17062025-LSTC-01.qxd 6/17/2025 12:45 AM Page 1 c m y b KUBERAA TRAILER OUT The trailer of Dhanush and Nagarjuna-starrer Kuberaa is finally out. It offers a glimpse into a world where ambition, power and morality collide. The film is helmed by director Sekhar Kammula and is slated to release in theatres on June 20. Rashmika Mandanna and Jim Sarbh also play prominent roles in this crime drama. TRIBUNE Coming clean Life JupinderjitSingh A tale of twoghosts F Diljit Dosanjh to lock horns with a powerful spirit in Sardaar Ji 3 teaser Fans of Diljit Dosanjh are in for a treat as their favourite star has released the teaser of his upcoming film, Sardaar Ji 3. The film also stars Neeru Bajwa, Manav Vij, Gulshan Grover, Jasmin Bajwa and Sapna Pabbi in prominent roles. The movie offers a hilarious take on ghostbusting. Directed by Amar Hundal, it is slated to hit the screens on June 27. The teaser of Sardaar Ji 3, released on Sunday, marks Dosanjh’s return as a ghost hunter who is now tasked with removing a ghost from a mansion in the UK. The teaser begins with a team approaching a most haunted castle in the UK with a group of armed soldiers. After an unknown spirit defeated them, the owner decides to call Dosanjh for the task. The video then unfolds a hilarious interaction with his in-home witches, who demand a medical kit, a make-up box and other items. In the end, Dosanjh was seen fighting with a ghost in the mansion, saying he intends to fight with him because he didn’t add “Ji” after “Sardaar” while addressing him. — ANI The muchawaited teaser of Prabhas-starrer Raja Saab dropped on Monday. Directed by Maruthi, this horror-fantasy film is slated to be released in theatres worldwide on December 5. Fans of Prabhas are in for a treat as their favourite actor is set to showcase his acting range by stepping into a comedy genre that is laced with spine-chilling horror scenes. In the two-minute and twenty-eight-second teaser, Prabhas appears to be a happy-go-lucky guy who falls in love with the character of Nidhhi Agerwal. Calling his romance on par with Shah Rukh Khan, the Baahubali actor tries to impress his love interest Nidhi Agerwal before the situation takes a downturn. The teaser begins with a king calling a haveli his ‘body’ and the wealth his ‘life’. Prabhas appears to be terrified of the spirits, as he is seen chanting the god’s name and running away from ghosts after he enters the haveli. Horror story OR filmmaker Gul, cinema was never a career choice; it was a calling. “Filmmaking chooses you,” she says. “It’s a medium through which I make sense of reality and express myself.” This Chandigarh girl, Gul, who spent her early childhood in Kolkata, received recognition for her work as co-director on the hit Netflix series Class, besides several other projects. Gul’s journey into the world of cinema is one of passion, perseverance and deeprooted artistic exploration. “I was a school student in Kolkata when legendary filmmaker Satyajit Ray passed away. The school declared a holiday to mourn his death. It struck me—here was a filmmaker who was being mourned like a political leader. That made me curious about storytelling through film. That was one pivotal moment that shaped my perspective,” she recalls. Her time in Delhi for college further refined her cinematic sensibilities. Exposure to film clubs and festivals deepened her understanding of cinema, but it was assisting on Khamosh Pani, a Punjabi-language film by Pakistani filmmaker Sabiha Sumar, that cemented her desire to become a filmmaker. “That was when I knew— I had to pursue filmmaking,” she says. She soon enrolled at the prestigious Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) in Pune. After graduating from FTII, Gul set her sights on Mumbai, diving into the industry with relentless ambition. She began as an associate director for Monsoon Shootout, directed by Amit Will Smith says he was offered a role in Christopher Nolan’s acclaimed film Inception, but turned it down as he couldn’t understand it. The film featured Leonardo DiCaprio. CHANDIGARH | TUESDAY | 17 JUNE 2025 LESSONS from Gul’s Class! A series is a beast. It’s like making three feature films at once, says Gul, a Chandigarh native and one of the co-directors of Netflix’s Class "It's not just about looking a certain way, it's about feeling ready and showing up as the best version of myself," says Jamai No. 1 actor Abhishek Malik. He talks to us about his workout routine and more... ❝ For me, fitness is about feeling strong and being able to keep up with the physical demands of the job. It’s less about six-packs and more about energy, agility, and overall health What does fitness mean to you? Honestly, it’s a commitment. I try to squeeze in a workout either early in the morning before the shoot or after pack-up—even if it’s been a long day. That one hour is like a reset button for me. It’s my time to disconnect, breathe and invest in myself. Fixed gym schedule or flexible hours? You have to be flexible in this line of work—there’s no other way. I don’t rely on a fixed gym schedule or fancy equipment. If I have an early call time, I’ll try and get in a quick evening workout—something like a bodyweight circuit or even a short jog. If I wrap-up late, I’ll wind down with stretches or a little yoga before sleeping. It’s not about how long you work out, it’s about moving your body every day—even if it’s What do you do for mental health? Fitness really clears my head. It’s that one space where there’s no script, no pressure—just me and my own limits. Especially on days when scenes are emotionally heavy or the pressure is high, working out helps me let go and come back to centre. It’s like hitting a mental refresh. What keeps you motivated? just for 20–25 minutes. What role does nutrition play in your wellness routine? Nutrition plays a huge role. You can train all you want, but if you’re not fuelling your body right, it’s just not going to show. I try to keep it simple—eat clean, get enough It’s that feeling after a workout—it’s addictive in a good way. The mental clarity, the energy boost, the sense of achievement... it’s something I look forward to. Also, I see fitness as an important part of my job. Whether it’s action scenes or just having the stamina to shoot long hours c m y b CHANDIGARH CONNECT Although Gul’s career thrives in Mumbai, her bond with Chandigarh remains strong. Her grandparents were among the city’s early settlers, and her parents grew up there. “I spent every summer in Chandigarh, climbing fruit trees at my grandmother’s house, cycling on empty roads, and staging plays for family gatherings,” she reminisces. Her high school years at Carmel Convent, the same school her mother attended, deepened her connection to the city. “Growing up in Chandigarh in the ’80s and ’90s was idyllic. I remember sleeping under the stars on the lawn. Those memories ground me, no matter where I go.” LOOKING AHEAD GUL (CENTRE) WITH THE CAST OF CLASS Kumar and produced by Anurag Kashyap, followed by Gurvinder Singh’s Alms of the Blind Horse, produced by NFDC. But her true breakthrough came with her short film, Friday Night, Of simple jogs & complex carbs protein, healthy fats, complex carbs and stay hydrated. Since we work such long hours, I also make sure I eat enough to recover properly. I’m not into extreme diets— I’d rather follow something I can stick with long-term. And yeah, I do indulge once in a while. I believe in balance. became an instant hit. But directing a series of that scale was no small feat. “A series is a beast—it’s like making three feature films at once,” Gul explains. “With 11 lead characters, multiple cinematographers—some of whom didn’t speak Hindi— and extended production timelines complicated by the pandemic, the process was both challenging and exhilarating.” She adds. “We didn’t direct episodewise. Instead, we divided the characters’ storylines and directed them through all eight episodes. I handled the queer storyline of Dhruv and Faruq and the high school sequences, ensuring tonal consistency and authentic performances,” she reveals. The effort paid off—the series gained critical acclaim. on Jamai No. 1, staying fit makes a real difference. So, even on low-motivation days, I remind myself—it’s not just about looking a certain way, it’s about feeling ready and showing up as the best version of myself. As an actor, do you feel pressure to look fit? Yes, there is pressure—but I’ve stopped chasing someone else’s definition of ‘being fit’. For me, it’s about feeling strong and being able to keep up with the physical demands of the job. It’s less about six-packs and more about energy, agility, and overall health. I focus on consistency and doing what works for me. What are two fitness tips you would offer to someone starting their fitness journey? First, don’t try to overhaul your entire life in one go. Start small—build simple, realistic habits and be consistent. Even 20–30 minutes a day adds up. Second, stop comparing your progress to what you see on social media. Everyone’s body is different, and every journey is unique. Focus on how you feel— stronger, more energised— not just how you look. The aesthetics will follow if your foundation is right. which premiered at the Rotterdam International Film Festival and was later acquired by ShortsTV for global distribution. Her work continued with the television series MTV Rush, created by Bejoy Nambiar, and the thriller The Girl in Me for MTV Films. She has also directed numerous TV commercials and digital films for prestigious brands. When Class debuted on Netflix, it Gul is now working on an original series and two feature films, all in various stages of development. As she reflects on the film industry’s evolution, she acknowledges the impact of OTT platforms, “Attention spans are shrinking, but the rise of streaming is also allowing unique voices to emerge. It’s a wake-up call for the industry to be smarter and more inclusive.” The actor wants to work with Tom Cruise, but refuses to ‘hang up from aeroplane’ Brad Pitt’s ‘grounded’ approach Hollywood superstar Brad Pitt says he is open to collaborate with his Interview with the Vampire co-star Tom Cruise, but on a condition that he won’t have to “hang up from aeroplane”. Cruise is well-known for performing daring stunts on his own and has once again proved it with the latest Mission: Impossible film, which released in May. Pitt said he is up to work with the actor again but only if he stays on the ground. In an interview, the actor was asked about the possibility of their collaboration. Pitt quipped, “Well, I’m not gonna hang my a*s off airplanes and s**t like that, so when he does something again that’s on the ground.” Directed by Neil Jordan, Interview with the Vampire released in 1994 and was the first and last time, Pitt and Cruise shared the screen space. Pitt is gearing up for the release of his upcoming sports drama F1. Directed by Joseph Kosinski, the film is slated to release in theatres on June 27. —PTI