06112024-LSTC-01.qxd 11/5/2024 8:08 PM Page 1 c m y b LADY GAGA ROOTS FOR KAMALA A star-studded lineup took to the stage at a campaign rally in support of Vice President Kamala Harris, including Lady Gaga, Jon Bon Jovi and Katy Perry. Lady Gaga headlined the rally in Philadelphia on Monday night, delivering stirring performances of God Bless America and Edge of Glory. TRIBUNE Nominated Life Richa Chadha and Ali Fazal’s production Girls Will Be Girls has been nominated for Gotham Awards in the Breakthrough Director category. LUDHIANA | WEDNESDAY | 6 NOVEMBER 2024 PHOTO VICKY Anita Devgan, Arya Babbar and Hardip Gill About a family from Punjab settled in the UK and opting for a ‘help’ from back home, the cast of Punjabi film Hey Siri, Ve Siri is upbeat about the plot. We catch up with them… Mona H A lot of Punjabi films are shot abroad for many reasons. But here, we had a genuine reason to shoot the project in UK for that’s an integral part of the story. ARYA BABBAR TRIBUTE TO LEGENDS The International Film Festival of India (IFFI) will mark the centenary of four icons of Indian cinema — Raj Kapoor, Tapan Sinha, Akkineni Nageswara Rao (ANR) and Mohammed Rafi — at its upcoming 55th edition, the organisers said on Monday. The gala, which will be held in Goa, will also present restored versions of their timeless classics during its nine-day run. IFFI to celebrate centenaries of Raj Kapoor, Tapan Sinha and Mohd Rafi The opening ceremony of IFFI, set to take place on November 20, will pay tribute to these legends, accompanied by an audiovisual presentation, bringing their cinematic journeys to life. “The 55th IFFI’s centenary celebrations are a homage to the enduring influence of Raj Kapoor, Tapan Sinha, Akkineni Nageswara Rao and Mohammed Rafi on Indian cinema. By bringing together art, history, and interac- tive experiences, IFFI seeks to inspire future generations through the legacies of these luminaries,” a press release stated. At the festival, ANR will be feted on November 22, Kapoor on November 24, Rafi on November 26, and Sinha on November 27. A restored version of the 1953 movie Devadasu, which cemented Telugu film icon ANR’s place in the annals of cinematic history, will be screened at the gala. His birth centenary was celebrated on September 20. Sinha, one of the most prominent Bengali cinema directors in the 1970s and 1980s, forming a quartet with Satyajit Ray, Ritwik Ghatak and Mrinal Sen, will be honoured with the presentation of his 1976 classic Harmonium. His centenary was observed on October 2. IFFI will showcase a digitally restored Awaara (1951), headlined and directed by Kapoor, known as the Showman of Indian Cinema. Rafi will be celebrated for his songs in the 1961 film Hum Dono, which will be screened in its enhanced audio and visual restoration. The birth centenaries of Kapoor and Rafi will be commemorated officially on December 14 and December 24, respectively. During its course, the festival will hold indepth panel discussions and in-conversation sessions with esteemed guests and family members, who will provide unique insights into the lives of the four cinema legends. In a special tribute, IFFI will unveil a unique My Stamp dedicated to these luminaries, along with a Caravan of Songs, a musical journey featuring 150 songs by Kapoor and Rafi, and 75 songs associated with Sinha and ANR. A curated exhibition, featuring rare memorabilia, photographs, and artefacts from the lives of ANR, Kapoor, Sinha and Rafi, will also be open to audiences. On the days dedicated to each personality, there will be thematic activities, including quizzes, planned throughout the Entertainment Arena. A sand art illustration by renowned artist Sudarshan Pattnaik, as a tribute to the legendary artistes, will also be on display as part of the centenary celebrations. IFFI will come to a close on November 28. — PTI Siri connect EY Siri, Ve Siri, an upcoming Punjabi film, though shot largely in the UK, has a strong connect with Punjab. The idea germinated from a news item. A family from Punjab, settled in Australia, got their siri (field worker) flown over. Director Avtar Singh, who has retained the farmer within him along with pursuing cinema, asked his siri, Mithu, on what he thinks about such a move. It led to a riveting conversation, further paving the way for an entertaining script by Aman Sidhu. The film’s team came together on Tuesday for its trailer launch at Mohali. A fun banter, led by director Avtar Singh, here is all we know about this comedy! “I have had a close partnership with our siri, Mithu. When I was studying in a hostel at Panjabi University, he would often park the family tractor on campus and join me in my room,” shares Avtar. Joining him are films lead actors — Arya Babbar, Anita Devgan and Hardip Gill. “The film was to go to someone else, but it somehow came to me,” says Aarya Babbar, who is onto his seventh Punjabi film now. “Calling a siri your servant would be lowering the status a siri enjoys in a village. I would call it a companion at best.” The film follows a family settled in the UK, who call their siri over and the drama ensues. “A lot of Punjabi films are shot abroad for many reasons. But here, we had a genuine reason to shoot the project in UK for that’s an integral part of the story,” says Arya. Right from his debut Punjabi film Yaar Annmulle in 2011, Arya has continued working consistently. “Yaar Annmulle, Jatts In Golmaal and Naughty Jatts, my first three Punjabi films did well by the grace of God, but let me admit, I didn’t dub for any of them. When I tried, the film tanked,” he laughed. But that hasn’t made Arya stop trying — a Punjabi tutor in place, he dubbed for this one! The film has real life couple — Hardip Gill and Anita Devgan — play siri and his wife on screen. A little late to reach the venue of the launch, Anita shared, “Sorry, we are coming from Amritsar. The tyre of our vehicle got punctured, then there were too many traffic lights…These are the only lies I can tell.” Veteran theatre artistes, it’s their first film with Arya but they felt the connection for long. “We have worked with Raj ji in films and Nadira Babbar ji loves Amritsar and we have shared a close bond with her due to theatre. Now we can say we share the same deep bond with Arya, who is fun, both on and off the screen,” said Hardip. Arya says, “They are the lead couple, Shweta Indira Kumar and I learnt a lot from them.” Yaar Annmulle brought him instant fame in Punjabi circuits, he levels the credit to his father for the same. “When I debuted in Punjabi industry, people gave me love for I was Raj Babbar’s son. Even today more people here know me as Guru than Arya! Else, tell me has any actor from outside Punjab been accepted like I am in Punjabi films?” he asked. With so many actors in the family, he is asked if like the Deol clan, they also plan a film like Apne, “That would be lovely. Probably we will make a Punjabi-Marathi film on account of Prateik (Babbar),” he smiles. Talking of Babbar family, Happy Babbar enjoys a fan following of his own! “You won’t believe it, when I am away I have to make video calls to my four-legged baby and pamper him to the moon once back.” Two more Punjabi films on the anvil, Arya is happy enjoying his time as a standup comic. But right now, he is looking forward to the response to Hey Siri, Ve Siri, which releases on November 22. Kim Kardashian dazzles in Princess Diana’s iconic cross pendant at LACMA Art + Film Gala Kim Kardashian Dev Patel It’s a royal affair! Reality TV star and business mogul Kim Kardashian made heads turn at the recent LACMA Art + Film Gala. She opted for a Gucci gown and cream cape. She complemented it with a piece of historic jewellery. Kim Kardashian opted for an Atallah Cross Necklace, which was previously worn by Princess Diana. The reality star bought the pendant, which the late Princess of Wales wore on a long pearl chain in 1987 at the Birthright Charity Gala in London, pairing it with a royal purple velvet gown by Catherine Walker. Created in 1920 by court jeweller Garrard, this one-of-a-kind piece is adorned with square-cut amethysts and circular-cut diamonds. “The reality star Kim Kardashian bought the pendant, which has square- c m y b cut amethysts and is accented by circularcut diamonds in 2023 at Sotheby’s annual Royal and Noble auction, paying $197,453 for the striking piece, the diamonds of which weigh in at 5.25 carats,” a source said. The gala honoured artiste Simone Leigh and filmmaker Baz Luhrmann, and it was attended by stars like Kaia Gerber, Blake Lively, Colman Domingo, Dev Patel, Anna Wintour, Troye Sivan, Charli XCX, Cara Delevingne, Ricky Martin, Chloe Sevigny, Javier Bardem and Andrew Garfield. Kim Kardashian also attended the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures Gala on October 19 and stunned everyone with her glamorous look, which she shared on Instagram. — ANI Blake Lively