04042025-LSTC-01.qxd 4/3/2025 8:20 PM Page 1 c m y b TRIBUNE THE GRAND FINALE Tribute... Life Focus Features presented an emotional first look trailer of Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale at CinemaCon, marking the final installment in the trilogy of big screen continuations of the beloved British TV drama. The title card reads, ‘It’s time to say goodbye’. Actor Ali Fazal has paid a tribute to Val Kilmer, saying he was the first high-profile Hollywood star to praise his performance in the 2017 film Victoria & Abdul. LUDHIANA | FRIDAY | 4 APRIL 2025 In Kesari Chapter 2trailer, Akshay brings legal battle after 1919 Jallianwala Bagh massacre to life Anshita Mehra SOHA ALI KHAN Chhorii 2 trailer out Soha Ali Khan turns evil, Nushrratt Bharuccha battles supernatural forces to save daughter NUSHRRATT BHARUCCHA The trailer of the highly anticipated sequel to the 2021 horror hit Chhorii, titled Chhorii 2, has been dropped and it promises an even more intense supernatural experience. Starring Nushrratt Bharuccha in a fierce new role, the film explores the dark depths of folklore, gender disparity and a mother’s unyielding devotion to her daughter. The trailer opens with a chilling narrative as Nushrratt’s character tells her daughter a haunting tale of a vast kingdom where a king, enraged by the birth of a daughter, orders his daasi to kill her. The storyline quickly shifts to nerve-wracking visuals, showing Nushrratt’s relentless struggle to protect her child from the evil daasi, played by Soha Ali Khan, and other paranormal forces that threaten their lives. Soha’s menacing transformation in the trailer has already captured the audience’s attention. Directed by Vishal Furia, who also helmed the original film, Chhorii 2 promises to elevate the horror experience with a riveting blend of fear, suspense and social commentary. The film is set to premiere worldwide on April 11. The sequel also features Gashmeer Mahajani, Saurabh Goyal, Pallavi Ajay, Kuldeep Sareen, and Hardika Sharma in key roles. — ANI PHOTO: MUKESH AGGARWAL T HE much-awaited trailer of Kesari Chapter 2 was launched in Delhi on Thursday, offering the audience a gripping glimpse into a lesser-known chapter of India’s freedom struggle. Starring Akshay Kumar as C Sankaran Nair, the film sheds light on the lawyer’s daring legal battle against the British Crown in the aftermath of the Jallianwala Bagh massacre. At the grand trailer launch event, producer Karan Johar described the film as an emotional tribute to India’s history. “What you’re about to see is more than just a film—it’s a story close to our hearts. Everyone knows about the 1919 Jallianwala Bagh massacre, but very few know about the battle fought in court by a brave man named C Sankaran Nair,” he said. The event saw the presence of key members from the film’s team, including actors Akshay Kumar, Ananya Panday and R Madhavan, as well as debutant director Karan Singh Tyagi. Also in attendance was Raghu Palat, the greatgrandson of C Sankaran Nair and the author of The Case That Shook The Empire, the book on which the film is based. The trailer opens with a powerful courtroom scene where Nair, played by Akshay Kumar, directly confronts Colonel Reginald Dyer, the British officer responsible for ordering the firing at Jallianwala Bagh on April 13, 1919. The scene sets the stage for a high-stakes legal battle, with Nair determined to hold the British accountable. One of the most striking moments in the trailer shows Nair challenging General Dyer, who attempts to justify the massacre. “What weapons did you see in the hands of eight-month-old babies? Their kadas? Or their clenched fists?” Nair demands, delivering a powerful blow to the British officer’s defence. Colourof bravery R MADHAVAN, ANANYA PANDAY AND AKSHAY KUMAR PERSONAL TOUCH Akshay Kumar, visibly moved by the film’s subject, shared a personal connection with the story. “This is a very personal film for me. My father was born just opposite Jallianwala Bagh and my grandfather witnessed the events. I’ve heard these stories first-hand and I feel a deep responsibility to bring this story to the audience,” he said. He also highlighted how history books often only mention the massacre, but fail to acknowledge the legal battle that followed. “We all read about the Jallianwala Bagh tragedy in school, but what we don’t know is that someone dared to take on the British in court. That part of history deserves to be told,” he added. Ananya Panday portrays barrister Dilreet Gill, who joins Nair’s legal team in his fight against the British, while R Madhavan plays Neville McKinley, the lawyer defending the British Crown. This marks Madhavan’s second, consecutive, negative role after Shaitaan. Explaining his choice, Madhavan said, “When I take up a role, I look at the purpose of the film. This isn’t just a story about a case—it’s about one of history’s biggest genocides and those responsible must be held accountable. I didn’t see my role as negative or positive; I saw it as a character that needed to be portrayed truthfully.” Akshay’s fiery dialogue, “We are suing the Crown for genocide,” stands out in the trailer, setting the tone for a Slice of life moments of self-discovery, heartbreak, failure and laughter. The memoir recounts several key incidents from Das’ life, including a moment when he was stranded on a pier in MORE THAN A TALE Directed by debutant Karan Singh Tyagi, Kesari Chapter 2 is produced under the Dharma Productions banner. Tyagi, a Harvard-educated lawyer and a member of the New York State Bar, brings a deep understanding of legal battles to the film. Karan Johar described the film as more than just a tale of legal bravery. “A man from Kerala fought for justice in Punjab—this is a story not only of bravery but of unity,” he said. With its powerful dialogues, intense courtroom drama and historically significant narrative, Kesari Chapter 2 promises to be more than just a period film—it aims to be a movement in storytelling. The film is set to hit theatres on April 18, bringing to life the forgotten fight of a man who took on the British Empire in a battle not fought on the battlefield, but in the courtroom. ‘It has been a lifelong dream’ Actress and singer Scarlett Johansson shared updates about Jurassic World Rebirth at the CinemaCon 2025. She unveiled details, footage and never-seen-before photos in the latest installment in the Jurassic film franchise, which first kicked off more than 30 years ago with Jurassic Park. “It has been a lifelong dream to be in a Jurassic movie for the last 15 years. Each time I heard that they were making a movie, I’d reach out and you know, say ‘I’m available here’,” said Johansson, noting that she was open to playing any character. Scarlett Johansson on working in Jurassic World Rebirth The Jurassic World franchise is gearing up for its next big blockbuster with the release of the first trailer for Jurassic World: Rebirth, scheduled to hit the theatres on July 2. Directed by Gareth Edwards, Jurassic World: Rebirth is based on a script by David Koepp, who wrote the original Jurassic Park film, with characters created by Michael Crichton. The actress appreciated the director for making the film as ‘realistic and authentic as possible’, and shooting for the film in ‘real isolated locations’. The director said he wanted the audience to feel like the movie is a ‘roller coaster ride’. The film, set five years after the events of Jurassic World: Dominion (2022), explores a world where Earth has become increasingly inhospitable for dinosaurs. As a result, the surviving International Emmy-winning comedian Vir Das to debut as author with his memoir The Outsider Stand-up comedian and actor Vir Das has announced his debut as an author with the memoir The Outsider. The International Emmy-winning comedian shared the news on Instagram, where he posted a video that showcased various chapters of his life, career and identity. “I wrote a book! For all The Outsiders... For some reason, I have seen more of the world, and been let into more worlds, than anyone I know. Laughter has truly saved my life. I hope to show you how funny and beautiful this world is. It hits shelves soon, but you can order it now in my profile,” he wrote. Through the book, which will be published by Simon & Schuster, Das will take readers on a journey through his life, highlighting courtroom battle filled with high drama. The teaser released prior to the trailer had shown Akshay’s character using an abuse, which was also brought up on Thursday. Addressing this, he said, “Yes, I abused. But what’s surprising is that people noticed this, yet didn’t consider ‘you are still a slave’ to be a bigger insult. There can be no greater insult than that.” His response received applause from the audience, with producer Karan Johar nodding in agreement. Cozumel, Mexico, after his cruise ship left without him due to visa issues. Born in India, Das spent his early years moving between India and Lagos, Nigeria, and often felt like an outsider. “I’ve had a strange life that took me across the world more than anyone I know. I don’t know how one ends up being the Indian kid in Nigeria, the African kid in boarding school, the boarding school kid in Delhi Public School, the Delhi kid in Galesburg, Illinois, the Chicago guy in Alabama, the America-return in Mumbai, the Bollywood guy in comedy, the stand-up comedy guy in Bollywood, the Bollywood guy in Indie Music, and the Indian in American comedy,” Das said. c m y b “All I know is, when you are blessed enough to step into all those worlds, you write a book about it. I hope to take you across the world through the eyes of a fortunate fool,” he added. Das has performed in six stand-up specials — Abroad Understanding, Losing It, For India, Vir Das: Inside Out, Vir Das: Outside In and Vir Das: Landing, which won him an International Emmy for best comedy series. He has acted in movies such as Badmaash Company, Delhi Belly, Go Goa Gone and Shaadi Ke Side Effects, as well as shows like Whiskey Cavalier, Fresh Off the Boat, Hasmukh and Call Me Bae. Das is currently on his Mind Fool world tour, taking his comedy to 33 countries. —PTI species are isolated in environments resembling those in which their breeds once thrived. A team of scientists is tasked with acquiring genetic samples from three of the planet’s most colossal creatures, one from the sea, one from the land and one from the sky. These creatures hold the potential to provide vital genetic material for a life-saving drug for humans. Starring Jonathan Bailey, Scarlett Johansson, and Mahershala Ali, the film brings a fresh dynamic to the Jurassic World franchise. — ANI