11042025-LSTL-01.qxd 4/10/2025 11:33 PM Page 1 c m y b TAHIRA IS BACK HOME Actor Ayushmann Khurrana’s wife and filmmaker Tahira Kashyap has shared an update that she is now back home and on the path to regaining her health. Tahira took to Instagram and wrote: “Basking in all the love and prayers! They are magical. Thank you, thank you, thank you! Back home and recovering. RANDEEP HOODA AND SUNNY DEOL TRIBUNE Life Head-on collision F ROM Sunny Deol fighting Randeep Hooda in Jaat to Ranveer Singh playing mind games with Vikrant Massey in Don 3, here are some of the biggest onscreen clashes to look forward to in 2025 Bollywood promises a thrilling year for moviegoers, with some of the biggest stars going headto-head in action-packed blockbusters. Here are the most anticipated cinematic duels of the year. JAAT THE JAAT ROARS Randeep vs Sunny in Jaat TIGER SHROFF AND SANJAY DUTT Expect an intense and power-packed battle as Randeep Hooda and Sunny Deol clash in Jaat, a gritty action drama. Sunny plays Bhaskar Singh ‘Jaat’, who takes it upon himself to rescue villagers from the terror unleashed by Randeep’s character, Varadaraja Ranatunga. With both actors known for their raw and realistic performances, this film is set to bring forth high-energy action sequences and intense confrontations. Fans of hardcore action will not want to miss this one. WAR 2 DON 3 ALPHA BAAGHI 4 BATTLE OF WITS Jr NTR vs Hrithik in War 2 VIKRANT MASSEY AND RANVEER SINGH Two of Indian cinema’s most electrifying action stars, Jr NTR and Hrithik Roshan, go head-to-head in War 2. Hrithik will reprise his role as Manoj Kabir Dhaliwal while Jr NTR will be seen as Veerandra Ragunath, a South Indian ex-RAW agent who goes rogue. The sequel to the 2019 hit War, this film is expected to feature breathtaking stunts, sleek action choreography, and a battle of wits between the two powerhouse performers. With their impeccable screen presence, this clash is bound to be a spectacle. THINGS GET BLOODIER Tiger vs Sanjay in Baaghi 4 ALIA BHATT AND BOBBY DEOL The Baaghi franchise continues with its fourth installment and this time, Tiger Shroff faces off against Bollywood’s evergreen superstar, Sanjay Dutt. In Baaghi 4, Tiger’s character Ronnie will be shown in a darker and bloodier avatar. The firstlook poster which shows Sanjay seated on a throne in blood-soaked Palatable plan! Vikrant Parmar As a dreamy-eyed young boy in a village near Kapurthala, when he decide to move to Norway to help out in his father’s restaurant business, little did Baljeet Singh know that he would one day be feted by the Indian government! During an interaction at the Chandigarh Press Club on Thursday, Baljeet proudly displayed his Annapurna Certificate and trophy, while sharing excerpts from his coveted journey. “It was not all that easy when I boarded the flight to Oslo in 1987. There were many challenges, including the language, but step-bystep I learnt it all. From the kitchen to washing the dishes to catering to the guests, I learnt it all. Today, the result is for everybody to see,” he begins. Established in 2023 by the Government of India, through the Indian Council for Cultur- The American Music Awards have announced that Jennifer Lopez will return to host the ceremony next month. The show will air live from Las Vegas on May 26. LUDHIANA | FRIDAY | 11 APRIL 2025 From Sunny Deol fighting Randeep Hooda in Jaat to Ranveer Singh playing mind games with Vikrant Massey in Don 3, here are some of the biggest onscreen clashes to look forward to HRITHIK ROSHAN AND JR NTR Meet the host al Relations (ICCR), under the Ministry of External Affairs, the Annapurna Certificate recognises Indian culinary excellence abroad. In 2025, out of 120 entries, only five Indian restaurants worldwide were selected for this prestigious recognition. Among them was New Delhi, Baljeet’s restaurant in Norway, which has been serving authentic Indian cuisine for almost 40 years. “For this award, we were selected by the Indian embassy officials in Norway. Make no mistake, it’s not easy. One has to meet strict guidelines, including a monthly footfall of 5,000 guests, and for that one must nurture their restaurant like a newborn—day and night, with care, consistency and passion,” he beams. Baljeet emphasises that the Annapurna Award is a symbol of cultural pride and culinary excellence. “This certificate is not just a recognition, it’s an appreciation of the role we play in connecting cultures and spreading the love of clothes and holding a lifeless woman in his arms and the tagline, ‘Every Aashiq Is A Villain’, hints at the actor playing an antagonist. With Tiger’s agility and martial arts skills pitted against Sanjay’s menacing screen presence, Baaghi 4 promises adrenaline-fuelled action and intense drama. MIND GAMES Vikrant vs Ranveer in Don 3 In an unexpected but exciting pairing, Vikrant Massey takes on Ranveer Singh in Don 3. Ranveer steps into the shoes of the legendary Don, while Vikrant brings Norway-based Baljeet Singh, the recipient of the Annapurna Certificate, which is given in recognition of Indian culinary excellence abroad, plans to bring his restaurant, New Delhi, to Chandigarh Indian food across borders,” he adds. Baljeet’s journey is rooted in deep commitment. During the Covid-19 pandemic, he served free meals to nurses and medical staff in Norway, showcasing the spirit of Indian hospitality. c m y b his nuanced and gritty acting prowess to the battle as the antagonist. This modern take on the classic franchise will feature mind games, thrilling heists and a gripping battle of ideologies. SPY THRILLER Alia vs Bobby in Alpha Alpha sees Alia Bhatt going headto-head with Bobby Deol in an intense thriller. Alia plays a super spy. Alia, known for her powerful performances, takes on a role that sees her challenging Bobby’s rugged and enigmatic antagonist in a battle of survival and mind games. PHOTO: PRADEEP TEWARI Baljeet now wants to open up restaurants in India too, Chandigarh and Goa to begin with. Before he signs off, any favourite dish that people prefer in Norway? “Butter chicken,” he smiles. No surprises there! This chhorii is on right track Actor Nushratt Bharuccha says her career took a significant turn with the 2021 horror film Chhorii, which has not only altered the audience perception of her but has also opened opportunities to do more female-led narratives. “After Chhorii, I’ve had Janhit Mein Jaari and Akelli, and now I’ve two-three other films, which I don’t know how it happened, it’s not like I’m going out there and choosing those films, I’m not. I’m very happy doing other films and other parts also. Chhorii changed audience perception of me, says Nushratt Bharuccha “But somehow it’s (Chhorii) changed audiences and trade perception of me, a mixture of that is bringing more scripts that way,” the actress said. Chhorii is the remake of director Vishal Furia’s 2017 Marathi film Lapachhapi, which revolves around a pregnant woman named Sakshi, whose unborn child is targeted by evil spirits. The sequel, which will release on April 11 on Prime Video, will pick up the story of Sakshi from where it left off in the first film and will bring back some key characters as well as introduce new scares. Known for massy entertainers like Pyaar Ka Punchnama, Sonu Ke Titu Ki Sweety and Dream Girl, Bharuccha said, “Chhorii is the most demanding movie in her career. “For me doing a film like this, I don’t think it’s just me headlining it but it’s the scope I had as an actor to do in that film which none of the other films before that gave me. It didn’t give me so much space, and room. It didn’t put me in those situations, which honestly were unreal for me as a person. “I don’t know what a girl who’s pregnant with eight months child goes through and who’s stuck like that, and who’s being traumatised and tortured by people and ghosts. So, it was a very unreal setting. It let me as a person, as an actor push boundaries that I hadn’t even thought of.” — PTI