18112025-LSTL-01.qxd 11/17/2025 7:50 PM Page 1 c m y b TRIBUNE ChatGPT fiasco Life Kim Kardashian has not been on very friendly terms with ChatGPT! In a recent conversation, Kim revealed how she used the AI platform for “legal advice” and ended up failing. LUDHIANA | TUESDAY | 18 NOVEMBER 2025 Marrying fact with fiction C Nonika Singh ALL it his moment of reckoning or an emotionally overwhelming one, Suparn S Varma has every haq to be on cloud nine. As his directorial Haq opened to rave reviews and is faring fairly well on box-office too, for Suparn, Haq’s success is indeed the stuff dreams are made of. Talking of the film, he worked on it for three years. One was spent in research, studying legal documents, histories of inspiration, including Shah Bano’s case, another one on writing and then the actual making of the emotional world of Shazia Bano and Abbas Khan. He says, “We saw it as a story of marriage, a domestic dispute that became a national issue.” For him every story is political if it concerns ‘power imbalance, even in a marriage.’ When fact marries fiction, the biggest dilemma a filmmaker faces is how to retain the truth and honesty of the story. When facts are steeped in a faith he personally does not practise, the responsibility becomes greater and stakes go higher. As he puts it, “I come from this proud country, where Hindu Sikh Isai Muslim, sab Bhai Bhai and when your intentions are right you meet the right kind of people. I have had mentors of all faiths, including men like Feroze Khan.” Thus among the many heartening responses to his film have been from action director Eejaj Gulab whose laudatory words were — ‘This is it’. Many others like writers Hussain and Abbas Dalal responded — ‘Finally we are being shown as who we are; proud Indians, not Aurangzeb or Khilji. Here we have a Muslim woman standing with the national flag in the background.’ And then there have been fans like this Muslim boy who could identify with Shazia’s story as his mother’s. For Suparn this could well be Suneeta’s predicament. “Things,” he asserts, “have not changed for women, not only in this country but world over. They are still fighting gender bias, glass ceiling. It’s still a man’s world. Even though they are biologically, mentally, emotionally superior yet they have it tough, period.” Thus men like Abbas played by Emraan Hashmi, seemingly genial on the face of it but subversive beneath the surface, are not uncommon. On his casting choices, Yami Gautam Dhar was his first and last choice and Emraan is someone he had always been dreaming to work with. As both actors appear born for the parts, he lauds them for their dedication. “Yami became Shazia for 32 days that we shot the film and Emraan was not only in when he read the script but had many fearless suggestions too.” The journalist in Suparn makes him see facts beyond headlines, dig deeper and get to the gist Suparn S Varma, whose film Haq is garnering rave reviews, says he approached his protagonist Shazia Bano’s story as a domestic dispute that became a national issue of the story and its many facets. Do courtroom dramas fascinate him more? There has been The Trial, Sirf Ek Banda Kaafi Hai which he produced and now Haq. He nods and answers, “I love the shocks, surprises, intellectual arguments, discourses which legal dramas allow you.” But there have been many other projects in his filmography. Besides Rana Naidu, there has also been Raj and DK’s famed series The Family Man 2. So, he would rather call himself ‘genre agnostic.’ In case, you are curious he isn’t part of the third outing of The Family Man for he was busy shooting Haq and Rana Naidu Season 2. Right now, like Arjuna’s unwavering focus, his eyes are on Haq’s theatrical run and getting the message of his thought-provoking film across to audiences. Whether the film bats for uniform civil code is something he insists, “Audiences can decipher for themselves. For me this is about Shazia who fought for her right and won.” Making a riveting film with a beating heart and resounding thought can’t possibly be an easy balance to achieve. He says, “You do your best… I am a fearless maker who works from the heart and goes for the heart with zero agenda.” And then the universe conspires to ensure magic is created. Haq sure is being hailed both by critics and audiences as cinematic marvel. YAMI GAUTAM DHAR AS SHAZIA BANO AND DIRECTOR SUPARN S VARMA Uyyi Amma singer Madhubanti honoured (Top to bottom): Malaika Arora, Sanya Malhotra, Urvashi Rautela & Palak Tiwari STAR POWER The Myntra GlamStream Fest lit up Mumbai on Sunday, bringing together style, glamour and vibrant energy under one roof. The event saw a dazzling lineup of celebrities gracing the occasion, including Sanya Malhotra, Fatima Sana Shaikh, Palak Tiwari, Urvashi Rautela, Malaika Arora and Huma Qureshi. Their presence added star power to the celebration, making the fest a memorable showcase of fashion, beauty, and entertainment. — TNS Madhubanti Bagchi has rapidly emerged as one of the most defining voices in contemporary Indian music. The Gujarat Government recently honoured her for her outstanding artistic achievements. Madhubanti has delivered chart-topping vocals for several leading ladies of Bollywood. Her viral hit Aaj Ki Raat, performed on screen by Tamannaah Bhatia, became a nationwide sensation. She brought delicate emotional gravitas to Tum Mere Na Huye from Thamma. Her repertoire continues to expand with tracks such as the soulful Uyi Amma, the classically rich Nazariya Ki Maari from Heeramandi, the experimental fusion Meetha Khara from Coke Studio Bharat, the evocative Shayad - Reprise and Peelings, among others. CHAT UP STANDING OVATION FOR ANUPAM KHER 120 BAHADUR TO RELEASE IN 800 DEFENCE THEATRES BIRTHDAY GIRL ON THE BEACH Anupam Kher is thrilled about the housefull theatre performance for his autobiographical play, Kucch Bhi Ho Sakta Hai, in the national capital on Sunday. Taking to his Instagram handle, Kher shared a video from the show in which he was seen taking a bow before the audience. He wrote, “STAGE IS MY WORLD! Thank you Delhi audiences for your Love, Warmth, Appreciation and a neverending STANDING OVATION for my autobiographical play Kuch Bhi Ho Sakta Hai!” Farhan Akhtar’s war epic 120 Bahadur is set to create history after it becomes the first film to release across the nation’s 800 defence theatres on November 21. Based on the Battle of Rezang La, the film also stars Raashii Khanna, Sparsh Walia, Vivan Bhatena and Dhanveer Singh in prominent roles. ‘Breathtaking!’ Nick Jonas admires his desi girl Priyanka Chopra at Rajamouli’s Varanasi event Singer-actor Nick Jonas just can’t stop admiring his wife, Priyanka Chopra Jonas, sharing a series of pictures on Instagram that highlighted her stunning appearance in a traditional attire. Taking to Instagram stories. Nick shared a string of pictures of his wife and expressed his astonishment over her beauty. The photographs were from Priyanka’s recent appearance at the GlobeTrotter event in Hyderabad, where she wore a stunning white saree. The event also saw filmmaker SS Rajamouli officially unveiling the title of his upcoming film along with a teaser. The film, Varanasi, stars Mahesh Babu in the lead role of Rudhra. In one of the posts, Nick shared pictures of Priyanka in a white saree and commented, “Just wow” and “Breathtaking.” With another snap capturing Priyanka’s traditional hairstyle and intricate designs on her outfit, the singer gave a shoutout, calling her “My Desi girl.” Nick Jonas extended his best wishes to the entire team of Varanasi and added, “Congrats to the whole team. This film is sure to be incredible.” Earlier on Sunday, PeeCee took to her Instagram account to share a short teaser clip, giving fans a tiny glimpse of Rajamouli’s upcoming film, which stars Mahesh Babu, Priyanka herself, and Prithviraj Sukumaran. — ANI Tara Sutaria is already busy with her birthday festivities. Tara took to her Instagram handle and treated fans to her pre-birthday special getaway to the Maldives. In her post, Tara could be seen posing elegantly in front of a customised setup, with the words “Happy Birthday Tara” designed with bright, red LED lights. “BIRTHDAY WEEK BEGINS! T-3 TO GO,” Tara wrote in the caption. MAHESH BABU & PRIYANKA CHOPRA JONAS c m y b