18122025-LSTC-01.qxd 12/17/2025 8:06 PM Page 1 c m y b NICK FACES MURDER CHARGES Nick Reiner, the son of filmmaker Rob Reiner and his wife Michele, has reportedly been charged with the murder of his parents. The charges carry a maximum life sentence without parole or even a death penalty, stated Nathan Hochman, the Los Angeles district attorney. Reports also claimed that a knife was used to commit the murders. CHAT UP RELAX WITH RUSSELL Global comedy superstar Russell Peters is set to bring his critically acclaimed Relax World Tour to India, promising electrifying shows in Delhi, Hyderabad, Bengaluru, Mumbai, Pune, Chennai, and Kolkata. Peters’ India arrival is fresh off his sold-out performances in more than 100 cities worldwide, including New York, London, Paris, Sydney, Stockholm, Dubai, Riyadh, Singapore, and Toronto. Earlier, the Emmy, Gemini, and Peabody Awardwinning comedian had toured India five times. ON CUSTOMS DUTY Neeraj Pandey, known for Special 26 and Baby, is set to join forces with Emraan Hashmi to explore the high-stakes world of Indian customs in his next. The teaser for Emraan Hashmi starrer Taskaree: The Smuggler’s Web has been unveiled, giving a glimpse into the world of smuggling set against one of the busiest airports in the world — Mumbai. ROMANCE UNFOLDS IN SYDNEY Brisbane-based production company Rosya’s independent feature Romancing Sydney is now available for global digital streaming following strong festival reception in India. Directed by Anmol Mishra, the 83-minute romantic drama weaves interconnected stories of modern love set in Sydney. TRIBUNE Present in hearts Life Y EAR 2025 has been a landmark period for Indian cinema one where fresh voices, new energies and unexpected revelations dominated screens. While boxoffice numbers and franchise films continued to make noise, it was the breakthrough performances raw, inventive and emotionally gripping that truly defined the year. From debutants making fearless choices to rising stars re-inventing themselves, these actors delivered performances that elevated not just their own careers but also the projects they were part of. Adarsh Gourav: Superboys of Malegaon Adarsh Gourav has been on an upward trajectory since The White Tiger, but Superboys of Malegaon added a new dimension to his artistic identity. The dramedy, based on the real-life passion of small-town filmmakers, gave Adarsh the perfect canvas to showcase both humour and heart. His portrayal of a young man chasing dreams with childlike sincerity was touching, delightful and unmistakably authentic. Adarsh captured the spirit of Malegaon, its innocence, aspirations and quirks with a warmth that made audiences root for him instantly. Abhishek Banerjee: Stolen Abhishek Banerjee, long celebrated for his shape-shifting versatility, achieved a career-defining moment with Stolen. The film premiered to standing ovations at global festivals, but it was Abhishek’s performance that became the talking point everywhere. In Stolen, he played a man entangled in circumstances that test the limits of morality, justice and fear. Abhishek brought an unsettling intensity to the role of his expressive eyes carrying the weight of terror, desperation and humanity all at once. This was not just another strong performance from him; it was an arrival. As critics noted, Stolen marks the moment Abhishek Banerjee transitioned from being a dependable actor to an indispensable one. Even as Diljit Dosanjh gave a miss to trailer launch of Border 2, his co-star Varun Dhawan gave a shoutout to Chamkila star, heaping praise on him! The duo, known for their strong screen presence, are set to serve a power-packed patriotic spectacle in 2026. LUDHIANA | THURSDAY | 18 DECEMBER 2025 Breakout performances that defined 2025 From Vishal Jethwa’s piercing portrayal in Homebound to Sanya Malhotra’s deeply resonant act in Mrs, the year belonged to actors who pushed emotional boundaries and redefined their craft Kritika Kamra, Sanya Malhotra Adarsh Gourav Abhishek Banerjee Siddhant Chaturvedi: Dhadak 2 WHEN JOHN SAVED ZAVERI Filmmaker Milap Zaveri has extended a heartwarming birthday wish for Bollywood hunk John Abraham, expressing gratitude for “resurrecting” him. “Dear @thejohnabraham wish you a very very happy birthday! You are my Hulk and the man who resurrected me with #SatyamevaJayate. I will forever be grateful to you!” he posted on Instagram. In Dhadak 2, Siddhant Chaturvedi delivered what is arguably his most emotionally charged performance to date. Taking on a film loaded with expectations and comparisons, Siddhant rose above the pressure and crafted a character that felt both grounded and deeply affecting. His portrayal was restrained yet powerful marked by the silent ache of forbidden love, societal pressure, and personal turmoil. Siddhant brought a new maturity to his craft this year, shedding his boyish charm for a more layered, internalised performance style. VISHAL JETHWA: Homebound If there is one performance this year that pierced hearts, it was Vishal Jethwa’s in Homebound. Known for his intensity since Mardaani 2, Vishal took a giant leap forward with this film, portraying a young man confronting grief, abandonment and survival. What stood out was his delicate balance of vulnerability and simmering strength. In Homebound, Vishal completely dissolved into his character, bringing a haunting realism. Kritika Kamra: The Great Shamsuddin Family Kritika Kamra delivered a quietly powerful performance in The Great Shamsuddin Family, showcasing remarkable emotional maturity. She brought warmth, sensitivity and realism to her character, seamlessly anchoring a story rooted in family dynamics and social truths. Sanya Malhotra: Mrs In Mrs, Sanya Malhotra delivered one of her most impactful performances to date. Portraying a woman navigating identity, expectations and self-worth within the confines of marriage, Sanya brought empathy and depth to a role that resonated deeply with audiences. Her restrained yet emotionally powerful act once again proved why she remains one of the most reliable performers of her generation. Homebound shortlisted for Oscars Adivi Sesh marks Day of Dacoit day December 18 marks a defining moment for Adivi Sesh as his long-awaited emotional action drama Dacoit takes its first major step towards audiences, simultaneously in Hindi and Telugu, led personally by the actor himself. Aptly dubbed the ‘Day of Dacoit’, the date underscores Sesh’s relentless commitment to the film and his determination to present its world across markets in a single, power-packed day. Leaving no stone unturned, Adivi Sesh will juggle an intense promotional schedule, with the launch of the Telugu teas- er first in Hyderabad and the very same day in the evening fly to Mumbai to attend a mega Hindi teaser launch. The whirlwind schedule reflects not just the scale of Dacoit, but the deeply personal stake Sesh has in the film, which he has nurtured over several years. Neeraj Ghaywan’s Homebound, the much acclaimed drama about two friends from rural India and their aspirations, has been shortlisted in the best international feature category at the Oscars alongside 14 other films. Producer Karan Johar said he was over the moon with the journey of Homebound, which first premiered in the Un Certain Regard category at Cannes in May. Homebound will compete for an Oscar nomination alongside Argentina’s Belén, Brazil’s The Secret Agent, French drama It Was Just an Accident, Germany’s Sound of Falling and Iraq’s The President’s Cake. The other movies in the shortlist include Japan’s Kokuho, Jordan’s All That’s Left of You, Norway’s c m y b Sentimental Value, Palestine’s Palestine 36, South Korean hit No Other Choice, Spain’s Sirat, Late Shift from Switzerland, Left-Handed Girl from Taiwan and Tunisian drama The Voice of Hind Rajab, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced on Tuesday. Johar celebrated the news by sharing the screenshot of the Academy’s. “We made the shortlist... Way to go team Homebound!” he captioned the screenshot and addressed Ghaywan as the “star” in his stories. Ghaywan celebrated the news by sharing Johar’s screenshots. Vishal Jethwa said he never imagined his journey will bring him here today. “This moment feels surreal and incredibly humbling. To see Homebound being shortlisted and progressing towards the Oscars is something I could have only dreamed of. I am deeply grateful for the love and support the film has received from audiences around the world. I want to sincerely thank Karan Johar sir for believing in this story and in us as artists his vision and backing gave Homebound the wings it needed. Neeraj Ghaywan sir’s sensitivity, honesty, and clarity as a filmmaker pushed me to explore emotional depths I had never touched before. Working under his direction has been nothing short of transformative. I also want to thank Ishaan Khatter, whose passion and commitment elevated every scene, we learned so much from each other on Siddhant Chaturvedi Neeraj Ghaywan’s drama marches ahead in the best international feature category this journey. This recognition belongs to the entire team that poured their heart and soul into the film,” he shared. The Academy on Tuesday also announced shortlists in 11 other categories, including the newly added Casting Oscars. Nominations for the 98th Academy Awards will be announced on Thursday, January 22, 2026. Twenty-four categories will be awarded at the 98th Oscars.