28032025-LSTL-01.qxd 3/27/2025 8:08 PM Page 1 c m y b KAMRA ACCUSES T-SERIES Stand-up comedian Kunal Kamra has accused music company T-Series of issuing a copyright strike on his latest stand-up video, Naya Bharat, on YouTube. Kamra is facing criticism for his joke referring to Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde as a gaddar (traitor). TRIBUNE Life Coming up Zendaya and filmmaker Barry Jenkins are working together on a new movie about music legend Ronnie Spector. The actress is set to play the famous singer. LUDHIANA | FRIDAY | 28 MARCH 2025 Symphony of thought, action NonikaSingh Into the heart of a state where violence has so far been romanticised on screen, the cast of Khakee: The Bengal Chapter shares how director Neeraj Pandey has got each detail right Khakee: The Bengal Chapter may not have won everyone’s hearts, but its stellar cast is certainly winning accolades. Be it the Bengali heavyweights, like Prosenjit Chatterjee and Jeet, the talented Ritwik Bhowmik, or non-Bengali actors like Aadil Zafar Khan and Chitrangada Singh, in an exclusive interaction, they share what it means to be part of a Neeraj Pandey series. And how the acclaimed filmmaker got Bengal’s inimitable flavour right. Prosenjit won’t go as far to suggest that The Bengal Chapter is an out-and-out authentic representation, but a fictionalised story set in his home state. He adds, “Culturally rich Bengal has always been shown in a softer way. But, yes, the series does bring out a new facet of the state, including violence, which has so far been romanticised on screen.” On nailing his part of a vile politician with a fair degree of sophistication, the Jubilee star says, “I always take on the challenge of bringing out the grey shades of my character.” For Aadil, the rigorous process of workshops, dialect training and more helped him get into the skin of tempestuous Ranjit. Indeed, as one of the dialogues in the series talks about symphony as the keyword to success, they admit that there has to be a symphony among the ensemble cast. Prosenjit quips, “One actor out of tune and the entire rhythm goes for a toss.” In particular, to crack the bonhomie bordering on bromance between Aadil’s and Ritwik’s onscreen characters of Ranjit and Sagor, the two actually became great friends. As Aadil puts it, “In Ritwik I got a brother for life.” As to why twists and turns-laden crime thrillers capture audiences’ attention, Chitrangda observes, “Perhaps, our lives lack thrill otherwise. So, we seek excitement vicariously.” The lovely actress, who has previously worked with many stalwart filmmakers like Sudhir Mishra, lauds Neeraj Pandey for his vision. She states, “Both are nearly the same school of filmmaking, who would not unnecessarily beautify or glamourise things, certainly not just for the heck of it. They don’t shy away from stating the way it is.” The cast was not daunted by possible comparisons with the first outing of the Khakee franchise, which won unqualified admiration of critics and audiences alike. Jeet believes, “If you are afraid of criticism, then do something else.” Similarly, Ritwik, the Radhe of Bandish Bandits, too was not unnerved by this 360degree switch from a gentle musician to a baddie in his reel roles. Ritwik shares, “Rather than thinking of how the audiences would react to my Sagor, I was quite excited about etching him.” Whether for Jeet this has been a perfect Hindi web series debut, he would not say as he doesn’t think there is anything called perfectionism. However, he does feel that even though Bengali is one of the most widely spoken language the world over, for Khakee: the Bengal Chapter Hindi was more suitable. On the beauty of OTT, both Chitrangada and Jeet opine that the medium is brimming with possibilities. Says Chitrangada, “This is the place to be, OTT is gaining such a distinct voice. It’s an explosion of creativity out there.” Indeed, the Netflix series, which is a wonderful alchemy of actors from so many regions across the country, stands as testimony to her assertion. ADIL ZAFAR KHAN , JEET, PROSENJIT CHATTERJEE, CHITRANGADA SINGH AND RITWIK BHOWMIK A word of caution At this moment, he is the man we all love to hate, at least all of us who have watched him in the film Mrs. The despicable father-in-law to Sanya Malhotra’s character! Yes, we are talking about veteran actor Kanwaljit Singh. But It is important for young minds to leave their mobile phones and start reading books, says actor Kanwaljit Singh PHOTO: VICKY the actor we met recently in Chandigarh bore none of the misogynistic traits. In a white crisp shirt and brown pants, he looked more like a scholarly figure, as he talked about his love for books. To put it into context, Kawaljit represented the organising body of Shoolini Literature Festival at Solan. Kanwaljit said, “I am happy to be a part of the Lit Fest, which has given access to students to be a part of the festival as it is important for young minds to leave their mobile phones and start reading books, which can enrich their vocabulary and knowledge.” Star attraction The fifth edition of the festival will feature an impressive line-up of personalities, including filmmaker Imtiaz Ali, thespian Kanwaljit Singh, singers Usha Uthup, singer Ila Arun, VJ Maria Goretti Warsi, actor Shruti Seth, lyricist Raj Shekhar, diplomat Vikas Swarup, business leader Harit Nagpal, writer SR Harnot and many more. These renowned authors, artists and thinkers will engage in thought-provoking discussions, readings, and performances. One of the highlights of the three-day festival, from March 28 to 30, is the introduction of the Shoolini Sahitya Samman, an award that recognises outstanding contributions to literature. The festival will also feature the release of books by authors from Shoolini University. — TNS c m y b ‘Whatever is destined is destined...’ Salman Khan opens up about death threats and security “Jitni umar likhi hai, utni likhi hai,” a philosophical Salman Khan said in his first comments about death threats from the Lawrence Bishnoi gang and the heightened security that has significantly restricted his movements. The security protocol has impacted his daily routine, Khan said on Wednesday night. “Bhagwan, Allah sab unpar hai. Jitni umar likhi hai, utni likhi hai. Bas yahi hai. (It is up to Bhagwan, Allah. Whatever is destined is destined. That’s all),” Khan said in a rare interaction in which he opened up about his personal life and the many challenges after the death threats. “I cannot do anything about it (security). Khallas. So I go from Galaxy (home) to shoot to Galaxy, no detours,” he added. The 59-year-old could earlier be seen cycling around the city unhindered by his security team. His security concerns escalated in 2018 when incarcerated gangster Bishnoi openly threatened to kill him during a court appearance in Jodhpur over the actor’s involvement in the infamous 1998 blackbuck poaching case. Since then, Khan has faced multiple threats. In April 2024, two shooters, allegedly from the Bishnoi gang, fired gunshots outside his Bandra residence before being arrested. After this, security was enhanced with bulletproof glass protecting his balcony and CCTV cameras keeping watch on the road outside. Two months later, Navi Mumbai Police claimed to have discovered a plot to kill the actor when he travelled to his farmhouse at Panvel near Mumbai. Security around the actor was further tightened following the murder of politician Baba Siddiqui, who was known to be a close friend of Salman, in October 2024. Asked about the elaborate security around him, Khan said, “You guys are sweet; that’s why they are sweet to you. I don’t wish for them to be sweet with those people who are not sweet. It’s not when I’m with the press, but when I’m without the press. This security cramps my style,” Khan said in the interaction ahead of the release of his film Sikander this Sunday. — PTI