15022025-LSTL-01.qxd 2/14/2025 8:14 PM Page 1 c m y b DADLANI POSTPONES CONCERT Music composersinger Vishal Dadlani recently met with an accident. Taking to Instagram, he shared the update with his fans and followers, revealing that he had postponed his Pune concert with Sheykhar Ravjiani due to the mishap. TRIBUNE Up next Amazon MGM Studios has announced that Luca Guadagnino’s upcoming thriller After the Hunt, starring Julia Roberts, will hit the theatres on October 10. LUDHIANA | SATURDAY | 15 FEBRUARY 2025 For a better tomorrow ‘Fitness is like meditation’ Filmmaker Amitabh Prashar, whose documentary The Midwife’s Confession is garnering millions of views, brings the audience face-to-face with the harrowing reality of female infanticide Nonika Singh The journalist in him puts out facts in great detail. The emotional human being that he is breaks down in his own documentary. And the passion of the filmmaker makes him pursue his story with dogged tenacity. National Award-winning filmmaker Amitabh Prashar brings to us the harrowing reality of female infanticide in his home state Bihar in his latest documentary The Midwife’s Confession, a subject he followed for 28 long years. And when he says ‘I don’t abandon my stories or my characters’, his BBC documentary stands as testimony to the labour of passion and conviction. To those who believe the issue of missing girl child is no longer alive, he shares, “Days before the release, there were at least two incidents reported by mainstream media—of a father burying his twin daughters alive and the other of a mother strangulating her fifth female child.” Hailing from Bihar, though he belonged to a family with progressive values, male child fixation and dowry deaths were something he had seen all around him. TAKING UP A CAUSE As a young journalist back in 1995, he decided to follow a case where a father had strangulated his 11-month-old daughter. It also brought him face-to-face with Anila, who runs an NGO in Katiyar and has been instrumental in saving many lives and knew many midwives complicit in TRUTH OF REAL STORIES On the state of investigative journalism today, the journalistturned-filmmaker Amitabh Prashar observes, “Real stories are in India’s hinterland and are being covered by stringers. All the monologues that are delivered on television shows today are based on a story by a stringer in some remote part of the country, reporting for a vernacular newspaper.” the crime. However, he also makes us see the silver lining amidst dark clouds. Empathy defines his approach in this BBC documentary, which brings to us one of the main characters, a midwife Siro. He states, “Confessions are not the story, but characters are.” Incidentally, among the many characters in the film, he too stands tall. Acutely conscious of the camera gaze, he agreed to be part of the film for that was the BBC mandate. As you watch him getting emotional at more than one point in the film, he reveals, “Once I became a character in the film, I had to be who I am and could not fake my emotions.” Actually, whenever and wherever the film has been shown viewers, including hardnosed journalists, have watched it with tears in their eyes. Ironically and interestingly, the film is as heartrending as heart-warming. Amitabh adds, “The dichotomy of India is that while there are still scores of parents ready to throw away their female newborns, there are many out there ready to adopt them as well.” The film brings to fore one such adopted girl, Moni- A tale of valour The show will delve into the formative years of Prithviraj, showcasing the challenges and triumphs that helped shape him into one of the legendary rulers. Acclaimed actor Ronit Roy will be seen essaying the pivotal role of Prithviraj Chauhan's father, King Someshwar, whose guidance and mentorship were instrumental in moulding his son into one of the greatest rulers. OVERCOMING CHALLENGES Indeed, making midwives confess on camera too was an uphill task. But he recalls Designing fusion sarees Ronit Roy to portray King Someshwar, father of Prithviraj Chauhan Sony Entertainment Television is all set to bring to life an extraordinary tale of courage, leadership and legacy with its upcoming historical drama, Chakravarti Samrat Prithviraj Chauhan. This magnum opus will focus on the making of a child king, Prithviraj Chauhan, and his journey from a young, innocent prince to a mighty warrior and revered ruler. ca’s story. In fact, he was able to locate two such girls. While one family had hidden the truth of adoption from their daughter, Monica’s family was more than willing to come on board. He says wistfully, “If Monica had said no and had I not met the adoptive parents of 11-month-old Medha, probably the film would not have ended on a hopeful note.” But when intention is right, things do fall in place. how with time he gained their trust. Today, he thinks that the quality of being able to earn the confidence of your characters is paramount for documentary filmmakers. The same transparency with which he works also manifested in his earlier film on Bhagalpur blindings. The Eyes of Darkness also won him a National Award and which many, he laughs, ‘consider my better film’. But as The Midwife’s Confession is getting millions of views, he is overwhelmed by the response and can sense hope of a better tomorrow in the stream of comments for the film. Prior to the release of his film, he was a tad apprehensive about social backlash against the midwives, whom he views more as victims than accused. But in the heartening responses of viewers online, many of whom are even vowing not to take dowry, prime reason for society’s obsessive desire to have sons, he finds purpose and reasons to go on with a missionary zeal. “Life of documentary filmmakers,” he asserts, “continues to be an obstacle race.” Only he is ready to overcome the obstacles and run the long distance marathon. In touch with many more characters he came across during the making of the film, expect more startling confessions and revelations that can make the world a better place. For now, watch his stirring requiem for the girl child. The Midwife’s Confession is available on YouTube. Talking about the role, Ronit shared, "I feel extremely privileged to be part of a show as grand and meaningful as Chakravarti Samrat Prithviraj Chauhan. I have always been drawn to powerful, well-etched characters, and Someshwar is one such role. I truly believe that this character and the show will leave a lasting impression on the audience.” Budding TV star Priyanshi Yadav is setting new benchmarks in the entertainment landscape. Garnering love for her role in Colors’ hit show Doree within a few days of its premiere, she has taken her commitment to authenticity a step further by diving into the intricate art of designing fusion sarees—a craft she is seen pulling off onscreen. Priyanshi says, “Taking on Doree’s role in the second season is a huge responsibility. To carry forward the legacy of a show that has touched so many lives is a challenge. I’ve always loved sarees; they’re more than just fabric—it is the pride of our culture, an art form that has its history, emotions and beauty. With Doree, I found even more reasons to cherish this outfit. The show gave me the rare chance to dive into the intricate art of designing fusion sarees, a process that blends traditional techniques with modern innovation. It brought me closer to embodying Doree in the most authentic way possible. The overwhelming response from our audience has affirmed that every bit of effort was worth it.” PRIYANSHI YADAV c m y b Rishaab Chauhaan, who is winning hearts with his role in Ishq Jabariya, reveals how he keeps himself in top shape and always camera-ready. ■ How do you prioritise fitness with such a busy acting schedule? Fitness is not something I do under pressure, it’s a part of my lifestyle. I love living a disciplined life. I don’t drink or smoke, which helps me stay healthier than those who do. Even with a 9 am to 9 pm shoot schedule, I make sure to wake up early, around 5 or 6 am, and get in a one-hour workout before starting my day. ■ How do you stay flexible with your workout routine, given the unpredictable work hours? Even if I have a 7 am shoot for Ishq Jabariya, I still wake up at 3 am to make sure I don’t miss my workout. I focus on eating clean and healthy. I make sure to work out six days a week. ■ What role does nutrition play in your routine? Nutrition is everything! It’s the main factor in achieving fitness goals. I would say that 90 per cent of your physique depends on what you eat. Clean eating is the key, even on days when you can’t work out. Healthy food is what fuels my body. Also, I haven’t eaten whole wheat roti in the past 12 years. ■ How does staying fit benefit your mental well-being? For me, fitness is like medita- tion. If I skip my workout for two days, I get depressed. Working out keeps me happy. It pumps my blood, boosts my adrenaline, and makes me feel good. I’ve seen people come out of depression just by working out. Try it for three months, and you won’t be able to stop! ■ As an actor, do you feel the pressure to look fit? How do you handle that? There’s no pressure to look fit, it’s just a part of my lifestyle. Before entering the entertainment industry, I was a cricketer, so I’ve been into fitness since 2010. I’ve always been fit, and there’s no pressure, but, yes, being fit is part of the industry’s demands. It’s something that comes naturally to me. ■ What are two fitness tips you would offer to beginners? First, stop eating sugar. It’s just like your enemy! Replace sugar with healthier alternatives like stevia or sugarfree products (but not too much of those). The second tip is to try intermittent fasting. It’s great for your body, gut, skin, and overall health. It helps you stay in shape and improves your energy. Also, weightlifting is important, especially after 40, to maintain muscle mass and strength. RISHAAB CHAUHAAN Coming up for Richa... Richa Chadha will next star in a dramedy film, tentatively titled Akhri Somvaar, the actor-producer announced on Friday. Chadha has also penned the script of the movie. Akhri Somvaar revolves around a successful TV producer who becomes desperate to get married after someone at work calls her a ‘childless cat lady’. Richa said the movie is inspired by her experiences of growing up in a middleclass Punjabi household. “From my childhood, watching older cousins be set up for arranged marriages, emerged this deeply personal story that I think a lot of families will resonate with. When we graduate from college, we are full of dreams and ambitions. Somehow those dreams get dulled when we enter the job market...,” she said. — PTI