01082025-LSTC-01.qxd 8/1/2025 12:25 AM Page 1 c m y b TRIBUNE In action Life The Cinderella actress, Lily James, is set to star opposite actor Chris Hemsworth for a new submarine action film Subversion by Amazon MGM Studios. CHANDIGARH | FRIDAY | 1 AUGUST 2025 Fashion designer JJ Valaya calls India a ‘treasure trove’ of ideas PITCH PERFECT Abhishek Sharma, the Punjab-born cricketer, walked the runway for JJ Valaya, turning heads with his traditional ethnic attire. Decked up in an off-white knee-length kurta and churidar, Abhishek looked like a biba munda in the ethnic look. The kurta featured a floral embroidery pattern in pastel and earthy tones, elevating the overall ensemble. JJmagic & his Indian ace designer JJ Valaya’s latest collection served as a fitting closing show to a week of celebrating India’s finest craftsmanship and creative brilliance in the form of India Couture Week 2025 on Wednesday. Valaya’s presentation at the JW Marriott Hotel in Aerocity, Delhi, was a star-studded affair. Ibrahim Ali Khan and Rasha Thadani served as the showstoppers while Abhishek Sharma, an Indian cricketer, surprised the attendees with his Mugdha Godse, Rahul Dev and a model don Valaya’s creations Lily James joins Chris Hemsworth in naval thriller, Subversion It’s Die Hard on a submarine British actor Lily James will feature alongside Hollywood star Chris Hemsworth in an upcoming submarine thriller movie from Amazon MGM Studios. Titled Subversion, the film will be directed by German filmmaker Patrick Vollrath from a script penned by Andrew Ferguson. The project has been described as a ‘Die Hard on a submarine’ style thriller. It is backed by Lorenzo di Bonaventura of di Bonaventura Pictures banner. In the movie, Hemsworth will star as a once-promising Naval commander, who is blackmailed by a cartel-like operation into piloting a dangerous submarine carrying illegal cargo across international waters. Hemsworth will reprise his Marvel character Thor. — PTI presence as he walked the ramp. After the show, Valaya shared his ‘core belief’ as a fashion designer. He called the nation a ‘treasure trove’ for fashion designers, which the designer believes can get ‘lost in time’ due to the emergence of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Valaya said, “I think for me, it’s very important that I stick to my core belief that I am privileged to be born in this country, India, which is a treasure trove of ideas, and as Indian designers it’s our moral duty to try and keep that treasure alive. It’ll get lost in time now with AI coming in, that’s another challenge emerging.” The ace fashion designer also expressed his disappointment with the practice of catering to the Western fashion standards, calling it a ‘gora hangover’. “I strongly believe we still have a gora hangover, and everybody tries to make a point in the West to be accepted, not true. India is going to be the most happening country in the world, and this is the moment that all of us need to really give this country everything we’ve got to make it a success,” added Valaya. The Indian ace fashion designer also opened up about his most memorable moments in his life, which include his career in the fashion industry, spanning over three decades. One of them was when he gave up the prestigious job of Chartered Accountancy (CA) for a career in the fashion industry. — ANI Captain Cool goes edgy! Did MS Dhoni just drop the coolest hair makeover of the year? Well, the internet certainly thinks so. Former Team India captain and Chennai Super Kings star, Mahendra Singh Dhoni, surprised fans with a bold new hairstyle, and social media can’t stop talking about it. Popular celebrity hairstylist Aalim Hakim shared photos and videos of Dhoni’s latest haircut on Instagram. The cricketer now sports a sharp fade with ash and blonde highlights, giving fans a fresh new version of their “Captain Cool.” “Mahendra Singh Dhoni... when Captain Cool goes edgy — you know it’s game on! Crafted a sharp, bold, and effortless look for the legend himself. Just like his game — clean, fearless, and always ahead of the curve,” Aalim wrote in his caption, sharing Dhoni’s pictures. He also posted a video showing Dhoni’s transformation, with the caption: “Mahendra Singh Dhoni, Mr. Cool. Serv- c m y b MS Dhoni’s new hairstyle breaks the internet, fans call him ‘king’ ing hot. @mahi7781 just turned up the heat. Effortless, fearless, and iconic — just like the man himself. Warning: This much swag might overheat your screen.” are their love for his new look. One fan called him a “King,” while another said, “Freaking handsome!” Even Dhoni’s wife, Sakshi, commented, “Bas bas, Aalim.” — ANI IBRAHIM, RASHA DEBUT AT ICW JJ Valaya on Wednesday night introduced star kids Ibrahim Ali Khan and Rasha Thadani to the world of India Couture Week 2025. Both Ibrahim and Rasha closed Valaya’s fashion gala as showstoppers. While Rasha, daughter of Raveena Tandon, strutted down the ramp in a regal lehenga, Ibrahim stole the show in a velvet sherwani paired with Pathani-style bottoms. After the show, Rasha briefly spoke with the media and expressed her happiness at becoming JJ Valaya’s muse last night. “This has been a year of many firsts for me. Bachpan se I have watched my mom wearing JJ Valaya. I have his iconic prints... and now I feel so grateful to be able to be here and walk my first ramp walk at ICW wearing his design,” she said. Valaya became nostalgic as he reflected on his decades-long relationship with Raveena. “I’ve been working with her mother. And now I’m working with her. It’s really special for me to work with another generation,” the couturier expressed.