19022026-LSTC-01.qxd 2/18/2026 8:01 PM Page 1 c m y b PRAVINA DESHPANDE DIES AT 56 Actress Pravina Deshpande, celebrated for her grace and resilience, passed away at 56 on February 17, her family shared on Instagram. Known for roles in Ek Villain, Gabbar Is Back and Parmanu: The Story of Pokhran, she continued working through illness, including on the award-winning short Thanks Mom. WHAT’S HOT read A STORY BEGINS chandigarh UTHOR Sunali Singh Ranaa’s debut novel, Whispers in the Cursed Desert: Inked in Blood (The Enchanted Dunes Saga – Volume I), was launched at Bahrisons, Chandigarh on Wednesday, in an event celebrating literature and creativity. The magical mystery follows Layla, a young woman uncovering her father’s death, hidden worlds, and a sinister conspiracy, while discovering her own power. Sunali, an energy sector consultant with CII, shared how her love for storytelling began in childhood and evolved alongside her professional career. The desert in her story symbolises isolation, endurance, and memories. The launch, attended by distinguished guests, highlighted her journey from technical expertise to creative writing and her advocacy for women empowerment. TRIBUNE Mandalorian returns Life The Mandalorian and Grogu will release in Indian theatres on May 22, Lucasfilm announced. Directed by Jon Favreau, it stars Pedro Pascal, alongside Sigourney Weaver and Jeremy Allen White. The film follows the bounty hunter and Grogu amid New Republic threats. LUDHIANA | THURSDAY | 19 FEBRUARY 2026 Mona Siddhant Chaturvedi and Mrunal Thakur embrace their roots as they promote Do Deewane Seher Mein WHAT’S IN A NAME? The title of the film bears no direct connection to popular song Do Deewane Shaher Mein from 1977 classic Gharaonda. It was suggested by the film producer Sanjay Leela Bhansali, who felt it captured the nostalgia and emotional essence the team was aiming for. The lead pair of the film, Siddhant Chaturvedi and Mrunal Thakur, clarified that the story could belong to any city. “Do deewane can be anywhere. It can be our story or yours.” I N a world obsessed with polish and perfection, Siddhant Chaturvedi and Mrunal Thakur are choosing to celebrate flaws. During a recent visit to Chandigarh, the two actors spoke about their film Do Deewane Seher Mein, steering the conversation beyond glamour to questions of identity, hesitation, patience and the quiet courage it takes to love — and be loved — exactly as you are. At the promotional event, both embraced their small-town roots — Siddhant from Ballia, Uttar Pradesh and Mrunal from Dhule, Maharashtra. Siddhant set the tone when asked about his accent in the film, particularly how he pronounces “Sh” as “S.” Rather than seeing it as a flaw, he framed it as an identity. Siddhant plays a young corporate profession- play WALK FOR CALM T love WEAVES OF INDIA T shimla HE colours of Himachal as well as colours of India could be witnessed at Padam Dev Complex at the ridge as Weavers’ Service Centre, Kullu has brought a handloom and handicraft exhibition-cum-sale, providing an opportunity to the people to witness and buy traditional handloom products. The exhibition features stalls from various districts of Himachal including Shimla, Kullu, Mandi, Kinnaur along with stalls from Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Jammu and Kashmir, Jharkhand, West Bengal and Delhi, providing varieties of famous handloom and handicraft products of these districts and states. From the famous Kullu shawls to Banarasi sarees, one can get all the famous handicrafts products in this exhibition. PHOTO: RAVI KUMAR amritsar HE Amritsar Walkathon will take place on 1 March, starting at 7am from VR Ambarsar Mall, offering participants a chance to step away from the rush of daily life. Supported by The Hermitage and Mind Spa Welfare Society, the event is open to all and encourages friends, families and colleagues to walk together, fostering a sense of community and shared energy. Organisers hope the walk provides a deliberate pause in a disruptive world, giving participants time to slow down, enjoy the morning, and reconnect with themselves and the city. Small-town heart, big-city dreams al navigating language barriers and the fear of judgment. His character often feels small amid towering buildings, polished English and urban “swag.” Even asking the price of an item can feel intimidating when you fear being judged for how you speak. “But the beauty lies in accepting these shortcomings,” he said. At its core, the film is about meeting someone who makes you feel complete — not despite your imperfections, but because of them. If Siddhant brought vulnerability to the conversation, Mrunal brought warmth and nostalgia. She said, “I have to make stories that touch the audience’s hearts,” she said, smiling at the crowd. Chandigarh, she revealed, holds special significance for her. Having previously shot for Jersey in the city, she remembers the love she received. “Life is full circle,” she said. “If you don’t come to Chandigarh to promote your film, it doesn’t feel complete.” Speaking about her character Roshni, Mrunal said, “When I heard the script, my eyes welled up. Growing up, I have had my share of moments that Roshni lives — she is so relatable.” The film evokes an “old-school love” she believes is rare Family drama to stream on JioHotstar from Feb 26 with weekly Thursday episodes Barjatya unveils Sangamarmar trailer Filmmaker Sooraj Barjatya returns to the family drama genre with Sangamarmar, a multi-generational series set to premiere on JioHotstar on February 26. The trailer for the series, presented by Jio Studios and produced by Rajshri Productions (P) Ltd, was released ahead of its streaming debut. New episodes would be released every Thursday. Directed by Vikram Ghai, Sangamarmar centres on themes of love, family and the choices that shape lives over time, reflecting the emotional storytelling long associated with Barjatya’s work. The series stars Sheen Savita Dass and Sourabh Raaj Jain in key roles. Actor hails his “birthday twin” at LA premiere of Prime Video’s global action-adventure Diesel praises PeeCee’s Bluff turn Actor Vin Diesel heaped praise on his “birthday twin” Priyanka Chopra Jonas at the Los Angeles premiere of Prime Video’s forthcoming action-adventure drama The Bluff, calling her performance in the film “so amazing”. Diesel, known for the Fast & Furious franchise, attended the screening celebrating the collaboration between Prime Video, the Russo Brothers and Chopra Jonas. Speaking after the screening, he described the actor as “such an incredible talent”. “She was so nice to my kids in New York during the screening and she happens to share a birthday with me,” Diesel said, referring to Chopra Jonas as his “birthday twin”. Directed by Frank E Flowers and written by Joe Ballarini and Flowers, The Bluff is set to premiere on February 25. c m y b today. In a post-pandemic world, she observed, relationships have grown fragile. With successes such as Sita Ramam and Hi Nanna behind her, she consciously chose another story celebrating emotional honesty. “It’s important to have a person who loves you for who you are — flaws, strengths — just love the person you are.” Asked if sincere love stories are still possible in today’s fast-paced world. “Don’t rush into marriage just because your friends are getting married. Wait for the right reasons. Everyone gets something in life — just wait.” Siddhant, too, reflected on his journey from Ballia to Mumbai. Unlike actors who stick to a safe niche after a breakout role, he has deliberately chosen varied projects. After portraying MC Sher in Gully Boy, he resisted being typecast. “I’m not a safe player,” he said candidly. “Every film is an experiment.” He spoke about working with filmmakers and banners he once only admired — from Zoya Akhtar to Karan Johar — and emphasised that honesty remains his guiding principle. “An actor is like a magician,” he quipped. “What will he pull out of the hat next? If I take out the same rabbit every time, what’s the fun? This time, maybe it’s a pigeon.” At its heart, Do Deewane Seher Mein is about two seemingly ordinary people navigating insecurities, societal expectations and self-doubt — yet finding strength in love. As Mrunal put it, “They don’t just fall in love; they rise in love.” When the trailer rolled and applause filled the hall, it was clear that the film’s simplicity and sincerity resonated deeply. In an industry increasingly leaning toward spectacle, Siddhant and Mrunal are betting on something quieter — the timeless power of acceptance, patience and heartfelt romance. The Chandigarh crowd’s warm reception suggests that these two “deewane” may have already found a city that loves them back. Do Deewane Seher Mein, directed by Ravi Udyawar, hits cinemas on February 20. CHAT UP ALIA TEASES BAFTA APPEARANCE Alia Bhatt has sparked excitement ahead of the 79th BAFTA Awards with a playful Instagram story. Sharing an official post featuring this year’s presenters, she teased followers with a “100 points if you can spot me” challenge. Bhatt is set to present at the ceremony on February 22 at Royal Festival Hall in London. Her appearance marks another significant international milestone as she continues to expand her global presence. AUDIENCE FIRST, SAYS ROBBIE Margot Robbie said she prioritises audiences over critics. She said she has “never” worried about reviews on set and focuses instead on viewers’ emotional responses. Robbie stars opposite Jacob Elordi in Wuthering Heights, directed by Emerald Fennell. The film debuted atop the domestic box office despite polarised reactions. Fennell’s earlier films, Promising Young Woman and Saltburn, also divided audiences; Robbie produced all three. Praising Fennell’s instincts, Robbie said she favours choices that excite audiences. WHAT DREW ZENDAYA TO HOLLAND Zendaya has revealed what won her over in fiancé Tom Holland, highlighting off-camera behaviour and kindness to animals as key indicators of character. She said observing how people treat crews and noting Holland’s natural charm were important. “Dogs are a good judge of character,” she added. Zendaya noted relationships are complex, shaped by personal growth and cultural differences.