25122025-LSCB-01.qxd 12/24/2025 7:58 PM Page 1 c m y b TRIBUNE GUDDU BHAIYA RETURNS Pan-India Life Ali Fazal has unveiled the first peek of his character Guddu Bhaiya from Mirzapur: The Film, igniting excitement among fans of the gritty crime franchise. The teaser, shared on Fazal’s Instagram, shows Guddu Bhaiya’s unmistakable backshot walk on set, filmed against the desert landscapes of Jaisalmer. After rewriting box-office records with a Hindi-only run, Dhurandhar has locked its sequel for Eid 2026. Dhurandhar 2 is set to release on March 19 in Hindi, Telugu, Tamil, Kannada as well as Malayalam. LUDHIANA | THURSDAY | 25 DECEMBER 2025 Enduring star power Four decades on, Anil Kapoor continues to redefine longevity in Indian cinema Cinema icon Anil Kapoor stands today as one of Indian cinema’s most enduring creative forces — an actor whose presence continues to shape the industry across formats, generations and storytelling styles. FROM LAKHAN TO LEGEND Kapoor first burst onto the screen as Lakhan, a role that captured rebellion, vulnerability and mass appeal in equal measure. That raw intensity carried through a string of iconic performances in Mr India, Tezaab, Ram Lakhan, Nayak and Beta, cementing his status as a megastar capable of balancing emotional depth with blockbuster magnetism. Over time, Kapoor steadily expanded his range, embracing roles that challenged conventional hero archetypes while retaining his screen dominance. REINVENTING AUTHORITY AND ECCENTRICITY In Dil Dhadakne Do, Kapoor delivered a layered portrayal of a flawed, authoritarian patriarch, proving power on screen does not rely on volume, but on control. In parallel, his performance in Welcome showcased his instinct for pop culture and transforming eccentricity into enduring madness. GLOBAL REACH, CONTEMPORARY RELEVANCE Kapoor’s global and streaming-era phase has only strengthened his stature. The Night Manager, which earned an Emmy nomination, placed him on the international stage. Being part of an Emmy-nominated project underscored why Kapoor is regarded as a cinema icon. In recent years, projects such as Thar and Animal have introduced him to a new audience that views him not as a legacy figure, but as a fearless contemporary performer. In Animal, his restrained authority and emotional gravity anchored the film’s moral complexity, demonstrating his continued relevance in modern storytelling. Cosy, cute, camera-ready Gen Z Christmas diaries: When Bollywood’s new guard keeps it real (and stylish) Yathesht Pratiraj Phool Christmas has a funny way of slowing things down. Streets glow, playlists get nostalgic and for a moment, even the busiest cities seem to breathe. Bollywood usually marks the season with red carpets, velvet gowns and flashbulbs popping a little too loudly. But here’s the thing — Gen Z isn’t really playing by those rules. And honestly? That’s what makes their Christmas stories feel refreshing. This year, Bollywood’s youngest faces showed us that the holiday doesn’t need grandeur to feel special. Sometimes, it’s about fairy lights, a comfy sweatshirt, and the people you actually want around. “HO HO HO” FEELS LIKE A STYLE STATEMENT Take Aaman Devgan, for instance. No drama, no overthinking. Just a bright “Ho Ho Ho” sweatshirt, a Christmas tree waiting to be dressed and a smile that says he gets the assignment. His caption — “Best time of the year” — felt almost childlike in its honesty. And maybe that’s the point. WHERE COMFORT MEETS COOL Khushi Kapoor leaned into festive ease with a sweatshirt and mini-skirt combo that struck the right balance between relaxed and styled. Soft lights, glowing makeup, hair per- fectly undone — it all worked together without trying too hard. CHRISTMAS, BUT MAKE IT FAMILY-CODED Then there’s Ahaan Pandey, whose celebration felt straight out of a warm group chat memory. Surrounded by family, standing near a beautifully dressed tree, the moment wasn’t posed — it was lived in. His mother, Deanne Pandey, summed it up with a caption that melted hearts: “Merry Christmas From Me & Mine.” No filters needed. HIGH GLAM, LOW NOISE Of course, not all Gen Z Christmas moments are low-key — and Ananya Panday proved you can do glam without going overboard. Her icyblue cut-out gown against a snowflake backdrop was pure winter fantasy. Straight hair, minimal makeup, confident posture. Her caption, “Such a happy Christmas,” matched the mood — soft, joyful unforced. COLD WEATHER, COOL ENERGY Shanaya Kapoor took a different route altogether. Camel coat, beanie, gloves — the works. Standing amid florist displays and softly lit greenery, she looked calm and collected, like someone enjoying the season instead of performing for it. The takeaway? Glamour doesn’t always need sparkle. Sometimes, it’s about presence. And Shanaya had plenty of it. HOODIE SEASON Finally, Vedang Raina gave us the most relatable Christmas snapshot of all. A festive hoodie, midsnack, mid-smile—caught in a moment rather than posing for one. It felt spontaneous, warm and real. Proof that style doesn’t disappear when you dress down. It just changes shape. (WITH INPUTS FROM DHARAM PAL) Serena cheers Venus’ nuptials Tennis legend Serena Williams expressed heartfelt joy as she celebrated her sister and “built-in best friend” Venus Williams’ marriage to actor Andrea Preti during a five-day wedding extravaganza in Palm Beach, Florida. Sharing her emotions on Instagram, Serena called Venus her protector, teacher and lifelong companion. “From the backyard courts to the biggest stages in the world, you’ve always led with grace, strength, and a heart bigger than any trophy… Seeing you this happy, this loved, this radiant means everything to me,” she wrote. Serena also toasted “to love, to partnership, to laughter, and to a lifetime of choosing each other Tennis sisters celebrate love with lavish Palm Beach festivities every single day,” highlighting her pride in standing by her sister. The celebrations included a lavish yacht party hosted by Serena for Venus and Preti, 37. Venus said Serena “gave us this gift of a beautiful yacht… we had 10 to 12 of our closest family and friends, singing, dancing, gossiping and just enjoying each other.” Wedding festivities spanned multiple events: a boudoir-inspired bridal shower with a Beyoncé-themed lip sync battle, a daytime pool party, an intimate family dinner and a sports day, culminating in the courthouse ceremony. Venus, who married Preti privately in Italy on September 18, described the celebrations as “beautiful, calm, sacred, exciting, and exalting… it was just a dream.” Serena, married to Alexis Ohanian since 2017, remained deeply involved throughout, celebrating both love and family bonds. — ANI c m y b Saif on joy of performing in Haiwaan Actor Saif Ali Khan says his reasons for choosing a film have never been singular. Sometimes it’s the director, other times the complexity of the role . Reflecting on his experience working with director Priyadarshan on Haiwaan, Saif described it as particularly memorable. “I shot with Priyadarshan and I felt amazing, because there was something to perform every day.” — ANI