23042025-LSTC-01.qxd 4/23/2025 12:06 AM Page 1 c m y b ANURAG KASHYAP APOLOGISES Filmmaker Anurag Kashyap has apologised for his alleged casteist remarks against Brahmins, saying that he ‘forgot his limits’ while replying to someone in anger. The controversy arose after Anurag uploaded a critical post on social media surrounding the censorship of his upcoming film Phule. TRIBUNE Turning naag! Life A page from her life Bollywood star Kartik Aaryan is all set to turn into ichadaari naag for a fantasy comedy Nagzilla, directed by Fukrey-fame director Mrighdeep Singh Lamba. CHANDIGARH | WEDNESDAY | 23 APRIL 2025 BOOKED! I can map my life in terms of the books that have influenced me. I remember when I was in college, I read The Catcher In The Rye and Raise High The Roof Beam, Carpenters and Seymour by JD Salinger. These books made me understand what it meant to be adolescent, the concept of family and that darkness existed along with light. That was the new form of writing that I experienced. As I turned older, I read Zen Flesh, Zen Bones, by Paul Reps and Nyogen Senzaki, which are short stories in Zen Buddhism. These gave me a certain understanding on what to shed or expunge from the system. As in how not hold on to anger, meanness and toxicity, and how to keep on doing a sort of mental flossing. Theatre thespian Neelam Mansingh Chowdhry speaks about the books that shaped her life’s journey Later, I grew with the books that I read. In fact, mine were very typical—One Hundred Years of Solitude by Colombian author Gabriel García Márquez—my introduction to magic realism through which I realised that one could explore many other worlds, one could let one’s imagination in any direction one wished. I was really taken in by Salman Rushdie, especially his Shame, and, of course, his latest Knife: Meditations After An Attempted Murder, which shook the core of my being. When Was Modernism by Geeta Kapur is an academic read that made me understand what it meant to be modern in art, philosophy and political standing. Then there are other books by BR Ambedkar. These opened up mind, heart and spirit to alternative ways of thinking; to expand your horizon, to know that there is no single kind of thinking. I understood through my reading that this whole concept of individuality or being put into silos is not how it was. The characters in all these books are not slotted, it’s not a menu card, which you take home. But ever-changing and ever-evolving. My current read is The Ex Daughters of Tolstoy House by Arunima Tenzin Tara, It’s a very blood-soaked kind of a book, a kind of gothic novel set in Lutyens’ Delhi; it talks about misogyny of desi men. The debut book of this young girl has a very interesting and unusual take on many things— maleness, being part of a social strata. Characters feel like people you know, but the twists and turns are completely unexpected. — As told to Mona SHIVAM KHAJURIA SAANAND VERMA O N World Book Day, celebrities turn the spotlight away from the screen and onto the pages that have touched their lives. From stories that sparked transformation to those that tugged at their heartstrings, these stars share the books they hold in high esteem. Nothing beats the feel Shivam Khajuria A Thousand Splendid Suns is my favourite book. It’s a deeply moving story that offers a raw and powerful perspective on the lives of women caught in the middle of political turmoil and war. It’s insightful, thought-provoking and really stays with you long after you’ve finished it. Nothing beats the feeling of flipping through actual pages. I can’t even bring myself close to reading e-books; hardbound books just give me the full reading experience. The smell, the texture, the weight of a book in your hands… it’s unbeatable. I have read The Shiva Trilogy many times! I like mythology blended with adventure and action. It’s fast-paced, rich in imagination and has this incredible narrative that pulls you in every single time. That one book would be The Forty Rules Of Love by Elif Shafak—for its take on love, friendship, bonding, complexities and philosophy. It’s one of my favourites. I love simple books with deep thoughts— something that creates immense value and stays with you on your evolving journey. Basically, food for thought. This book definitely hits the right spot. No e-books Rukhsar Rehman Idon’t read e-books because I just can’t. I’ve tried reading them, but it felt very odd! Hence, I’m sticking to paper books for now. I have many favourites, but if I have to choose, then it would be Khaled Hosseini’s A Thousand Splendid Suns and Anurag Thakur’s The Inscrutable Americans. Purest form of love Srikant Dwivedi The one I love the most is a Hindi book titled Gunahon Ka Devta. It’s the purest form of love I have ever seen or heard. It takes you to a different world and you can truly feel the love through the pages. This book has taught me lessons I will never forget— it’s the best book I’ve ever come across. I prefer hardbound books because unless I have a pen or marker in hand and can highlight important lines, it doesn’t feel like I’m ‘I’ve learned to adapt’ Actress Megha Prasad says working out is therapeutic How do you prioritise fitness with such a busy acting schedule? For me, fitness is non-negotiable, it’s a part of my lifestyle, not a task. Just like I prepare for my role, I prepare for my work out routine as well. Some days it’s early morning training, other days it’s late-night cardio sessions, but I make it a point to do some kind of work out every day. What is your workout routine? I’ve learned to adapt. I don’t tie myself to one type of workout. If I can’t hit the gym, I’ll do strength training at home, go for a run, or squeeze in a yoga session. I also keep my resistance band set and a jump rope in my bag at all times. What role does nutrition play in your fitness and wellness routine? Having nutritious meals is the foundation of my lifestyle. I truly believe that PURVAN MANTRI On World Book Day, celebrities reveal their most-loved reads ... Food for thought Moon Banerrjee Megha Prasad, who is playing Malishka in Zee TV’s show Bhagya Lakshmi, has a strict workout, fitness and wellness routine. But Megha says she does not tie herself to only one type of workout. SRIKANT DWIVEDI what you eat reflects in how you feel and perform, both physically and mentally. I focus on clean, whole foods while staying hydrated and avoiding processed items. I also make sure I’m providing my body the right protein intake before and after workouts in order to recover well. How does staying fit benefit your mental well-being? Working out is actually therapeutic. It keeps me calm and grounded, especially when life gets chaotic. I believe there’s something incredibly empowering about pushing your body and seeing what it’s capable of. It clears my mind, boosts my mood and helps me stay mentally resilient. What keeps you motivated to stay active? The feeling of satisfaction and fulfilment that you get after a good work-out is my biggest motivation. It’s not just about the physical benefits, it’s the clarity of thoughts, the energy and the confidence that I get. Fitness keeps me focused and aligned with my bigger purpose. — Dharam Pal c m y b really reading. I’ve read this book many times. I’ve also read A Man From Mandu by Manoj Jain a couple of times. Positive energy Saanand Verma My favourite book is by Robin Sharma—The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari. The way the narrative explains positive energy is amazing and emotional; it even made me cry. It has had a huge impact on my life, and I would definitely recommend it to others. I prefer the paper version because you feel more connected, grounded and immersed in the reading experience. The smell of the pages really enhances that feeling. I’ve also read The Godfather by Mario Puzo multiple times. Since a film was made on it, I became even more interested in reading the book. RUKHSAR REHMAN Follow your dreams Purvan Mantri One of my all-time favourite books is The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho. It’s a beautiful reminder to follow your dreams and trust the journey, no matter how uncertain it may seem. As an artiste, that message deeply resonates with me—it inspires me to keep chasing my passion with faith and purpose. MOON BANERRJEE