25042026-LSTL-01.qxd 4/24/2026 8:43 PM Page 1 c m y b EID 2027 LOCKED FOR SVC63 Salman Khan and Nayanthara will headline SVC63, set for an Eid 2027 theatrical release. the big-budget entertainer positionS itself as a major festive blockbuster event. TRIBUNE Nanny Diaries Life Scarlett Johansson will executive produce Netflix’s series adaptation of The Nanny Diaries under her These Pictures banner. It follows a struggling writer who becomes a nanny for a wealthy Manhattan family. LUDHIANA | SATURDAY | 25 APRIL 2026 soars high with Divya Dutta Chiraiya NonikaSingh A CTOR Divya Dutta is riding a career high with her latest OTT show Chiraiya, which has emerged as one of the mostwatched titles on JioHotstar. Much like the show’s soaring success, Divya herself is enjoying a moment where, as she puts it, “the spotlight is just on you, when your talent finds an authorbacked role.” Known for consistently delivering powerful performances, including her National Film Award for Best Supporting Actress-winning turn in Irada and her role in Bandish Bandits Season 2, she believes this phase is a culmination of years of dedication. In Chiraiya, Divya plays Kamlesh, a Ludhiana di kudi has her hands full with prestigious projects like Last Man in Tower, Echoes of Valour and a Neeraj Pandey special semi-literate woman shaped by a regressive value system. The complexity of the role demanded that she shed her own personality entirely. She recalls moments of discomfort on set, especially while performing intense scenes, admitting, “There were times… when I felt conflicted… But I soon realised one has to be a clean slate and be receptive to what the character demands.” Her layered portrayal has drawn praise from both fans and critics, with audiences even sending her gifts and heartfelt notes addressed to her character. The series tackles the sensitive issue of marital rape — still lacking legal recourse in India — yet Divya had no hesitation in taking it on. She approaches scripts as an audience first and remains unfazed by criticism suggesting such narratives could destabilise marriage. “Kamlesh is a happily married woman. In Chiraiya there are three kinds of men. One is a highly educated head of the family yet nursing a patriarchal mind-set deep within. Other is a supportive husband of my character Kamlesh and then there is really the insensitive and entitled one,” she highlights the show’s nuanced perspective. Reflecting on her journey in a stardriven industry, Divya acknowledges challenges. Even when her powerful role in the superhit Chhaava was edited out of the final cut, she took it in stride: “Isn’t that part of the game?” Today, opportunities are flowing in. She will soon appear opposite Manoj Bajpayee in Last Man in Tower, directed by Ben Rekhi and based on Aravind Adiga’s novel. She also reunites with Bajpayee for a project by Neeraj Pandey and features in Echoes of Valour. A proud Ludhiana native, Divya remains open to Punjabi cinema and is keen to explore comedy next. Her guiding philosophy remains simple: “I always knew what I was capable of, and today I have proved myself right.” WHAT’S HOT Preity Zinta trades IPL buzz for mountain calm eat S PICE & Brew continues to draw diners across the Chandigarh tricity with its twin formats - a casual dining restaurant in Sector 8, Panchkula, and a newer café-style hangout in Sunny Enclave, Mohali. Known for its diverse menu spanning Indian, Asian and Chinese cuisines, the brand offers a stylish yet comfortable setting for dinners, coffee meet-ups and social gatherings. ISTOCK panchkula SPICE & BREW chandigarh shop SILK, COTTON EXPO D ISCOVER an extensive collection of traditional, authentic handlooms and dress materials, including suits and sarees. The exhibition also features exclusive designer suits, home décor, fashion accessories, handbags, footwear and jewellery offered directly by weavers at wholesale prices. The expo is on at Kisan Bhawan, Sector 35, Chandigarh, till April 29, 2026. love TRIBAL ART A shimla RTS lovers in Shimla are witnessing the tribal arts in the Tribal Painting Exhibition at the historic Gaiety Theatre in Shimla. The exhibition gives one a chance to experience a variety of tribal arts and craft. On till April 25’ 2026. CHAT UP PERFECT SIGN BREAKTHROUGH Kanu Chauhan’s latest single Perfect Sign has crossed 200,000 YouTube views within a week of release, marking a major breakthrough for the emerging pop/indie artist. The track’s strong global response highlights her growing international appeal. Blending Hindi and English lyrics, the song explores love, calm, and emotional connection through gentle melodies and reflective storytelling. Chauhan, who relocated to the UK in 2022 to pursue music more independently, says the track reflects her journey of resilience, hope, and creative rediscovery, turning personal experiences into a growing global musical identity. DEEWANI MASTANIOUT US-based singer-songwriter Mansimran Sandhu returns with his new single Deewani Mastani, a romantic track exploring the feeling of surrendering completely to love. Written and composed by Sandhu and produced by Hiten, the song blends smooth melodies with qawwali-inspired intensity, building from soft emotion to a powerful, immersive sound. Currently based in Chicago, he first gained recognition through Rising Star and has steadily built his music career with emotional storytelling and contemporary Punjabi soundscapes. ANUPAM’S TRIBUTE FOR MJ Anupam Kher has paid an emotional tribute to Michael Jackson as the pop icon’s biopic releases worldwide. Sharing a nostalgic photo from their meeting in Mumbai, Kher called Jackson a “phenomenon” and “God’s gift to mankind,” saying his artistry and innocence touched millions and may never be matched again. Directed by Antoine Fuqua and produced by Lionsgate, the biopic stars Jaafar Jackson as Michael, along with an ensemble cast. Kher also expressed sadness over ongoing criticism of the late icon, urging people to celebrate his unmatched legacy instead of negativity. NavneetRathore C ELEBRATED actor and IPL team coowner Preity Zinta traded stadium buzz for mountain calm as she flew into MeenaBagh Ratnari by helicopter on April 20, accompanied by her two children and family. The Himachal native chose the secluded farmstay — known to have hosted names like MS Dhoni, Deepti Naval, Amol Palekar, Ravish Kumar and Brijendra Kala — for a quiet five-day escape. During her stay, Zinta blended effortlessly into local life, even attending the vibrant Bishu fair with hosts Akshita and Sanjay Austa. Dressed in a traditional Himachali cap and a face mask, she browsed stalls and bought toys for her children, largely unnoticed in the crowd. Those who did recognise her respected her privacy, allowing the star a rare, undisturbed holiday. Seeking respite from a hectic IPL schedule, Zinta found exactly what she was looking for at MeenaBagh —privacy, space and a deep sense of tranquility that large luxury hotels often cannot match. Set across a sprawling 15-bigha orchard of fruits and berries, the property combines rustic charm with five-star comforts, from heated bathrooms and mountain-view bathtubs to hands-on farm experiences like fruit picking and stargazing at its in-house observatory, home to one of India’s largest privately owned telescopes. Her days were spent soaking in the rhythms of farm life with her family — feeding sheep, rabbits and ducks, and playing with the resident cat and the everfriendly Pahari dog, Beswa. Before checking out on April 24, she marked her visit with a meaningful gesture — planting a rhododendron tree in the lawns to commemorate World Earth Day. c m y b DADI KI SHAADI Actor Sarath Kumar makes his Hindi debut with Daadi Ki Shaadi, calling it a special milestone and praising co-star Neetu Kapoor for her grace and on-screen presence. He says working with her made the journey memorable and adds that the film’s emotional depth and family-driven story make it a complete entertainer. The trailer of the film hints at a warm family drama filled with love, chaos, and relationships. Also starring Kapil Sharma, Sadia Khateeb, and Riddhima Kapoor Sahni, the film is directed by Ashish R Mohan and is set for a theatrical release on May 8, 2026.