21102024-LSTC-01.qxd 21-10-2024 00:13 Page 1 c m y b TRIBUNE Unstoppable Diljit Dosanjh has created history by becoming the first Indian artiste to be featured on the cover of Billboard Canada. The imagazine will feature Diljit’s exclusive content from his Dil-Luminati tour. CHANDIGARH | MONDAY | 21 OCTOBER 2024 PHOTO: RAVI KUMAR Truth and dare Priyanka Chopra Jonas flies out of Mumbai Abhishek Saxena’s directorial Bandaa Singh Chaudhary picks a leaf from the turbulent Punjab history ‘Alvida Mumbai’ Actor-producer Priyanka Chopra Jonas, who arrived in Mumbai earlier this week, flew out of the city on Saturday night. She landed in India on Wednesday to attend a brand launch and the screening of her Marathi film production Paani, directed by Addinath M Kothare. The actor shared the update with fans and followers on her official Instagram account. “Airport life,” Priyanka captioned her mirror selfie on her Story. In another Instagram Story, she posted a video of her plane taking off above the Mumbai sea. “Alvida Mumbai,” the actor wrote. Last month, Priyanka was in Mumbai to launch the trailer of Paani, starring Subodh Bhave, Kishor Kadam, Kothare and Rucha Vaidya. — PTI Kajol celebrates ‘OG Karwa Chauth’ It’s been 29 years to Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol’s super-hit classic Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge since it was released, interestingly, coinciding with the festive occasion of Karwa Chauth. Marking this special occasion, Kajol shared a post and wrote, “29 years to the OG of Karva Chauth... wishing everyone a very hungry and successful Karva Chauth...” A STILL FROM BANDAA SINGH CHAUDHARY Mona H ANDSOME Arbaaz Khan, dapper in blue denims and sky blue shirt; director Abhishek Saxena, in black; Meher Vij, effervescent in a mustard sharara — the trio looked completely at ease as they talked about the film Bandaa Singh Chaudhary on Friday in Chandigarh. This film, set in the 80s when Punjab saw the most turbulent times in the recent history, in their words, is the labour of love. “I always take up stories that people know but do not talk about. Bandaa Singh Chaudhary is one such story,” opened up Saxena, who has to his credit films like Phullu and Patiala Dreamz. Extensive research went into the story, which is inspired by true events. With such a sensitive topic, Saxena wanted to be thorough. “Punjab saw the turbulent 80s. To get the real picture, we interviewed thou- sands of families in villages, and read newspaper reports,” said Saxena. There was another reason, a personal one! His mother is a Sardarni. He revealed, “I had to be careful not to hurt religious sentiments of any section. If something was to go wrong, my mother would have taken me to task.” Arshad Warsi plays the titular role, a Hindu character, who in the face of threats isn’t ready to give up on his home, his land. The film was conceived by Saxena with Manish Mishra as producer. Arbaaz joined the team later. While working on a film with Meher Vij’s husband Manav Vij, he heard about film and came on board. “I found it to be a relatable story and I took the opportunity to be part of it,” Arbaaz shared. As Warsi had to give this promotional tour a miss due to prior commitments, Saxena filled in for him. “Versatility is Arshad Warsi’s biggest strength. He has never played such a character, nor has Meher. But they make the best lead pair!” Meher spoke about her role, “My character gets a full arc. The film is full of drama, light moments, romance and tension, and my character is central to the story.” Also present were actor Sachin Negi and singers Rahul Jain and Jay Mishra. The duo crooned their numbers Eena Sona and Dil Mureeda, respectively. Rahul composed and sang three songs for the film. Jay shared, “I got a chance to sing with Sunidhi Chauhan which was an honour and opportunity for me.” While Saxena’s Phullu sensitised a subject like sanitary pads, Bandaa Singh Chaudhary is a salute to a common man’s resilient spirit. “The film is rooted in Punjab. And it will inspire anyone in their life, in struggles big and small,” said the director. The film hits cinemas on October 25. ABHISHEK SAXENA, MEHER VIJ AND ARBAAZ KHAN PHOTOS: NITIN MITTAL MANDY TAKHAR AND SIMI CHAHAL Legal trouble Case filed against Ekta Kapoor, her mother Shobha under POCSO Act for objectionable scenes in Gandi Baat ANKITA SHARMA Shimmer and some animated talk — Celebs from the Punjabi entertainment industry partied and how! Singer Kulwinder Billa, actor Jobanpreet Singh, actresses Sara Gurpal, Mandy Takkar, Ankita Sharma and Simi Chahal among others gottogether for a party hosted by Dr Sukhsagar Ratol. The Seville in Sector 26, Chandigarh, the venue for the party, dazzled with shimmers and silhouettes, though it took rounds of snacks and green tea for the guests to warm up. Jovial Jobanpreet, whose recent film Jahankilla has won hearts of the viewers, was the only exception. He was in the party mood. But once the mood of party set in, the celebs talked animatedly. Simi Chahal, in a lovely pink sharara, went around posing for pictures. Sara Gurpal, who moved to Mumbai six months back, was excited to talk about it. “Mumbai loves people from Gossip over green tea Punjab. I am having a great time there, though Chandigarh remains home forever,” said Sara. Mandy Takhar, who is now Mandy T Kaushal, was back from the shoots of Ehna Nu Rehna Sehna Nahi in Canada. “Diwali is the time to spend at home,” said the actress. Time Table 2 hit-maker Kulwinder Billa, not much of a party person, made a hasty exit, but not without imparting a bit of information, “I am working on an album next, two film projects are on too.” Ankita Sharma, who has to her credit shows like Ek Shringaar-Swabhiman and Laal Ishq, talked about the series, The Whistleblower. “TV is pretty streamlined, one gets shows based on auditions,” she said. She is now keen on Punjabi movies. — TNS SARA GURPAL, DR SUKHSAGAR RATOL AND JOBANPREET SINGH c m y b Producer Ekta Kapoor and her mother Shobha Kapoor have landed in legal trouble. A case has been filed against them under the POCSO Act for allegedly showing inappropriate scenes involving minor girls in an episode of the ALT Balaji’s web series Gandi Baat. The case is related to Season 6 of the web series Gandi Baat on the OTT platform Alt Balaji. According to the Mumbai Police, a case has been registered against Balaji Telefilm Limited, Ekta Kapoor and her mother Shobha Kapoor at MHB police station in Mumbai under Section 295A of IPC, IT Act and sections 13 and 15 of POCSO Act. It is written in the complaint that this series, which streamed on Alt Balaji between February 2021 and April 2021, showed obscene scenes of minor girls. However, this controversial episode is not currently streaming on this app. — ANI