22072026-LSTC-01.qxd 7/21/2026 11:10 PM Page 1 c m y b PHOOLAN TO SCREEN AT TIFF Prime Video’s original, Phoolan, is set to be showcased at the 51st edition of the Toronto International Film Festival during the festival’s special presentation programme on September 16. The movie is written and directed by Richie Mehta. TRIBUNE Up next Life ‘Mere te already anti-nationalist da tag baut vaar lagg chuka...’ Diljit Dosanjh appeals to the authorities to hear the students’ demands Singer-actor Diljit Dosanjh has voiced support for students following the police action during the July 20 CJP protest, saying they should not have been treated in that manner and urging authorities to listen to their demands. Sharing a statement on social media, Diljit wrote, “Aj jo hoyea baut maada hoyea.. Students naal edan treat nhi hona chaida c.. Mai authorities nu request karda ke students dian demands nu sunn leya javey.. Lokan di avaaz rab di avaaz hundi aa..” He continued, “Mere te already anti nationalist da tag baut vaar lagg chuka.. Hun v mainu anti-nationalist keha jaega. After Kisan Protest.. I faced a lot of backlash & legal problems which I can’t even discuss.. Baki rab sab dekh reha, Baba bhali karu.” In his message, Diljit said what happened to the students was “very bad” and that they deserved to be treated with dignity. He appealed to the authorities to hear the students’ demands, adding that “the voice of the people is the voice of God.” Reflecting on his own experience, he said he had been labelled an “antinational” several times and expected to face similar criticism again. He also said that after the farmers’ protest, he encountered backlash and legal issues that he could not discuss publicly. — ANI Jimmy Shergill is set to be seen next in Netflix's upcoming drama series Operation Safed Sagar, a project inspired by a significant chapter in India's military history. CHANDIGARH | WEDNESDAY | 22 JULY 2026 The Maharaja with a chevron turban Mona F OR someone whose creations have dressed royalty, Bollywood icons and even Hollywood stars, fashion designer JJ Valaya speaks most fondly not of ramps, but of a city that shaped his formative years. Back in Chandigarh for a brief visit on Monday, the Czar of Indian Couture, who spent his formative years in the city, admits that every return is steeped in affection. “This is my favourite city in all of India,” he says without hesitation. “Which other city has the lake, the mountains nearby, so much greenery, the Rose Garden, the Rock Garden, and the Le Corbusier touch?” If JJ Valaya’s life were to unfold as a couture collection, the designer would call it The Maharaja Reborn. During his visit to Chandigarh, he speaks about heritage, AI and the craftsmanship behind every Valaya creation RESEARCH BEFORE RAMP Over three decades, Valaya has remained one of Indian fashion’s most respected names, known for weaving royal Indian heritage into contemporary couture. While fashion trends have evolved dramatically, he believes today’s clientele is more informed than ever. “People in India are getting more and more aware of fine taste,” he says, crediting the social media for exposing consumers to global aesthetics. With artificial intelligence now entering the creative landscape, he remains cautiously optimistic. “AI is wonderful—as long as you don’t become a slave to it. It should increase productivity, not make us lazy.” For Valaya, however, technology can never replace the painstaking process behind meaningful design. Calling himself “a very big researcher,” he says every collection begins with months of exploration before the first sketch is drawn. “Many designers make good clothes first and think of the inspiration later. That’s sad. There’s a difference between being a fashion designer and someone who simply stitches clothes.” was very rewarding." THE NEXT CHAPTER Barely hours after his Chandigarh visit, he was headed back for the India Couture Week fittings, as he continues to expand of his flagship store at the start of another busy fashion season. If his life were to unfold as a couture collection, Valaya already has the title in mind. “The Maharaja Reborn,” he says with a smile, the answer arriving as effortlessly as his signature aesthetic. For a designer, who has spent decades reimagining India’s royal legacy for modern wardrobes, the title seems less a fantasy and more a fitting description! FROM BOLLYWOOD TO WAKANDA While his designs have featured prominently in Indian cinema, and in Hollywood, Valaya recalls Coming to America and Black Panther: Wakanda Forever as the defining experiences of his career. He collaborated with When it comes to colours, India’s Academy Awardiconic red continues to inspire him. winning costume His signature black-and-ivory designer Ruth E chevron motif remains one of the Carter on costumes for Angela defining elements of the JJ Valaya Bassett. "Working aesthetic. Off the ramp, his own wardrobe is refreshingly with Ruth Carter uncomplicated. Dressed in an ivory and then on an textured kurta set, layered with a actress like matching bandhgala-style Angela Bassett, sleeveless jacket, paired with who is a superb actor tailored black trousers and a HIS PALETTE black-and-ivory chevronpatterned turban, he smiles, “This is my uniform.” PHOTO: PARDEEP TEWARI Splash-proof & stylish Footwear that survives the rain without sacrificing style Big B gives health update Amitabh Bachchan has shared a health update after recently undergoing surgery, saying that recovering at home has been the toughest part of the entire process. While the actor did not reveal what surgery he underwent, he spoke about the physical and emotional challenges he has been facing after being discharged from the hospital. In a blog post, Bachchan looked back at his time in the hospital, saying he had undergone surgery and spent time in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) before returning home. Recalling his stay in the hospital, the actor wrote, “.. in Hospital in a surgery and in the ICU, under the care of proficient Doctors and medical Staff .. a discharge .. and a homecoming ..this homecoming period is the most difficult phase .. physically, psychologically and practically...”— ANI Rainy season style doesn’t have to mean rubber boots and boring choices. Here’s how to stay dry and look good doing it. Waterproof sandals top the list. Strapped versions with textured soles grip wet pavements far better than flat slip-ons, and they dress up enough for office days or casual outings alike. Look for adjustable buckles, since a secure fit matters more than usual when roads turn slick. Clogs are having a genuine moment this season. Their closed-toe structure blocks splashes while ventilation holes let feet breathe, a combination that makes them one of the few monsoon shoes suited to both commuting and lounging through a rain-soaked weekend at home. Sliders and rubber flip-flops round out the unisex line-up. They slip on in seconds, and dry almost instantly, making them the default choice for short errands or sudden downpours. Jelly footwear deserves its own spotlight. What was once dismissed as a beachy novelty has turned into one of the season’s biggest trends, showing up in structured flats, block heels and even strappy heeled sandals. The appeal is obvious: jelly material is completely waterproof, wipes clean in seconds, and now comes in finishes glossy enough to pass for high-shine leather. For a softer look, jelly flats and water-resistant ballet styles deliver colour and shine without the risk, pairing easily with both ethnic and Western outfits. Rain boots have had the biggest image makeover of any monsoon shoe. Once reserved for farmers and field work, mid-calf rubber boots now pair with midi skirts, denim and even kurtas for a look that’s practical but far from boring. In flood-prone stretches of the country, they’ve become something closer to a small survival kit, since sports shoes stay damp for days while a rain boot just gets rinsed off and worn again the next morning. c m y b CHAT UP HONOUR FOR JAMES GRAY MADHOSH FROM TOXIC RELEASED ANUPAM KHER TO PLAY JATAYU Filmmaker James Gray, known for projects such as The Yards, The Lost City of Z and The Immigrant, will be honoured with a lifetime career award at the Locarno Film Festival. The award will be presented to Gray on August 9. The makers of Toxic: A Fairy Tale for Grown-Ups unveiled the film’s second single, Madhosh, on July 21, offering audiences a romantic glimpse into the world of the upcoming action drama ahead of its worldwide theatrical release on August 26. Nitesh Tiwari’s Ramayana is one of the most anticipated films of 2026. Boasting a star-studded cast, the epic features Ranbir Kapoor , Sai Pallavi, Yash and Ravi Dubey. Now, it has been learnt that Anupam Kher has lent his voice to the character Jatayu in the film.