09062026-LSTL-01.qxd 6/8/2026 9:04 PM Page 1 c m y b SUBHASH GHAI HINTS AT TAAL2 Nearly three decades after Taal first won fans over with its music and storyline, filmmaker Subhash Ghai has hinted that the beloved classic may not be done just yet. “Do you want me to produce Taal2 with other young talented directors and a new cast in India?” he wrote in his post. Achiever! Life Krystle D'Souza made a stunning red carpet appearance at The Mumbai Achievers Awards, held at the Taj Lands End hotel in Mumbai. She wore a sophisticated black outfit. LUDHIANA | TUESDAY | 9 JUNE 2026 PHOTO: VISHAL KUMAR WHAT’S HOT eat Imtiaz Ali’s love letter chandigarh NOSTALGIA ON PLATTER L ODHI Bhawan, Sector 35, Chandigarh, welcomes diners to a confluence of old school Lutyens zone and enduring gastronomic traditions of the capital, taking guests on a journey through old Delhi’s bylanes, presenting iconic flavours of Pahad Ganj’s Chole Bhature to the tangy Chandni Chowk Paapri Chaat to ever refreshing Dil ka Sharbat under one roof. to Punjab Neeraj Bagga B OLLYWOOD director Imtiaz Ali is fast becoming the voice of Punjab—both literally and metaphorically. His upcoming film, Main Vaapas Aaunga, set to release in cinemas on June 12, will be his third movie set against the backdrop of Punjab. His previous films, Amar Singh Chamkila and Jab We Met, were also deeply rooted in Punjab and its culture. So, why Punjab? The filmmaker who was in Amritsar for a live performance by the movie’s music cast, led by legendary music composer and singer AR Rahman, at AttariWagah Joint Check Post, was quick to admit, “No Thre is no family connection with Punjab; only an emotional one. And, with each film, this emotional connection is getting deeper.” Ali has just wrapped the shooting of Main Vaapas Aaunga before kicking off the promotional tour for the movie that started with the Attari show. As singers Rahman, Mohit Chauhan, Nilanjana Ghosh, Pooja Tiwari and Nargis, and actor Vedang Raina got ready to enthrall the huge gathering at the venue, Ali happily obliged the media persons who were curious to know about the film that boasts of an ensemble cast, including Diljit Dosanjh, Naseeruddin Shah, Sharvari and Vedang Raina. Elaborating on the movie, Ali said, “I am privileged to be a part of this troupe, and it is magical to start this promotional tour from Attari as the film is based on Parti- play JYOTIKA TANGRI NIGHT T shimla HE International Shimla Summer Festival will be grooving to the melodious voice of renowned Bollywood playback singer Jyotika Tangri, who will be performing live tonight. Known for her famous songs such as O Meri Laila, Phir Bhi Tujhko Chahungi, Pallo Latke, she has made a name for herself amongst top female playback singers in the country. laugh HARYANVI HUMOUR chandigarh T HE Passive Aggressive Haryanvi is set to take the stage at 8 pm on June 12 at the The Laugh Club, Chandigarh with his show Vijay Yadav Live—A Solo Show. With his anecdotal sketches of Haryanvi culture and dead pan delivery, the show promises relatable comedy. The onehour performance is open to audience aged 16 years and above with tickets priced at ~299 onwards. Jab We Met, Chamlika, and now Main Vaapas Aaunga — the filmmaker’s Punjab connection grows stronger tion. Not only homes and lives were lost in 1947, but hearts were broken too. The movie gives out the message of love because, ultimately, only love sustains us.” Why the team zeroed down on Attari to kick off the promotional tour started making sense. The India- Pakistan border plays an important role in the film’s narrative. Main Vaapas Aaunga is a story of love and longing set against the backdrop of the Partition of India, the biggest migration to have taken place in the Indian subcontinent. The plot heavily borrows from the stories of the people who saw it all. And now, decades later, when those people have left behind the past and moved on, what remains is love… and fond memories. And that love is central to Ali’s film. “This is such a unique event. AR Rahman performing at the Attari Gate at the JCP Stadium! This performance is an ode to the national spirit, to our brave hearts on the border, the BSF, the Indian Army, and to the spirit of solidarity and love that binds us all,” he said. His words found an echo in Irshad Kamil’s lyrics as Rahman, Mohit Chauhan, Nilanjana Ghosh, Pooja Tiwari and Nargis sang a few songs from the upcoming film. And the national spirit he talked about found the ultimate expression when Rahman took the stage to sing his iconic composition — Maa Tujhe Salaam. His voice filled the venue with emotion. It was clear why Ali’s evocative world of love and longing would not be complete without Kamil’s heart-felt lyrics and Rahman’s soultouching compositions! Confessions of a Queen The success of Fashion did not translate into movies, says Kangana Ranaut, recalling a period of struggle where she worked bellow her intelligence to sustain herself in the industry. The actor-BJP MP from Mandi, who will be next seen in Bharat Bhhagya Viddhaata, has completed 20 years in the industry that began with a hit debut in 2006 with Anurag Basu’s Gangster: A Love Story. “Whenever you struggle, you should take that time constructively because life is saying something to you and you have to listen to it. When I didn’t have a job, when I struggled, at that time, I asked myself a lot of questions, like, ‘Why am I not getting a job? Why am I not able to do anything better? This phase was after 2007-2008, she said. Ranaut said she was told to hire a manager who worked for top stars and she did exactly that, but it led her to commercial films like Rascals and Dhamaal. Ranaut, who later went on to direct and produce films, said she finally tasted success when she played “ordinary” women in films like Queen and Tanu Weds Manu. Bharat Bhhagya Viddhaata is slated to release in theatres on June 12. — PTI Schmigadoon! wins Best Musical, Liberation takes Best Play as Death of a Salesman leads with six awards at Tony 2026 The 79th Tony Awards celebrated Broadway’s biggest achievements on Sunday night, with Schmigadoon! winning Best Musical and Bess Wohl’s Liberation, taking home the coveted Best Play award at New York’s Radio City Music Hall. While the top honours were split between the two productions, the revival of Arthur Miller’s Death of a Salesman emerged as the most awarded show of the evening, collecting six Tony Awards. The production won Best Revival of a Play and earned additional honours for direction, lighting design, scenic design and sound design. Laurie Metcalf also secured the Featured Actress in a Play trophy, marking her third career Tony Award. Based on the former Apple TV+ series, Schmigadoon! entered the ceremony tied with The Lost Boys for the most nominations, with 12 each. The musical ultimately claimed four awards, including Best Musical, Best Book of a Musical for creator Cinco Paul, Best Original Score, and Best Orchestrations. The Lost Boys, adapted from the 1987 cult vampire film, also finished the night with four wins. The production swept the featured musical acting categories, with Ali Louis Bourzgui winning Featured Actor in a Musical and Shoshana Bean taking Featured Actress in a Musical. It also won awards for CAST AND CREW FROM SCHMIGADOON! RECEIVES THE AWARD FOR BEST MUSICAL Nathan Lane accepts st the award for Be for Revival of a Play ath Arthur Millers De of a Salesman Scenic Design and Lighting Design of a Musical. According to reports, among the acting honours, John Lithgow won Lead Actor in a Play for Giant, earning his third Tony Award. Lesley Manville secured Lead Actress in a Play for her performance in Oedipus. The revival of Ragtime dominated the musical acting categories. Joshua Henry won Lead Actor in a Musical, while Caissie Levy claimed Lead Actress in a Musical. The production also won Best Revival of a Musical, fin- PHOTOS: REUTERS Schmigadoon! sings its way to Tony glory ishing the night with four awards. Alden Ehrenreich earned his first Tony Award, winning Featured Actor in a Play for Becky Shaw. Another notable winner was Cats: The Jellicle Ball, which collected three awards, including Best Direction of a Musical and Best Choreography. Costume designer Qween Jean won Best Costume Design of a Musical, becoming the first openly trans winner in the category. The ceremony was hosted by P!nk. — ANI (CLOCKWISE FROM TOP) SHOSHANA BEAN, JOHN LITHGOW & LESLEY MANVILLE c m y b