05072025-LSTL-01.qxd 7/4/2025 8:13 PM Page 1 c m y b TRIBUNE RAAJ KAREGA MAALIK UNVEILED Liam’s apology Life Rajkummar Rao-starrer Maalik is creating a buzz in the entertainment industry. The makers have now released a song titled Raaj Karega Maalik, which is sung by the MTV Hustle winner MC Square. The music is composed by Sachin-Jigar and is sung by Akasa. Singer Liam Gallagher issued an apology for using a racial slur in a now-deleted social media post earlier this week. He used a slur to mock the EastAsian people. LUDHIANA | SATURDAY | 5 JULY 2025 Bollywood actresses take centre-stage in action-packed films, redefining the role of women in cinema Let’s get some SHARVARI WAGH ACTION T HE action genre in Indian cinema has long been dominated by male heroes, but the tide is turning fast and with force. If Priyanka Chopra Jonas’ sleek yet convincing stunts in Heads of State are anything to go by, the powerful wave of actresses is gearing up to break bones, bust myths and bring a refreshing adrenaline rush to screens big and small. From web series to theatrical releases, the lineup of women fronting action-packed stories is not only diverse but game-changing. Borderline comeback NEW FACES OF FEMALE ESPIONAGE Helmed by YRF’s femaleled spy project, Alpha promises to be a fullthrottle action film starring Alia Bhatt alongside Sharvari Wagh. While Alia’s global reputation continues to soar, Alpha marks her first major foray into hardcore action. Meanwhile, Sharvari Wagh too is part of Team Alpha. She too will be seen in an action-oriented role. Diljit returns to Border 2, but conditions apply So, remember that whole row about Diljit Dosanjh being banned from Border 2? Yeah — turns out the ban’s been lifted. But the behind-the-scenes drama? It’s got more twists than a soap opera. A film, a ban and a meltdown It all started when Diljit was cast with Pakistani actress Hania Aamir in Sardaar Ji 3. Not exactly the best-timed move, especially with tensions high after the Pahalgam attack. Film bodies such as the FWICE and AICWA didn’t take it lightly — they slapped a ban on him and called for Border 2 to be stopped. Shooting at the National Defence Academy? They wanted that revoked too. Things snowballed fast. Celebs such as Rupali Ganguly and Abhijeet Bhattacharya went full throttle on social media. Hashtags, angry rants, the works. Suddenly, Diljit—who’s mostly seen as chill and unproblematic — was in the eye of a political and cultural storm. ATHLETICISM MEETS ESPIONAGE A triathlete in real life, Saiyami Kher brings authentic athleticism and grit to her role in the latest season of Special Ops. With real-life physical preparation including MMA and combat training, Saiyami adds credibility to the espionage thriller’s female force. Her transformation signals a serious commitment to redefining female-led action. SPY UNIVERSE POWER PLAYER Joining the prestigious YRF Spy Universe, Kiara Advani is expected to be more than just a love interest in War 2. Opposite heavyweights like Hrithik Roshan and Jr NTR, her character reportedly holds her own in the action sequences. With slick choreography and large-scale stunts, Kiara is set to add a new dimension to her filmography. SCI-FI’S NEW TRAILBLAZER MYTH MEETS MAYHEM DIVING INTO DARK THRILLS FROM SOCIAL DRAMA TO CRIME COMBAT In the futuristic action film AA22xA6, Deepika Padukone steps into a new cinematic realm, reportedly featuring sci-fi elements and high-octane stunts. Having already proven her action credentials in Pathaan and Fighter, Deepika now embraces edgier territory, further cementing her status as a bona fide action star. Taapsee Pannu is set to push her limits with Gandhari. Inspired by mythology and layered with modern-day fury, her character draws on the enigmatic power of the Mahabharata figure, transforming it into a tale of vengeance and resilience. If anyone can carry off an action thriller grounded in emotion, it is Taapsee. In Mandala Murders, Vaani Kapoor dives into the murky world of serial crime and intelligence investigations. The action here is grounded, slick and intense, shifting away from glamour to explore darker thrills. This role could mark a significant shift in Vaani’s career, showcasing her in a gritty, physically demanding avatar. Known for her intense performances in social dramas, Bhumi Pednekar is poised to enter the gritty world of crime and conflict in the Amazon series Daldal. The story follows her character navigating dark and murky territory — both literally and metaphorically. Expect highstakes action with psychological depth. How they beat the traitors! After weeks of drama, strategy and suspense, the finale of The Traitors finally aired on Thursday, and it came with a twist no one saw coming. Uorfi Javed and Nikita Luther were crowned the winners of Season 1, taking home the trophy and the prize money. The show, known for its mind games and betrayals, ended with Uorfi and Nikita— both ‘innocent’ players—outsmarting ‘traitors’ Harsh Gujral and Purav Jha. While Purav had been seen as one of Uorfi Javed, Nikita Luther emerge as winners at The Traitors grand finale the most honest and steady players on the show, he was voted out in the final round table. The show began with 20 celebrities from across Bol- Nikita Luther and Uorfi Javed lywood, television and social media, all gathered in a grand palace. The twist? Three of them were secretly chosen as ‘traitors’ by the show’s host, Karan Johar. The rest had to figure out who the traitors were. In the end, it was Uorfi and Nikita who cracked the game, exposing the last remaining traitor, Harsh Gujral, in a gripping final episode. —ANI c m y b The U-turn: more strategic than emotional Here’s where it gets interesting. Producer Bhushan Kumar stepped in, asking FWICE to reconsider. Why? Because, well, 85 per cent of Border 2 was already shot. The only thing left was a song. Scrap the film now and it’s not just Diljit who loses — it’s the crew, the co-stars (hello, Sunny Deol and Varun Dhawan) and honestly, crores of investment. FWICE agreed...sort of. They revoked the ban — but only for this film. And Bhushan had to put it in writing. No more Diljit in future projects. Talk about damage control wrapped in diplomacy. What now? Diljit’s still in Border 2, set to release in January, 2026. But the larger boycott? It’s still in place. It’s one of those messy moments where art, politics and public emotion collide — and no one walks away completely clean. —TNS Aparshakti’s Tamil debut The actor is excited about his Tamil film ROOT - Running Out of Time Actor Aparshakti Khurana on Thursday announced his first Tamil film. Excited to explore the industry down South with the film ROOT - Running Out of Time, Aparshakti took to Instagram and wrote, “Super thrilled to announce my first Tamil film! A sci-fi thriller called ROOT with the extremely passionate.” The film is touted to be a sci-fi crime thriller. In ROOT - Running Out of Time, Aparshakti Khurana will be seen sharing the screen with Gautham Karthik, an actor renowned for his choice of unique, performance-driven roles in films like Devarattam and Vai Raja Vai. The film is being shot in Chennai. He also shared several pictures from the film’s launch in Tamil Nadu. “I am absolutely thrilled to be making my debut in Tamil cinema with ROOT - Running Out of Time. It’s a challenging and unique script, and I’m excited to explore this new territory. The opportunity to work with such a talented team and to connect with a new audience is something I’m truly looking forward to,” Aparshakti said. — ANI
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