02012026-LSTC-01.qxd 1/1/2026 8:02 PM Page 1 c m y b ZOOTOPIA 2 TOPS CHARTS Walt Disney Animation Studios’ Zootopia 2 surpassed Frozen 2 to become its highest-grossing film ever. The animated sequel is the fifth Walt Disney Animation Studios film to cross $1 billion globally. TRIBUNE Alizeh shines Life Alizeh Agnihotri has been roped in for the Hindi remake of acclaimed French movie La Famille Bélier. She stars alongside Siddhant Chaturvedi in this Vikas Bahl directorial. LUDHIANA | FRIDAY | 2 JANUARY 2026 High-octane stunts, raw grit & franchise power signal a new era of women taking charge of action in 2026 CHAT UP STRANGER THINGS BREAKS NETFLIX For cinema lovers, the midnight of December 31 became even more special as the much-awaited finale of Netflix’s popular series Stranger Things premiered. And as millions of fans logged into the streaming platform to watch the final episode of the Duffer Brotherscreated show, titled Chapter Eight: The Rightside Up, Netflix apparently crashed briefly. However, this wasn’t the first time, as Netflix also crashed on November 26 when season five, Volume 1, had dropped. The rise of Bollywood’s LOOKING action queens AHEAD B SPIRIT FIRST LOOK New Year 2026 started on a great note for the fans of Prabhas as the first look of his most-awaited film Spirit was unveiled at midnight. The poster features Triptii Dimri helping Prabhas light a cigarette. Prabhas is seen wounded, leaving movie buffs intrigued. The film hits screens in 2026. OLLYWOOD’s leading ladies are charging headfirst into highimpact action, shattering longheld genre boundaries with physically demanding, combat-driven roles. From espionage thrillers and gritty series to franchise-heavy spectacles, stars like Alia Bhatt, Parvathy Thiruvothu, Shruti Haasan, Rani Mukerji and Deepika Padukone are redefining onscreen power. In 2026, this momentum signals a decisive shift — action stardom in Hindi cinema is no longer male-dominated, but boldly shared. STORM RISING: Parvathy Thiruvothu Parvathy Thiruvothu will lead the charge with STORM, an intense, gritty action series backed by HRX Productions, where she will embrace a raw, no-holds-barred avatar unlike anything she has done before. KILLER GLAM: Deepika Padukone Deepika Padukone steps into a stylish yet deadly avatar in King, reuniting with Shah Rukh Khan for a full-scale action spectacle following their blockbuster collaborations in Pathaan and Jawan. BOLD & BRUTAL: Shruti Hassan ANU MALIK CLARIFIES CREDITS Music composer Anu Malik has addressed the rumours surrounding credit for the recreation of hit Ghar Kab Aaoge in Sunny Deol starrer Border 2. Malik released a statement. “I would like to clarify about the song Ghar Kab Aaoge that Bhushan ji has already credited me with immense warmth and respect. This is a unique collaboration that I am genuinely proud of...” VIOLA MOURNS DEMISE OF ISIAH The demise of veteran actor Isiah Whitlock Jr. left Hollywood extremely sad. Offering condolences, actor Viola Davis took to Instagram and wrote, “Wonderful actor and even better person. Rest well Isiah! Your lifeforce will be missed.” Isiah Whitlock Jr. breathed his last on Tuesday in New York at the age of 71. He lent his voice to Cars 3 and Lightyear and most recently to Hoppers. Shruti Haasan returns to the brutal world of Salaar 2, the much-awaited sequel to the blockbuster starring Prabhas and Prithviraj, bringing fierce energy and commanding presence amid larger-than-life action set pieces. MISSION ALPHA: Alia Bhatt Alia Bhatt gears up for espionage thrills in Alpha, part of the YRF Spy Universe, tackling highoctane stunts and combat-driven storytelling as she expands her action repertoire on a massive scale. MARDAANI MODE: Rani Mukherji Rani Mukerji, the original cop powerhouse, reprises her iconic role in Mardaani 3, returning once again to deliver unflinching street-level action and emotional intensity in the third chapter of the hit franchise. From grounded grit to glossy spectacle, these women are redefining what action stardom looks like — proving the genre no longer belongs to men alone. (Clockwise from top): Parvathy Thiruvothu, Shruti Hassan, Alia Bhatt, Deepika Padukone and Rani Mukherji Kis Kisko2... in cinemas again Kapil Sharma and his unbeatable humour is back again to entertain you this New Year’s as well with the return of family entertainer Kis Kisko Pyar Karoon 2 in theatres on January 9, 2026. The much-awaited sequel opened to positive responses from audiences and critics alike, however, its theatrical run was impacted by limited screen availability due to ongoing multiplex takeovers by other releases. Juggling not only three but four marriages and a web of confusion the makers are back again to keep the audiences glued to the screens and laugh their hearts out yet again. Kapil Sharma’s Kis Kisko Pyaar Karoon 2 proved that sheer entertainment triumphs over numbers, captivating audiences with its c m y b trademark humour and infectious energy. Responding to the film’s sustained buzz, producer Ratan Jain is set to bring the family entertainer back in the theatres. Speaking about the same Produecr Ratan Jain shared, “Kis Kisko Pyaar Karoon 2 has always been made with families in mind with pure entertainment meant to be enjoyed together. The love, laughter, and positive wordof-mouth the film received reaffirmed our belief in its universal appeal. We felt it was the right moment to bring the film back to theatres and give viewers another chance to experience its humour on the big screen. We’re delighted to return with a film that celebrates joy, laughter, and wholesome family entertainment.” Clooney teases Ocean’s Eleven return Hollywood filmmaker George Clooney has shared his plans to revive the iconic Ocean’s Eleven, the original heist film, which was released in 2001. Clooney featured in the lead alongside actors like Brad Pitt, Julia Roberts, Matt Damon, and Don Cheadle. Clooney not just teased a fourth film in the franchise, he also suggested that the original cast is likely to make a return — this time “older, but wiser.” The team has been scouting for locations, with the shooting likely to begin in October 2026. — ANI
The Tribune, now published from Chandigarh, started publication on February 2, 1881, in Lahore (now in Pakistan). It was started by Sardar Dyal Singh Majithia, a public-spirited philanthropist, and is run by a trust comprising four eminent persons as trustees.
The Tribune, the largest selling daily in North India, publishes news and views without any bias or prejudice of any kind. Restraint and moderation, rather than agitational language and partisanship, are the hallmarks of the paper. It is an independent newspaper in the real sense of the term.
The English edition apart, the 133-year-old Tribune has two sister publications, Punjabi Tribune (in Punjabi) and Dainik Tribune (in Hindi).
