15072025-LSTC-01.qxd 7/15/2025 12:31 AM Page 1 c m y b TRIBUNE Mind matters Life ❝ Mona Versova and Aaram Nagar have been such silent theatres of human ambition and survival, and I wanted to bring these stories to life. A S the monsoon romances pour in this season, Hindi cinema is experiencing a refreshing resurgence of love stories that are as diverse as they are heartfelt. From urban complexities in Metro... In Dino to the raw emotional turbulence of Saiyaara, the big screen is echoing with tales of love, heartbreak and longing. This season’s promised offerings are luring audiences back to cinemas with a promise of connection, emotion, and cinematic magic. METRO... IN DINO eep Hooda Rand turns a writer Actor Randeep Hooda, known for his intense performances, has found a new creative calling — writing. He said while acting remains his first love, writing has emerged as the most rewarding part of his creative process, allowing him to craft stories that resonate with him. After years of portraying diverse characters, Randeep is now channelling his observations and experiences into stories, creating narratives that reflect the layers of human emotions. He is currently working on a series of short stories based on Versova and Aaram Nagar in Andheri, Mumbai — places that have been silent witnesses to the dreams and struggles of many. These stories touch upon the life of a roadside bansuri wala selling flutes every Sunday, the journey of struggling actors in the city, the harsh realities of the casting couch, and many other stories often seen but seldom told. Speaking about this new chapter, Randeep shared, “Over the years, I have discovered a deep love for writing. It has become the best part of any creative process for me. When I act, I step into stories crafted by others, but writing allows me to shape stories that I have lived, seen, or imagined. Versova and Aaram Nagar have been such silent theatres of human ambition and survival, and I wanted to bring these stories to life.” Isha Koppikar, known for her roles in Kya Kool Hai Hum, Krishna Cottage, Ek Vivah Aisa Bhi, Shabri and Don, has recently become a vocal advocate for mental health. Drawing from her own journey. CHANDIGARH | TUESDAY | 15 JULY 2025 Pyar pours HE RT OUT I AAP JAISA KO Connection, intimacy, loneliness to self-discovery, different strands find voices in Metro... In Dino, interweaving multiple contemporary love stories set in urban India. Winning audiences, this hatke romantic narrative has forced people who had shunned cinemas through the pandemic to step back into the halls again. The Anurag Basu directorial, a spiritual sequel to 2007 Life in a... Metro, has a fantastic ensemble cast — Anupam Kher, Neena Gupta, Konkona Sen Sharma, Pankaj Tripathi, Aditya Roy Kapur, Sara Ali Khan, Ali Fazal and Fatima Sana. Ali Fazal, who plays Akash, Shruti’s (Fatima Sana Shaikh) husband, honed his guitar skills to prep for the role. He shares, “I believe that authenticity is everything, especially in a film like Metro… In Dino, where the story is rooted in human emotions, my character is a musician at the core, and that comes with a responsibility.” PARAM SUND ARI soaring highs and heartwrenching lows as they struggle to hold on to their love. This time, Suri introduces a fresh pairing: Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda, playing a singer and a lyricist, respectively. Describing Saiyaara as “a story of heartbreak, hope, and raw emotion straight from the soul”, Suri seems confident his new leads will strike a chord with audiences. PARAM SUNDARI SAIYAARA The film, directed by Mohit Suri, the master of intense love stories, follows a young couple whose passionate relationship swings between Sidharth Malhotra and Janhvi Kapoor come together in this Tushar Jalota directorial, bringing back the magic of colour-coordinated outfits and breezy chiffons. The film, due to be released on July 25, has been put off for the time being but we are waiting with all love for it — where North ka swag, South ki grace collide and sparks fly! Formulaic but, as they say, there is comfort in the familiar… opens the love story account in the month of August. The spiritual sequel to 2018 Dhadak and a remake of the Tamil film Pariyerum Perumal, it stars Triptii Dimri and Siddhant Chaturvedi in lead roles – she a privileged upper class girl, he a struggler from the marginalised section. Would this love keep them united, we are invested already. Looks like romances will keep their date even post rains. Varun Dhawan steps into the shoes of Sunny Sanskari as Janhvi Kapoor turns Tulsi Kumari in Shashank Khaitan’s directorial. Khaitan joins Dhawan after the successful partnership of Humpty Sharma Ki Dulhania and Badrinath Ki Dulhania, and we are pegging hopes on Varun’s Sanskari act for sure! Dhadak 2 Bollywood has often told stories of a class and caste divide, and Shazia Iqbal directorial Dhadak 2 DHADAK 2 & METRO... IN DINO time, Her terms her When Charu Tikoo opened her clothing label Marjorie, it wasn’t just about fabric and fashion. It was about finally stepping into a dream that had been on hold for far too long. Charu, 37, lives in Chandigarh with her husband and family. Her husband, Ujwall Tikoo, a project manager at a reputed company, has always had her back. But the magic started when Charu — while doing photoshoots for her own brand — caught a glimpse of herself through a different lens. “I’d always loved the glamour world,” she says, “but life had other plans.” The The sun wasn’t the only thing shining bright at Wimbledon this weekend — actress Jacqueliene Fernandez stole the spotlight as she attended the Women’s Final. Making her debut at the tournament, Jacqueliene turned heads in a stunning white Charu Tikoo is building a brand, raising a family, living her dream one peagant a time shoots gave her the confidence she didn’t know she needed. So, when Mrs World International 2025 (hosted by Glamour Gurgaon) opened its doors to women like her — married, full of responsibilities, but still itching to chase big dreams — she signed up. And what a journey it’s been. You know what’s beautiful? Watching women with full-time careers and parenting schedules still slay the stage in heels. Charu calls it an “eye-opener.” Her performance on Punjabi Mutiyaran by Jasmine Sandlas wasn’t just a talent act — it was a love letter to her roots. And the best part? She walked away with the ‘Mrs Glamorous Look’ title, but more importantly, with a renewed sense of purpose. “Age doesn’t stop the dream,” Charu says, “we stop ourselves.” As much she is grateful to Barkha Nangia, director Glamour Gurgaon for giving her a platform, she is also thankful to her mother-in-law. “She is a remarkably spirited woman who helps with the business and is the greatest support,” says Charu! —TNS c m y b ve Lo SAIYAARA he ft ro ou lav on e f as th se e ar on ies nso or o st m Jacqueline’s WIMBLEDON DEBUT pant-suit paired with a sleeveless jacket, blending classic elegance with a contemporary edge. Her outfit perfectly matched the grandeur of Centre Court and the rich tradition of the event. She shared a post on Instagram, “When in London!! My first ever Wimbledon definitely not my last! @wimbledon #wimbledonwomensfinal #congratsiga.” Her enthusiasm was clear, capturing the joyful spirit that surrounded the finals. Fuelled by discipline something I rely on every single day. How important is skincare for you? feeling that sets a positive tone for the hours ahead. That initial boost makes a big difference in how the rest of the day unfolds. What does your daily diet and workout routine look like? Sachin Sharma, who has been part of Suman Indori and Rabb Se Hai Dua talks about fitness routine. How do you usually start your day? My day begins with a detox drink. It’s a non-negotiable part of my morning routine. It helps cleanse my system and gives me a fresh, light I’m very committed to staying healthy and never skip my workouts. My diet is clean — low in carbs and rich in protein. When you eat wholesome, nourishing meals throughout the day, it naturally fuels your energy levels and improves the quality of your workouts. That synergy between food and fitness is Skincare is essential — especially when you’re on television. There’s really no option to skip it. When your appearance plays such a big role in your profession, maintaining a good skincare routine becomes second nature. I never miss my daily regimen. It’s a habit I’ve built over time and it helps me stay camera-ready. What kind of workouts do you enjoy? I mostly stick to weight training, as it works best for my body and goals. However, I also enjoy experimenting with calisthenics now and then.