16052025-LSTL-01.qxd 5/15/2025 10:51 PM Page 1 c m y b SISTER MIDNIGHT TO HIT THEATRES The 78th British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) nominee Sister Midnight starring Radhika Apte in the lead role is set to release in the theatres on May 23. Sister Midnightwas one of the most talkedabout titles at the 77th Cannes Film Festival, where it was nominated for the Golden Camera award. TRIBUNE Creating memory Life Director Josephine Japy and cast member Melanie Laurent attended a photocall for the film Qui brille au combat presented as part of Special Screenings at the Cannes Film Festival. LUDHIANA | FRIDAY | 16 MAY 2025 Punjabiyat redefined Nonika Singh F ROM being the poster boy of television to an actor worth reckoning, Barun Sobti has transitioned from one pinnacle of success to another. If back in time his Arnav Singh Raizada in Iss Pyaar Ko Kya Naam Doon? earned a permanent place in the minds of television buffs, more recently he has won the Critics’ Choice Award for his heartwarming portrayal of stay-at-home dad Avinash in SonyLiv web series Raat Jawaan Hai. Actors might be taken more seriously in the OTT space, but he interjects, “There are some phenomenal actors on television too.” He bid adieu to the business of television soaps for obvious reasons, frantic pace of work that episode after episode demands, leaving one little time to reflect on one’s craft or even know oneself. It’s time we dispel myths about Punjabis as butter chicken eating quam that talks loudly and wears jewellery to weddings, says actor Barun Sobti of Kohraa fame With franchise models becoming a norm on OTT too, aren’t web series walking down the same road? He nods, yet points out, “Ultimately making of web series is not charity. There is a business model to be considered. But even then there is enough gap between seasons to ensure that creativity doesn’t go for a toss.” So, even though Kohrra Season 2 is nearly ready, he promises not only will it be more elevated but once again a breath of fresh air, providing yet another vantage view of Punjab. A Punjabi born and brought up in Delhi whose reference points of Punjabiyat were Punjabi pop culture, Kohrra was an eye-opener for him too. As his nuanced portrayal of Amarpal Jasjit Garundi, a cop who is macho and vulnerable in equal measure, won him much acclaim, he admits, “I went into it a different actor and came out another one.” Working with Sudip Sharma, creator of Kohrra, and Sumeet Vyas, director of Raat Jawaan Hai, both pioneers in their own way, has certainly been an enriching experience. He avers, “Lessons can’t be counted, are only imbibed subconsciously.” Since Raat Jawaan… comes laced with so many progressive subtexts, is right messaging important to him? He says, “Sure I would not like to be associated with something regressive.” But at the same time, he is not unduly concerned about what the series/film is trying to convey. The real reason why he said yes to Raat Jawaan… was for it sounded so much fun. As it turned out, in fact it was greater fun on the sets. He agrees that there are not too many lighthearted shows as more and more people are thinking with their brain and not heart. But he has been lucky enough to grab yet another breezy show called Ikkathe, once again about a Sikh family. Punjab, he reminds you is not one thing, nor is there anything quintessentially Punjabi about him. He asserts, “About time we dispel myths about Punjabis as butter chicken eating quam, who talks loudly and wears jewellery to weddings. As Kohrra has shown us, there are very many complexities and layers to us.” Similarly, he feels our Indianness is multi-dimensional. Sure wearing the uniform in RakshakIndia’s Braves was an emotive feeling. But as many Bollywood celebs are being trolled for not expressing their support for Operation Sindoor, he can’t say that fans’ expectations are unfair or misplaced for, “emotions are a very personal thing.” But he does reflect, “Often my parents too tell me similar things. Today we are living in our own country, independent India, who do we have to show our patriotism to? Besides, we all have our jobs cut out, we all need to fulfill our duties and actors’ job is to work and entertain.” With a busy calendar, while the actor in him is gaining more confidence, he is a bit nervous too. At a crucial and fulfilling juncture in life where his bag is full of treasure trove of exciting roles and projects, including an indie film, he believes there is a lot to lose if he does not measure up to rising expectations. Judging by his recent body of work, the Asur actor is likely to emerge on the top of the game. I said yes to Raat Jawaan Hai because it sounded so much fun. And it turned out to be greater fun on the sets. The vibe you see on the screen with my co-actors Anjali Anand and Priya Baapat is real. Scarlett hits at the Oscars It’s been six years since Avengers: Endgame hit theatres, yet Hollywood star Scarlett Johansson still can’t get over one question, “How did this film not receive an Oscar nomination?” The actor, who played Natasha Romanoff/ superhero Black Widow in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) in seven films between 2012 and 2021, is still miffed about Endgame not securing a best picture nod. The film, directed by the Russo Brothers, however, received a sole nomination for visual effects. “How did this film not get nominated for an Oscar? Johansson said, referencing the best picture category. “It was an impossible movie that should not have worked, that really works as a film — and also, it’s one of the most successful films of all time,” she added. In its 17-year history, the MCU only has Tom Cruise and cast of Mission: Impossible light up Cannes 2025 red carpet Hollywood star Tom Cruise landed at the Cannes Film Festival in style on Wednesday night, leaving fans excited as he arrived for the premiere of his upcoming film Mission: Impossible — The Final Reckoning. The 61-year-old actor was joined by his longtime collaborator and director Christopher McQuarrie as they walked the red carpet. The actor was seen taking selfies with excited fans and signing autographs for them. Fans, upon seeing the actor, were also spotted waving posters and memorabilia from Cruise’s earlier films like The Last Samurai and Mission: Impossible II. Some even created a small tribute to Val Kilmer, Cruise’s costar from Top Gun. Cruise last attended the festival in 2022 for the premiere of Top Gun: Maverick, which had received a six-minute standing ovation and earned him an honorary Palme d’Or. Apart from Cruise, the cast of Mission: Impossible — The Final Reckoning also includes Simon Pegg as Missionaccomplished THE CAST AND CREW OF MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE — THE FINAL RECKONING. REUTERS Benji Dunn, Ving Rhames as Luther Stickell, Vanessa Kirby as Alanna Mitsopolis, Hayley Atwell as Grace, Esai Morales as the antagonist Gabriel, Shea Whigham as Jasper Briggs, Greg Tarzan Davis as Degas, and Pom Klementieff as the assassin Paris. Meanwhile, the film is set to hit theaters on May 23. Indian fans will get to watch it early, with a release date of May 17, a full six days before its global release. Anupam Kher set for Tanvi The Great screening Legendary actor Anupam Kher is in France for the 2025 Cannes Film Festival, where his film Tanvi The Great is set to be screened on May 17. The film also marks his return to direction after many years. Kher, who has been sharing moments from his time at the festival with his fans, took to his Instagram account to introduce two writers of the film, Abhishek Dixit and Ankur Suman. In the video, Kher says, “Here, our film Tanvi The Great is going to have its world premiere on the 17th. But I thought I’d introduce you to two other writers of this film... So, let me introduce you first. This is Abhishek Dixit ji. And this is Ankur Suman ji...” Kher has also been posting several photos from Cannes. Earlier in the day, c m y b the actor shared a series of pictures all decked out in a suit. One of the pictures also featured debutant Shubhangi Dutt, who plays Tanvi in the film. He captioned the post, “You Can try to look good in Cannes! Hai na?? #TanviTheGreat #WorldPremier” Bharat Pavilion inaugurated The Bharat Pavilion was officially inaugurated at the 78th Cannes Film Festival on Thursday, marking yet another significant step in India’s growing global cinematic footprint. The inauguration was graced by dignitaries, including Shekhar Kapur, acclaimed filmmaker and Festival Director of the International Film Festival of India (IFFI) and National Film Development Corporation (NFDC); veteran actor Anupam Kher; and Anne-Louise Mesadieu, Paris Region elected official, Ambassador, and Special Delegate for Diplomatic Relations, as stated in the press note by the team of organisers. — ANI four Oscar wins to its credit: three for 2018’s Black Panther (costume design, original score, and production design) and one for its 2022 sequel, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (costume design). In fact, Black Panther, starring the late Chadwick Boseman in the title role and directed by Ryan Coogler, remains the only MCU movie to be nominated in the best picture category. In the interview, Johansson also reiterated that she has no intent of reprising her role as Black Widow in a future Marvel movie. “It would be very hard for me to understand in what capacity (returning) would make sense for me, for the character that I play. I miss my buddies and really would love to be with them forever, but what works about the character is that her story is complete. I don’t want to mess with that,” she said. — PTI