16022026-LSTC-01.qxd 2/15/2026 8:37 PM Page 1 c m y b RAMSAY COUNSELS BROOKLYN Celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay urged Brooklyn Beckham to reflect on his relationship with parents David and Victoria amid ongoing estrangement. Ramsay, a longtime family friend, emphasised the depth of their bond, saying, “Brooklyn just to take a moment to yourself and just remember you’re half-mum, half-dad.” HOT shimla WHAT’S TRIBUNE Heer Ranjha Life Filmmaker Imtiaz Ali is set to reunite with Ektaa Kapoor for Heer Ranjha. Directed by Sajid Ali, the film will be the second installment to the Laila Majnu franchise, carrying forward the timeless love saga and its connection with audiences. LUDHIANA | MONDAY | 16 FEBRUARY 2026 From the Cannes spotlight to its OTT release, the actor reflects on playing the despicable yet deeply human Kennedy Rahul Bhat on why Kennedy still haunts him NonikaSingh eat EMBASSY DELIGHTS L OOKING for a timeless place that blends with the mountainous terrain of Shimla while providing an authentic yet unique cuisine, Embassy continues to be a favourite spot of the people. Started in 1950s, Embassy has been an iconic spot of tourists from all over the world, where they enjoy some of unique dishes which are rarely found anywhere. Its unique structure being made out of pine and cedar woods gives it an attractive look, making this place perfect for Instagram reels. Known for its unique biryanis and roasted lambs, the outlet has been one of the favourite eating joints of many renowned persons including Bollywood biggies Ranbir Kapoor and director Imtiaz Ali. Also, people here cannot get enough of its apple almond cakes and hot chocolates, which are some of the staple dishes of Embassy. Anil Malhotra, owner of Embassy said, “We here offer a variety of food which is loved by the people. Over the decades Embassy has earned an iconic statue amongst tourists from around the world.” play LIVE WITH GURNAZAR L ludhiana UDHIANA’s heartbeat is set to sync with the rhythm of Gurnazar’s electrifying performance at Studio Mastaani, Paragon Waterfront on Saturday, 21 February 2026. From 9:00 PM onwards, the city will sway to two hours of high-energy music, iconic vibes, and unforgettable melodies. Music has always been Ludhiana’s soul whether it’s the folk strains echoing through its heritage or the modern beats that light up its nightlife. An unmissable night awaits because when Ludhiana gathers for music, it doesn’t just listen, it lives the sound. I am not related to any bigwigs in the industry. I come from Kashmir with no film connections whatsoever, yet today such big directors are supporting me. I can only be grateful. I N 2023, when Anurag Kashyap’s Kennedy had its date with the prestigious Cannes Film Festival, it unveiled the actor in Rahul Bhat like few films do. Today as the film is ready to stream on Zee 5, the memory of playing Kennedy is still fresh and tingling on the gifted actor’s mind. Rahul smiles and winces, “I wish I could put Kennedy behind me. But the character is so strong and compelling; there is no way I can ever get rid of its sway over my mind.” Hailing from Kashmir which has witnessed so much violence his first response to an ultra-violent character like Kennedy is undeniably repugnance. He asserts, “I hate violence and there is no justification for such a damnable person like Kennedy. But as an actor one has to be an advocate for the character and latch on to some quality which makes it relatable to audiences. Of course, therein lies the challenge.” When Anurag first came to him with the script he was spellbound by the many layers of the character. Yet simultaneously he knew he would have to walk an extra mile. Rahul recalls, “First Anurag asked me to lose weight ‘tu ghost ban ja’ and just when I shed few kilos the maverick director told me to beef up.” But, Anurag, Rahul insists, is not a difficult director to work with. He adds, “What to talk of me, no actor can ever have creative differences with him. He simplifies things, it’s as if he has a magic wand and most difficult character becomes easy.” As for the magic the director senses in Rahul the actor with whom he has worked in his gut wrenching Ugly too, Rahul quips,” Only Anurag can tell.” But yes post Kennedy many acclaimed directors from Vikramaditya Motwane (Black Warrant) to Sudhir Mishra (Summer of 77) did see and tap the immense potential in the goodlooking actor. Why Bollywood, even Hollywood has woken up to his talent and soon his Lost and Found in Kumbh which he vouches for as ‘an excellent film’ would be released soon. Unlike most Hollywood projects where Indian actors have a ‘miss and blink’ part he is the main lead. Yet he still rates Kennedy as a game-changer. He asserts, “It made me walk the Cannes red carpet. Yes, people say it’s a place where everyone gets a standing ovation. May be, that’s true but out of thousands of films only handful gets IF YOU THINK YOU KNOW IT ALL, YOU’RE ALREADY FAILING... For an actor who never went to an acting school, unlearning is the key. Rahul Bhat decodes the secret, “If you work on the premise that you know it all, you can never ever deliver. Sayana kaan… we all know the saying. One has to erase what one knows completely to embrace new things. If the cup is brimming to the full with pompousness and ego, where would be room for learning anything?” selected.” However, he doesn’t think the audience at Cannes is any different from the ones at the Indian film festivals. He reasons, “Before I delude myself that I am doing great work, I have to remember on this very soil there are actors of great calibre from Naseeruddin Shah to Om S Badshah makes NBA all-star debut Multi-platinum rapper Badshah made his debut at the 2026 Ruffles NBA All-Star Celebrity Game in Kia Forum in Inglewood, California. A lifelong basketball enthusiast, Bringing his trademark energy and global appeal to the court, Badshah joined an exciting lineup of athletes, entertainers and cultural influencers for one of the most anticipated events of the AllStar Weekend. Notable talent included seventime Olympic medallist sprinter Andre De Grasse, multi-platinum producer and DJ Mustard, Marvel’s Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings and upcoming Avengers: Doomsday actor Simu Liu among others. c m y b seamlessly complements the journey of Kennedy Uday Shetty, played by Rahul Bhat, a former cop turned contract killer navigating a dangerous double life. Marking Anurag Kashyap’s return to his signature Mumbai noir storytelling, the film stands as his third major Mumbai-set crime narrative after Black Friday and Raman Raghav 2.0. Puri and makers like Satyajit Ray, Ritwik Ghatak, Basu Bhattacharya, et al.” Moreover, he deems, “Emotions are universal and what we feel for our mothers is the same sentiment that runs in sons/ daughters in distant lands.” He himself is surprised that at Cannes audi- ablaze at India–Pak match LIGHT SOME MAGIC mohali Adding to the haunting world of Kennedy is a powerful Night Anthem track that captures the film’s raw intensity. Sung by the Vishal Dadlani, the song mirrors the fractured psyche of the film’s protagonist. Composed and written by the talented duo Boyblanck and Shashwat Dwivedi, the track is set against the backdrop of Mumbai’s dark and restless nights. It Hanumankind sets the stage love AHIRA SANDHU’s passion for creating ambiance and warmth shines through her brand Joie de Lumière, which translates to “the joy of light.” Her thoughtfully curated collection of handcrafted candles includes vibrant candle bouquets and elegant jar candles, each made with non-toxic, chemical-free ingredients for a clean, slow burn. Designed to blend décor with wellness, the candles provide a safer, longer-lasting fragrance. Her Musk and Oud candles have quickly become crowd favourites. For Sahira, Joie de Lumière is her creative sanctuary, a space where she transforms inspiration into light and warmth that others can enjoy in their homes. INSIDE KENNEDY’S MOODY NIGHT ANTHEM Hanumankind brought electrifying energy to the India–Pakistan match on Sunday, delivering a high-octane performance that blended desi swagger with global hip-hop flair. The Kerala-born rapper, who rose to prominence with his breakout track Dhurandhar, has steadily carved a niche for himself with sharp lyricism and a distinct cross-cultural sound shaped by his time between India and abroad. His association with Dhurandhar — a track celebrating dominance and self-belief — made him a fitting choice for the high-stakes sporting spectacle. From underground acclaim to commanding stadium crowds, Hanumankind’s journey reflects the growing global footprint of Indian hiphop. Singer and rapper Sooraj Cherukat, known professionally as Hanumankind, performs before the cricket match in Colombo SUNNY LEONE ences cried even though the character he portrays is rather despicable. For this, he gives credit to his director Anurag and says, “It’s his genius which makes you feel for this abominable being and shows you the mirror.” Kennedy streams on Zee5 from February 20. CHAT UP WORLD OF NAGABANDHAM On Mahashivaratri, Mahesh Babu unveiled the teaser for World of Nagabandham, a dialogue-free, visually grand Pan-India action drama blending Indian mythology with historical spectacle. Set in the 1750s, it features haunting temple imagery, epic battles, and a mystical cobra symbol, accompanied by Junaid Kumar’s devotional score. Virat Karrna transforms into a Lord Shiva-inspired avatar. Nagabandham is slated for a Summer 2026 release. SUKESH’S ~30-CR VALENTINE CLAIM A fresh twist has emerged in the ongoing controversy surrounding actress Jacqueline Fernandez and alleged jailed conman Sukesh Chandrasekhar. In a letter shared on Valentine’s Day, Sukesh, who has previously been linked romantically to the actor, claimed that he had arranged a lavish gift for her, a ~30-crore Airbus H series helicopter. Addressing her as “Baby Bomma”, meaning “beautiful doll”, he wrote, “Baby, I’ve arranged a special gift that befits the queen you are.” Jacqueline has not responded publicly to the claim. Sukesh is currently in jail in connection with an alleged ~200-crore extortion case.