13072025-LSTL-01.qxd 7/12/2025 7:33 PM Page 1 c m y b TRIBUNE DO BIGHA, ONE LEGACY Life The restored 4K version of Bimal Roy’s 1953 landmark film Do Bigha Zamin will premiere at the 2025 Venice Film Festival. The painstaking restoration, led by the Film Heritage Foundation alongside Criterion Collection and Janus Films, used original negatives from India’s National Film Archive and the British Film Institute. LUDHIANA | SUNDAY | 13 JULY 2025 Eight unforgettable performances this year that didn’t just entertain, they left a bruise Yathesht Pratiraj Phool Y OU ever walk out of a movie and just… sit there, emotionally wrung out, thinking about that one scene? That one look? That one line? Yeah — 2025’s been full of those. We’re only halfway through the year, but Hindi cinema has already thrown some knockout performances our way. It’s not just about big names or box office numbers anymore—it’s about presence. The villain you can’t shake Randeep Hooda doesn’t just play Ranatunga in Jaat — he owns him. It’s not the usual cookie-cutter villain; he’s layered, simmering with history and contradiction. You feel his rage, sure, but also his confusion. His scenes are hard to watch and harder to look away from. It’s the kind of performance that rattles your bones a bit — and that’s saying something in a crowded cinema landscape. When the roles become too real... Maa Sitaare Zameen Par Quiet power, loud impact Stolen Stolen could’ve easily flown under the radar. But Abhishek Banerjee makes sure it doesn’t. His role is delicate — balancing a character who’s scared, kind and quietly heroic. He doesn’t shout for attention and maybe that’s why it hits so hard. Bhool Chuk Maaf Comeback that connects There’s something about Aamir, isn’t there? That quiet intensity, the ability to reach across generations. In Sitaare Zameen Par, he steps back into the spotlight with a role that could’ve easily felt preachy — but instead, it feels personal. There’s heart here and not the sugary kind. He’s talking to kids, to parents, to us. Superboys of Malegaon Mrs Chhaava Heart beneath the armor again. Her character feels like someone you might actually know — the neighbor who smiles a lot but carries entire worlds behind her eyes. It’s a performance full of quiet moments that somehow scream. Let’s talk scale. Chhaava is huge. Epic battles, royal tension, Maratha pride — it has all the ingredients of a historical drama. But Vicky Kaushal? He brings the soul. His Shambhaji Maharaj is regal, yes, but also human. Vicky doesn’t just wear the armor; he shows you the weight of it. His emotional scenes cut through the noise like a sword — sharp, direct, unforgettable. Small town, big dreams This one’s pure charm. Adarsh Gourav steps into the quirky world of Superboys of Malegaon and brings it to life with heart and humor. It’s not easy to play “funny but real,” but he walks that tightrope with ease. You believe in his dreams, you laugh with Strength in stillness Sanya Malhotra is a master of understatement, and Mrs proves it yet Jaat From indie to masala Mrunal Thakur embraces commercial comedy in Son of Sardaar 2 Actor Mrunal Thakur on Friday said she had never imagined herself doing a full-blown commercial entertainer until Son of Sardaar 2 came her way. The actor, known for her roles in critically acclaimed films such as Love Sonia, Super 30, Sita Ramam and Hi Nanna, expressed gratitude to co-star Ajay Devgn for encouraging her to explore the comedy genre. The upcoming action-comedy, a sequel to Son of Sardaar, stars Devgn in the lead once again and is directed by Vijay Kumar Arora. “I loved troubling Jassi in the film. There are four women troubling him in the story,” Thakur said at the trailer launch in Mumbai. “This is my first commercial film, and I’m grateful to Ajay sir and the director for giving me this opportunity. “I couldn’t imagine myself as Rabia, nor picture myself torturing Jassi on screen. I kept wondering, ‘Will I be able to pull this off?’ But with the help of Deepak sir (Dobriyal), Kubbra (Sait), Roshni, and later Chunky sir who joined in — we had a blast on set. Especially with Deepak sir, I had a lot of fun,” she added. The film features an ensemble cast including Ravi Kishan, Sanjay Mishra, Neeru Bajwa, Chunky Panday, Kubbra Sait, Deepak Dobriyal, Vindu Dara Singh, Roshni Walia, Sharat Saxena, Sahil Mehta and the late Mukul Dev. It is set to release on July 25. — PTI PHOTO BY VICKY him, you root for him. And isn’t that the whole point? Love, loss, redemption Wamiqa Gabbi keeps surprising us and in Bhool Chuk Maaf, she delivers again. Her role’s messy, emotional, sometimes frustrating — just like real people. She doesn’t shy away from showing every crack in her character. And in doing so, she makes redemption feel earned, not handed out. Motherhood, unfiltered Here’s where it gets emotional. Kajol in Maa is nothing short of stunning. She doesn’t just play a mother; she becomes one. Every moment is textured — fierce, funny, heartbreaking. It’s not the type of role that wins awards because it’s flashy; it wins hearts because it’s real. When you line them all up — warriors, mothers, outsiders, lovers — it’s clear Bollywood is doing something different this year. It’s pushing past easy storytelling into something more thoughtful. These aren’t just characters. They’re mirrors. And whether you’re 19 or 39, you’ve probably seen pieces of yourself in at least one of them. (With inputs from Dharam Pal) Glimpse of the rain You know that feeling when the first raindrop hits dry earth and everything smells alive again? That’s Malhar — not just the raga, not just the rain, but an entire emotional wavelength. And this week, Chandigarh’s Underpass Gallery — the one quietly linking Sector 17 to Rose Garden — turned into a moody, rain-soaked art journal. The Chandigarh Lalit Kala Akademi is behind this exhibition called Malhar, where artists from across the Tricity were asked to do one thing: feel the monsoon. The result? A raw, emotional and occasionally surreal celebration of the most poetic season in India — with works by artists both veteran and new including DS Kapoor, Mahesh Prajapati, Sadhna Sangar, Prem Kapoor, Daphy Brar and Sandeep Joshi lending their vision to the storm. It’s a mood In Indian classical music, Malhar isn’t just a raga; it’s the sound of longing, of clouds gathering somewhere just out of sight. And here’s the thing: that emotional weight? You can feel it in the artworks. c m y b When the crow waits in the rain Take this piece — a watercolour of a crow sitting under sheets of rain. It’s minimal, almost meditative. The branch it’s perched on flowers anyway, like hope doesn’t wait for dry weather. There’s something strangely comforting about it, like being alone but not lonely. Syrian designer Rami Al Ali’s Paris debut Syrian designer Rami Al Ali made history as the first Syrian featured on the official calendar of Paris Haute Couture Week, showcasing his collection Guardian of Light. Known for its soft pastels, silk and crepe fabrics, and detailed embroidery, the collection symbolizes hope and renewal amid Syria’s political changes. Based in Dubai, Al Ali called the moment a proud milestone for both his career and Syrian fashion. With past clients like Beyoncé and Helen Mirren, this recognition solidifies his global impact. He believes Syrian creatives now have more freedom to express their identity and culture. Finished firing Blooming umbrellas then there’s the woman — shaded under a field of yellow blooms, umbrella open like a wild mustard dream. Birds perch on her shoulder, her chest, even lean in as if to tell her something. It’s surreal, yes, but not alien. She’s not escaping the rain; she’s becoming part of it. Monsoon is a story So, if you’ve ever texted someone during a thunderstorm just to say “are you seeing this?”, or stared at wet leaves like they were alive, this show’s for you. On till July 18 at Under Pass — Sector 17 — YATHESHT PRATIRAJ PHOOL DVV Entertainment has unveiled a blazing new poster of OG, officially announcing the wrap of shoot for Power Star Pawan Kalyan, who returns in his most intense and enigmatic avatar yet — Gambheera. The poster, soaked in rain and loaded with attitude, has fans erupting online as it boldly declares: “Finished Firing.” Directed by Sujeeth, OG now enters post-production, all set for a massive worldwide theatrical release on September 25 that is 25.09.25. The film boasts an ensemble with Emraan Hashmi, Priyanka Arul Mohan, Prakash Raj, and Sriya Reddy in key roles. Backed by a thumping score from S Thaman, and produced by DVV Danayya and Kalyan Dasari under the DVV Entertainment banner — the same powerhouse behind global phenomenon RRR.