07022026-LSTL-01.qxd 2/6/2026 7:57 PM Page 1 c m y b PRESERVE FRIENDS STUDIO Lisa Kudrow has issued a heartfelt appeal to the future owner of Warner Bros. Discovery, urging them to preserve the iconic Burbank studio lot where the sitcom Friends was filmed for a decade. The actress essayed the character of Phoebe Buffay in the globally popular sitcom. TRIBUNE Stage mishap Life Singer-actor Sabrina Carpenter has revealed that a bird unexpectedly pooped on her hand during her performance at the 2026 Grammy Awards. “It...on my hand!” she said. LUDHIANA | SATURDAY | 7 FEBRUARY 2026 From Guneet Monga to Reema Kagti — women filmmakers who are re-shaping Indian cinema for a global audience W HILE Deepika Padukone and Alia Bhatt continue to dominate international red carpets and global headlines, a quieter but far more transformative shift in Indian entertainment is being driven behind the camera. Women creators are rewriting the rules of storytelling, scale and ambition, shaping India’s cultural footprint for a truly global audience. GUNEET MONGA Adarsh raps Naam Karu Bada Guneet Monga has arguably redefined India’s position on the world cinema map. From championing independent voices to winning Global Award with The Elephant Whisperers, Monga has built a producer’s blueprint that balances deeply rooted Indian narratives with universal emotional resonance. Films like Kathal: A Jackfruit Mystery further reinforced her belief that authenticity and originality, when backed with conviction, can travel farther than spectacle alone. Rewriting the rules of storytelling wide conversations around identity, privilege, relationships and modern Indian society. REEMA KAGTI KANIKA DHILLON Adarsh Gourav is not only an actor but also a singer. In his upcoming film Tu Yaa Main, he will be seen showcasing his rap skills as he lent his voice to the track Naam Karu Bada. The track brings together sharp lyrics, pulsating beats and Adarsh’s raw, confident vocal delivery, offering a glimpse into his deep engagement with music beyond acting. The song is sung and performed by Adarsh and is produced and composed by Sez on the Beat, with lyrics by 7 Bantai’Z. Directed by Yazad Anklesaria, the music video for the film complements the track’s edgy energy with dynamic visuals and an unapologetic vibe, further amplifying Adarsh’s striking screen presence. Directed by Bejoy Nambiar, Tu Yaa Main stars Adarsh and Shanaya Kapoor in the lead roles. It will be released on February 13. — ANI KANIKA DHILLON At the forefront of India’s OTT revolution stands Kanika Dhillon, who has fundamentally reshaped how mainstream Hindi cinema engages with streaming platforms. With her production banner Kathha Pictures, Dhillon has emerged as one of the most commercially successful voices in the digital space. Blockbuster titles MEGHNA GULZAR REEMA KAGTI such as Haseen Dillruba, Guilty, Phir Aayi Haseen Dillruba and Do Patti have proven that women-led thrillers and emotionally layered storytelling can dominate popular culture. With her next project Gandhari in the pipeline, it remains to be seen what more glass ceilings are left to break! ZOYA AKHTAR Beyond them, Zoya Akhtar has played a pivotal role in expanding India’s cultural reach. Gully Boy broke the linguistic and cultural barriers with its international premiere at the Berlinale, taking Indian hip-hop to the global stage, while Made in Heaven sparked world- Panda about any MEGHNA GULZAR Meghna Gulzar continues to master the delicate balance between political context and emotional truth. With films like Raazi, Talvar and Sam Bahadur, she has created cinema that resonates deeply both in India and internationally. Her upcoming crime thriller Daayra, starring Kareena Kapoor Khan and Prithviraj Sukumaran, is among the most anticipated projects, further underlining her stature as a filmmaker of global relevance. Rapper A$AP Rocky, during a recent television appearance, avoided confirming details about his relationship with singer Rihanna after a young student asked whether the couple was married. Rocky appeared on the recent episode of Julian Shapiro-Barnum’s Celebrity Substitute, a series in which public school students interview celebrities. During the episode, a child asked the rapper whether he was married to Rihanna. “That’s an interesting question that you asked,” Rocky replied, before jokingly suggesting that the student might prefer the singer to take his place. “You want Rihanna, huh? Well you got me today,” he added. munity’ com Neeraj Pandey, Manoj Bajpayee after row over film’s title The story of Ghooskhor stories that are thoughtful and respectful,” the filmmaker said. Bajpayee, who plays the lead in the movie, said he respects the emotions and concerns people have shared and takes them seriously. “When something you are part of causes hurt to some people, it makes you pause and listen. As an actor, I come to a film through the character and the story I am playing. For me, this was about portraying a flawed individual and his journey of self-realisation. This was not meant to be a statement about any community,” he said. The crime thriller follows Bajpayee’s Ajay Dikshit, also known as Pandat, a corrupt police officer whose plans for a lucrative and eventful night are disrupted when he finds himself caught in the middle of a global conspiracy unfolding in the heart of Delhi. The film, which was announced by Netflix during an event on Tuesday, is directed by Ritesh Shah, who has also penned the story with Pandey. It is produced by Pandey through his banner Friday Filmworks. “We understand that the title of the Reema Kagti’s work reflects a sharp command over long-form storytelling. From Talaash to Dahaad, her narratives blend social realism with global crime-drama sensibilities. Her coming-of-age film Superboys of Malegaon was widely appreciated by audiences and critics alike, reinforcing her reputation as a filmmaker who balances emotional intimacy with universal themes. GUNEET MONGA A$AP Rocky on marriage to Rihanna ooskhor ‘Gh t not Pandat is about a flawed individual and has nothing to do with any caste or community, actor Manoj Bajpayee and filmmaker Neeraj Pandey said on Friday, a day after the Netflix film faced backlash over its title. The film’s announcement earlier this week sparked a storm on social media, with many users calling the title “casteist” and offensive. The controversy has also led to the registration of an FIR at Hazratganj police station in Uttar Pradesh, while the NHRC has issued a notice to the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting following a complaint. In a statement, posted on his social media handles, Pandey acknowledged that the film’s title has “hurt” a section of audience and added that all promotional materials of the film will be taken down for the time being. Pandey said the film, which he has co-written and produced, is a fictional cop drama and the term Pandat is used simply as a colloquial name for a fictional character. “The story focuses on an individual’s actions and choices and does not comment on or represent any caste, religion, or community. As a filmmaker, I approach my work with a deep sense of responsibility — to tell ZOYA AKHTAR Rocky, whose real name is Rakim Mayers, and Rihanna went public with their relationship in 2020. They share three children, sons RZA Athelston, Riot Rose and Rocki Irish. During the Celebrity Substitute episode, Rocky also spoke about raising his children in a music-filled household. He said he and Rihanna introduce their kids to a wide range of genres, including Michael Jackson, the Beatles, reggae and psychedelic music. “I play my children all sorts of genres, so from Michael Jackson’s old, classic stuff to psychedelic music and the Beatles, of course, right? A lot of reggae,” he said. “We live in a musical household, so it’s very diverse.” Earlier this month, Rocky recalled meeting Rihanna for the first time during an appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon. He said they met outside a New York City nightclub before he became famous, describing the encounter as memorable. “She was obviously Rihanna. And I couldn’t get in! The bouncers didn’t want to let me in,” Rocky said. “I was with my friend, the late, great Virgil Abloh and Matthew Williams, and we kinda was getting into it with the bouncers and she came out and we locked eyes right away. I was just like, in a daze.” Rocky is currently celebrating the release of his fourth studio album, Don’t Be Dumb, which debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 chart on January 16. — ANI The voice that defined Indian music film has caused hurt to some viewers, and we genuinely acknowledge those feelings. “In light of these concerns, we have decided to take down all promotional materials for the time being, as we c m y b believe the film should be experienced in its entirety and understood in the context of the story we intended to tell, rather than judged on partial glimpses. I look forward to sharing the film with audiences soon,” he added. — PTI Every year on February 6, India pauses to remember Lata Mangeshkar, the singer whose voice became the emotional backbone of Indian cinema and popular music for more than seven decades. She passed away in Mumbai in 2022 at the age of 92, leaving behind a legacy so vast that it continues to echo across generations. Often called the Nightingale of India, Lata Mangeshkar was not merely a playback singer; she was a cultural force. She recorded songs in over 36 Indian languages. Songs like Aayega Aanewala, Lag Jaa Gale, Pyaar Kiya To Darna Kya and Ae Mere Watan Ke Logon are not just musical milestones but emotional landmarks in India’s musical memory. Lata Mangeshkar received the Dadasaheb Phalke Award in 198 and the Bharat Ratna, in 2001. These awards acknowledged her artistic excellence and her contribution to India’s cultural identity. — ANI