08012025-LSTL-01.qxd 1/7/2025 8:38 PM Page 1 c m y b WILL TEASES MATRIX RETURN Actor Will Smith has set social media abuzz with a cryptic post that led fans to believe he might be joining the next Matrix film. He shared a series of intriguing lines referencing the 1997 sci-fi film, making it appear as though he could be stepping into the shoes of Neo, a role he turned down over two decades ago. TRIBUNE B-town debut Life The much-anticipated Punjabi film Shaunki Sardar is set to hit the theatres on May 16, marking the Bollywood debut of actress Nimrit Kaur Ahluwalia. LUDHIANA | WEDNESDAY | 8 JANUARY 2025 At a young age, Preeti Panigrahi, of Girls Will Be Girls fame, has made a mark. She intends to learn with each role coming her way in the future Nonika Singh GO GIRL! A T 22, she plays sweet sixteen in the much-acclaimed film Girls Will Be Girls. In real life, Preeti Panigrahi is wiser beyond her years. Though she might proclaim success is a difficult teacher, she has not allowed recognition to go to her head so far. Picking up the Special Jury Award for Acting at the Sundance Film Festival with her debut performance and being hailed as the find of the year are no mean accomplishments. Yet, more than being overwhelmed by laurels, what truly gladdens her heart is being a part of such a beautiful film has put her on the right course for the future. “Girls Will Be Girls has resonated due to the universality of the subject. I have got positive feedback from all over.” Like her reel character, Mira, she has been good at academics, was the ‘teachers’ pet’ kind of student, yet she always wanted to be an actor. “Acting is a wonderful vocation as you get to experience all kinds of emotions,” she says. Interestingly, when she was preparing for her character in Girls Will Be Girls, her director Shuchi Talati told her to ‘let go of the emotions and focus on the thought, the intention behind the act.’ Not an easy task for sure! But she soon understood the rhythm of what the director desired and this internalised process of acting is what lent subtlety to the film. Also, she faced no awkwardness while doing intimate scenes in the coming-of-age film. One reason of course was the mostly allwoman crew. She gives a whole lot of credit to her male co-actor Kesav Binoy Kiron, who too made his debut with the film. She says, “There is a lot of choreography in intimate scenes. None of those scenes are meant to titillate audiences.” WISE BEYOND YEARS Indeed, when those audiences are your family and friends there could be some degree of self-consciousness. But, once again, the wise young girl surfaces, “You have to give them the space to process it all.” Only she was mighty pleased with her cousin’s reaction— ‘The moment I was able to detach myself from the fact that you are my sister, I was able to relate to your character. ’ Now that the film, streaming on Amazon Prime Video, has resonated with audiences not only in India but also the world over, she observes, “It’s the univer- sality of the subject that has worked.” She smiles, yes the same winsome smile of Mira of the film, and beams, “Teenage confusion is a universal subject. So is hating people who are your wellwishers; more often than not, your parents.” MOM IS THE WORD Though her mother is nowhere like her competitive screen mom, Anila, she admits to having issues with her during those rebellious teen years. She is not only all praise for her mother, ‘the most evolved being in the family’, but also her screen mom Kani Kusruti. She says, “Despite a stellar filmography, she comes with no baggage of success, treats you like an equal and is great fun on the sets.” While growing up watching Bollywood films, Preeti did have role models in actresses like Shabana Azmi. Today, she can’t believe her luck as at the screening of her movie in India, she saw a galaxy of her favourite actresses, including Divya Dutta, Konkana Sen and Tannishtha Chatterjee. She says, “When I was watching Hindi films, most heroes were men and now this year when I am a part of this world, there are so many female heroes.” An actress to watch out for, she knows how each role demands a different skill set. And she is ready to prepare! Maiharflowsin his sarod In Jalandhar for a performance, sarod maestro Pt Tejendra Narayan Majumdar is upbeat about the global popularity of Indian classical arts BONDING WITH THE LATE USTAD ZAKIR HUSSAIN We shared a great bond and the tabla maestro has left a huge void in the world of classical arts. On December 16 last year, we were supposed to perform together at Kolkata at the Swar Samrat Festival (SSF), but the news of him passing away a day earlier came as a shock. SSF was synonymous with Zakir Hussain. Without him, it wouldn’t have been possible. I first shared the stage with him in 1989 and since then, we forged a great bond although he was 10 years elder to me. He was the kind of artist who did not perform for money, but the pleasure of it all. I have learnt so much from him—his seriousness, stage presence and more. He always used to tease me about my big tummy by telling others—arre inko theek se khilao (make him eat properly). Aparna Banerji Taking no chances Bullet-proof glass, CCTV and modern security system installed at Salman Khan’s house His sarod bears the sweetness of the legendary Maihar-Senia tradition, which makes Pt Tejendra Narayan Majumdar stand in a league of his own. His signature mathematical genius is the fruit of his own tryst with the musical instrument. Deeply emotional about the legacy of the patriarch of Senia Maihar Gharana, Ustad Alauddin Khan, he is also pragmatically aware of the bindings from which musicians must detach themselves to concentrate on the present scenario. Poker-faced in any conversation, he springs surprises now and then! On the sidelines of the 149th Shri Baba Harivallabh Sangeet Sameelan in Jalandhar, we catch up with the maestro. Your father was a sitarist and grandfather a violinist, so why did you choose the sarod? My grandfather Bibhuti Ranjan Majumdar was my first guru. In my family, everybody always Salman Khan is not leaving any loose ends to ensure his safety from the threats issued by gangster Lawrence Bishnoi. On Tuesday, the Bollywood superstar’s security apparatus was further beefed up. At his residence, Galaxy Apartments, in the upmarket suburb of Bandstand in the city, a new bullet-proof glass was installed in the balcony from where the superstar often greets his fans. This comes after Salman celebrated his birthday last month. In addition, CCTV cameras and a modern security system were also installed to keep a check on the surroundings. The actor resides in a 1 BHK flat on the ground floor of Galaxy Apartments, while his parents live on the first floor. Last year in April, two men on a bike had fired four shots at Salman’s residence and fled. — IANS PHOTO: SARABJIT SINGH c m y b started with the tabla and vocal music. I was also taught the same. My father Ranjan Majumdar and grandfather decided I should be playing the sarod. Inspiration came from one of my youngest uncles, who was the disciple of Ustad Bahadur Khan sahib and a great sarod player. Since sarod was too big for me at age four, my grandfather bought me a mandolin and so began my classical taleem. Later, I was under the tutelage of Ustad Bahadur Khan sahib, Pt Ajay Sinha Rai and Ustad Ali Akbar Khan. Can you share something about the Senia Maihar Gharana? Senia word came from Tansen. Direct descendants of Tansen were Ustad Dabir Khan and Ustad Wazir Khan sahib (from whom Ustad Alauddin learnt). Ustad Wazir Khan lived in Rampur. That’s why it was called Rampur Senia. When Alauddin Khan sahib shifted to Maihar, his disciples and their styles were called Senia Maihar. Every gharana has its own signature. In times of wars and strife, does music provide a balm? Music is and will always be a soothing balm. Our music is the most secular kind of art form. Music has no barriers of language, caste and creed. No space for hatred, music tries to bind. That’s how Indian classical music has become so popular globally and it’s a matter of great pride for all of us. Beauty on board Wamiqa Gabbi joins spy thriller G2 Actress Wamiqa Gabbi, who was recently seen alongside Varun Dhawan in Baby John, has joined the cast of the upcoming spy thriller G2 directed by debutant Vinay Kumar Sirigineedi. G2 is a sequel to the 2018 hit spy thriller Goodachari, written by and starring Adivi. Wamiqa stars opposite Adivi in this next installment of the franchise, continuing the story of his character from Goodachari. Wamiqa is known for her roles in Prime Video series Jubilee, Netflix film Khufiya and SonyLIV series Charlie Chopra & The Mystery of Solang Valley, all of which were released in 2023. The actress said that she was beyond excited to be part of the incredible journey of G2. “The first film set a remarkable benchmark, and stepping into this world is both thrilling and challenging. Working with such a talented cast and crew inspires me to push boundaries and bring fresh energy to my character. I can’t wait for the audience to experience what we’re crafting — it’s going to be extraordinary.” She just completed the European shooting schedule for G2 with Sesh. Emraan Hashmi, another significant addition to the cast, is expected to play a key role in the film. The ensemble also features Murali Sharma, Supriya Yarlagadda and Madhu Shalini. Adivi Sesh, known for films like Evaru and Major, has co-written G2, ensuring continuity with the franchise’s tone and storyline. — IANS