahim Alkazi at the National School of Drama, a teacher known for his work ethics and humility. He has not forgotten what Alkazi had told him once when he made an excuse to stay away from his class, “agar marna bhi ho, toh kaam karte hue maro”. There is another thing he has not forgotten. A five-minute-long recital from Laila Majnu, a play which he did years ago and regaled his audience during the session. The NSD shaped his sensibilities, but then Yadav’s association with theatre started even before he entered the campus of the drama school. He ran away from his home years ago to make a mark for himself. “I worked with a theatre company in Bhopal for Rs 2.50 per day after I ran away from hometown, Jabalpur. I worked there for about six years and that was the best time of my life,” he says. For him more than a struggling phase, it was a learning process. He says, “Jo cheez asaani se mile, usme mazaa bhi kahan rehta hai (anything gained with ease does not give much pleasure).” There are no struggles in life, only experiences, says actor-director Raghubir Yadav There was a time when Yadav used to reject certain characters. Now, he has learnt to enjoy each and every aspect of his work without thinking about the kind of role it is. Neither the box-office numbers nor the dividing line between art cinema and parallel cinema bother him much. His logic is, “If a film with an Rs 400 crore budget earns Rs 200 crore, and an Rs 50 lakh budget film earns Rs 2 crore, which one is more commercial?” But as much as we love Raghubir Yadav the actor, his first love was not acting. “There was a papadwala, who passed our house singing when I was young, he was my first guru and music was my first love; but if I had told him that, he would’ve forgotten how to sell papad only,” he laughs. Yadav is of the opinion that one can, and should, learn from every single thing happening around them. It is not the first time that Raghubir has performed in Chandigarh. He came by a while ago for another play. “The people that I have met here are so khoobsurat. No wonder the city is called City Beautiful. Everyone here has made all my visits worthwhile,” he says. Not so politically correct! Singer-turned politician Hans Raj Hans, who was in Chandigarh to launch the poster of his upcoming single Kithe Tur Geyan Yaara, says jaat, paisaand nasha decide the polls in Punjab Vikrant Parmar Kithe Tur Geyan Yaara… Punjabi words that translate into ‘where have you vanished friend’ is the title of a heartfelt tribute to singer Surinder Shinda and quite apt too, as it is in the inimitable voice of Hans Raj Hans, who has crooned many a melodious composition. So, when Hans comes calling to the Chandigarh Press Club on a sultry Monday morning, to launch the poster of his upcoming single, it’s an occasion to savour. “Surinder Shinda was like a shining light of Punjabi music industry; there have been very few like him. Although he passed away last year, he will forever live in our hearts. His tunes will continue to regale audiences in the times to come. He was much senior to me, and I have learnt a lot from him,” says Hans. Known for songs like Jatt Jeona Morh, Putt Jattan De and Truck Balleye, Shinda stood as a name that was widely respected; little wonder then, a tribute in his honour made the entire team emotional, as they recollected moments from filming at the Perfect Picture Location in Fatehgarh Sahib. “You all must have heard of metaphysics, so Surinder Shinda’s body might not be present with us, but his soul is very much around. It will keep guiding us in our onward journey. Interestingly, he used to crack jokes at will too. But he kept Punjab’s virasit alive in his songs and also in the characters he essayed as an actor on screen,” shares Hans. As a question veers towards the political scenario of Punjab, Hans, being a political figure himself, shakes his head, “The very politicians who make tall claims about tackling the drug menace in the state are the ones who are involved in such nefarious activities during polls. We need leaders who will take these challenges headon,” he says. “Unfortunately, jaat (caste), paisa (money) and I WILL ALWAYS BE A SUFI nasha (drugs) SINGER AT HEART. IT IS DESTINY THAT IS TAKING ITS OWN COURSE are the factors AND I AM FOLLOWING WHAT IS that WRITTEN FOR ME. decide the polls in PunHANS RAJ HANS jab. Until and unless these three malaises are handled, nothing can improve,” he predicts. Having said that, Hans also claimed, “Albeit in the political arena too, I will always be a Sufi singer at heart. It is destiny that is taking its own course and I am following what is written for me. As for the future, my political career may or may not continue, but I will forever remain a singer.” Notably, Hans lost the 2024 Lok Sabha elections as the BJP candidate from ❝ PHOTO: PRADEEP TEWARI c m y b Faridkot in Punjab. In 2019, he had won from the North West Delhi constituency. Written by Harpreet Singh Sekhon, Kithe Tur Geyan Yaara has received the blessings of famous lyricist Babu Singh Maan. The song will be globally released on July 26 under Vital Records. Meanwhile, known for songs like Dil Tote Tote Ho Gaya, Sili Sii Aundi Hai Hawa and Dil Chori Sada Ho Gaya, among others, Hans, who is a recipient of the Padma Shri, shares that his son’s son is also a budding singernow — genetics sure seems to be at work! As for the philosophy he lives by, “I remain in the moment. I don’t think too much ahead, just do my deeds… baaki malik jaane’ (rest in in the hands of God).” A WORD OF PRAISE FOR IRRFAN KHAN Actor Jaideep Ahlawat, who has garnered critical response for his work in the recently released film Maharaj, has shared that his all-time favourite actor is Irrfan Khan. He spoke about his inspiration in Indian cinema. He said, “In Hindi cinema, I’m very much inspired by Naseeruddin Shah and Om JAIDEEP AHLAWAT Puri. But, my all time-favourite is Irrfan Khan.”
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