28062025-LSTL-01.qxd 6/27/2025 9:39 PM Page 1 c m y b RASHMIKA EXCITED ABOUT MYSAA Rashmika Mandanna announced her new project, titled Mysaa, on Friday. The Chhaava actress surprised her fans with a fierce avatar after she released the first look poster of her character in the film. It is directed by Rawindra Pulle and is produced by Ajay and Anil Sayyapureddy. TRIBUNE Life Ravishing look Samantha Ruth Prabhu looked ethereal in a Krésha Bajaj ensemble at an award function. She was styled in a classic nude and black gown with a beautiful cutwork corset embellished with glass beads. LUDHIANA | SATURDAY | 28 JUNE 2025 Anjali Sharma, who is now known as Yahhve Sharma, says her offbeat name sets off a conversation every time she meets someone Nonika Singh H ER name is not only unusual but also an ice- breaker. Yahhve Sharma is not her birth name. Anjali Sharma’s reasons to rename herself were reaffirmed when Nawazuddin Siddiqui, her costar of upcoming film Section 108, advised her so. The more she realised as to how her first name, Anajli, a rather commonplace one, did not grab any eyeballs, the more convinced she became that Yahhve, which means union of heaven and earth, could be the game-changer. She shares, “Every time I meet people they are intrigued and my offbeat name sets off a conversation.” The name change may not have made her an instant star but has brought her vis- Nepotism is part of the film industry. But I am actually grateful that I am not from a film background. Every opportunity that I get is a chance to prove myself and struggle of mine has shaped me as a person. Call me Yahhve... ibility and has been her lucky mascot too. Recently seen in Chall Kapat: The Deception in a key cameo, she shares, “There is no star system on OTT.” So, even though the show is headlined by Shriya Pilgaonkar, Yahhve observes, “The entire ensemble cast gets due credit.” Besides, these days she asserts audiences are not so starstruck and are looking for good content more than anything else. Indeed, the series did open to mixed reviews. And she is quite ok with it for, “We all have our own points of view and individual choices.” Working with Shriya, for Yahhve, was an eye-opener. She says, “Shriya is a thorough professional. She doesn’t look at her phone all through her shoot and pays so much attention to details and continuity.” If Shriya’s working style has taught her many lessons, Nawazuddin expectedly has been a masterclass in acting. She gushes, “He is down-toearth. He is a performer who doesn’t stick to lines, does a lot of improvisation. See the line between acting and good acting lies in whether you are just uttering your dialogues or internalising the script.” As she plays a grey character called Mallika, she can easily say that she has emerged a far better actor post Section 108. Interestingly, the murder thriller deals with an insurance fraud steeped in a legal clause, which deems when a person goes missing for seven years he or she is considered dead. Her character may have shades of an ambitious opportunist, in real life she is not hankering after name, fame or money. Bitten by acting bug in childhood, when she auditioned for Dance India Dance Little Masters, her love for dance transitioned into being charmed by the magic of acting. She has trained under actor Saurabh Sachdeva and also diction coach Ashish Pathode, who has guided her for her part in Section 108 too. Right now she is shooting in Punjab for a Punjabi romcom and will also be a part of a Punjabi web-series. Well, born in Nagpur, Maharashtra, brought up in New Delhi, she sure can speak Punjabi, but is also learning how to ace it better by constantly conversing in it. Ever since she made her acting foray in Operation Mayfair in 2023, she has been in the learning mode as ‘life itself has been my learning ground.’ Being an outsider in the film industry, rejection might be a way of life but she has no hesitation in saying, “I have been replaced many times.” But these temporary roadblocks have not dampened her enthusiasm ever. Since her father has served in the Air Force, she has naturally imbibed the never- say-die attitude. Though manzil abhi door hai…she intends to stay on track and is happy she is on the right one. Timeless Rekha recreates her Umrao Jaan look for special screening of the film; The Who’s Who of Bollywood attended the event Bollywood actress Rekha’s cult film Umrao Jaan is all set to enchant the audience once again today. Director Muzaffar Ali and Rekha hosted a special re-release screening of the film on June 26 in Mumbai. The event was graced by AR Rahman, Tabu, Anil Kapoor and others. Rekha stunned everyone in a traditional outfit with golden embroidery that reminded of her iconic character of Umrao Jaan from the film. She posed for the camera with the director and ace music composer AR Rahman. Rekha also danced with Anil Kapoor in a fun moment. Dil Cheez Kya Hai... Superstar Aamir Khan looked dashing in a black outfit as he arrived to attend the screening of the film. Tabu and Rekha can be seen hugging each other at the event. The ‘Crew’ actress dazzled in her red traditional outfit. The event was also attended by Hema Malini, Kabir Bedi, Khushi Kapoor, Nushrratt Bharuccha, Jackie Shroff and others. Recalling working in the cult film, Rekha said earlier, “Umrao Jaan is not just a film I acted in — she lives within me, breathes through me, even now. At the time, none of us could have imagined the timelessness of the film, the way it would gently etch itself into the soul of Indian cinema. To see it return to the big screen is like watching an old love letter being opened by a new generation. My heart is full.” Rekha won the National Award for her impeccable performance in the film as a courtesanpoetess in 19th-century Lucknow. Her graceful dance performance on Dil Cheez Kya Hai is still admired and remembered by filmophiles. Celebrated filmmaker Muzaffar Ali also earlier opened up about the rerelease of his cinematic masterpiece, Umrao Jaan, in theatres. Known for its poetic storytelling, soulful music, and cultural richness, Umrao Jaan continues to captivate audiences decades after its original release. In a conversation, Ali responded with a philosophical insight when asked if films rooted in poetry, music, and history still have a place in today’s fast-paced world. He said, “Art has to have the pace of the heart. It’s always going to be time-taking and intense if it’s meant to be far-reaching. You cannot blame the world and create poor art. True art has its own rhythm and will always resonate with those who seek it.” Ali’s collaboration with the legendary Rekha, who portrayed the iconic role of Umrao Jaan, remains one of the highlights of the film. Reflecting on his experience working with her, Ali described it as “working with a dream.” He shared, “Rekha was dreaming alongside me. Before I could think of something, she would already be on it, living the character. She became Umrao beyond my expectations, embodying her pain and the cultural ethos of the time. It was more than just acting; it was a transformation.” On what made Rekha’s portrayal of Umrao unforgettable, Ali explained, “The challenge was to understand the pain of Umrao, to understand what it meant to be a woman in that era. Rekha did not merely play the character; she became Umrao. The pain, the artistry, and the complexities of her role came to her naturally, and she internalised it deeply.” Ali expressed hope that the younger generation would connect with its timeless themes. “This is a one-toone film. The intensity of the individual scene will grow as people relate to it personally,” he said, adding, “The collective experience will stem from what they’ve heard, and then they’ll want to see it for themselves.” Umrao Jaan is a classic Indian period drama adapted into two film versions. The 1981 version, starring Rekha, is a cult classic and won four National Awards. The 2006 version, starring Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, was not well received by the audience. Both films are based on Mirza Hadi Ruswa’s novel Umrao Jaan Ada. Screenings will begin across select PVR INOX cinemas in multiple cities from June 27. —ANI c m y b (Clockwise fom left) Alia Bhatt, Nushrratt Bharuccha, Hema Malini and Aamir Khan