24022026-LSTL-01.qxd 2/23/2026 8:55 PM Page 1 c m y b BAFTA HONOURS DHARMENDRA Legendary Hindi film icon Dharmendra was honoured in BAFTA 2026’s “In Memoriam” segment alongside global cinema legends such as Diane Keaton, Terence Stamp, Catherine O’Hara, Rob Reiner, Gene Hackman, Robert Duvall, Tom Stoppard and Val Kilmer. WHAT’S HOT TRIBUNE Life LUDHIANA | TUESDAY | 24 FEBRUARY 2026 BoongIndia’s first win@BAFTA Lakshmipriya makes history, Dharmendra remembered & Indian designs dazzle panchkula Nonika Singh eat CHEESY BLISS S ITUATED in sector 25, Panchkula, Sidhu’s Restaurant, a family eatery, is winning hearts with its affordable prices and dishes curated with love and passion. One of their soul-filling dishes include Cheese 65, a cottage cheese dish marinated with punchy blend and tangy notes of spices is a must-try. The aesthetically-pleasing outdoor scenery of the restaurant produces Instagram-worthy pictures and the indoors provide the warmth and coziness for a family dinner. chandigarh Namaskar steals B ETWEEN nomination and win, few films bridge the gap so convincingly. Those of us who have watched heart-tugging Manipuri film Boong with tears and joy know all too well how this small film, powered by wonderful child actors deserved to win big. Directed by Lakshmipriya Devi, the cinematic gem created history by becoming the first Indian film to win the prestigious BAFTA in the Children and Family category. For those of us living under the rock, this, however, is not the first time Boong has tasted success. Rather ever since it started its journey with its world premiere at Toronto International Film Festival, it has crossed the ‘one-inch tall barrier’ of subtitles more than once and picked up awards like Excellence in Feature Filmmaking, International South Asian Film Festival 2024, Canada; Best Youth Film at 17th Asia Pacific Screen Awards 2024, Australia and more. Yet when the film won a BAFTA nomination the director claimed she had no strategy in place and the film’s amazing journey has nothing to do with her. What’s more evolving into ‘master of no expectations’ she had not pinned any hopes on her film’s fate at BAFTA. Clearly when spotlight as Alia presents the award Alan McAlex, Farhan Akhtar, Paddington Bear, Ritesh Sidhwani and Lakshimipriya Devi pose in the winner’s room with the award humility meets zero expectations, when personal meets universal, result is a film that not just wins hearts but touches more than an emotional chord. If her wondrous child actor Gugun Kipgen could relate with the bathroom scene where he steals his mother’s mobile phone to call up his father, a man in Toronto had reached out to her after the screening at TIFF . She recalls, “It was so strange that while this full grown adult had a similar experience as in Boong, he admitted to having found closure only after watching my film.” Today, after the win, she hopes her beloved homeland, the strife-torn state of Manipur, too would find peace. BAFTA win, however, is not going to change her or her beliefs. If she made Boong in ‘perfect time zone,’ next too would come to her as organically. Pre-BAFTA she had shared with laughter reaching her eyes, “Had I made the same film when I started out my career in Mumbai as an assistant director perhaps Boong would have had zillion songs, may be not in Manipuri either.” But the win has certainly brought focus where much needed. To stories rooted in soil, to regions often ignored. For someone who grew up on her grandmother’s folk tales and mentoring by her aunt, MK Binodini Devi, writer of films like Ishanou and Imagi Ningthem, Lakshmipriya shines light on Manipuri cinema. The unassuming director however doesn’t think Bollywood has forgotten to tell stories and is ready to once again don the role of AD. Until, a new story beckons. Until then let’s rejoice in the fact that our very own Boong piped past major international titles. Lakshmipriya, sure, makes our heads swoon with pride and pleasure. Coogler’s Sinnersscores landmark screenplay; Robert Aramayo shines in I Swear Bollywood star Alia Bhatt, who made her debut at the 79th edition of the BAFTA Awards as a presenter, surprised the audience by starting her speech in Hindi. As the videos from the event, which took place on Sunday at London’s Royal Festival Hall surfaced online, several users went on to praise the actor. “Namaskar! Agla award ek aisi film ke liye hai, jo angrezi mein nahi hai,” she is heard saying in the video. “Don’t reach for the subtitles just yet. I was only saying in Hindi that the next award is for a film not in the English language. Because while film speaks in countless voices, what we always celebrate is the language of cinema. And that one we all speak fluently. And the incredible nominees are,” she added. Bhatt presented the Best Film not in English Language category BAFTA to Norwegian filmmaker Joachim Trier for his film Sentimental Value. “I feel that the films this year are the films that are made for deep viewing, for humanist viewing where we can sit together in rooms like this and experience to see the other, hopefully, through empathy, curiosity and open up the possibility of the theatrical experience for that,” Trier said while accepting the award. Bhatt opted for a custom silver Gucci dress and complemented it with a white stole for the ceremony. Royal tension in London play CRAFT & RELAX C HANDIGARH’S creative community can get their hands dirty at the Hand Building Pottery Workshop from February 24 to 27, 2026, at Deepakriti Institute of Creative Arts, Sector 44A. Designed as a two-hour, beginner-friendly session, the workshop introduces participants aged five and above to the basics of shaping and moulding clay by hand. The experience blends skill-building with mindful relaxation, making it ideal for families and hobbyists alike. Tickets are priced at ~999 and can be booked online via BookMyShow. love JEWEL STORY E ludhiana SHNA Jewels is bringing a workshop of a woman’s one-and-true love, jewellery, to Ludhiana. Titled Your Jewellery, Your Story and hosted by Prakshi Gupta, the event promises an immersive experience where jewellery becomes a medium of personal storytelling. Guests will explore curated designs in an elegant setting, celebrating craftsmanship and individuality. The workshop is scheduled for February 25, 2026, from 11 AM to 7 PM at Eshna Jewels by Nikkamal on Rani Jhansi Road, Ludhiana. Andy Jurgensen, Leonardo DiCaprio, Teyana Taylor, Paul Thomas Anderson, Sara Murphy, Chase Infiniti, Benicio Del Toro, Cassandra Kulukundis & Michael Bauman One Battle After Another leads wins B AFTA Film Awards delivered drama, history, and a few gasp-worthy moments, with One Battle After Another, Sinners, and I Swear emerging as some of the biggest winners of the event at London’s Royal Festival Hall as the curtains came down on Sunday night. Paul Thomas Anderson’s political thriller One Battle After Another dominated the evening as it walked away with six awards, including Best Film, Best Director, Adapted Screenplay, Cinematography, Editing, and Best Supporting Actor for Sean Penn. Close on its heels was Ryan Coogler’s Sinners, which made BAFTA history by winning three awards, the most ever for a film by a Black filmmaker at the British Academy. Wunmi Mosaku won Best Supporting Actress, while Ryan Coogler took home Best Original Screenplay, becoming the first Black filmmaker to win in the category. The film also picked up Best Original Score, completing its historic triple win. Meanwhile, Kirk Jones’ I Swear, a Tourette’s Syndrome advocacy dramedy, stunned the audience with three wins, including two industry-voted honours and one decided by the public. ment and the first British woman to run a major Hollywood studio, as she received the British Academy’s highest honour, the BAFTA Fellowship. The top executive took to the stage to a standing ovation before highlighting cinema’s power to bring people together. When the ceremony was paused… The BAFTA Film Awards ceremony was interrupted for a while when host Alan Cumming paused the show to address disruptions heard inside the venue. Cumming stopped the awards night twice to speak to the audience after loud words were heard during the live ceremony. He later explained that the sounds came from John Davidson, a nominee who lives with Tourette’s syndrome and was present at the event. Marty Supreme pulls an 0-for-11 Donna receives highest honour Marty Supreme left the emptyhanded after being shut out, following a healthy 11 nods at the nominations stage. — Agencies The star-studded BAFTA Film Awards 2026 ceremony in London also put a spotlight on Donna Langley, chair of NBCUniversal Entertain- BAFTA Fellowship winner Donna Langley; Marty Supreme actor Timothee Chalamet, Emma Stone in Louis Vuitton gown; Posy Sterling in a Gaurav Gupta creation & Best Original Screenplay winner Ryan Coogler c m y b Prince William said he’s not in a “calm state” as he stepped out on the red carpet just days after the arrest of his uncle, the former Prince Andrew. The Prince of Wales spoke briefly about his state of mind while attending the 2026 British Academy Film Awards in London with his wife, Kate Middleton. The 43-year-old while speaking on the red carpet, alongside his wife Kate Middleton said he has not yet watched Hamnet. “I need to be in quite a calm state and I am not at the moment. I will save it,” he said. His comment came just three days after the arrest of his uncle, Prince Andrew. The outing came during a difficult time for the royal family. Prince Andrew was arrested on Thursday, February 19, on suspicion of misconduct in public office. The arrest reportedly took place at Wood Farm on the Sandringham estate, which is close to Anmer Hall, where William and Kate often stay. It is believed that the Prince and Princess of Wales spent much of the previous week with their children during their school break. — ANI