30122024-LSTL-01.qxd 12/29/2024 8:19 PM Page 1 c m y b TRIBUNE Heartbreak Life Varun Dhawan, who can be seen in the movie Baby John, feels that heartbreak is a difficult phase for any man. He said, “When a man’s heart breaks, the society doesn’t think much about what happens to him.” LUDHIANA | MONDAY | 30 DECEMBER 2024 PHOTOS: SUNIL KUMAR The Alpha female Sharvari, who rose to prominence with Munjya, punched her last working day of 2024 on the sets of her upcoming movie Alpha. On Sunday, the actress took to Instagram and shared a picture of her harness from the sets of the movie. She wrote on the picture, “Harness-ing my last working day of 2024 energy #Alpha. Grateful for each working day of 24, A year that has particularly been a testing one. Going to work has been my biggest blessing. Has kept me motivated; going.” Alpha is produced by Aditya Chopra, and is a part of the YRF spy-universe. It is directed by Shiv Rawail, who is known for the streaming series The Railway Men, which was also produced by YRF It is . the first female-led film from the spyuniverse, and also stars Alia Bhatt and Anil Kapoor. The film’s title was unveiled in a special video by the makers. In the title reveal video, Alia Bhatt is heard saying, “Greek alphabet ka sabse pehla akshar. Aur humare program ka motive, sabse pehle, sabse tez, sabse veer. Dhyaan se dekho toh har sheher mein ek jungle hai. Aur jungle mein hamesha Raj karega Alpha (The 1st letter of Greek alphabet, and the motive of our program. The first, the fastest of all, and the bravest of all. Look carefully, you will find a jungle in each city. And the Alpha will always rule the jungle)”. The video dismisses the notion that only men can be alphas. In the film, both Alia and Sharvari play superagents, and it looks like Aditya Chopra is presenting them as the Alpha girls of the pack in spy-universe. Created by producer Aditya Chopra, the YRF spy includes blockbusters like Ek Tha Tiger, Tiger Zinda Hai, War, Pathaan and Tiger 3. The films lined up for the spy-universe include War 2 with Hrithik Roshan and NTR Jr in the lead, Pathaan 2, and Tiger vs Pathaan. — IANS Sharvari clocks last working day of 2024, shoots action sequence for Alpha Back in action Neha Saini F ROM commencing the shoot of his film Fateh from Amritsar last year to now gearing up for its release, life’s come full circle for actor Sonu Sood. He also makes his debut as a director and writer with the film. Describing the film as ‘high action thriller’, Sonu confidently says that the film will be ‘high on action, never experienced before onscreen’. In Amritsar, once again as Fateh is set to hit theatres soon, Sonu shares how he feels a special connection with city. “Coming to Punjab is always like coming back home. The energy one feels here is different and it automatically transfers onscreen as well,” he says as he pays obeisance at the Golden Temple. Dedicating three years of life to the film, Sonu says that personal experiences through his philanthropic foundation was the trigger to come up with the concept of the film. “All these years, we have had so many incidents of fraud being reported in the name of our organisation that eventually it pushed me to take up the subject of cybercrime. We have had over 40-50 FIRs registered for cybercrime and fraud in the name of helping people and there are so many, who get duped and robbed by such criminals.” Returning to the big screen with high octane thriller Fateh, Sonu Sood also makes his debut as director & writer Calling 2025 a year of high quality action cinema, Sonu says it’s about time that Indian action films not just compete but make Hollywood take note of its brilliance. “I wanted to make a film that has high quality action sequences, something that the audience have never seen. We got Lee Whittaker, the man behind intense action blockbusters, including Fast and Furious 5, Jurrassic Park 3, Captain Marvel, X-Men. We got action crew from Mexico, we have got Grammy winning vocalist Loire Cotler to pen down a song for Fateh.” In the same breath, he says that it will not be a ‘stylized, blood spattercars flying, action movie. “It will be like that classic intense action, stunt sequences. We have single shot action sequence that will blow up the screen,” he says. As far as his off-screen endeavours are concerned, Sonu has been busy with his charity organisation while steering away from politics. As someone, who openly confessed that he was offered political positions but refused, Sonu says, “Politics can wait. I feel one can do a lot, bring the change we desire without going into politics. I have so many things left to do, much to create. ” Well, for now. The screen belonged to them From Lisa Mishra to Lakshya Lalwani to Junaid Khan, here are actors who made impressive debuts in films & web shows The year 2024 saw some fresh talent. These debutants have not only proved their mettle but have also left a lasting impression on the audience. Here’s a look at six breakout stars who redefined the notion of newcomers with their powerful debuts. MATURE BEGINNING Junaid Khan in Maharaj ALVIDA Aamir Khan’s son Junaid Khan debuted with Maharaj, an ambitious period drama where he played a journalist fighting superstition in preIndependence India. Directed by Siddharth P Malhotra, the film presented Junaid with a role that demanded depth and maturity. His earnest performance and natural charisma silenced skeptics and established him as a talent to watch out for. 2024 ON A SONG: Lisa Mishra in Call Me Bae Singer-turned-actor Lisa Mishra made a splash with her OTT debut in Call Me Bae. She played a modern, independent woman navigating the complexities of life and relationships. Known for her melodious voice, Lisa ventured into acting with a story that resonated with today’s youth. Lisa’s natural screen presence and relatability made her a star. Killer instinct Lakshya Lalwani in Kill SO INTENSE: Janki Bodiwala in Shaitaan Gujarati cinema star Janki Bodiwala made her Bollywood debut in Shaitaan, a raw and intense crime thriller that demanded a compelling performance. She played a pivotal role, navigating a gritty narrative with ease. Janki’s ability to embody her character’s vulnerability and determination earned her accolades. UNFORGETTABLE Nitanshi Goel in Laapataa Ladies Menacingly yours Rishabh Shawney in Fighter In Laapataa Ladies, Nitanshi Goel gave an unforgettable performance as a young bride lost in a rural, patriarchal setup. Directed by Kiran Rao, the film provided the perfect platform for Nitanshi to showcase her talent. Her ability to connect with the audience in this socially relevant yet humorous tale earned her widespread acclaim. Rishabh Shawney dared to step into the shoes of an antagonist in the Hrithik Roshan and Deepika Padukone-starrer Fighter. Rishabh delivered a chilling performance that left audiences in awe. His intense screen presence and ability to hold his own against industry heavyweights showcased his versatility. c m y b Lakshya Lalwani, who debuted with Kill, delivered one of the year’s most talkedabout performances in this gritty action thriller. His role as the protagonist in this Karan Johar-backed project showcased his physical prowess and emotional range. Known for intense fight sequences and raw vulnerability, Lakshya’s performance broke stereotypes associated with debutants. Critics hailed him as Bollywood’s next big action star, and fans couldn’t stop raving.