16032025-LSTL-01.qxd 3/15/2025 8:39 PM Page 1 c m y b JASON SUDEIKIS RETURNS Apple TV+ has officially renewed its Emmy-winning comedy series Ted Lasso for a fourth season, with star Jason Sudeikis set to reprise his role as the titular character. The news comes after more than a year of speculation about the show’s future. Happy space Geeta Basra, who was in Chandigarh for the shoot of Punjabi film Mehr, says the movie has the vibe of the ’90s Mona Health, happiness and peace is what Geeta Basra wishes for herself and her loved ones. Enjoying a working birthday recently (March 13), along with the cast and crew of the film Mehr, at Seville, Geeta enjoyed her day to the fullest. Not a party person per se, good food, music and masti marked her celebrations. Enjoying City Beautiful through the shoot, Geeta shared, “We do have a house in the city but we usually go to Jalandhar, where my parents-in-law and extended family is. But I am really enjoying Chandigarh now that I am here.” Birthdays are sure special and she recounts her last, when she was in Goa with her girl pals, as a special one. “We had long been planning a girls’ trip and last year we finally took it on my birthday. It was awesome. The pleasant weather in Goa, along with my friends, was truly special. This time it is also special with Mehr’s team,” she beamed. Mehr marks the Punjabi debut for Raj Kundra, who was last seen in biographical drama UT69. Geeta is upbeat about the film and her co-actor Raj. “Mehr brings in that entertaining ’90s vibe — high on action, romance and emotions. It is a family drama to the hilt.” In Raj Kundra she finds a fun coactor. “He is a fantastic actor and the most enjoyable person to be with. Working with him is absolutely delightful.” Almost over with the shoot in Chandigarh, Geeta is looking forward to the Manikaran shoot. “We are heading out to Himachal after this and I am super-excited about it.” With a South Indian film project and another one in Hindi lined up, the Dil Diya Hai actress is sure in a happy space. Award time Chandigarh witnessed a confluence of literature and art at The Wise Owl Literary Awards on March 15. Rachna Singh, founding editor of The Wise Owl, delivered the welcome address. The awards were presented in three categories: Poetry, Fiction, and Non-Fiction. Anthropocene by Sudeep Sen won the Poetry Award, followed by Smitha Sehgal’s How Women Become Poems in Malabar (1st runners-up) and Rochelle Potkar’s Coins in Rivers (2nd runners-up). In Fiction, Shinie Antony’s Eden Abandoned secured the top honour, with The Blue Bar by Damyanti Biswas and Taxi by Manjula Padmanabhan as runners-up. The award in the Non-Fiction category went to I Am A Runner by Sohini Chattopadhyay, with Sacred Sins by Arun Ezhuthachan and An Inky Paradise by Pradeep Sebastian securing the runners-up positions. The winners received cheques for Rs 25,000. — TNS TRIBUNE Shoot done Life Salman Khan has wrapped up the shooting for his upcoming film Sikandar. Also starring Rashmika Mandanna, the film is slated to hit the screens on Eid. LUDHIANA | SUNDAY | 16 MARCH 2025 ■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■ KACCHEY LIMBU BLURR DHAK DHAK ■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■ Donning many a hat What’s in a name? Mona Filmmaking for Pranjal Khandhdiya was pretty accidental. A Guajarati, born and brought up in Mumbai, there was hardly an opportunity for an absolute outsider to enter the industry. Beginning as a live events’ director, he moved on to directing television shows; and then films with Red Chillies Entertainment and multinational film studios, to finally becoming an independent film producer. His filmy journey reflects in the production houses he has established—Mango People Media and Outsiders Films— and it is his way of signalling that he has arrived, and how! “Telling stories on a big scale has always been my motivation,” says Khandhdiya, whose latest romcom Sweet Dreams, which premiered on Disney+ Hotstar, has been received well by the audience. While the actors fetch limelight, increasingly, directors too have become visible, but the producers largely remain behind the shadows still. What made him choose this branch of filmmaking? “It’s very exciting to create something out of just a thought. This thrills me to the core.” It sure comes with its own set of challenges. Filmmaking being a human intensive work, the pressure on the producer to lead the team is often too high. “A producer has to manoeuvre and ensure that the film is complete and gets a due release,” he shares. Pranjal Khandhdiya, producer of the romcom Sweet Dreams, which premiered on OTT, is always excited to create something out of just a thought Khandhdiya’s professional journey has been nothing short of a filmy story. From being an outsider with no godfather in the industry, to PLAYING FAVOURITES FILM: Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara: For the sheer celebration of life. ACTOR: Ranbir Kapoor: For his unique ability to blend and own up characters. ACTRESS: Alia Bhatt: For her versatility. DIRECTOR: Sanjay Leela Bhansali: For the master craftsmanship. MUSIC COMPOSER: Pritam: For great melodies. being able to direct and produce for television and films has been the biggest high for him. “As an independent producer, I am now finding a unique voice for myself and my productions. On a lighter note, I have seen the perks of a studio executive drawing a seven-figure Shot for Paatal Lok Season 2 and Baksho Bondi back to back, says Tillotama Shome Actress Tillotama Shome says she shot for her latest film Baksho Bondi three days after she finished work on the second season of Paatal Lok, both projects in which she played women who weren’t ‘decorative’ pieces. While the latest chapter of Paatal Lok saw the actress essay the role of SP Meghna Barua, a no-nonsense Nagamese-speaking cop, Baksho Bondi stars her as a Bengali woman named Maya, who works multiple jobs to support her family in a dusty Kolkata suburb. Paatal Lok season two premiered on Prime Video in January and Baksho Bondi premiered last month at the 75th Berlin International Film Festival under the newly introduced section, Perspectives. “I shot for Baksho Bondi three days after I wrapped Paatal Lok (season two). So, I carried all the wishes of the team of Paatal Lok with me to Baksho Bondi,” Shome said. “In both the projects, women are not decorative and actually have something to say and do. I’m so glad to be living this phase of my life,” the 45-year-old added. Baksho Bondi, titled Shadow Box in English, follows Maya, who, along with her teenage son, tries to keep their family together when her husband, a retired soldier suffering from PTSD, goes Great going missing in the middle of the night under suspicious circumstances. The Bengali film is co-directed by debutants Tanushree Das and Saumyananda Sahi, who has also penned the screenplay. Asked what made her trust the first-time filmmakers, Shome said the c m y b script spoke volumes about the people behind the script. “You can have wonderful scripts written by extremely dysfunctional people and I really was hoping against hope that was not the case. I was happy to be proven right. And for that illusion in my heart to survive... This work affected me so deeply because the people were going to play an important part in my life.” Nice collaboration The actor, also known for Monsoon Wedding, Qissa, Sir, Lust Stories 2, and Delhi Crime 2, said in her very first meeting with the filmmakers, she realised that it would be a privilege for her to collaborate with them. “In our 40s, friendships are very intentional and meetings are not just chances. For me, being able to commemorate a friendship like this with a film like this was truly extraordinary,” she added. Shome has received rave reviews and critical acclaim for Baksho Bondi, which explores themes of class, privilege, family dynamics and mental health. Shome, who is yet to sign her next gig, said being part of wonderful projects has been a fulfilling experience which has also ‘spoilt’ her in a way. Baksho Bondi also stars Chandan Bisht, Sayan Karmakar and Suman Saha. — PTI monthly salary and now as an independent producer, cutting cheques for many people who work with us. Life’s been pretty amazing.” Mango People Media and Outsiders Films are more than just company names for Khandhdiya. “It’s an emotional identity for us,” he says. Neha Anand is his partner at Mango People Media (the significance here being the aam aadmi). She is also Khandhdiya’s life partner. Whereas his partnership in Outsiders Films is marked by his friendship with Taapsee Pannu. “We both have worked our ways up in the industry and now feel the need to tell stories with creative liberties. Our ideology behind these names is representative of who we are and, in a way, inspire people to dream about joining the industry.” Khandhdiya finds a deep connect with this region. “I am married to a Punjabi. My previous films Mubarakan and Soorma have been shot in Punjab, and have highlighted stories from there. In fact, our next comedy film is also set in Ambala.” He is pretty kicked about his upcoming projects. Besides the Dhak Dhak sequel, a mega web series on the life and times of Maharani Gayatri Devi is in the pipeline. “I feel that we do not have enough documentation of our modern royal history. These were different times when our kings were richer than the Queen of England. It’s their royal fairy tale story, which ended up with monarchy coming to an end. This is one very fascinating part of our history and I am very excited to make this,” he signs off. All grace Hema Malini delights the audience with her dance performance in Bhubaneswar Veteran actress and BJP MP Hema Malini visited the revered Jagannath Puri Temple in Odisha, where she offered prayers and sought the blessings of Lord Jagannath, on Saturday. The visit to Puri was part of her Odisha tour, which also included a mesmerising dance performance at the Vrindavan Mahotsav in Bhubaneswar on March 14. The event, organised by legendary flautist Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasia, was a major highlight of the Holi celebrations in the state. Dressed in an elegant yellow costume, Hema captivated the audience with her graceful Odissi and Kathak dance performances, blending classical expressions with devotion. — ANI