14062026-LSTL-01.qxd 6/13/2026 8:20 PM Page 1 c m y b SCHWARTZ JOINS BEATLES Ben Schwartz has joined the cast of Sam Mendes’ The Beatles — A FourFilm Cinematic Event, taking on the role of New York disc jockey Murray the K. The ensemble cast includes Paul Mescal, Harris Dickinson, Barry Keoghan and Joseph Quinn as the four Beatles. The film is backed by Apple Corps Ltd. and Sony Pictures. “Every moment with him feels like a blessing”: Vicky Kaushal TRIBUNE Mind games Life Actor celebrates his admiration for Punjabi icon Gurdas Maan, calling him the “GOAT” LUDHIANA | SUNDAY | 14 JUNE 2026 The long game pays off Gurnaaz Bollywood actor Vicky Kaushal has paid a heartfelt tribute to legendary Punjabi singer Gurdas Maan, describing him as the “GOAT” and expressing gratitude for the profound influence the iconic artiste has had on his life. Kaushal shared a series of photographs from a recent meeting with Maan, including one image showing the actor warmly embracing the singer. Accompanying the pictures was an emotional note reflecting on how Maan’s music shaped his childhood and continued to inspire him over the years. “Growing up on his songs, learning from his presence. Every moment with him feels like a blessing,” Vicky wrote on Instagram. “For me, he is and always will be the GOAT. Forever fan, forever grateful. Gurdas Maan Saab.” The post drew reactions from several members of the film industry. Filmmaker Farah Khan commented, “Gurdas ji is the best,” while rapper Badshah responded with emojis. Actress Divya Dutta wrote, “My favs in one frame.” The bond between Kaushal and Maan is longstanding. The celebrated singer was among the special guests at Vicky Kaushal and Katrina Kaif’s wedding in Rajasthan. Last year, the actor also praised Maan’s song Main Hi Jhoothi from the album “Sound of Soil”, describing the singer as “evergreen”. Meanwhile, Kaushal is preparing for Love and War, directed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali and co-starring Ranbir Kapoor and Alia Bhatt. The romantic drama is scheduled for a theatrical release on January 21, 2027, in Hindi, Tamil and Telugu. — ANI Star Plus has announced its new reality show, India Ke Top 1%, hosted by Anil Kapoor and designed to test logic, reasoning and quick decision-making rather than general knowledge. I N an industry obsessed with overnight success, Anjum Batra is a reminder that some careers are built quietly — layer by layer, role by role — until one day audiences begin to notice what was always there. With his recent turn as the affable yet layered Mintu in Maamla Legal Hai, Batra has found himself at the centre of a growing fanbase. Ask him about the attention, however, and he quickly steers the conversation away from applause and towards craft. “When it comes to building a character, a lot of responsibility lies with the actor,” he says. “Writers give you a framework, but you have to fill in the gaps, create a backstory, understand their motivations and flaws. That’s what makes it feel real.” His approach to Mintu evolved over time. While the first season came together instinctively, amid overlapping shoots for Amar Singh Chamkila, the second season gave him the space to dig deeper. “This time, I could build on what already existed and add more layers. That’s where the real fun was.” If Maamla Legal Hai highlighted one thing, it was Batra’s ease with comedy. Yet he is quick to challenge the notion that comedy comes naturally. “Comedy is extremely technical. It’s about timing, rhythm and precision. There are moments when you stop enjoying it because you’re doing so many retakes, but when it reaches the audience and connects, that’s the magic.” Season two, he says, moved beyond punchlines towards character-driven humour. “You have to retain the essence of what people loved, but still bring something new. That balance can be tricky.” Working alongside actors such as Ravi Kishan never became a source of pressure. “There was no insecurity on set. Everyone was secure, and that makes a huge difference.” For Batra, 2024 marked a visible shift. With releases including Chamkila, Wild Wild Punjab and Maamla Legal Hai arriving in quick succession, the industry finally appeared to be catching up with his steadily growing body of work. Even so, he resists describing it as a carefully planned breakthrough. “I don’t chase things aggressively. I believe in timing, that what’s meant for you finds its way. But when opportunities come, I’m very clear about my choices.” That clarity, he says, includes the ability to say no — something he credits with shaping his career. “An actor’s journey is defined as much by what you don’t do as what you do.” Long before the recognition came years of uncertainty. After moving to Mumbai following Dev.D, Batra recalls a period filled with auditions and frequent rejection. “I was often told, ‘You don’t fit the bill.’ At first, I didn’t understand it. Later, I realised it simply meant I didn’t match the physicality of the role.” Rather than retreat, he continued working, appearing in Crime Patrol for nearly a decade and clocking close to 80 episodes. “In hindsight, that became my training ground. I got to explore so many characters, dialects and psychological spaces.” Whether it is the emotional world of Jersey or the high-stakes narrative of 83, Batra has developed a reputation for making even smaller roles memorable. “I think it comes down to balance,” he says. “In 83, my character brought moments of lightness. In Jersey, it was about warmth and relatability. When the writing is strong, every- thing falls into place.” That instinct to serve the story rather than overshadow it has become a defining feature of his work. Despite growing recognition, Batra’s idea of success remains deeply personal. “For some, success is a ~200 crore film. For others, even a small role is a big achievement. For me, being part of meaningful projects and receiving love from the audience — that’s enough.” After years of steady work, quiet perseverance, Anjum Batra is finally earning recognition many believe was long overdue Prateek Kuhad drops If I Cannot Be Yours WHAT’S HOT eat Jalandhar SARDAR JI’S DOSA P UNJABI chefs may be famous for butter chicken, keema naan and chhole bhature, but young Parteek Singh is carving a niche with South Indian flavours. Running Sardar Ji’s Dosa Hut in Urban Estate Phase-I market in Jalandhar for the past five years, he serves a variety of dosas, from classic masala dosa to cheese corn dosa. Chandigarh play SOULFUL RHYTHMS A N evening steeped in soulful rhythms and timeless melodies awaits Chandigarh’s music lovers as Sufi Night 2026 arrives at Tagore Theatre’s Mini Auditorium today, 7.00 pm onwards. Chandigarh love FOLD, TWIST, DYE S HIBORI — the centuries-old Japanese resist dyeing technique — is coming to Chandigarh, and it’s nothing short of wearable art. Bring along a plain tee or fabric of your choice, and let expert hands guide you through the meditative magic of folds, twists, and binds that bloom into breathtaking indigo patterns. There is contentment in that outlook, but not complacency. “If there’s no desire, progress slows down. There has to be balance — gratitude, but also hunger.” That hunger is already finding new direction. His upcoming Punjabi film, Ishq Nama, brings him together with actors Jai Randhawa, Shehnaaz Gill and Saurabh Sachdeva, marking another step into diverse storytelling spaces. Ask him what drives him now, and the answer is refreshingly free of ambition clichés. ckham among Cruise, Be t US FIFA WC clash stars a The FIFA World Cup 2026 opener between the United States and Paraguay at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles turned into a star-studded spectacle, with celebrities from across the worlds of film, music, sport and entertainment joining thousands of fans to witness the start of the US leg of the tournament. Among the most talked-about attendees were global icons Tom Cruise, David Beckham and Victoria Beckham, who were seen enjoying both the opening ceremony and the match proceedings. Oscar-winning actor Jamie Foxx was among the high-profile guests, arriving at the stadium in an orange beanie alongside comedy star Vince Vaughn. Actors Owen Wilson, Sofia Vergara, Leonardo DiCaprio and Halle Berry were also spotted at the venue, adding to the celebrity presence at the much-anticipated fixture. Singer and actor Teyana Taylor was also in attendance. Singer Shaboozey, whose hit track “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” became one of the biggest songs of 2024, was seen entering the stadium dressed casually in jeans and a dark T- shirt. Talk-show personality Guillermo Rodriguez of “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” and singer Becky G were also present for Team USA’s opening World Cup clash. Becky G, who is also a co-owner of National Women’s Soccer League club Angel City FC, has frequently advocated for greater participation of young Latinas in sport and continues to promote women’s involvement in football and athletics. Socialite and entrepreneur Paris Hilton attracted attention in a redand-white striped top paired with jeans, a look that appeared to pay tribute to Team USA’s colours. New York Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart was among the spectators, attending the match alongside Marissa Ayers. Other well-known figures at the stadium included actor Rob Lowe and NFL quarterback Jameis Winston. One of the most unexpected highlights came from beloved “Sesame Street” characters Elmo and Cookie Monster, who appeared on FOX’s pre-match coverage. Speaking to host Charissa Thompson, c m y b Elmo expressed his excitement about being part of the occasion. “It’s really amazing. Everybody’s been really nice and teaching us about soccer,” Elmo said. Asked what advice he had for the U.S. team, Elmo replied: “Do your best.” Also present was Michael Rubin, chief executive of Fanatics, one of the world’s largest digital sports platforms. Rubin has played a prominent role in several World Cup-related initiatives through partnerships between Fanatics and FIFA. Pop star Katy Perry delivered a memorable performance during the opening ceremony, captivating thousands of fans with an emotional rendition of her song “Wonder” ahead of the United States’ campaign opener. Future and Tyla brought further energy to the occasion with a performance of their track “Game Time”. The ceremony also featured a host of international music stars, including LISA of BLACKPINK, Anitta and Rema. The event marked the start of the US leg of the FIFA World Cup, which is being jointly hosted by Mexico and Canada. — ANI Singer-songwriter Prateek Kuhad has released If I Cannot Be Yours, the second single from his upcoming studio album Full Moon Chamber, which is scheduled to be released on July 10. The track, accompanied by an official music video, follows the release of Blush, the first single from the album that was unveiled last month. Built around soft vocals, synths, electric guitar and a driving rhythm, If I Cannot Be Yours explores themes of identity, emotional dependence and self-discovery. The song revolves around the question, “If I cannot be yours, darling, who should I be?,” as per the press release. Speaking about the track, Kuhad said it examines the uncertainty that can accompany the end of a relationship. “Sitting at the centre of loss of identity and self rediscovery, ‘If I Cannot Be Yours’ explores the unsettling space between wanting to leave a relationship and fearing the reality of who you might become without it. It is about reaching a point where so much of your sense of self is tied to another person, that letting go forces you to confront who you are on your own,” he said in a statement. Full Moon Chamber is Prateek’s third studio album and his first since The Way That Lovers Do (2022). Written and recorded between New York and Los Angeles, the 14-track album explores themes of love, belonging and identity through deeply personal songwriting. Los Angeles-based producers Nick Ruth and Mike Irish worked on If I Cannot Be Yours. Ruth, known for collaborations with artists including Kelly Clarkson, Bakar and Lauren Spencer Smith, also helped shape the overall sound of the album by refining recordings into a cohesive sonic framework. The album will be released on July 10 via Atlantic Records. — ANI