01092025-LSTC-01.qxd 9/1/2025 12:37 AM Page 1 c m y b TRIBUNE Special collab Life Shahid Kapoor has completed shooting his upcoming film with Vishal Bhardwaj and called it a “special collaboration”. The untitled project marks fourth outing of the duo post Kaminey, Haider and Rangoon. CHANDIGARH | MONDAY | 1 SEPTEMBER 2025 HOT dharamsala WHAT’S OSCAR ISAAC, JACOB ELORDI, MARISA DEL TORO & GUILLERMO DEL TORO eat Frankenstein MOUNTAIN BREW woos crowd T UCKED away in the heart of McLeodganj in Dharamsala, Arabica Café and Bakery, blends global flavours with local charm, making it a favourite among travellers and locals alike. Known for its exceptional coffee — with options like soy milk for the health-conscious — the café also boasts a diverse menu ranging from vegetarian burgers to chicken bibimbap, pancakes, and hearty sandwiches. The guests often praise the fresh and wholesome meals, paired with warm and accommodating service. The café’s inviting atmosphere, with its cosy interiors and serene balcony views of the mountains, makes it a perfect spot for breakfast, brunch, or a leisurely afternoon coffee. Whether you’re looking for a peaceful retreat with aromatic brews or a lively space to socialize, Arabica Café and Bakery offers a dining experience that’s as memorable. Receives 13-minute standing ovation play CHATUR VIBES T FELIX KAMMERER Geeta Basra makes a comeback with family drama Mehar Geeta Basra is making a comeback to movies after almost a decade with Mehar, helmed by Rakesh Mehta. The 41-year-old artist, who returned to her “happy place” in front of the camera after a break to focus on her marriage and children, credits the support system offered by her cricketerturned-politician husband Harbhajan Singh for the comeback. Rahman’s ‘silent’ test Oscar-winning composer AR Rahman expressed his enthusiasm for exploring global music, emphasizing that music holds the power to shape society and that people today are “craving for good music and poetry”. "The world, unlike before when it was culturally protected, is much more open now. For example, we can play Indian notes on Turkish instruments, and people enjoy different sounds," he said. Rahman is currently looking forward to the release of the upcoming Hindi movie, Ufff Yeh Siyappa — for which he has composed the music. Set to be a dia- “The most important part for a woman to go back after having kids is to have a good support system and I’m lucky in that sense, that I have a great husband who supported me, who has said that ‘ You do what you have to do, and I’m there to look after the kids’,” she said. Post Mehar, Basra is all set for her return to Bollywood with a Hindi film tentatively titled Awasthi vs Awasthi. — PTI VMAs Go logue-free film, it features Sohum Shah, Nushrratt Bharuccha, and Nora Fatehi. It is written and directed by South filmmaker G Ashok of Durgamati fame. Rahman said he found doing a silent film quite challenging but is curious to see how it goes. “Most of the movies have so many dialogues, the music gets submerged. It’s a challenge to do a silent movie where music drives the narrative. The screenplay was funny, and it was exciting to score for this film,” Rahman said. Ufff Yeh Siyapaa, produced by Luv Ranjan and Ankur Garg, is slated for a theatrical release on September 5. It will feature a range of music including Indian, orchestral and even jazz. — PTI c m y b HE title track of Divya Khossla starrer Ek Chatur Naar is out, and it’s effectively catchy! Not just because of its peppy tunes and a groovy rhythm, but because of Divya’s swag and carefree energy that breathe life into it. Sung by Kailash Kher with lyrics penned by Vayu and music looked after by Vayu and Sharan Rawat, the title track is garnering positive reception by the audience, with many hailing Divya’s ability to own the character. Given that the audiences are loving the song and the film’s trailer, it’d be right to say that the film’s tone is set for its big release. Directed by Umesh Shukla, Ek Chatur Naar stars Divya Khossla along with Neil Nitin Mukesh, Chhaya Kadam, Sushant Singh, Rajneish Duggal and others. The film is scheduled to release in theatres on September 12. chandigarh MIA GOTH ture to life, ultimately resulting in both their undoing. The 149minute, 120 million USD epic could become a major awards contender for Netflix. Isaac and Elordi were joined at Saturday night’s premiere by costars Mia Goth, Christoph Waltz and Felix Kammere. Among the stars who walked the red carpet before taking a seat in the audience at the Sala Grande Theatre included Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Jessica Williams, Jesse Williams and Sofia Carson. After walking the red carpet, Elordi and Isaac halted for selfies and autographs with the hordes of fans outside the theatre. Recently, in an interview with Elordi, the actor revealed that he spent 10 hours in the makeup chair to transform into an unrecognisable monster, complete with patchworked skin. “There are so many different layers to the costume. When he’s born, he’s wearing nearly nothing. His chest is open and his head is high. Then, as he starts to experience pain, as we do as a teenager, he starts to hunch his shoulders. And as an adult, he closes off,” said Elordi. Mexican auteur del Toro was last in Venice with his 2017 dark fantasy The Shape of Water, which won the Golden Lion and went on to earn four Oscars, including for best picture and director. Frankenstein, is set to release in theatres on October 17 and on Netflix on November 7. — ANI Gaga Singer Lady Gaga is the latest addition to the slate of performers for the MTV VMAs, taking place on September 7. Gaga received the most nominations for this year’s ceremony, racking up a dozen nods for Die With a Smile, Abracadabra, and her latest album Mayhem. Bruno Mars trailed behind her with 11 nominations, followed by Kendrick Lamar with 10, Sabrina Carpenter and Rose with eight, and Ariana Grande and the Weekend with seven. Additional performers include Carpenter, Post Malone, Sombr, Doja Cat, Conan Grey, Alex Warren, DJ Snake, Balvin and Tate McRae. — ANI Love FESTIVE COUTURE A surge in disposable income, unprecedented digital access and enhanced infrastructure are awakening consumers in Punjab to luxury Indian and international brands. With the onset of festive season, it’s time to invest in those hiend desi luxury designers that are no longer confined to the wealthy elite in metros. In Amritsar, the fashion capital of Punjab for long, it’s time for the festive luxury shopping edits, showcasing Vikram Phadnis, Gaurav Gupta, Shantanu Nikhil, Manish Malhotra and Masaba. Amritsar has been inviting a lot of these designer wear labels as a market to not just explore but also sell in. This year, two luxury fashion edits by Couture by Khuranas Jewellery House and Bride and Tribe are already showcasing lot of Indian fashion A-listers as Amritsaris gear up for the big fat wedding season. amritsar G uillermo del Toro directorial Frankenstein earned an impressive 13minute standing ovation at the ongoing Venice International Film Festival 2025 in Lido. Oscar Isaac, who plays the titular mad scientist, and Jacob Elordi, who embodies his monstrous creation in the movie, couldn’t hold back their tears as the Venice crowd continued to applaud. During the lengthy ovation, del Toro waved to the crowd and shared multiple hugs with Elordi and Isaac. A visibly emotional Elordi also got a kiss on the cheek from Isaac as the two embraced, with Elordi resting his chin on Isaac’s head. The gothic sci-fi film, which is competing for the prestigious Golden Lion at the festival, is a retelling of Mary Shelley’s 1818 classic horror novel. It follows a brilliant scientist who brings a monstrous crea-