27052025-LSTL-01.qxd 5/26/2025 8:10 PM Page 1 THEY ARE NOW MAN AND WIFE Singer-songwriter and actor Demi Lovato and Jordan ‘Jutes’ Lutes have tied the knot in a romantic ceremony in California on Sunday. She wore a custom ‘pearl white’ Vivienne Westwood gown with a corset bodice and a cathedral-style tulle veil for the occasion. TRIBUNE Pride moment’ Life Jennifer Lopez is excited about her upcoming busy summer months. “I’m excited to tour. I’m excited first to go do Pride,” said Lopez about headlining WorldPride in June’s Pride Month. LUDHIANA | TUESDAY | 27 MAY 2025 New Superman in town } With David Corenswet set to play the hero, here’s a cape-to-cape chronicle of men who dared to be Superman Yathesht Pratiraj Phool L NICOLAS CAGE ET’S be honest — stepping into Superman’s boots (or red trunks) isn’t just about donning the suit. It’s about embodying a symbol. Truth, justice, the… well, whatever the motto is nowadays. And, whether he is leaping tall buildings or just trying to find a decent phone booth, every actor who’s taken on the Man of Steel has left his mark — some with applause, others with polite nods. So, who wore it best? That depends on who you ask. But here’s everyone who did wear it… THE FIRST IN FLIGHT Kirk Alyn (1948–1950) The original live-action Superman, Kirk Alyn brought the character to life in the 1948 and 1950 movie serials. He didn’t exactly fly — they animated that bit. Still, he had the charm and jawline and for a generation, he was Superman. Public opinion? Nostalgic respect, with a dash of pioneer cred. THE TV ICON DAVID CORENSWET DEAN CAIN George Reeves (1951–1958) For many, Reeves is the Golden Age Superman. From Superman and the Mole Men to the TV series Adventures of Superman, his calm authority and fatherly charm struck a chord. Fans remember him fondly, though younger audiences often discover him through retro reruns. THE SUPERMAN WE BELIEVED IN Christopher Reeve (1978–1987) He’d be on the Rs 500 note of superheroes — that’s how iconic Christopher Reeve was. With his perfect blend of sincerity, strength and warmth, he didn’t just play Superman; he embodied him. Decades on, every actor in the cape is still compared to him. Still the gold standard. TYLER HOECHLIN KIRK ALYN BRANDON ROUTH GEORGE REEVES THE ‘90S CHARMER Dean Cain (1993–1997) Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman leaned heavy into romance and Cain’s Clark was more boyfriend-next-door than godlike alien. Fans were split — some loved the fresh take; others wanted more punching, less pining. NO FLIGHTS, NO TIGHTS Tom Welling (2001–2011) Smallville gave us a decade of a pre-Superman Clark Kent. Welling never wore the suit until the very end, but he nailed the inner conflict, emotional depth and slowbuild hero’s journey. Many millennials still swear he’s ‘their’ Superman. THE GENTLE RETURN Brandon Routh (2006, 2019) Superman Returns was more homage than reboot. Routh channelled Reeve beautifully but struggled with a script that didn’t let him soar. Redemption came in 2019’s Crisis on Infinite Earths, where he played an older, more grounded Superman. Fans finally got to appreciate him properly. THE BROODING POWERHOUSE Henry Cavill (2013–2023) Henry Cavill’s Superman sparked a debate. He had the look, and brought raw strength and vulnerability. But the darker tone of Snyder’s films split fans. Some saw the modern complexity; others missed the hopeful charm. Still, his commitment was never in question. THE WORKING DAD SUPERMAN Tyler Hoechlin (2016–Present) Initially appearing in Supergirl, Tyler Hoechlin won over skeptics with his grounded, relatable Superman act. In Superman & Lois, he played a dad balancing heroics with parent-teacher meetings. A refreshing, humanised take that many loved. THE SUPERMAN THAT ALMOST WAS Nicolas Cage (2023 cameo) It’s bizarre, it’s brief and it’s beautiful. Cage finally wore the cape (via CGI) in The Flash— a nod to Tim Burton’s cancelled Superman Lives. Fans of weird Hollywood lore were thrilled. Casual viewers? Mostly confused. But hey, it happened. THE FIRST TV SUPERBOY John Haymes Newton (1988–1989) You probably missed this one. Newton’s short-lived stint in Superboy was met with lukewarm reception. He wasn’t bad — just a bit… forgettable. Which is probably why he was replaced after the first season. A SOLID SUPERBOY RUN GERARD CHRISTOPHER HENRY CAVILL JOHN HAYMES NEWTON It’s Happy Diwali for Ayushmann CHRISTOPHER REEVES Gerard Christopher (1989–1992) Taking over the cape, Christopher did a respectable job. He was youthful, earnest and won over many fans during his run. Not quite top-tier Superman lore, but he held his own. THE NEXT HOPE David Corenswet (2025, upcoming) Slated to headline James Gunn’s Superman, which is set to release in July 11, Corenswet has big boots to fill — and a world waiting to see what kind of Superman he becomes. Early buzz is promising. So… who is the real Superman? Ask 10 people, you’ll get 10 answers. Some grew up on Reeve’s wide smile; others felt seen by Cavill’s conflicted stare. What’s clear is this: Superman is less about the man in the cape and more about what he stands for. Hope. Justice. Being better. Up, up, and away... Actor and co-owner of the IPL team Punjab Kings, Preity Zinta, has reportedly donated Rs 1 crore to the Army Wives Welfare Association (AWWA) under the Indian Army's South Western Command. Her contribution comes days after the launch of India's Operation Sindoor, which was initiated in response to the Pahalgam terror attack on April 22, in which 26 tourists were brutally killed by Paksponsored terrorists. The Veer-Zaara actress, on Sunday, took to Instagram to share a video from the event, where she is seen addressing army families. In her speech, she praised both the soldiers and their families for their courage and strength. "Humari Bhartiya Sena, parakrami nahi, bohot bahadur bhi hain, but usse zyada bahadur aur parakrami in sabke parivaar waale hain. Yeh toh ek bohot chhoti bhet hain humari taraf se," she said during her address. Along with the video, she posted a lengthy caption where she spoke about her emotional experience at the event. A part of her caption read, "As I drove towards the auditorium in the South Western Command of the Indian Army, I saw posters of Army officers and jawans at regular intervals, who had won various bravery awards. Some laid down their lives for our country, while others came back with scars from the battlefield. These men were husbands, sons, brothers, and fathers. They are part of our armed forces, and they gave up their today for our tomorrow!" "At the event, I met the women who would miss these men every day and every moment of their lives. I met their kids and saw their smiles. There were no complaints, and no tears--just pride, strength, and sacrifice. There was so much bravery in that auditorium, it humbled me beyond words. It was truly my honour to share the stage with these Veer Naris and their families," it added. — ANI Neetu Kapoor, Ridhima Kapoor and Kapil Sharma shoot for the film, Dadi Ki Shadi The Kapoors in Shimla time with your friends. I’m a big movie buff and every year, I have a ritual to go to the theatres with my family and watch a film on Diwali! We have so much fun together and it makes me so happy to see scores of people thronging to the theatres to watch these big releases.” He adds, “So, it feels amazing to have a big Diwali release with Thama. It is the biggest release of my career and I’m eager to spread joy. The fact that my film could be one of the reasons for people to have a great festive period feels really surreal.” — TNS NEETU KAPOOR PHOTOS: LALIT KUMAR The actor is thrilled that Thama will mark the first big Diwali release of his career Ayushmann Khurrana gears up for the first big Diwali release of his career, Thama, produced by Dinesh Vijan of Maddock Films. The big Diwali release window for films has traditionally been reserved for larger-than-life big screen entertainers with the biggest of the stars. Ayushmann is thrilled to have his first Diwali film as it marks a major milestone moment in his glittering career. Ayushmann says, “For me, Diwali is about togetherness, it is about family and it is about having the best community experience by spending ‘Just pride, strength...’ Shimla, one of the popular hill stations in the country, buzzed with people, locals and tourists alike, who came to catch a glimpse of veteran Bollywood actress Neetu Kapoor and renowned actor-comedian Kapil Sharma. The actors shot some crucial scenes for their upcoming flick, Dadi Ki Shadi, at the Mall. Neetu Kapoor, who looked gorgeous in an ethnic wear, was a delight to watch as she interacted with her fans, obliged them with handshakes and selfies. The shooting kicked off on Sunday and continued till Monday. Rhidima Kapoor, daughter of Neetu and sister of Ranbir Kapoor, was also spotted. Ridhima will make her debut in Bollywood with this comedy drama, which is being helmed by Shimla’s own Ashish R Mohan. Ashish is known for delivering hits like Khiladi 786. During their stay in Shimla, the actors also visited the famous Lord Hanuman Temple, situated in the Jakhu hills. Dadi Ki Shadi marks the first ever collaboration between the veteran actress and Sharma. While Neetu was last seen in Dharma’s Jug Jug Jeeyo, Sharma will be seen in Kis Kisko Pyaar Karoon 2, the sequel of his debut movie. —Navneet Rathore KAPIL SHARMA WITH A CO-STAR