22022026-LSTL-01.qxd 2/22/2026 12:45 AM Page 1 c m y b AI HORROR PEEKABOO UNVEILED The trailer for Peekaboo, billed as India’s first AI-powered horror film, has been released, promising a chilling cinematic experience with sudden shocks and a sharp visual design. HOT Tributes… Life Bollywood actor Hrithik Roshan paid an emotional tribute to his late teacher and filmmaker M M Baig, crediting him for building his confidence, overcoming shyness and shaping his acting career. Baig passed away earlier this week. LUDHIANA | SUNDAY | 22 FEBRUARY 2026 Ghich Pich actor Kabir Nanda talks about his Netflix series Kohrra 2 The boy has chandigarh WHAT’S TRIBUNE arrived! Sadhika Sharma Ghich Pich actor Kabir Nanda is back in the spotlight with Kohrra Season 2. Hailing from Ferozepur and Chandigarh, the actor’s journey from indie cinema to a globally watched series is marked by restraint, patience, and a deep commitment to honest performances. Kabir describes Nihal Sood, the character he plays in Kohrra Season 2, as a clear departure from his role in Ghich Pich. “Gurpreet was a cricket-loving romantic grappling with insecurity, Nihal is confident, academically inclined, and emotionally grounded. His conflict is quieter, rooted within the family, and shaped by calm” he says. Talking about his preparation for the character which speaks more through silence than dialogue, Kabir says restraint was the key. He explains, “It was about understanding his emotional world, especially his bond with his parents, there’s a lot of love, respect and quiet restraint there.” Recalling the audition for the role, Kabir admits it came with mixed emotions. “There was excitement, but also eat FESTIVE PAN-ASIAN C ELEBRATE the Chinese New Year at OKO, The LaLiT Chandigarh, with a special PanAsian menu curated for the Year of the Horse. Enjoy festive classics like Aromatic Duck with Pancakes, Chicken & Prawn Sui Mai, Prawn Har Gau, Braised Pork Belly, and Steamed Sea Bass with Hong Kong Supreme Soya Sauce, along with Szechuan Mapo Tofu. End on a sweet note with Creamy Custard Bao and Coconut Caramel Custard. Available till March 10. play MOONLAMP ART jalandhar Qalaa by Naina is hosting a unique 3-D Moonlamp Art Workshop on February 28, from 1 PM to 3 PM, at Tapa Toro in Lajpat Nagar, Jalandhar. Participants will learn to craft realistic lunar textures and craters using palette knife techniques under the guidance of art trainer Naina. This hands-on session offers art enthusiasts an opportunity to explore their creativity while making a stunning, personalised moonlamp — perfect as décor or a thoughtful gift. The workshop promises an immersive experience where technique meets imagination, allowing participants to bring the moon into their own artistic hands. SIKH HERITAGE SUMMIT A three-day World Punjabi Conference dedicated to the 350th year of Guru Gobind Singh Ji’s Guryai Diwas will conclude on February 22 at Jawaddi Taksal, Ludhiana. The event will feature the release of important books on Sikh history and philosophy, honour five eminent personalities for their contributions to literature and society, and confer the Shan-e-Khalsa award on Bhai Gurmej Singh. Scholars across India and abroad will be present at the conference which aims to celebrate Guru Gobind Singh’s life, bani and legacy while fostering dialogue on Sikh heritage and values. In a major move for fantasy storytelling on screen, Oscar-winning actor Viola Davis is set to produce a feature adaptation of the Afro-fantasy graphic novel The Untamed: A Sinner’s Prayer, bringing the indie franchise to the big screen. The collaboration marks a full-circle moment for Davis, who penned the foreword to Jones’ 2017 graphic novel Niobe: She is Life. The actor, known for playing Amanda Waller in DC titles such as The Suicide Squad and Peacemaker, last starred in Amazon MGM’s action feature G20. — ANI Shweta Tripathi’s first Berlinale experience c m y b With Kohrra Season 2 now streaming on Netflix, filmmaker and media professional Sunil Kataria is among the new additions to the gritty crime drama’s expanding canvas. In the series, Kataria plays a news anchor. “It’s a crime-based story, my character is seen conducting an interview with an NGO head,” he says. Though his appearance is brief, the experience stood out for him. “The entire setup was extremely organised. The Mumbai production team was professional in every sense, from coordination to hospitality,” he shares. The shoot took place in Amritsar. Kataria’s journey spans filmmaking and digital storytelling. He first gained attention with his micro-short Honesty Is the Best Policy and later co-directed collaborative documentary India in a Day. With Kohrra Season 2, Kataria adds another significant chapter to his creative journey. shifts focus Oscar-winning actor to produce Afro-fantasy graphic novel The Untamed film adaptation They say firsts stay with you. For Shweta Tripathi, it began with the simple joy of performing. Before she understood what being an actor meant, she knew she loved being on stage and wanted more of it. That instinct led her to her debut film Masaan, which premiered at the Cannes Film Festival and won two awards, including the FIPRESCI Prize. The news came during another first. Shweta had just attended her first festival with Haramkhor at the Indian Film Festival of Los Angeles, where she won Best Actor. She was on a road trip from Los Angeles to San Francisco when director Neeraj Ghaywan called to say Masaan was headed to Cannes. “That moment changed how I saw cinema. It wasn’t just about release or box office. It was about stories travelling, conversations starting, and cultures meeting.” This year, Shweta attended the canvas Kelly Clarkson Viola Davis ventures into fantasy love ludhiana pressure,” he says. “I knew it could be my last shot.” Drawn to emotionally driven stories, he adds, “Such narratives make it easier to connect with audiences, and I feel fortunate to be considered for roles that value emotional honesty.” Shooting during the peak North Indian winter season, added to the experience. “The foggy conditions actually mirrored the mood of the series,” Kabir notes. “Kohrra literally means fog, and it carries a sense of mystery.” He credits co-writer Gunjit Chopra for shaping his performance, while describing his experience of sharing screen space with Pradhuman Singh as “warm and enriching”. Speaking of Mona Singh, he says, “She’s incredibly lively and generous on set.” Reflecting on his statement, “Ferozepur gave him values, Chandigarh confidence and Mumbai is teaching him patience”. Kabir explains, “Growing up in a border town instilled a deep sense of community and resilience in me.” He adds that Chandigarh exposed him to cultural diversity with little initial shock, while Mumbai has reinforced the importance of perseverance. “In Mumbai, you have to keep going, no matter what,” he says. Asked what he would tell the boy dreaming of becoming an actor in Ferozepur, Kabir says, “Chak de phatte shera… Rab ne tenu hamesha chardikala vich rakheya.” Sunil expands Berlin International Film Festival for the first time, a festival long on her wishlist. Now also a producer, she chose to experience Berlinale as a student of cinema attending panels, watching international films, and engaging deeply with global storytellers. She watched films from across cultures, attended a live orchestra screening of Charlie Chaplin, and met Jack Thorne, writer of Adolescence. “For me, festivals are where cinema breathes differently. You’re reminded that stories don’t belong to one country. They belong to everyone.” As she continues to grow as an actor and producer, Shweta is clear about her next chapter bringing her own films to the global festival circuit. “I love festivals. I love the conversations, the curiosity, the celebration of storytelling. This is just the beginning. See you over there.” Grammy-winning singer and host Kelly Clarkson has opened up about her decision to end her long-running daytime programme The Kelly Clarkson Show, saying shifting family priorities played a central role in her choice. The Since U Been Gone hitmaker confirmed that stepping away from The Kelly Clarkson Show after seven seasons was driven by personal considerations. Reflecting on the timing, Clarkson said her perspective changed as she began to recognise how “precious” life is. “Well, I think everybody probably gets the timing, but ... yeah, our family life, the dynamic changed a bit.” Clarkson shares daughter River Rose and son Remington with her late exhusband, Brandon Blackstock, who died in August after battling melanoma. Clarkson returns as a judge on season 29 of The Voice. She is also preparing for her Studio Sessions Las Vegas residency. — ANI