08082026-LSTL-01.qxd 8/7/2026 8:07 PM Page 1 c m y b THE TRAITORS 2 TRAILER OUT Prime Video has unveiled the official trailer for the second season of its unscripted original reality series The Traitors, confirming that the new season will premiere exclusively on the streaming platform in India on August 13, with fresh episodes releasing every Thursday. It will be hosted by filmmaker Karan Johar. TRIBUNE Life Inpursuit of a dream B ORN and raised in Mumbai, Mikail Shaikh always carried a vision that stretched far beyond borders. Driven by a desire to make his mark on the global stage, Mikail stepped into the world of entertainment and fashion after completing his graduation, beginning a journey that would take him from India to North America’s competitive creative industries. His international breakthrough came in Toronto, Canada, where he was discovered by Anita Norris Modelling Agency in 2024. What began as an opportunity quickly transformed into a promising career, with Mikail establishing himself as a rising talent in the North American advertising and fashion scene. Since then, Mikail has become a familiar face in major brand campaigns, lending his presence to international projects for globally recognised names such as Maybelline New York, Neutrogena, Starbucks Canada, Sandals Resorts and Tinder Canada. His growing portfolio reflects his versatility and ability to connect with audiences across different cultures and platforms. “The journey has been nothing short of a blessing, to be honest. Everyone has been extremely warm and welcoming, something I couldn’t have asked for more. I just constantly aim to top my previous work and try to always challenge myself in some way or other,” says Mikail. One of Mikail’s biggest career highlights came with his involvement in the FIFA World Cup 2026 campaign, marking another significant step in his journey as an international talent. As he continues to build his presence in front of the camera, Mikail is also Michael 2 in progress? Lionsgate is moving ahead with the sequel to its blockbuster Michael, with production expected to begin towards the end of 2026 or in early 2027 and the film targeting a release by the end of 2027 or in the first half of 2028. Although the studio has not yet officially greenlit the sequel, the first film concluded with the words, “His Story Continues,” signalling that the story of the King of Pop will continue on the big screen. The sound of legacy Music to me is surrender. It has the power to transform chaos into cosmos, says Mahesh Vinayakaram, the thirdgeneration Carnatic musician, who performed in Amritsar Neha Saini Paintings, woodcuts, watercolours and photographs — a walk through the Chandigarh Lalit Kala Akademi’s Annual Art Exhibition 2026 Step into the Punjab Kala Bhawan, Sector 16 this week and no two walls feel alike. A charcoal woodcut of a man staring into his own splintered reflection hangs beside a riot of colour — a jungle canvas alive with cacti, frogs and beetles. Nearby, a woman in an orange robe walks past golden arches in an oil painting. Near the entrance, a bull fashioned from wire and discarded LED strips carries a rider stitched together from scrap, while further inside, a warrior cast in tyre rubber keeps watch with shield in hand. Yet, sculpture is only one voice in the exhibition. Woodcuts, watercolours and photographs share the space, each pulling the eye somewhere new. Artist KR Kohli, exhibiting his charcoal piece Trumpet Player, spoke of that restlessness as almost a philosophy. “I like to work on different subjects, different textures, different techniques,” he said, recalling how a wedding band musician became his muse, “I wanted the musicians themselves to get a chance to participate in our celebration.” This year, a painting by his daughter, hung alongside his own. “I am very happy that for the first time a painting of a father and a daughter has been selected,” he said. Even so, he found himself stopped by other works in the room, including a canvas of two children at a window that, he said, caught him off guard with its restraint. Visitors carried their own maps through the gallery. “I liked two LUDHIANA | SATURDAY | 8 AUGUST 2026 Mumbai boy Mikail Shaikh has emerged as a rising force in North America’s advertising and fashion landscape expanding his creative ambitions into acting, with a web series project currently in development. Away from the spotlight, Mikail’s success is rooted in discipline, consistency and a commitment to self-improvement. A fitness enthusiast, he maintains an active lifestyle that reflects his dedication to personal growth. His passion for music also plays an important role in his creative process, with different genres inspiring his artistic expression and perspective. With an expanding international portfolio and a determination to evolve as an artiste, Mikail Shaikh represents a new generation of Indian talent breaking through global platforms. As he continues his journey in modelling and acting, his goal remains clear: to become a recognised name on the world stage while inspiring others to pursue their ambitions without limits. “It actually makes me feel extremely proud to represent my roots on an international setting, especially when I’m appreciated on my professionalism. I believe everyone has a shot at their goals. All it takes is jumping right into it and leaving it all on faith,” he signs off. — Mona Ananya Verma Go handloom Kangana Ranaut marked National Handloom Day by sharing a heartfelt video message on social media, encouraging people to embrace India’s handloom heritage. A VISUAL TREAT pieces,” said Gurleen Kaur, a student who’d spotted the exhibition in a newspaper listing. “One was Golden Rays, Chandigarh. And the other was Racing Hostel Life... it showed the normal life, the hostel life, of the parking lot. So, I related that to the student life.” Harveen was drawn instead to a portrait of a woman standing confidently amid colour — “very inspiring... every woman should be like that.” Asked how the walk through the gallery felt, one of them paused before answering: “Calm and energetic. In the beginning, it was calmness and peace. Then when it came to vibrant colours, it became energetic.” The exhibition, organised by the Chandigarh Lalit Kala Akademi, is on till August 13, 11 am–7 pm daily. Born into an illustrious family as the son of Ghatam maestro, Padma Bhushan TH Vikku Vinayakram, Mahesh Vinayakaram’s initiation into Carnatic music started at the age of three. In rigorous discipline, structured and deeply immersive practice of music, Mahesh found his liberation. But it was at 21, watching his father perform along with fellow iconic artistes, tabla maestro Ustad Zakir Hussain and violinist L Shankar, that Mahesh realised the significance of his legacy. “That was the first time I realised the magnificence of being a musician, an artiste. Music provided food for my soul, there was liberty I found in discipline – to chart my own path, to make my own music and define my path,” shared Mahesh. The reason he chose to be the only vocalist in an illustrious family of Carnatic music percussionists, all with Grammy awards to their name. “That was my grandfather’s wish, Thetakudi Harihara Sarma, the revered mridangam player and percussion guru. He always said that there was rhythm in the family but no melody. So, I was swayed towards vocals,” said Mahesh. Performing in Amritsar, at the invitation of Phulkari-Women of Amritsar, a cultural and social organisation, Mahesh along with flute artiste Sriram Sampath, mridangam artiste S Hariharan, Sukhwinder Singh (on sarangi) and Vikrant Kumar (on tabla) created a confluence of Carnatic and Hindustani Classical music. The concert was a part of Mahesh’s Ragas to Meditation project in which he explored musical space as an evolving landscape of time and lived experience. His minimalist, immersive vocalisations invited listeners into a shared state of inner reflection and outward quiet. The individual releases in Ragas to Meditation series were dedicated to single scales—such as Charukesi, Abhogi, Kahararapriyaand Kalyani—allowing listeners to absorb the distinct emotional (rasa) and therapeutic properties of each melody. He has released his music independently. From Waheguru Jaap to Om chanting and a spicy rhythm duel between mridamgam, tabla and konnoku, the concert was also a collaboration between the third generation artiste and young generation of musicians. “Once you learn the grammar of music, it finds it audience. Music for me is everything. It is self-love, self-realisation. The Ragas to Meditation series has a broader aim to make Carnatic music grammar and traditions accessible to modern audience.” He has performed globally, collaborating with the late Ustad Zakir Hussain, AR Rahman and Nitin Sawhney — taking on word biggest stages and music festivals. His global collaborations include range of Indian classical, jazz, world music, and contemporary artistes like Steve Smith, James Asher, George Brookes, Kai Eckhardt and more. Guest appearance Richa Chadha and Ali Fazal are set to make a special appearance in the India chapter of the newly announced third season of Conan O’Brien Must Go, the globally celebrated travel-comedy series fronted by Emmy-winning television icon Conan O’Brien. The trailer of the third season just dropped. As part of Conan’s journey through India, the duo joins him for a lively, freewheeling conversation that blends his signature wit with Richa and Ali’s infectious chemistry. Filled with playful banter, cultural observations and plenty of laughs, the segment promises to offer audiences an entertaining glimpse into India through Conan’s unmistakable comedic lens. Richa and Ali jointly shared, “Conan O’Brien is quite simply a legend. We’ve admired his unique brand of humour for years, so getting to sit across from him and be a part of his India journey was surreal in the best way. The conversation was completely unfiltered, spontaneous and filled with the kind of humour that only Conan can bring out. We had an absolute blast filming it and can’t wait for audiences around the world to see this.” The third season of Conan O’Brien Must Go will once again see the celebrated host travel across the globe, meeting remarkable people and embracing local cultures. Richa Chadha and Ali Fazal to feature in India Chapter of Conan O’Brien Must Go Season 3 c m y b