26122025-LSTC-01.qxd 12/25/2025 7:44 PM Page 1 c m y b ROWDY JANARDHANA UNLEASHED Vijay Deverakonda has unveiled a fierce new avatar in the title glimpse of Rowdy Janardhana, produced by Sri Venkateswara Creations and directed by Ravi Kiran Kola. Launched at a Hyderabad event, the gritty, blood-soaked glimpse features Deverakonda wielding a machete with raw intensity. TRIBUNE Tokyo roar Life Ranbir Kapoor’s Animal, directed by Sandeep Reddy Vanga, will release exclusively in Japan nearly two years later. The makers announced the release on X with a Japan-specific poster. LUDHIANA | FRIDAY | 26 DECEMBER 2025 Indian bridal jewellery in 2025 favoured meaning, versatility and personal storytelling over sheer grandeur Heirlooms in motion... about individuality,” says Popley, reflecting a broader move towards bridal looks that feel distinctly personal. Gurnaaz The Lion King actor Imani Smith dies Imani Smith, who was known for playing Young Nala in Disney’s The Lion King on Broadway, has died in an alleged homicide. Boyfriend charged with murder after death of Young Nala performer in New Jersey The Middlesex County, New Jersey, Prosecutor’s Office said Smith died after being stabbed on December 21. Police in Edison, New Jersey, responded to a 911 call and found the actor with stab wounds. She was taken to Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital, where she was pronounced dead. Smith’s boyfriend, Jordan D Jackson-Small, has been arrested in connection with her death. Prosecutors said the two knew each other prior to the incident, stressing it was not a random act of violence. Smith’s aunt, Kira Helper, also identified Jackson-Small as her boyfriend in a GoFundMe post. Jackson-Small was arrested without incident and charged with firstdegree murder, seconddegree endangering the welfare of a child, thirddegree possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose and fourthdegree unlawful possession of a weapon. He is being held at the Middlesex County Adult Correctional Centre. — ANI A S Indian weddings become more intimate, the jewellery worn to mark these milestones is evolving in step. In 2025, there has been a move away from grandeur towards pieces that are personal, versatile and emotionally resonant. “Designing for those who wish to wear their history while living their present means creating heirlooms that transcend time, crafted with age-old mastery, enriched by heritage and reimagined with modern sophistication,” says Abhishek Raniwala of Raniwala 1881. This philosophy, echoed across the industry, has defined a year in which jewellery became narratively rich rather than merely decorative. JEWELLERY AS STORYTELLER Performative and narrative jewellery has emerged as another key trend. Pieces are no longer silent embellishments but active participants in the wedding story. “Every piece is imagined as a character that carries legacy, artistry and emotion,” says Narendra Mehta of Mehta & Sons. “It does not simply complement the bride; it defines her narrative and creates memories that endure for generations.” Alok Lodha similarly notes that jewellery can embody a particular mood — moving with the rhythm of the sangeet or reflecting the sanctity of the pheras. In this sense, each stone, cut and motif becomes part of a carefully composed narrative. HEIRLOOMS THAT TRANSFORM One of the defining trends of the year has been the rise of transformable heirlooms. Shri Paramani Jewels highlights this shift through its signature Polki and emerald bridal necklace, which features modular elements and detachable layers. “Brides can wear the same heirloom-inspired piece in multiple ways, from wedding day to intimate celebrations,” say Anshu and Vinay Gupta. Similarly, The House of MBJ’s reinterpretation of the rose-cut polki hasli shows how centuries-old designs are being contemporised, making them graceful enough to pair with modern gowns or lehengas. WHERE HERITAGE MEETS Underlying all these trends is a seamless fusion of heritage and contemporary aesthetics. Raniwala 1881’s Far Polki Longline Necklace and Shri Paramani’s Mughal-inspired reinterpretations demonstrate how traditional techniques are being preserved while adapting to modern proportions and sensibilities. The House of MBJ and Mehta & Sons likewise stress the importance of craftsmanship and sentiment, while offering designs that feel personal and wearable. The result is a new generation of heirlooms — living treasures that honour legacy while belonging firmly to today’s bride and groom. MEANING OVER MASS Another hallmark of 2025 has been a move away from heavy jewellery towards pieces defined by emotional significance. “Brides are placing more importance on significance than volume or weight,” says Aayush Soni, director at The House of MBJ. “Many are looking for jewellery they can wear again after their wedding day, instead of jewellery that stays confined to a drawer.” Raniwala 1881 echoes this sentiment, noting that bridal jewellery now “embraces a shift from opulence for the day to heirlooms for a lifetime”. NEW DEFINITION The focus is on exquisite, versatile creations that evolve with each occasion, blending reverence for tradition with deeply personal storytelling. JEWELLERY THAT LIVES ON Versatility and everyday wearability have dominated design thinking throughout the year. Alok Lodha Jewels emphasises that necklaces are no longer confined to a single event. “A multi-layered necklace might carry detachable elements that transform into earrings or a bracelet, allowing the piece to flow seamlessly into different moments of the Roshans steal wedding spotlight Hrithik Roshan dances with sons as Sussanne Khan shares an emotional tribute at family celebrations The internet was surprised after actor Hrithik Roshan shared a dance performance with his sons, Hrehaan and Hridhaan, from a family wedding celebration. The video quickly caught attention online, with many praising the effortless energy and chemistry of the trio. Hrithik posted the video on Instagram, showing himself dancing with his sons to Sukhbir’s popular track Oh Ho Ho Ho during the wedding festivities of his cousin, Eshaan Roshan. The actor joked in the caption, “Damn. Gotta get lighter on my feet to keep up.” Soon after, Hrithik’s ex-wife Sussanne Khan shared a post dedicated to her sons. She posted pictures with Hrehaan and Hridhaan from the same wedding celebrations, calling herself the “mama lioness” and expressing deep pride and affection for them. “The Mama Lioness. with my Heart beaming with my SonShines Pride... My Ray and Ridza.. From here till the end of Time you both have been my Bravest hearted Knights... so so proud to call you mine,” she wrote. — ANI c m y b wearer’s life,” the brand notes. “At its heart, jewellery is meant to be worn — an expression of personality, a companion through life’s many chapters.” Designer Aneka Mehta adds that brides are prioritising comfort without sacrificing visual impact, opting for lighter, modular pieces that can be styled in multiple ways. INDIVIDUALITY AT THE CENTRE Bold, individualistic expression has also come to the fore. Designers are experimenting with unconventional cuts, materials and settings to redefine bridal jewellery. Alok Lodha’s tulip cut, Suuraj Popley’s kite- and roseshaped diamonds with floating settings, and Sanjay Gupta’s use of spinels and Colombian emerald cabochons all exemplify this shift. “Jewellery is becoming a language of self-expression. It’s less about tradition, more As 2025 draws to a close, one thing is clear: wedding jewellery is no longer just about ornamentation. It is a statement of identity, a reflection of personal narrative and an heirloom in motion. By placing meaning, versatility and storytelling above sheer size, the year has ushered in a thoughtful, creative and deeply expressive era for Indian bridal jewellery. Nanda sought inspiration from grandfather Amitabh Bachchan’s Major Saab Agastya’s defining battle Actor Agastya Nanda says he immersed himself in classic war dramas — including his grandfather Amitabh Bachchan’s Major Saab — to prepare for his role as Param Vir Chakra awardee Arun Khetarpal in Ikkis. Directed by Sriram Raghavan, Ikkischronicles the life of Khetarpal, the youngest recipient of India’s highest military honour. Nanda said he studied films such as Refugee, Major Saab and Border as part of his preparation. “We took a lot of inspiration and have seen a lot of lovely films such as Refugee, Major Saab and Border. These were classic Indian films. I would watch them for my own study,” the actor said. He added Ikkis stands apart from those films. “This is a different subject altogether; it has a different kind of segment of the army. I’m glad I got an opportunity to play a soldier,” he said. FAMILY GROUND RULES Agastya also revealed a long-standing rule in the Bachchan household: films are not discussed at the dining table. “We’ve a rule at home that we don’t discuss movies,” he said. “Of course, they know about the film and they’re excited, but as a family they’re like, ‘Figure it out’.” WORKING WITH LEGENDS Ikkis also stars the late Dharmendra and Jaideep Ahlawat. Dharmendra, who passed away last month following a prolonged illness, shared limited screen time with Agastya. “I was very nervous when I first met him. I didn’t know how to behave or what to say,” Agastya said. He described the veteran actor as “warm and energetic”. “He never made you feel like he was a senior. He’d talk to you like a friend,” he added, recalling stories he had heard about Dharmendra from his grandfather. Agastya said watching Dharmendra’s performance carries a sense of loss. “It feels unfortunate that he couldn’t see the performance he’s given. It’s so endearing,” he said. — PTI