26102025-LSTL-01.qxd 10/25/2025 8:30 PM Page 1 c m y b TRIBUNE Initiation Life Alaya F revealed that watching Hrithik Roshan’s Krrish was her “initiation” into Bollywood, sparking her love for Hindi cinema. Years later, she’s set to star in Storm, Hrithik’s web production. LUDHIANA | SUNDAY | 26 OCTOBER 2025 How Demon Slayer burned through Bollywood’s playbook, and lit up Indian theatres Anime’s box office knockout Yathesht Pratiraj Phool Love for family sagas For years, family-centric films have formed the emotional backbone of Hindi cinema; stories rooted in warmth, togetherness and shared values that resonated across generations. But in recent times, as genres have shifted towards thrillers, biopics and darker dramas, the simple joy of clean, feel-good family entertainers has become rare on the big screen. Actor Kritika Kamra, who has consistently chosen diverse and meaningful roles, hopes to contribute to reviving that space with her upcoming film directed by Anusha Rizvi, known for her celebrated debut Peepli Live. Speaking about the film and the need for such stories, Kritika said, “I really miss those small, sincere films that made you feel seen without trying too hard. The ones that could make you laugh, tear up and smile all in one sitting. Somewhere along the way, those stories that spoke to families — to shared meals, quiet moments and everyday kindness — just faded out. This film with Anusha feels like revisiting that lost world. It’s simple, funny in parts, and deeply human — and I think that’s what we’re all craving again.” CHAT UP DEPP’S CHRISTMAS CAROL Hollywood star Johnny Depp is set to lead Ebenezer: A Christmas Carol. The upcoming film is an adaptation of Charles Dickens’ classic holiday story and will be directed by Ti West, known for his horror film trilogy, X, Pearl and MaXXXine. It will have a script by Nathaniel Halpern. Depp will star alongside Andrea Riseborough of Oblivion and To Leslie fame in Ebenezer: A Christmas Carol, which is set to release in theatres on November 13, 2026. A few years ago, if you’d said a Japanese anime film would set the Indian box office on fire, people might’ve looked at you funny. But Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – Infinity Castle has just done something remarkable as it grossed over Rs 83 crore in India (and a bit over USD 650 million globally) within a month of release. That’s not niche. That’s not cult. That’s mainstream. Now pause and think about that number. Rs 83 crore, in India, for an animated Japanese movie with no Hindi stars, no Karan Johar press circuit, no songand-dance routine. Just story, animation and a fanbase that’s clearly bigger than most Bollywood producers expected. And honestly? It’s not a fluke. It’s a shift. Anime don’t just play around Let’s be clear — Demon Slayer didn’t come out of nowhere. Its success is riding on a steady build-up of anime titles that have been warming up Indian theatres for a while now. Suzume (2023) quietly collected Rs 10 crore during its run. Jujutsu Kaisen 0 (2022) pulled in about Rs 9.4 crore. Even the previous instalment in the Demon Slayer franchise, Demon Slayer: To the Hashira Training (2024) managed over Rs 6 crore. Sure, these numbers aren’t Marvel-level, but they’re impressive considering anime was, not long ago, mostly living on illegal sites and Sunday morning cartoons. What we’re seeing now? Packed shows in cities such as Delhi and Chandigarh, cosplayers outside theatres, dubbed versions in Hindi, full-blown anime merchandise stalls in Mumbai malls. It’s a cultural turn, one Bollywood probably didn’t see coming. Not every anime wins Take Chainsaw Man: Reze Arc. Released just weeks after Infinity Castle, it had all the makings of a hit — edgy plot, wild animation a loyal global fanbase. But in India? It managed a more modest Rs 5 crore over its first two RISING STAR Former Miss Universe India and supermodel Vartika Singh makes her Bollywood debut with Haq, Suparn Varma’s upcoming courtroom thriller that also stars Emraan Hashmi and Yami Gautam. Director Suparn Varma, known for The Family Man and Rana Naidu, calls Vartika’s performance “controlled fire.” To prepare, Singh trained with dialect coaches and improvisation-based workshops to understand her character’s silences. Hailing from Lucknow to filming in Lucknow, Vartika Singh’s life has come full circle. CULINARY CHANGEMAKER Celebrated Chef Sanjeev Kapoor has been honoured as a Top Agri-Food Pioneer by the World Food Prize Foundation in Des Moines, Iowa. The recognition celebrates his efforts to promote healthy, sustainable eating and Indian agriculture. Through initiatives with partners like HarvestPlus, Kapoor has advanced nutrition education, served millions of nutritious meals, and championed India’s “farm to finger” philosophy globally. weeks. Now Rs 5 crore isn’t nothing, but it’s also nowhere near Demon Slayer levels. So, what happened? A few things: the movie was rated “A” (so, limited younger audiences), there wasn’t much marketing and fewer dubbed versions meant narrower reach. It’s proof even in the anime boom, content needs context. Not everything works unless it’s made accessible — and hyped right. Back at Bollywood… Let’s talk sequels. Or maybe let’s not, because it’s getting hard to tell them apart. This year saw over 10 Bollywood franchise releases. Most of them tanked or underwhelmed. Baaghi 4 — the fourth film in a series that peaked with the first — became the lowest-grossing of the bunch. Housefull 5 tried leaning into nostalgia and slapstick but ended up getting slammed for recycled gags and double entendres. You’d think franchise fatigue would be a red flag, but Bollywood keeps doubling down on it — like throwing sugar into a dish that’s already too sweet. The formula’s broken: “big star + brand name + louder explosions” just isn’t cutting it. Audiences are asking for more. And anime, of all things, is giving it to them. What anime gets right Here’s the thing: anime isn’t just drawing people in with flashy visuals. It’s bringing heart. It’s delivering stories with weight — and arcs that feel earned. The Demon Slayer franchise didn’t just drop a hit film out of the blue. It built a world — through manga (a style of Japanese comic books and graphic novels), anime episodes, character lore — and when the movie hit theatres, fans were already emotionally invested. It was like watching the final episode of your favourite show… but on a giant screen. Also, the animation? Next-level. Not “cheap cartoon” vibes — we’re talking fight scenes that look like poetry in motion. Pair that with great storytelling and a sense of cultural freshness, and you’ve got a formula Bollywood could study: build the story first, the brand will follow. And fans aren’t done yet — they’re already counting the days till the remaining two instalments in the Demon Slayer saga drop in 2027 and 2029 Bollywood’s need to pivot This isn’t about replacing Shah Rukh Khan with a CGI demon. It’s about respecting the audience’s evolving tastes. People don’t just want glamour — they want grit, depth, weirdness and something new. And maybe it’s time Bollywood started playing the long game. Create cinematic universes rooted in story, not just stardom. Explore animation and CGI seriously. Take risks with format and narrative structure. Hire young writers who binge anime and read Anurag Kashyap. If anime can pull off Rs 83 crore without a Bollywood budget or PR machine, what’s stopping India’s biggest studios from doing the same? Final thought If there’s a demon that Bollywood needs to slay right now, it’s not competition from Japan. It’s the idea that formula still works. Audiences have changed. They want more than just masala. And the proof’s sitting right there at the box office — with a sword in one hand, and a story worth following. Selena shines in In The Dark Celebs mourn Selena Gomez released a new song titled In The Dark, along with its official music video, earlier this week. The track is part of the Nobody Wants This Season 2: The Soundtrack, which also features artistes like Chris Stapleton, Kacey Musgraves and FINNEAS. In the video, directed by Luke Orlando, Gomez is seen wearing an all-black outfit as she walks through large, open spaces, singing about love and acceptance in difficult times. She sings, “And I’ll be there when you lose yourself / To remind you of who you are / And I’ll be there like nobody else / You’re still beautiful in the dark.” After releasing the video, Gomez shared a short clip on Instagram, writing, “In The Dark is out now. This is just a little nostalgia droplet and I hope you love it. “ The song comes after her collaborative album I Said I Loved You First with her husband, Benny Blanco. That album, released earlier this year, was described as a reflection of their love story, from meeting each other to falling in love and dreaming of their future together. The soundtrack of Nobody Wants This Season 2 includes 19 songs by several artistes. Season 2 of Nobody Wants This is currently streaming, along with its full soundtrack. — ANI c m y b Sarabhai vs Sarabhai actor Satish Shah Veteran eteran actor Satish Shah passed away on Saturday at the age of 74. Following the legendary artist's demise, Bollywood celebrities expressed their sorrow and paid tribute to the actor for his unforgettable legacy in the film industry. Bollywood director Karan Johar extended his condolences for Satish Shah on his Instagram handle. He wrote "Om Shanti (1951-2025)" accompanied by the folding hands emoji. Choreographer and director Farah Khan, who worked with Satish Shah in the superhit film Main Hoon Na, recalled her experience working with the actor. "Rest in peace. Dearest Satish, you were a joy to know and work with. Will miss u sending me memes and jokes every day." The comedy legend Johny Lever paid tribute to Satish Shah by recalling the actor's memorable contributions to television and film industry. While sharing a photo with the actor on his Instagram handle, actor Johny Lever wrote, "Feeling extremely sad to share that we've lost a great artist & my dearest friend of over 40 years. I had spoken to him just two days ago. Satish Bhai, you will truly be missed. Your immense contribution to film and television will never be forgotten." — ANI