09062025-LSTC-01.qxd 6/8/2025 8:20 PM Page 1 c m y b BHAI FLAUNTS FRESH LOOK On the occasion of Eid al-Adha on Saturday, Bollywood superstar Salman Khan took to Instagram and extended his heartfelt greetings to his fans and followers. “Eid Mubarak,” he simply wrote. Salman shared a joyful selfie, flaunting his clean shaven look and fresh haircut. TRIBUNE Life I don’t care about going viral: Suryansh W Aanandita Guptaa HEN the haunting strains of the song Baaja first echoed through theatres in the movie Amar Singh Chamkila, it didn’t just sound like music. There was something primal and raw, yet so pure about that opening line — Ain Ishq Da Pehla Akkhar…Samajh Na Sabh Noo Aave... It wasn’t just a melody—it was a wail from the soul. It felt like a prayer, protest and a piercing cry, all rolled into one. That raw, aching voice belonged to Suryansh, a young singer-composer from Madhya Pradesh. With a single song, he broke through the noise and into the hearts of millions. stardom post Chamkeela, his journey has been a slow burn, not a sudden blaze. “There were times when nothing moved, when no calls came, and yet—I kept showing up for the music,” he recalls. The call that changed it all It was a regular day when he received a call from AR Rahman’s studio. “They didn’t even say it was for Chamkila. I just walked in, sang from my gut and left.” Weeks later, Suryansh discovered his voice would open Imtiaz Ali’s cinematic tribute to the legendary Chamkila. “I couldn’t believe it. I’ve idolised Imtiaz sir for years—his films taught me how stories and songs can heal. So, this break literally shook my world!” More than just a song Years in the making “To the world it seemed like an overnight success. But it was years of unseen grind and silent waiting with unshakable faith,” smiles Suryansh, who started singing at the age of four. From quietly working behind the scenes in films like Dil Bechara, Mimi and Pippa as a music producer and arranger—to achieving All set Baaja was not crafted for perfection—it was born from pain, rebellion and purity. “They told me—sing like the world is ending in front of you. I left the polish behind and just let my heart pour out.” And pour out it did. His voice did not just accompany Rahman’s score—it brought it to life, colouring Chamkila’s chaos and conviction with heart breaking honesty. Beyond virality In an industry obsessed with numbers and noise, Suryansh stands apart. “I don’t care about going viral,” he says. “If even one person tells me my voice made them feel, seen or felt—that’s success to me.” There’s no artifice in his world. He chases what’s real. Aamir Khan was spotted in Mumbai during a special screening of his upcoming film Sitaare Zameen Par in Mumbai. The film will be released on June 20. CHANDIGARH | MONDAY | 9 JUNE 2025 His songs carry something that algorithms can’t touch—soul. Meet Suryansh, the raw, aching voice behind Baaja from Amar Singh Chamkeela Still rising, still rooted Even after Baaja, Suryansh hasn’t paused. He’s been composing for Kannada and Telugu films, releasing intimate originals like Chal Phir Wahin (shared by Rahman himself) and dreaming beyond borders. He hopes to collaborate with global acts like Coldplay, but keeps his grounding rituals simple—long walks, Turkish folk music, orchestral symphonies, Lizzy McAlpine and the quiet joy of pani puri! Sonali Bendre on her latest literary offering – A Book of Books Her words Actress and author Sonali Bendre, known for her grace on screen and resilience off it, is also making waves in the literary space. In a candid conversation, Bendre reflected on her deeply personal relationship with books and the motivations behind her latest literary offering, A Book of Books. “It’s essentially a book of recommendations — books that touched me, inspired me, or simply stayed with me,” she shared, adding, “It’s an extension of the book club I started eight years ago, one of the largest digital book clubs in the South Asia.” — ANI Advice to aspiring artistes “Don’t chase trends. Chase the truth,” he says gently. “Your voice matters—even if it feels small today. Keep singing your truth. The world will listen.” And the world truly has listened to him ! PHOTO: RAVI KUMAR Redefining hospitality Of prints ¶mpara Mehak Kochhar Shyam Sharma, a renowned printmaking artist, educator and author, recently conducted an audio-visual presentation of his works at CLKA Open Hand Studio, Le Corbusier Centre, Sector 19, Chandigarh. The session was organised by Chandigarh Lalit Kala Akademi. The engaging presentation was followed by an interactive session and Sharma, a recipient of Padma Shri, shared his vast knowledge with both eminent and emerging artists in attendance. Former Principal of Patna University, Sharma has been shaping the sensibilities of young artists with such interactive sessions. At this session, he spoke about the history of printmaking and its evolution over the years. Born in Mathura, Sharma is known for his mastery in printmaking and innovative One needs to develop an eye to truly see the beauty in art, says renowned printmaking artist Shyam Sharma use of mediums. Sharma uses indigenous material and technique to explore and create something unique. For him, printmaking is an art form that awakens something deep within. It requires one to develop an eye to tru- ly see its beauty. As he presented a slideshow of his works, a black-on-black print and another white-onwhite print made with handmade paper pulp stood out. Sharma likes to use clay blocks and flat wood to explore depth, and even experiments on objects and cotton surfaces. Sharma talked about the many challenges a printmaker has to face, but added that with passion and persistence, one can overcome these hurdles. For the artist, tradition plays a significant role in his life and work, but at the same time he believes that parampara (tradition) is not rigid. It changes with the changing values of society. “Only by embracing our traditions can we reach new heights,” he said. “Print making requires money, energy and hard work. Unlike other art forms, such as painting or sculpture, printmaking is not as widely practised, often due to a lack of awareness,” he said. “Visual art is a blessing to society, one that fosters discipline and concentration. And at the same time, it’s the patron who adds value to a piece of art,” he said. c m y b Tricity Hotels and Resorts Private Limited recently announced the grand opening of Ramada Encore by Wyndham Chandigarh, a vibrant 65-room hotel located in Zirakpur. Each of the 65 rooms has been designed to meet the evolving needs of today’s connected travellers, featuring modern interiors, smart amenities and comfort. “We are incredibly proud to bring the Ramada Encore brand to Zirakpur. Our vision was to create a hotel that embodies the needs of the modern traveller — stylish, connected, and effortlessly comfortable. This is more than a business milestone; it’s a passion project. We look forward to welcoming guests and playing PHOTO: RAVI KUMAR a meaningful role in Zirakpur’s growth as a commercial and travel hub,” said Sohan Lal, Director, Tricity Hotels and Resorts Pvt Ltd. Guests can enjoy a versatile mix of amenities including a multi-cuisine restaurant, rooftop lounge, and flexible meeting and event spaces. “We are delighted to introduce Ramada Encore in Zirakpur, a city buzzing with opportunity and momentum. Our collaboration with Tricity Hotels and Resorts exemplifies our shared commitment to delivering quality hospitality in high-potential markets,” said Rahool Macarius, Market Managing Director, Eurasia, Wyndham Hotels & Resorts. — TNS Madness begins Jasmin Sandlas and Sukh E Drop Mad Bunny Mad Bunny, a song from the upcoming Punjabi zombie comedy film Jombieland, is out now. Sung by Jasmin Sandlas and the dynamic Sukh E Muzical Doctorz, this highoctane track delivers an infectious mix of energy, attitude and beats that perfectly capture the film’s quirky chaos. It is composed by Avvy Sra and Khara. Mad Bunny features lead actors Kanika Mann and Binnu Dhillon in a visually quirky and energetic music video, giving fans a first glimpse into the madness of Jombieland. The makers released the song with a caption — “Mad beat. Mad vibes. The catchiest song of the season is here to make you groove! Jombieland - the first ever zombie comedy from Punjab! The apocalypse begins on June 13th.” Directed and written by Thaparr, the film has a star-studded cast includes Kanika Mann, Binnu Dhillon, G Khan, Angira Dhar, Guri, Dhanveer Singh and Jassa Dhillon. It’ produced by Neeraj Ruhil and Subhav Sharma under the Next Level Productions banner. — TNS