26032025-LSTC-01.qxd 3/25/2025 11:01 PM Page 1 c m y b KANGANA SLAMS KUNAL KAMRA Kangana Ranaut has slammed stand-up artist Kunal Kamra. Asked about the demolition of her office by BMC in 2020 and the vandalism of the studio where Kamra had performed, she said what happened with her was ‘illegal’, but what has happened now is ‘legal action’. Mona S Life Fire ON of a security guard and then a debut as a filmmaker at Sundance, Ajitpal Singh’s story is what dreams are made of. He sure has a knack of telling tales and of holding listeners in a spell. When he came calling to Chandigarh for the screening of his award-winning film Fire In The Mountains, he was open, honest to the core, and oscillating between hope and doubt for the future. He talks about his life journey and how the challenges he faced shaped up the filmmaker that he is today. TO READ IS ONE, TO SEE ANOTHER TRIBUNE We grew up reading Guru Nanak Dev ji was revered by both Hindus and Muslims. And, how after his death only flowers were found in place of the body. To see his asthis in a gurdwara and people placing chadars at a mazaar at Kartarpur Sahib was an experience. This was our Punjab, our Hindustan. Where are we going today? One lives in the hope that when things get out of control, God takes human form to lead the world out of crisis. I believe we are ready for one, or else Elon and Trump hain hi! in the belly BORN PUNJABI, NOW A MARATHI My life was impacted hugely by operation Blue Star and the aftermath of Indira Gandhi’s death. Tough circumstance forced our family to leave our home in Punjab and migrate to Gujarat in search of a living. Wearing a turban then, I was labelled as an atankvadi not just by my classmates but also teachers. Things changed when the focus shifted to my Muslim classmate, when Kar Seva for Ram Mandir started. I have realised first-hand how such pressure can rob one of their potential. FINDING THE STORY In fact, the story for my debut film also stems from my personal experiences. One of my cousins, the first graduate of the family, a rational woman, who inspired people around to study and get ahead in life, was married in a village near Amritsar. She died when her not-so-pro- Nushrratt Bharuccha film Chhorii 2 is set to premiere on Prime Video on April 11. Chhorii 2 is a sequel to the 2021 film, which was itself a remake of Furia’s 2017 Marathi film Lapachhapi. CHANDIGARH | WEDNESDAY | 26 MARCH 2025 In Chandigarh for the screening of his award-winning film Fire In The Mountains, Ajitpal Singh reveals excerpts from his journey fraught with challenges and even a battle with cancer and production designer boarded the train from Mumbai to Munsiyari, the journey began on a tough note. Back then, it was a 12-hour train from Mumbai to Delhi, then another eight to Kathgodam and them 15 to 16 hours in a taxi to village Munsiyari. BATTLING CANCER TABBAR WHEN BOOKS FILLED IN FOR FRIENDS Displaced from Punjab, I struggled to make friends in Gujarat. So I turned to books. I found value in literature and writings on films. I did take some 10 years to figure out that films were my calling. But then Fire In The Mountains to get an opening at Sundance was a payback for all those nasty experiences, which fired my creative self. Streaming! FIRE IN THE MOUNTAINS gressive husband, instead of taking her to the doctor, when she fell sick, took her to a jhaad phunk wala. There was a lot of anger in me; who does that in 2001! And that has found a vent through the film. ONE’S LOSS, OTHER’S GAIN The road to making films isn’t a cakewalk. I spent months in Kumaon where Fire In The Mountains has been shot. Low on budget, when our supposed DOP I was diagnosed with cancer right before the shoot for the web series Tabbar was to start. It was a journey fraught with doubts. It all started with me losing my voice for a while and then it came back. Instead of carrying on with life, I tried to get to the root of the problem. Three doctors diagnosed me wrongly. Increasingly, cancer is becoming common. Thankfully enough, now there is a cure but early detection is the key. So, if you see any signs of your body not functioning well, please don’t take it lightly. Be regular with check-ups and follow ups! PHOTO: VICKY ‘Stay consistent, but flexible’ Himanshu Malhotra believes fitness is all about adaptability Himanshu Malhotra, who has done films like Shershaah, Wajah Tum Ho and Hum Chaar, is a fitness enthusiast. He says fitness is a nonnegotiable part of his routine plan. I avoid seafood, but include chicken (three times a week), eggs, and paneer in my diet. I believe in eating clean and nourishing my body with the right food. And, of course, coffee is my constant companion—it keeps me going! How does your fitness regimen impact your energy levels and overall well-being? Working out isn’t just about staying in shape; it keeps my energy levels high and my mind clear. Since I juggle multiple responsibilities, fitness helps me stay focused, improves my mood and makes me feel stronger— both physically and mentally. What keeps you motivated to stay fit? Just like in acting, where authenticity and vulnerability matter, I believe fitness should be about feeling good, rather than just looking good. The moment I start feeling sluggish, I know I need to move my body. That feeling itself is motivation enough. How do you manage to stay in shape despite your busy schedule? I believe fitness is all about discipline and consistency. No matter how busy my schedule gets, I make sure to include some form of physical activity in my day. Whether it’s a structured workout or simply staying active on set, fitness is a non-negotiable part of my routine. Oscar-winning Palestinian director Hamdan Ballal arrested The Oscar-winning director of a documentary on the Israel-Palestinian conflict was arrested late on Monday after being injured during a raid by Israeli settlers on his village in the occupied West Bank, a local official said. Hamdan Ballal, co-director of the award-winning No Other Land, was attending a gathering for Iftar, the end of the daily Ramadan fast, at Susiya village near Hebron, when a group of settlers attacked the gathering, said Jihad Nawajaa, head of the Susiya local council. "Dozens of settlers attacked the gathering at Iftar. The young men came out to prevent them, and there were about eight injuries on our side," he said. Israeli police arrested three men, including Ballal, who was injured during the standoff. Monday's incident was the latest in which Israeli settlers have been accused of raiding Palestinian or Bedouin villages and encamp- WAR ZONE Being an actor, there’s often pressure to look fit. What’s your take on that? There is definitely pressure, but I don’t believe in doing it just for the sake of looking a certain way. For me, fitness is about health, strength and longevity. Audiences today appreciate authenticity and that’s what matters more than just physical appearance. Do you find time to hit the gym regularly? It really depends on my schedule. If I have time, I prefer going to the gym for a proper workout session. But when that’s not possible, I stay active by exercising at home. Fitness is all about adaptability. Do you follow a strict diet? I wouldn’t say my diet is ‘strict’, but I do follow a balanced Indian meal c m y b Can you share some fitness tips? Stay consistent, but flexible. Even if you can’t do a full workout, find ways to stay active—take the stairs, stretch or do quick bodyweight exercises. Follow a balanced diet. Eat mindfully, stay hydrated, and don’t deprive yourself. Instead of crash diets, focus on nourishing your body with the right food. ments in the West Bank, sometimes to steal livestock. Palestinians and activists who monitor such attacks say the police and army typically stand by without intervening. Lamia Ballal, the filmmaker's wife, said settlers had gathered around the family house and her husband had gone outside to prevent them from breaking in. "The settlers attacked and started beating him, and then they arrested him. We do not know anything about him," she said. Anna Lippman, an American-Canadian from a group called the Center for Jewish Nonviolence, said her group had been attacked by settlers after arriving in the village around 15 minutes after the attack began. "Shortly after we were attacked, Hamdan was blindfolded and handcuffed," she said, adding that other activists had seen him being led to a military vehicle and driven off. — Reuters Hamdan Ballal with Rachel Szor