13122024-LSTC-01.qxd 12/13/2024 12:24 AM Page 1 c m y b JARED LETO ON BOARD Oscar-winning actor Jared Leto is in final negotiations to join the cast of Assassination, a thriller directed by Barry Levinson. The film, based on the assassination of President John F Kennedy, has already attracted major stars, including Al Pacino, Jessica Chastain, Brendan Fraser and Bryan Cranston. TRIBUNE Life Engaged Selena Gomez and her boyfriend Benny Blanco have taken their relationship to the next level, announcing their engagement after more than a year of dating. CHANDIGARH | FRIDAY | 13 DECEMBER 2024 The good, bad and ugly Despatch... S Nonika Singh TILL waters run deep. Unlike balle balle Punjabis, Kanu Behl, acclaimed director of movies like Titli and Agra, now ready with the film Despatch, does not go gung-ho about his achievements. He wears feathers like Agra’s screening at the prestigious Cannes Film Festival, in the Directors’ Fortnight Section, sans any pomposity. Like his meaningful films, his answers too are a deep exploration of human psychology. Back in time he described Agra ‘as reality of patriarchy through the prism of male sexual misery’, today he sums up Despatch as ‘journey of modern cowardice.’ In cinema we often see journalists as heroes coming up trumps, achieving their mission with flying colours. But back in 2017, when he and his co-writer Ishani Banerjee started brainstorming they realised the world of crime reporting is not what it appears from the outside. Research led to meeting lawyers, cops, crime beat reporters, even some members of the underworld and thus an interesting picture of Despatch emerged. Here crime reporter Joy Bag, played by Manoj Bajpayee, driven by personal compulsions and greed, is somewhat of a Faustian character. He is much a victim, as part of the system, and someone who scripts his downfall. In a country where hero worshipping is a norm, Behl felt an inherent need to present his protagonist as not quite ‘hero’hero. He reasons, “How many of us are heroes? If we look around us there are hardly any people with spine. The world we are living in, everyone is just trying to survive and in the battle of survival people do what they do. Yet, if we still want to consume only hero stories than we are consciously choosing to live in a fantasy land.” Thus, he, who has given us a biting picture of dysfunctional family and flawed beings in more Acclaimed director Kanu Behl sums up his OTT film Despatch as ‘journey of modern cowardice’ KANU BEHL (EXTREME RIGHT) WITH THE CAST OF DESPATCH than one film, believes, “Cinema is a strong artistic tool whose purpose goes way beyond entertainment.” Needless to say, his movies do notstate the obvious nor scratch just the surface. Rather, his cinema delves deep. Thus, if patriarchy is a thread in movies like Agra, it also makes us realise how it affects both genders equally. He says, “The relationship between men and women can’t be seen in isolation, as simply the oppressor and oppressed. It is important to look at men in a specific way so that they can be shown the mirror and we can find a holistic solution rather than ‘othering’ men.” Interestingly, he would not like to ‘other’ viewers either. Sexual intimacy, yet another important aspect of his films, is certainly not a tool to grab eyeballs but a window to look into the souls of his characters. He reasons, “In those naked moments one can find certain truths about who the character really is.” Despite bold scenes, he has no unsavoury tales to tell of our seemingly prudish censor board. On the con- trary, he reveals, “They do not look at sexuality with single lens and do understand whether the movie is trying to say something important or titillate. For Agra, they proposed only minimal cuts.” In Despatch, anyway he observes, “For me these are not sex scenes but transaction of emotions between different characters.” The fact that Despatch has been produced by the mighty RSVP does not mean road for Indie makers has become any easier. He insists, “Post Covid, we have begun to follow the Hollywood model and believe that if we are going to cinema halls it has to be for an event film, only for entertainment.” Of course, having star actor Manoj Bajpayee on board did prove to be a facilitator for him in garnering finances too. Soon, he will turn his gaze towards his home state Punjab with an added responsibility to do justice to its cultural, societal complexity. For now, watch Despatch on Zee5 if you want to be more than just a passive consumer of popcorn entertainment. Singer and actress Sara Gurpal impresses one and all at a gala event An evening to cherish Sheetal To commemorate the 25 years of Orane International, a school of hair, makeup and nutrition, co-founders, Dinesh Sood and Kuljinder Sidhu organised a celebratory event, wherein singer-actress Sara Gurpal gave a special performance on Wednesday. Also, a spectacular fashion show was held at the closing event. It showcased unique dress designs on the ramp, recent beauty and hair trends, all curated by students and faculty of the institute. In a heartwarming tale of passion, determination, and entrepreneurial spirit, two friends, Dinesh Sood and Kuljinder Sidhu, revolutionised the beauty and wellness skill development sector. From their humble beginnings as journalists earning ~1,000 a month to building a ~300 crore empire, their 25- year journey is a testament to the power of perseverance and dreams. Talking films Orane International has also invested in entertainment industry, with notable successes in Punjabi cinema. Their debut film Mini Punjab (2008) featured legendary Punjabi singer Gurdas Maan. Subsequent hits like Sadda Haq (2012) and Yoddha (2014) further established their prowess in filmmaking. Kuljinder Sidhu, who is also an actor, awaits the release of three projects, a web series ’84 Ton Baad and two films, one untitled the other is titled Gurmukh, opposite Sara Gurpal. Sood and Sidhu are different personalities yet on common grounds as far as their business vision goes. If Sidhu has an adventure streak, the other is a lot calmer and loves yoga! KULJINDER SIDHU, DINESH SOOD AND SARA GURPAL PHOTO: VICKY c m y b CINEMA IS OODLES OF HARD WORK In the light of Kanu Behl’s deeply insightful observations, questions like what he may have imbibed from his parents back in Patiala or from celebrated director Dibakar Banerjee, for and with whom he co-wrote the cult film Love Sex Aur Dhokha, become almost irrelevant. Not that he is discounting their influence or lessons on rigour he learnt from all of them. In early childhood, watching his multitalented parents, actors and filmmakers Navnindra and Lalit Behl, did shape and inform him as well as introduced him to tougher aspects of filmmaking. He says, “I realised how cinema isn’t glamour or excitement, but oodles of hard work.”