01122025-LSTC-01.qxd 11/30/2025 8:13 PM Page 1 c m y b GUY PEARCE ISSUES APOLOGY Actor Guy Pearce apologised for sharing misleading posts — including claims tied to extremist figures and antisemitic conspiracies — and announced a break from social media. The backlash followed posts supporting Palestine; Pearce stressed the need for meaningful action alongside his apology. HOT Chandigarh WHAT’S TRIBUNE Life Shah Rukh Khan thanked Andre Russell for 12 memorable IPL years with KKR as the allrounder retires from the league, joining the franchise as its new “Power Coach.” CHANDIGARH | MONDAY | 1 DECEMBER 2025 Serious side of Comic Singh Mona eat SWEET INDULGENCE C HANDIGARH’s dessert scene has a new star: Koyo Koyo’s Tiramisu with Chocolate Caviar, a classic transformed into a contemporary jewel. What begins as a familiar favourite quickly reveals its modern flair — velvety mascarpone layered over espresso-soaked sponge, enriched with the warmth of roasted cocoa. But the true enchantment arrives tableside — a glistening spoonful of chocolate caviar. Tiny pearls, crafted with precision, shimmer like midnight droplets. As they cascade over the tiramisu, they add a playful touch of luxury, gently bursting with deep cacao richness. Guests savour each bite, discovering the harmony of creamy, bitter, sweet, and delicate textures. At Koyo Koyo, even tradition chooses to shine. And in every pearl of chocolate caviar, the tiramisu tells a story worth returning for. play OF MUSIC & MINGLING I Amritsar Gratitude… F you are the one to enjoy your Sundays in Amritsar with doze of music and some good company, chances are, you are at the Unplugged Street Music events that are held at VR Ambarsar mall court. These unhinged, impromptu music sessions begin when anyone from the crowd takes microphone, and what follows is an impromptu concert that allows people to enjoy music and come out of their inhibitions. These sessions are getting popular as more audience joins in the name of art, and strangers become friends over their shared love for music. Performances are live with a bunch of professional musician providing the necessary detail. So, if you want to experience something real, every Sunday evening at VR Ambarsar there’s fun, food and some friendships waiting to happen. C OMEDIAN Comic Singh, known offstage as Manpreet Singh, carries with him an unusual blend of everyday Punjabi humour, sharp social satire and heartfelt storytelling. With an ‘Aadhaar name’ as he calls his given name; and a stage name that have now become familiar across YouTube, live shows, and television, Manpreet’s comedic footprint has grown steadily over the last seven years. His first television show, Befikran Di Rasoi, captures not only his comedic instincts but also the essence of a Punjabi household — chaotic, warm, lovingly loud and irresistibly funny. Befikran Di Rasoi was envisioned as a TV-style comedy experience — part hosting, part spontaneous humour and never entirely scripted. The debut episode featured Jashanpreet Singh, Anmol Magic, along with actress Tania. Rather than behaving as a typical host, Comic Singh approached the show with a free-flowing, organic style — cracking spontaneous jokes, reacting to his guests, and allowing the humour to rise naturally from conversation. Comic Singh’s journey, though often narrated with humour, is rooted in real-life grind. He began working in Amritsar, joining the KFC team in 2009, before moving to Domino’s in 2013 as an assistant restaurant manager. Comedy wasn’t on the cards then — until an annual office meeting, seven years ago, changed everything. He performed a our edian says his hum The com s, es from observation com not mockery small comic bit for colleagues and felt something click. “Maza hi bada aaya,” he recalls. That moment pushed him to resign from his steady job and take the unpredictable leap into stand-up. As a middle-class boy who quit a secure naukri, his decision was bold, but one that eventually shaped a remarkable career. In these few years, Comic Singh’s art has taken him across 21 countries, performing everywhere from Hong Kong, Norway, Sweden, Germany to international Punjabi hubs like New Zealand. While he performs in Punjabi, inter- estingly, he never faced the stereotypical “struggle.” Relatability, and a growing global Punjabi diaspora helped him build a steady audience. At the heart of his comedy is the unique chaos of Punjabi life — the noisy family routines, the staple fuffads, Sunday traditions, and the small absurdities of everyday living. Yet, he draws clear ethical lines. “There are things I would never joke about,” he says. Turban, his identity is one! His humour comes from observations, not from mockery. “No comic wants to say something hurtful,” he insists, urging audiences to allow comedians space for satire. Comic Singh’s inspirations reflect his love for clean yet impactful satire. The late Jaspal Bhatti, Bhagwant Mann, and Amanullah Khan are his comedic pillars — artistes who balanced humour with social messaging. He speaks with admiration for Rana Ranbir’s depth, Gurpreet Ghuggi’s brilliance and the emotional intelligence embedded within Punjabi comedic cinema. He shares that half of his content is rooted in real life — especially jokes about Punjabi ‘I’m not intimidated’ The fastest …says Jenna on becoming youngest jury member at Marrakech Film Festival love FLORAL EXTRAVAGANZA P Ludhiana UNJAB Agricultural University’s Department of Floriculture and Landscaping will paint Ludhiana in hues of bloom as it hosts the 28th Chrysanthemum Show-Competition-cum-Sale on December 2 and 3, 2025, at the outer premises of Dr Manmohan Singh Auditorium. Held annually since 1996 in memory of the celebrated Punjabi poet Bhai Vir Singh, the show will dazzle visitors with a spectacular display of more than 90 chrysanthemum varieties, vibrant competitions across 12 classes, and stalls brimming with garden delights. From incurved and reflexed blooms to pompons, buttons, and spider forms, the exhibition promises a feast of colour and fragrance, offering garden lovers not only a chance to admire PAU’s recommended varieties but also to take home potted treasures and ornaments to brighten their own spaces. Jenna Ortega, star of Tim Burton’s Netflix hit Wednesday, has created history at the Marrakech Film Festival this year as its youngest ever jury member. The 23-year-old actress joins a jury presided over by Cannes Palme d’Or and Oscar-winning Parasite director Bong Joon Ho. Despite being young and surrounded by the critically acclaimed filmmakers in the jury panel, Jenna Ortega doesn’t feel intimidated; instead, she seems to be relishing the experience. “I’m not intimidated because I think I’m so overwhelmed with gratitude. I think it would be a shame to come into this experience and be weighed down by some external pressure.” She continued, “We’re all on the same team. We’re here to have a discussion about film, an honest discussion, and I tend to be a pretty honest person; it’s very hard for me to put up a front. Obviously, I have the utmost respect and have looked up to so many of these directors and filmmakers for such a long time. More than anything, I just want to be as present as possible.” The other jury members include Julia Ducournau (Titane), Celine Song (Past Lives), Payman Maadi (A Separation) as well as Mad Max star Anya Taylor-Joy. — ANI c m y b crush shift in fan history Fans flood the Internet with memes as Stranger Things returns with a twist-filled final season Just as the first part of the final season of the popular scifi series Stranger Things hit Netflix, the Internet has exploded not with Demogorgons, but with memes. As Volume 1’s first four episodes dropped on Wednesday, fans quickly flooded Instagram and X to share their reactions to everything from Vecna’s unexpectedly “hourglass” transformation and glossy manicure to Will Byers’ surprising “glow-up.” Memes ranged from fans performing fake “aarti” rituals for their favourite cast members to dramatic edits celebrating Will’s new powers. In fact, Will has become an overnight internet sensation after dropping a major surprise bomb in the final moments of Episode 4. His power-packed scene left fans stunned and soon earned him some newly converted admirers. — ANI families and fathers — while the other half is creatively exaggerated. His writing process is disciplined: he writes his own jokes, tests a special for a year before finalising it. Balancing work between Amritsar and Chandigarh, he admits, “Real humour is in Amritsar.” Comic Singh believes the comedy scene is expanding rapidly, yet, there is no real competition. He says, “I am the only one doing stand-up comedy in Punjabi. I wish more people would join.” Comedy, he says, often comes from a dark place. Like the Joker’s mask, a comedian hides pain behind laughter while balancing life’s pressures — groceries, bills, responsibilities — parallel to performance. As he steps into television, he leaves a simple message for readers, “Dekhde raho. The more you watch an artiste, the more they create for you.” From the fast-food counters of Amritsar to global stages, Comic Singh’s journey is proof that humour, when honest and heartfelt, can cross borders and connect people everywhere. Befikran Di Rasoi streams on Pitaara TV . Living a good life Malaika Arora to debut as author with wellness book It’s Easy to be Healthy Actor-model Malaika Arora is set to make her debut as an author with new book's Easy to be Healthy: Malaika's Guide to Living a Good Life, scheduled to hit the stands on December 9. Published by Bloomsbury India, the book reflects her trademark clarity, elegance and practicality. It will be available in both English and Hindi. “I have been part of the entertainment business for close to three decades, and there have been many twists and turns on the road to success. But I still feel unstoppable, like I am just getting started. That is because fitness has always been a cornerstone of my life. “After years of trial and error, I have found a way of living that works for me... And that’s exactly why I decided to write this book — to share my learnings. No filters, no pretenses, just everything that has shaped my wellness journey,” said the 52year-old, known for popular dance numbers Chaiyya Chaiyya, Kaal Dhamaal and Munni Badnam Hui, in a statement. — PTI