12012026-LSTC-01.qxd 1/11/2026 8:49 PM Page 1 c m y b NUPUR–STEBIN WEDDING BELLS Nupur Sanon and Stebin Ben have begun a new chapter together, getting married in a beautiful Christian ceremony on Saturday. Nupur looked gorgeous, dressed in a beautiful wedding gown with a flowing veil. Stebin Ben opted for a tuxedo, which perfectly complemented her elegance. mohali WHAT’S HOT eat B LUE Tokai Coffee Roasters, India’s largest specialty coffee brand, has launched Blue Tokai Origins at HLP Galleria, Mohali, bringing its immersive coffee experience beyond metro cities. The flagship store showcases India’s rarest micro-lots, diverse brewing methods, and a chef-curated menu by Auroni Mukherjee, blending craft with accessibility. Guests can enjoy Nitro Cold Brew, temperature-controlled rare coffees, and dishes like Chilli Crunch Carbonara and Coconut Berry Lamington. Designed as a community hub, Origins hosts workshops, cuppings, and cultural events, connecting farmers, brewers, and coffee lovers. The store reflects Blue Tokai’s mission of celebrating Indian coffee while combining scale, craft, and education. Life CHANDIGARH | MONDAY | 12 JANUARY 2026 Oscar spotlight on untold truths THE GIRL WHO DARED TO DREAM S he didn’t grow up with a silver spoon, but with grit, courage and an unshakeable belief that stories can change lives. Actor, writer, producer and filmmaker Trupti Bhoir turns her lens toward one of India’s most disturbing realities in Paro —The Untold Story of Bride Slavery. Helmed by National Award-winning director Gajendra Ahire and produced by Trupti Bhoir Films and Sandesh Sharda International Pvt. Ltd., the film gives voice to women, some as young as twelve, who are bought and sold for marriage across India. Trupti didn’t come from cinema royalty. In her entire family, she is the only one working in the film industry. Before acting found her, she worked as a beautician, travelling from Andheri to Borivali for nearly five years, carrying over 25 kilos of equipment; offering home services to survive. “There was a time when I didn’t even have money to eat a vada pav,” she says. As a child growing up in Goregaon, Mumbai, Trupti was spirited and uncontainable. “If I saw a bullock cart on the way to school, I’d hop on,” she laughs. “By the time I reached school, half the day was gone.” With Paro entering the Oscar Convention WHEN CINEMA List, Trupti Bhoir marks her CHOSE HER Acting, she second Academy-recognised insists, was never a choice. “It chose film, amplifying unheard me. Even when I tried to escape it, it voices on a pulled me back.” Her first major film, Tourglobal stage ing Talkies (2013), ludhiana became the first Marathi film to be Oscar-listed, entering the Academy’s Convention List. She shared the Best Actress Award with Sridevi that year, a moment she still calls surreal. And now, history has repeated itself. Paro, co-written, co-produced and led by Trupti alongside actor Taha Shah Badussha, has entered the Oscar Convention List; making it her second Oscar-listed film. It’s a reminder that when cinema dares to look where society looks away, it can awaken the world’s conscience. play ADDITI’S LIVE ACT O N Saturday, 17 January 2026, Studio Mastaani in Ludhiana transforms into a haven of grace and emotion as Additi Sharma takes the stage at 9:00 pm for a mesmerizing three-hour performance. A Night That Moves the Soul promises an immersive journey through rhythm, storytelling, and expressive movement, set against the regal backdrop of Studio Mastaani. Blending tradition with contemporary artistry, Additi’s live act invites audiences to experience beauty that speaks louder than words, perfect for those who cherish elegance, depth, and unforgettable moments in live art. amritsar Honoured... George Clooney received the Best Actor award for his role in Jay Kelly at the AARP Movies for Grownups Awards. AARP Foundation supports older adults build financial stability and resilience. Aanandita Guptaa COFFEE CULTURE love SING WITH THE BIRDS I TRIBUNE NVITING fellow Amritsaristo wake up to the songs of birds, Amit Sharma, birder, wildlife photographer, and banker, has launched guided bird walks to explore the rich avian life in and around the Holy City. Popular spots include the historic Rambagh Gardens, Harike wetland, and the rural periphery of Amritsar. Emerging as a new trend in wellness and eco-tourism, these walks also provide a live lesson in documenting local bird species. Rare sightings of the Indian eagle owl, grey Indian hornbill, and yellow-footed green pigeon promise an unmatched experience. Curated walks encourage interaction with nature and can include local farm-to-fork food experiences on request. Alia Bhatt’s shoutout to Yami Bollywood star Alia Bhatt took a moment to celebrate fellow artist Yami Gautam following the release of her recent courtroom drama HAQ. She not only called up Yami to share her thoughts but also gave her a major shoutout on social media. Taking to her Instagram story, Alia penned a heartfelt note, calling herself a “Yami fan”. “Queen @yamigautam you are pure craft, heart and all things gold for Haq! One of my top female performances of all time.. As I mentioned over the phone too…am a Yami fan waiting eagerly for all your work to once again charm and entertain us all,” Alia wrote on Instagram. In response to Alia Bhatt’s post, Yami couldn’t help but cherish their heartfelt conversation. She reshared Alia’s post and wrote, “It takes a brilliant actor & gem of a person herself to be so generous with her perspective! Have always admired your work & ethics, Alia! Such a heartfelt & honest conversation we had this morning! To many more of such moments & always rooting for one each other... celebrating this empowerment today & everyday!!!” With her response, Alia Bhatt joined the list of celebrities who have hailed HAQ and the powerful performances by Yami Gautam and Emraan Hashmi. Earlier, stars like Kiara Advani and Sanjay Kapoor also heaped praise on Yami. The film HAQ is based on the 1985 Supreme Court judgement in Mohd. Ahmed Khan vs Shah Bano Begum, a landmark case concerning women’s rights and maintenance laws in India. — ANI c m y b THE WOUND THAT BECAME PARO The idea for Paro was born after Trupti watched documentaries on bride trafficking. “It felt like a slow cancer spreading through society,” she says. “Girls are no longer trafficked only for prostitution…they are trafficked for serial marriages, with no rights, no identity.” What followed was not research alone; but immersion. NOT JUST A FILM, BUT A MOVEMENT According to Trupti, the film belongs to every silenced girl, every forgotten woman and every truth the world can no longer ignore. Through her NGO Trupti Bhoir Shelter Foundation, she became the first person in India to systematically document bride slavery, collecting handwritten testimonies from over 4,000 girls and women across every Indian state. More than 60,000 women live this reality. “This is not just a film,” she says. “This is a movement.” COURAGE BEHIND THE CAMERA The journey was not without risk. While researching, Trupti and her mother once encountered a trafficking agent who came at them with a dagger. “We ran for our lives,” she recalls. Filming was equally brutal — shooting in sub-zero temperatures to running barefoot across thornfilled terrain under the Rajasthani sun. FROM GOREGAON TO THE GLOBAL STAGE Since then, Paro has been screened at Cannes 2025, Harvard Kennedy School, Oxford University, India Caucus and LA Fashion Week. Yet, she remains grounded. "I'm still that girl who scored 35 per cent in school and dared to dream," she smiles. Compassion in action Sonu Sood extends support to Gujarat cow shelter Continuing his commitment to compassion and service, real-life hero Sonu Sood has extended support to a cow shelter in Varahi, Gujarat. The shelter is home to nearly 7,000 cows and provides care, protection, and dignity to abandoned, injured, and rescued animals, operating at a scale that requires constant resources and sustained support. Speaking about the initiative, Sonu Sood shared his admiration for the journey of the shelter, saying, “When I see their journey, which started with just a few cows and has now reached seven thousand, it’s a matter of great pride, not only for us but for every person in every village.” Highlighting the dedication of those running the shelter, he added that while their work is extraordinary, his contribution was a small effort to ensure continuity. The support will help enhance veterinary care and infrastructure essential to caring for thousands of cows. ‘I put on 15 pounds for Song Sung Blue’ Hollywood star Kate Hudson said she had to gain 15 pounds for her role of Claire Sardina in the 2025 musical Song Sung Blue. Also featuring Hugh Jackman, the film was directed by Craig Brewer and revolved around Mike and Claire Sardina, a real-life Milwaukee couple who found fame as Lightning & Thunder, a popular Neil Diamond tribute band. “This film was fun — I didn’t have to watch what I ate. I put on 15 pounds, just to be nice and soft. It was over the holiday season, so it was perfect,” she said. The actor said she skipped working out and stayed away from her skincare routines. “I wasn’t working out much. I stayed away from skincare routines. I just let myself be and enjoyed life. Although I also enjoy life when I’m disciplined and working out too, I’m not going to lie,” she added. The film had its world premiere at the AFI Fest on October 26, 2025, at the TCL Chinese Theatre. It served as a closing film.