City was the star attraction

Mona

When stars set out to promote their projects, the itinerary is not complete without a trip to Chandigarh! The year 2019 was not different. Shoots and promotions ensured who’s who of the tinsel town touched down for a geri, to gorge at its famous dhabas and admire the clean, green City Beautiful.

The shoot of Laal Singh Chaddha had the A-listers, Aamir Khan and Kareena Kapoor Khan, don Punjabi attire. Their pictures from the sets sure had film buffs mull over the logic of making a Bollywood version of iconic Forrest Gump. ‘Bharat’ Akshay Kumar admitted that he feels at home in Chandigarh, the city he visited twice this year, one for Kesari and another, Good Newwz. Wifey Twinkle Khanna also showed up, albeit for a different event. But none won as much fame, or notoriety, if your may say, as Rahul Bose. Internet literally went bananas as JW Marriott handed over Rs 422 bill to Bose for two bananas. So, Chandigarh owes the origin of very legit ‘Rahul Bose moment’ in July.

All things Punjabi

If it was cholle bhature of Chandigarh that wowed Shahid Kapoor as he flew in for the promotion of Kabir Singh, Janhvi Kapoor took to Instagram to share her enjoyment over a meal of dal makhni at famous Pal Dhaba. Chai topped comedian Chandan Prabhakar’s to-have list as he famously claimed, “There are only two chaiwalas, who are working. One is running the country, and the other one is running Kapil Sharma’s show!”

Rapper Badshah admitted to another very Punjabi trait – being a shopaholic, “Bahut saari cheezein toh maine ego main hi khareed li,” he admitted while in the city. Annu Kapoor came to the city in a sombre mood, post-Pulwama; reminiscing his days at the Department of Indian Theatre at Panjab University.

Along with actors, there were directors too, who visited the city. Tigmanshu Dhulia, just before release of Milan Talkies, who felt as if he was about to take the class10th board exam all over again. Mahesh Bhatt was here for an acting workshop, it was the proud father in him that shone bright. Sharing his happiness over the opening of Kartarpur corridor, “Guru Nanak Dev’s birthday, 550 years later has thrown two warring nations in each other’s arms. It’s love that has endured,” he said.

Telly stars kept their date with the city too. The ‘garh’ of MTV Roadies has the entire team Rannvijay, Neha Dhupia, Nikhil Chinappa, Prince Narula, Raftaar and legendary hockey player, Sandeep Singh. Plenty of reality stars, specially Roadies winners, are from the city. “I am tired, I am sleep deprived but being on Roadies, with my daughter in tow, I can’t be happier,” admitted Neha Dhupia.

Avinesh Rekhi was rather happy to visit the city he grew up in. He came to promote Choti Sarrdaarni.

An eclectic bag

Designer Anju Modi opened her store sharing how she might have a collection inspired by the fashion forward women of Chandigarh. Celeb chef Vikas Khanna did show up to regale his fans all over again, this time around his mother gave the trip a miss but his masi accompanied the handsome chef. The star who stole the show, however, was Anand Kumar, who came to promote the film, Super 30. If the audience lapped up the film, his journey inspired many. Over to 2020 now!

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