31052026-LSTC-01.qxd 5/30/2026 7:49 PM Page 1 c m y b EMILIA CLEARS THE AIR Emilia Clarke has set the record straight on rumours surrounding the salaries earned by the cast of the hit series Game of Thrones, calling the reported figures “wildly exaggerated. In an interview, Clarke refuted claims that she and several of her co-stars earned as much as $ 300,000 per episode. TRIBUNE Life Gurnaaz T HERE’s a moment in Siddharth Nigam’s career that feels like a quiet pivot, not loud, not dramatic, but deeply intentional. With Kaptaan, the actor who first caught the nation’s eye as a gymnastturned-performer in Dhoom 3 is no longer chasing scale. He’s chasing something far more difficult… stillness. Kareena Kapoor Khan tries her hand at paddle ball game Never say never Kareena Kapoor Khan is a fitness enthusiast. From performing yoga asanas to strength training exercises, the star loves to explore different fitness routines to stay healthy, active, and in shape. And now this time, she has tried her hand at a game of paddle ball. On Friday evening, took part in a padel session. Sharing a picture from the court, she quipped “Never say Never” as she entered her ‘padel era’. Kareena was accompanied by her yoga coach, Anshuka Parwani. ‘Brown’ girl The trailer of Brown, starring Karisma Kapoor, was unveiled on Saturday. Headlined by Karisma Kapoor in the role of a cop, the series also stars Surya Sharma, Jisshu Sengupta, and Soni Razdan. LUDHIANA | SUNDAY | 31 MAY 2026 Not chasing scale, chasing stillness Siddharth Nigam, who is seen in Kaptaan, says he wants to evolve, not just as a performer but as a storyteller “I’ve spent years building a certain image, and I’m grateful for that,” says Nigam, reflecting on his journey from high-energy television roles to more layered storytelling. “But I didn’t want to be boxed into it.” Kaptaan, he explains, arrived at a time when he was “actively looking to evolve, not just as a performer, but as a storyteller.” For an actor whose identity has long been tied to agility, action and physical precision, this shift inward hasn’t come easy. In fact, it’s required him to unlearn much of what brought him success. “Television teaches you discipline, speed and consistency. But here, I had to slow down, to live in a moment instead of performing it for impact. It’s a completely different rhythm.” That recalibration is at the heart of Kaptaan. Nigam A STILL FROM KAPTAAN speaks of scenes where silence carried more weight than dialogue, moments that pushed him into unfamiliar territory. “I realised that sometimes, doing less requires more honesty,” he says. “Stillness is actually harder than action because you can’t hide behind anything. You have to be completely present.” It’s a striking admission from someone whose early career was built on movement, both literal and cinematic. But the actor is clear… this isn’t about rejecting his strengths, but expanding them. “Physicality has always been my strength, but I don’t want it to be my only identity. I want people to see that there’s more range to me than what they’ve seen so far.” The transition from television to films and OTT, of course, comes with its own set of challenges, chief among them, perception. Nigam acknowledges the barrier, but refuses to be defined by it. “It exists, no doubt. But I see it as motivation. At the end of the day, the audience doesn’t care where you come from, they care about how real you feel on screen.” That focus on authenticity also shapes how he navigates his massive Gen Z following. Unlike earlier generations of stardom, today’s audience is less interested in repetition and more in reinvention. Nigam seems to understand that instinctively. “Gen Z is very open. They appreciate authenticity. If anything, they push me to experiment more.” And experiment he will. At this stage, the actor is consciously leaning into risk, even discomfort. “I’ve built a connection with my audience, so now it’s about reinvention,” he says. “Growth only comes when you step into discomfort.” Looking ahead, his choices are guided less by scale and more by substance. He’s drawn to stories that linger, filmmakers who challenge and roles that demand emotional and psychological depth. It’s a marked shift from the wide-eyed ambition of his early years. “Earlier, growth meant bigger projects, bigger moments,” he reflects. “Now it’s about truth. How honestly can I portray a character? How much can I make the audience feel?” In that sense, Kaptaan may not just be another project; it may well be the beginning of a more introspective, more deliberate phase for Siddharth Nigam. One where the performance isn’t driven by how much he can do, but by how much he can hold back, and still be felt. CHAT UP KJO IN DIGITAL DETOX MODE Karan Johar left netizens surprised as he had seemingly unfollowed many industry friends, including Shah Rukh Khan, Kareena Kapoor Khan and Manish Malhotra. The director revealed that the move was part of a “digital detox,” adding that he wanted to “reduce the time and energy spent on the gram.” RANVEER MEETS DECLAN RICE (L-R) SOMY ALI, GAURAVV SAXENA, DELNAAZ IRANI, KANWAR DHILLON & SACHIN PARIKH Actor and Brand Ambassador for Tobacco free B.E.S.T (Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport), Neetu Chandra, holds a placard during an anti-tobacco campaign organised by Cancer Patients Aid Association (CPAA) in Mumbai. Celebrities share strong messages on World No Tobacco Day On World No Tobacco Day, celebrities share their views on tobacco addiction and the importance of healthier choices. While stressing the value of awareness campaigns, they emphasise that real change comes through self-awareness, determination, and a conscious decision to prioritise health over harmful habits. SACHIN PARIKH Tobacco is dangerous to health, yet many people are addicted to it. While campaigns and government initiatives are doing a commendable job of highlighting the risks associated with smoking and tobacco use, real change can only come through self-awareness and personal determination. Today, many youngsters view smoking as a style statement or take it up due to peer pressure, without Choose health over addiction fully understanding its longterm consequences. On World No Tobacco Day, I believe all public figures, actors, celebrities, and leaders should come together to use their platforms to spread awareness about the health hazards of tobacco. KANWAR DHILLON I believe tobacco addiction is one of the biggest health challenges we face today. While awareness campaigns, c m y b warnings, and advertisements play an important role in educating people, quitting smoking ultimately comes down to personal choice and determination. I have immense respect for those who manage to overcome the habit because it’s one of the best decisions anyone can make for their health and well-being. Personally, I have always stayed away from tobacco and have never felt the urge to try it. SOMY ALI Firstly, it’s insane that anyone would even contemplate smoking a cigarette. As for stress reducers, I make sure I work out at least 4–5 times a week, which we know for a fact kills anxiety and stress. DELNAAZ IRANI Smoking is really bad. People who smoke must be getting some relief, but it’s injurious to health. Whenever I feel stressed, I spend time with my pet Coco, who instantly lifts my mood and brings me a sense of calm. I also love listening to soft, calming music. GAURAVV SAXENA World No Tobacco Day is not just about spreading awareness, but also about encouraging people to value their lives. Smoking has become so common that many people overlook its long-term impact on health. Real change begins when people stop treating smoking as a trend and start seeing health as a priority. Ranveer Singh met with Arsenal star Declan Rice in Budapest. Ranveer he shared a picture with Declan Rice on Instagram . What made Ranveer’s post even more eye-catching was his choice of background music — Kishore Kumar’s timeless classic ere Jaisa Yaar Kahan from Yaarana. FIRST APPEARANCE TV couple Divyanka Tripathi and Vivek Dahiya have entered the new phase of their lives as parents. The duo was recently blessed with twin baby boys. On Friday, they marked their first appearance with their children. Both Divya and Vivek happily posed for the paps as they took their newborns home from the hospital.