04082026-LSTL-01.qxd 8/3/2026 7:52 PM Page 1 c m y b GOING THE GEN-Z WAY Anupam Kher reunited with his Khosla Ka Ghosla co-stars for a Friendship Day social media video that has quickly gone viral. The cast participated in the popular Gen-Z Teri Galiyon Mein Mohabbat Hogi Instagram Reel trend while promoting their upcoming film Khosla Ka Ghosla 2. TRIBUNE Life WHAT’S HOT eat amritsar of ’90s T AN Chì, a gourmet Asian restaurant at Four Points by Marriot, is a culinary discovery of traditional Asian food, served with modern aesthetics. Rooted in the Chinese phrase Tan Chì, meaning “to explore through food’, it offers layered yet uncomplicated variants if sushi, delicate dimsums and some Wok therapy with Thai, Chinese, Japanese, Korean and Indian Chinese food. IMTIAZ ALI love ludhiana Play KAAFIR LIVE I mohali MMERSE yourself in a soulful Sufi night as Studio XO presents Kaafir live in Mohali. Timeless melodies, heartfelt vocals, and a warm ambience that brings together music, emotion, and tradition — from spiritual favourites to stirring live moments, the evening promises a memorable musical experience for true Sufi music lovers. At Studio XO, on August 5 at 9 pm. s Nonika Singh L OVE begets love… but it’s a rare love story which becomes a point of conversation. As Ruchir Arun’s Musafir Café becomes host to many emotions, what has truly worked in favour of the Netflix series, according to the National Award winning director is, ‘It’s everydayness.’ What made him turn to a love story? “Even I was missing the kind of love stories we saw in 1990s and early 2000s, like Mani Ratnam’s films or Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam or Karan Johar’s Kuch Kuch Hota Hai. These films were about people who were, want of a better word, green flags.” So when he read the screenpla, he thought, “Who is writing characters like Sudha, Chander and Preeti and I was immediately taken in.” Today, he is overwhelmed by the outpouring of love. But more than appreciation, what has truly gladdened Ruchir’s heart is how Divya Prakash Dubey’s Hindi novel on which the series is based has once again become a bestseller, and is selling like hotcakes on Amazon. The book to screen adaptation, which showrunner Sharanya Rajgopal has penned, Ruchir shares, “is certainly not a page by page celluloid translation.” Which Manushi Chhillar once again made India proud as she took centre-stage for the opening act of the Commonwealth Games 2026 closing ceremony, delivering a breathtaking performance before a global audience. Having represented India on some of the world’s biggest international platforms over the years, Manushi added yet another remarkable milestone to her journey with a performance that celebrated the nation’s spirit, culture and pride. Dressed in a stunning custom Torani ensemble, Manushi looked resplendent in a peacock blue and green lehenga that beautifully reflected the richness of Indian craftsmanship. The bespoke creation blended timeless Indian artistry with contemporary elegance, making it the perfect choice for one of the most prestigious glob- All e ye parts are faithful to the original source and which take a leap from his and Sharanya’s imagination is for you to fathom. “I can’t reveal much and would rather people read the book and discover it for themselves; what is new and what isn’t,” he says. What he is ready to divulge is how the lead actors have brought in their own experiences/ synergy to the narrative. If Vedika Pinto’s energy fuelled her vibrant Sudha, the emotional depth of Mahima Makwana has defined Preeti’s silences. And what happens when two National Award winning talents (Vikrant Massey and he) come together? Ruchir does not take laurels too seriously. “Let others discover the merit/demerits of my work, for every new project is a different ballgame and I have to ensure each lands as well.” Of course, Ruchir gushes over Vikrant whom he rates as “a very giving actor with no airs.” Besides, Vikrant might be the co-producer of the show, on the sets, says Ruchir, “he was an actor first and foremost.” And yes, the 12th Fail actor, who appears so natural on screen, does prepare assiduously with extensive reading sessions and is instinctive too, precisely why his performance is invariably so effortless. If Musafir Café is best ❝ Audiences do want simplicity, sarlta in their lives which is why this love story touched a chord. Viewers felt uff, yeh meri kahani hai or I want love like this. summed up in the show’s most beautiful line — ‘A real traveller not only changes places but also travels within’ — Ruchir also views the series as a story of two relationships with or without the ties of marriage. He says, “Marriage is a beautiful outcome, byproduct of being in love. Marriage is as normal as live-in relationship. But we are not trying to make a statement.” As the series states, strangers do leave an indelible impact on our lives and in Ruchir’s case, the stranger in his life is now his wife who has changed him in more ways than one. Interestingly, Ruchir’s cinematic sensibility too has evolved. When he passed out of the FTII, Pune, he wanted to make thrillers and actioners. Instead, he got soft and subtle Little Things and Ghar Waapsi. Next on the table is again a love-story, Nazdeekiyan, from the Dharma Production. Love for Ruchir is being with a person you are most comfortable with and right now he certainly is at home capturing many shades of love. In case, you didn’t get closure with the first season of Musafir Café and are wondering aloud if Chander would ditch Preeti, Ruchir muses, “Zindagi ki gaadi chalti rehati hai, the journey of Chander, Sudha and Preeti too will continue.” Roll on and be a musafir on the heartfelt discovery of love and more. Ruchir sure has a knack of taking you into a love-filled world, at once relatable and sublime. Filmmakers Imtiaz Ali and Anurag Kashyap have collaborated to present Bobby Beauty Parlour, a coming-of-age short film premiering during Friendship Week. Directed by Shashwat Dwivedi, Bobby Beauty Parlour follows childhood best friends Eelu and Manu, who spend their last hours together drinking, napping and bickering in a neighbourhood beauty parlour, unwilling to let go of a chapter of life that is ending. The film is produced by Janhavi Asthana, who also serves as co-writer and cinematographer, along with Ranjan Singh and Kashyap. Singh produces the film, and Kashyap curates it. According to reports, Ali and Kashyap have known each other since their student days in Delhi. — ANI ANURAG KASHYAP CHAT UP Manushi! on The actress captivates global audience with Vande Mataram act at Commonwealth Games 2026 closing ceremony Imtiaz, Anurag to present short film I was missing the kind of love stories we saw in 1990s and early 2000s, says Ruchir Arun whose romantic series Musafir Café is winning hearts DRESS CIRCLE L LUDHIANA | TUESDAY | 4 AUGUST 2026 The magic WOK THERAPY UDHIANA’S fashion moment of the season arrives with The Warehouse Sale, bringing over 30 of India’s most iconic luxury labels under one roof at staggering discounts of up to 70 per cent. From Tarun Tahiliani and Gaurav Gupta to Shantnu Nikhil, Masaba, Rohit Gandhi and Rahul Khanna, and Ranna Gill, the wedding and festive edit promises unlimited luxury for a fraction of the price. Hosted by Sumeena Sood and Shweta Jindal, the echibition is at Hyatt Regency on August 5 from 11 am to 7 pm. Helping out Punjabi singer-songwriter Guru Randhawa has stepped forward with a personal contribution of ~5 lakhs to support emergency relief efforts in the flood-ravaged regions of Upper Assam. SUNNY SEEKS BLESSINGS al sporting events. The opening act, led by Manushi and choreographed by renowned choreographer Shiamak Davar, was set to the iconic patriotic anthem Vande Mataram, creating a powerful and emotionally stirring spectacle that resonated with audiences across the world. Gracefully bringing together patriotism, culture and performance, Manushi embodied the confidence, grace and vibrancy of modern India on the international stage, making the performance a heartfelt tribute to the nation. Vande Mataram was choreographed by Shiamak Davar. — TNS c m y b As promotional activities for Batwara 1947 gather momentum, Sunny Deol and Karan Deol visited Takhat Sri Harimandir Ji Patna Sahib in Bihar to seek divine blessings ahead of the film's theatrical release on August 14. They offered prayers at the historic shrine, the revered birthplace of the tenth Sikh Guru, Shri Guru Gobind Singh Ji. ‘THE LUCKIEST EVER!’ SPIDER-MAN EARNS $900M Jennifer Winget has shared unseen pictures from her haldi ceremony, giving fans a look at one of the pre-wedding celebrations ahead of her marriage to William Ishmael in West Wales, UK. Jennifer tied the knot with William last month in an intimate ceremony. Spider-Man: Brand New Day has earned over $900 million on the opening weekend at the global box office. The film, which is directed by Destin Daniel Cretton, has Tom Holland reprise his role of SpiderMan and Zendaya as Michelle Jones-Watson.