10042025-LSTL-01.qxd 4/9/2025 7:29 PM Page 1 c m y b CANNES CALLING Tom Cruise and Paramount’s Mission: Impossible The Final Reckoning is set for a Cannes Film Festival launch. The movie will play Out of Competition on May 14, with Cruise, director Christopher McQuarrie and the cast treading the carpet. TRIBUNE Telugu turf Life ‘Jaat is an emotion’ Sonakshi Sinha has completed shooting for the upcoming supernatural thriller Jatadhara, which marks her Telugu debut. LUDHIANA | THURSDAY | 10 APRIL 2025 Writing his script... As the highly anticipated film Jaat is set for a release today, the star-studded cast, including Randeep Hooda, Viineet Kumar Siingh and Sunny Deol, is gearing up to showcase their powerhouse performances in this high-octane action film. Randeep Hooda, who plays the antagonist Rana Tunga, shared, “Actually, in the movie, Jaat is not just a community, an agent or an individual; it’s an emotion. Jaat people are known for their patriotism, justice, action, truth, daring, soft hearts, anger and love. I am a Jaat myself and when I first heard of the movie, I thought why was I not playing a Jaat’s role? But then I realised that Sunny Sir was doing that role, so I am happy to be part of this film in the role of Rana Tunga. At the end of the day, the film glorifies the Jaat community or emotion, and I’m grateful to be a part of it,” he added. — ANI Mona F OR a cause that Jyotirao Phule championed almost 200 years ago, we are still running a campaign in 2025 — Beti Padhao. The man who challenged cast and gender bias in society, and put a thrust on women’s education in India, is coming alive on big screens now. And filling this big man’s shoes is none other than brilliant actor Pratik Gandhi! With an impressive body of work in theatre and films, Pratik finds the film Phule a story relevant to the current times. With Anant Mahadevan on the director’s seat, this film highlights the journey of Jyotirao Phule and Savitribai Phule, who championed equality and education in India. “While we had all read about Mahatma Phule in school, getting the script from director Anant Mahadevan opened up lots of hidden truths for me,” Pratik shares. He recalled how Satyashodhak Samaj (Society of Seekers of Truth) people came to his school to raise awareness. And how a society that was established by Phule back in 1873 continued to spread awareness for so many years. “The script became my source material and shooting in Satara was a great experience, especially as I had heard many stories from people there.” Interestingly, Pratik is also a part of the series Mahatma Gandhi, where he essays the titular role. “Getting back to work with Hansal Mehta is like coming home; with him work doesn’t feel like work. Gandhi is a big project and we are excited to bring it to people.” Stage presence From a theatre background, Scam established Pratik’s mettle as an actor. Despite having a number of film offers back-to-back, he has kept in touch with the stage. “I still try to do one play a month. During outdoor shoots, if there is an auditorium I like to take my plays there.” It’s only on stage that he truly values being an actor. “When my audience gives me What a Having showcased his talent across theatre, cinema and OTT, Pratik Gandhi, who will now be seen in the film Phule, wishes to surprise his audience with each outing the reaction that I am looking for, it feels like true magic. Each time, every time, that is my biggest high.” Now that he has couple films old does direction cross his mind? “I truly want it, but still have to get a grip on technical aspects. When I see actors like Kunal Khemu doing a wonderful job as a director, the hunger to get behind the camera increases in me,” says Pratik, who has directed four plays, including 7x3=21. Though he has broken through the mediums, merrily traversing theatre, cinema and OTT, he is hankering for an out-and-out actioner. “With each project and positive feedback, my quest to do different characters in different mediums grows, I want to surprise my audience with each and every outing.” April, his birthday month, is a busy one. Caught in shoot and promotions, he also performs in a play at Prithvi Theatre. Chandigarh features on his ‘to be’ list too. So far having seen it only on screen, he hopes for an extended stay to explore people, culture, food and people in the region. “I wish to bring one of my plays to Chandigarh,” he says. Meanwhile, Phule is all set to hit theatres on the 197th birth anniversary of Mahatma Phule on April 11. Movie: The Pursuit of Happyness. The complex emotions and how well they are put across by the brilliant actors makes it my favourite. Play: Mareez, a Gujarati play based on the life of the phenomenal poet. The play, in its 25th year, would be staged at Prithvi Theatre soon. Actor: Sanjeev Kumar; he lived every character he played. His physicality never came into play, but the audience instantly connected to the characters he essayed. Director: Hansal Mehta; he is a very simple, sweet human being. His approach is very organic. He exactly knows how to work with different actors. I call him an actor’s director. Actress: Sridevi; for her amazing range. What a filmography she has. She was the same person who could do Sadma and Chaalbaaz too, and dance so effortlessly. Web series: Black Warrant. Life around jails was a subject I hadn’t seen much about; it was interesting to explore that and the series has been made so brilliantly. At the premiere of Punjabi film Akaal: The Unconquered, actor Gippy Grewal is at his modest best PHOTOS: RAVI KUMAR legacy! HIGH SPIRITS Statue of DDLJ to be installed at Leicester Square In a first for an Indian movie, a bronze statue of Bollywood superstars Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol striking a pose from their 1995 superhit Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge will be erected at the Leicester Square in London. It will join the ‘Scenes in the Square’ movie trail in Leicester Square, the Heart of Lon- ON HIS FAVOURITES’ LIST don Business Alliance announced on Wednesday. The statue from the film, commonly called DDLJ, will be unveiled in spring this year, months ahead of its 30th release anniversary on October 20. DDLJ marked the directorial debut of Aditya Chopra and was produced by his father Yash Chopra. — PTI GIPPY GREWAL AND NIMRAT KHAIRA PHOTOS: RAVI c m y b Donning sunglasses, nihangs made an impressive entry, as the crowd eagerly awaited for the arrival of Gippy Grewal at the Mohali premiere of Akaal: The Unconquered on Tuesday evening at the CP67 Mall. The film, written and directed by Gippy Grewal, also has him in the lead role. The star, dressed in a brown kurta and kesari turban, made a hasty entry along with the cast, including Nimrat Khaira, Gurpreet Ghuggi, Happy Raikoti and Prince Kanwaljit Singh. The film’s DOP Baljit Singh Deo gave Gippy close company. After the film, Gippy wasn’t only a proud filmmaker but also a father, as his sons’ role in the film left the audience impressed. “When I entered the industry I knew nothing, but my effort is to ensure that my sons are prepared before they face the camera.” Gippy shared how his son Ekom learnt various forms of martial arts, including parkour and gatka, for his debut film. “He is fond of the gym, but I told him that the film wanted him to be warrior.” Akaal got Dharma Productions’ backing, and was released in Hindi and Punjabi for a pan-Indian audience. Gurpreet Ghuggi, who led the team at the premiere, praised Gippy, “Only a good learner can be a good teacher, and he is a fine example of that.” GURPREET GHUGGI The film, which took about five years to be completed, is a fictional period drama. “We have done our bit, now we want to take the film to greater heights,” said Gippy. Ghuggi shared, “Our children are exposed to a lot on social media that we can’t change but we are trying to instill values in them through our work.” Gippy also spoke of his bonding with Baljit Singh Deo. Amongst the other actors who made it to the premiere were Sardar Sohi and Abheyy Attri. Akaal, which extols Sikh values, released in cinemas on April 10. — Mona