11012024-LSTC-01.qxd 1/10/2024 11:24 PM Page 1 c m y b TRIBUNE 10 years Rakul Preet Singh, who made her debut in 2014 with Hindi film Yaariyan on Wednesday reflected upon her 10-year journey. She said it took hard work to reach where she was today. LUDHIANA | THURSDAY | 11 JANUARY 2024 New kids on the block Cruise control Tom Cruise strikes strategic movie partnership with Warner Bros Hollywood superstar Tom Cruise and studio Warner Bros Discovery have announced a new partnership that will see them develop and produce theatrical films. Cruise, known for delivering blockbusters like Mission: Impossible franchise, Top Gun series and many more, will also star in the feature film projects. As part of the deal, Cruise and his production company will have offices on the Warner Bros Discovery lot in Burbank, California. The pact with Warner Bros will mark a sort of homecoming for Cruise, who started his acting journey with the studio’s Risky Business and then worked on films such as Edge of Tomorrow, Rock of Ages, The Last Samurai, Eyes Wide Shut, Interview with the Vampire and Magnolia. Michael De Luca and Pam Abdy, co-chairs and CEOs of Warner Bros Motion Picture Group, hailed Cruise as an ‘absolute legend’of the film industry. “We couldn’t be more excited to welcome Tom back to Warner Bros and look forward to bringing more of his genius to life on screen in the years ahead,” they said. On his part, Cruise said he was looking forward to making ‘great movies’ with Warner Bros Discovery. “I have great respect and admiration for David, Pam, Mike, and the entire team at Warner Bros. Discovery and their commitment to movies, fans, and the theatrical experience. I look forward to making great movies together,” the 61-year-old actor said. Cruise’s upcoming projects include the eighth installment of the Mission: Impossible franchise as well as an upcoming action movie with filmmaker Doug Liman, who also directed the film Edge of Tomorrow. — PTI ‘Not a dreamy affair’ Actor Pankaj Tripathi recently pointed out that there was much confusion and misconception about the film industry, particularly fuelled by updates posted on social media. “People think there is a lot of fun happening in the film industry. Just because actors run their PR machinery on fun footages like being spotted at an event, airport, etc. People think actors have a dreamy life,” the actor said. Tripathi also talked about the difficulties he faced while shooting the soon-to-be Pankaj Tripathi released biopic Main Atal Hoon in which he wears prosthetics to resemble late Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. He said, “Shooting is a very difficult task.” — ANI Being Amaan Devgan Shanaya Kapoor Junaid Khan FAST Jibraan Khan FORWARD Gurnaaz Kaur A S we eagerly await the cinematic offerings of 2024, a new wave of talent is set to grace the silver screen in Indian cinema. Departing from the successes of industry veterans in 2023, the stage is now poised for promising debutants. Shanaya Kapoor, Rasha Thadani, Ibrahim Ali Khan, Junaid Khan, Pashmina Roshan, Aaman Devgan, each with their unique legacy, mark the exciting entrants of the year. These debutants are all ready to shape the narrative of Bollywood now! PURE PASSION Shanaya Kapoor Shanaya Kapoor, daughter of Bollywood actor Sanjay Kapoor and Maheep Kapoor, is poised for her much-anticipated debut in the South Indian film Vrushabha, where she shares the screen with renowned actor Mohanlal. With a notable family legacy in the film industry and a clear passion for acting, Shanaya is set to bring a distinctive charm to the big screen. Additionally, she is involved in the Dharmabacked project Bedhadak, alongside Laksh Lalwani and Gurfateh Pirzada. Originally slated for her debut, Bedhadak faced a temporary halt, but now Shanaya is all set to make an entry into the world of cinema with Vrushabha. RIGHT ACT Rasha Thadani Raveena Tandon’s daughter, Rasha Thadani, is gearing up for her acting debut in an upcoming untitled Veer Pahariya Pashmina Roshan film directed by Abhishek Kapoor, which is slated for release in February. She is teaming up with Ajay Devgn’s nephew, Aaman Devgun, in this project. Rasha has previously been in the spotlight for her singing videos that have gone viral. ACTION ZONE Ibrahim Ali Khan Ibrahim Ali Khan, the son of Saif Ali Khan and Amrita Singh, is set to embark on his Bollywood journey, carrying forward the legacy of the Pataudi family. Being launched under Karan Johar’s Dharma Productions, Ibrahim’s debut film, titled Sarzameen, features seasoned actress Kajol. This action thriller, directed by Kayoz Irani, son of Boman Irani, explores themes of national identity, evident from the film’s title, which evokes a strong sense of patriotism. Big honour Rasha Thadani Ibrahim Ali Khan FIRST STEP Junaid Khan ROMANTIC JOURNEY Pashmina Roshan Aamir Khan’s son, Junaid Khan, is set to make his acting debut with Yash Raj Films’ Maharaj, which will premiere on Netflix. The anticipation surrounding his debut is complemented by the news that Junaid has already commenced shooting for his second film, where he will be sharing the screen with Sai Pallavi. Junaid, who made his theatre debut in Quasar Thakore Padamsee’s adaptation of German dramatist Bertolt Brecht’s play Mother Courage and Her Children, is an alumnus of Los Angeles’ American Academy of Dramatic Arts. Interestingly, his recent pictures from sister Ira Khan’s wedding with Nupur Shikhare went viral, as fans noticed Junaid’s striking resemblance to Hollywood actor Henry Cavill! Hailing from the renowned Roshan family, Pashmina Roshan, cousin of Hrithik Roshan, is gearing up for a noteworthy double debut in the world of cinema. Her first venture, Ishq Vishq Rebound, promises a romantic journey, featuring co-stars Rohit Sharaf and Jibraan Khan. Adding an extra layer of excitement to her debut portfolio, Pashmina is also set to appear in an untitled film alongside Tiger Shroff. LEADING MAN Jibraan Khan Best known for his role as Krishi Raichand, the son of Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol in Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham, Jibraan Khan is set to take on a leading role in Ishq Vishq Rebound, alongside Pashmina Roshan. Serving as the sequel to the Shahid Kapoor-Amrita Rao-starrer, Ahaan Panday Ishq Vishk, this film marks Jibraan’s debut as the leading man. Having been a popular child artiste, Jibraan is now stepping into a new phase of his career, garnering attention not just for his acting skills but fashion choices. HIGH FLYING Veer Pahariya Veer Pahariya is set to make his acting debut in Sandeep Kewlani’s film Sky Force, alongside Akshay Kumar and Sara Ali Khan. The movie, based on India’s first airstrike against Pakistan, is scheduled for release in October. Veer is rumoured to be Sara Ali Khan’s ex-girlfriend. Some also say that the two are back together, as they were spotted at Manish Malhotra’s Diwali bash last year. ALL IN THE FAMILY Aaman Devgan Ajay Devgn recently took to Instagram to introduce his nephew, Aaman Devgan, who is all set to make his debut under the mentorship of renowned filmmaker Abhishek Kapoor. Sharing a picture with Aaman, Ajay expressed excitement about their upcoming collaboration in Kapoor’s next big screen action adventure. Aaman Devgan’s entry into Bollywood adds a new chapter to the Devgan family’s legacy in the industry. BIG BREAK Ahaan Panday Ahaan Panday, actress Ananya Panday’s cousin, hogged the limelight with his viral dance videos during sister Alaana Panday’s wedding. Reports suggest that the star kid has got his big Bollywood break under the YRF banner. He is said to be training with the production house and will soon be seen in the lead role. Ayushmann Khurrana Boat scare for Nawaz Experimental mode Willem Dafoe honoured with first Hollywood Walk of Fame star in 2024 different Bollywood star Ayushmann Khurrana has said he would experiment with a ‘lot of genres’ and consolidate his status as a theatrical hero for his audience in 2024. Ayushmann said: “I’m going to experiment with a lot of genres in 2024. My slate of films will be diverse as always and it will focus solely on delivering quality theatrical experience to the audience. I’m currently locking some interesting films that one will love watching with the entire family in theatres.” — IANS While star actors will be seen on the big screen this year too, here are a few debutants who are ready to shape the narrative of Bollywood and carve a niche for themselves Actor Willem Dafoe has become the first celebrity to be honoured with a Hollywood Walk of Fame star in 2024. Dafoe, who has featured in as many as 150 films, was felicitated on Monday in California. His wife, Giada Colagrande, attended the event, as did his friends and former co-stars Pedro Pascal, Patricia Arquette, Mark Ruffalo, and Camila Morrone. During his speech, he said, “I just want to say it’s wonderful to be part of this community of artistes and entertainers. I’m glad to be with people like this...thanks to my wife Giada Colagrande, who teaches me gratitude and reminds me not to spit on my luck.” — ANI Nawazuddin Siddiqui, who is making his debut in the South Indian film industry with Saindhav, starring Venkatesh Daggubati, during a pivotal sequence shot amidst the scenic backdrop of Sri Lanka experienced an unexpected tumble. However, the actor emerged unhurt after the incident. Nawazuddin shared: “We were shooting in Sri Lanka and I almost fell off a boat. A massive wave came our way and almost toppled me…I flew off the boat. I was lucky to land on the boat again instead of the ocean.” — IANS Actress Raveena Tandon, who will be seen playing Indrani Kothari in the upcoming show Karmma Calling, shared how the character has helped her explore a very different aspect of herself as an artiste. The actress said: “Playing Indrani helped me explore a very different aspect of myself as an actor, it is unlike any characters I have played before. I am experimenting with my characters.” Raveena added: “Indrani is powerful, strong-headed and wants to maintain her position in the elitist society. She has secrets to hide but her life is altered in many ways as Karma Talwar enters the picture.” Produced by R.A.T films, adapted for India and directed by Ruchi Narain, the series stars Raveena Tandon, Namrata Sheth and Varun Sood, among others. It is set to release on Disney+ Hotstar on January 26. — IANS c m y b Raveena Tandon