21022026-LSTL-01.qxd 2/21/2026 12:45 AM Page 1 c m y b TOY STORY 5 TRAILER RELEASED Disney and Pixar have unveiled the trailer for Toy Story 5, set for theatrical release on June 19. Woody, Buzz, and the gang confront a digital-age dilemma. HOT Global pop icon Shakira will return to India to headline concerts in Mumbai and Delhi. The shows go beyond music, championing a cause to ensure every child has access to the nutrition they need to thrive. LUDHIANA | SATURDAY | 21 FEBRUARY 2026 From war heroes to sports icons, Bollywood doubles down on real-life dramas with high stakes, heartfelt storytelling Yathesht Pratiraj Phool Y OU know what’s interesting? Lately, Bollywood isn’t just telling stories — it’s living them on screen. From gripping war dramas to highoctane espionage thrillers and patriotic sagas, 2026 has kicked off with a wave of films based on or inspired by real-life events and audiences are eating it up. It all started with Dhurandhar, which stormed cinemas in late 2025 and carried its momentum well into early January. This espionage thriller, inspired by real-world intelligence operations, mixed pulse-pounding action with grounded tension, giving viewers that rare thrill of “this could almost happen.” And the excitement hasn’t died down — Dhurandhar: The Revenge, set to release on March 19, promises bigger stakes, a pan-India rollout and enough buzz to make the next few weeks feel like a cinematic countdown. Fans are eagerly speculating about returning characters, new adversaries and whether this sequel might even surpass its predecessor in sheer spectacle. Just as theaters were still buzzing with Dhurandhar, Ikkis arrived on January 1, a stirring war biopic about Second Lieutenant Arun Khetarpal, India’s youngest Param Vir Chakra awardee. Directed by Sriram Raghavan and featuring Agastya Nanda alongside Dharmendra in a memorable cameo, it’s a film that does not just showcase battles, it explores courage, sacrifice and the personal cost of heroism. Audiences have responded strongly, drawn to the emotional depth as much as the action sequences. And if that wasn’t enough, Border 2 fol- eat GRILL FIESTA B ARBEQUENATION has expanded its presence in the Chandigarh Tri-City with a new outlet at CP67 Mall. The inauguration was led by over 20 children from Aashray Foundation’s evening school, reflecting a communityfocused launch. The outlet offers the brand’s signature live table grills and an extensive vegetarian and non-vegetarian buffet in a contemporary, family-friendly setting. The unlimited buffet features a wide selection, including char-grilled sweet and spicy pineapple, Lebanese mushrooms, cheesy broccoli, masaledar chicken tangdi, coastal grilled fish and chilli garlic grilled prawns, prepared using the brand’s signature marinades and grilling techniques. play KITE FLYING SHOW C Cinema bets on true stories JHULAN GOSWAMI love HAUNTING TALES G amritsar HOSTS have an uncanny ability to keep us spooked yet intrigued. Just like a toxic ex, who refuses to leave our mental, emotional space, haunting us eternally, ghosts fascinate us. And bringing stories of ghosts, supernatural beings that keep us hooked and spooked, author Sonjoy K Roy and Eric Chopra will be engaging an audience at Sarovar Premiere on February 22 at 11 am for a morning session of Sacred Amritsar Festival. SOURAV GANGULY lowed shortly after, bringing a patriotic punch to theaters during Republic Day weekend. With a star-studded cast including Sunny Deol, Varun Dhawan and Diljit Dosanjh, the sequel to the beloved 1997 classic hits all the right notes. RAJA SHIVAJI Set to release on May 1, this historical drama by Riteish Deshmukh explores the early life of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. With supporting roles from heavyweights such as Salman Khan and Sanjay Dutt, it’s shaping up to be a grand, heartfelt look at one of India’s most inspiring figures. Fans are MICHAEL JACKSON eager for a film that balances heritage storytelling with blockbuster spectacle and early buzz suggests it might just deliver both. BATTLE OF GALWAN From history to modern conflict, this one zeroes in on the 2020 Galwan Valley clash between Indian and Chinese troops. With Salman Khan leading the cast under director Apoorva Lakhia, it captures the tension, patriotism and personal stories behind a recent conflict. Audiences seem ready for a cinematic take on events that feel so fresh, proving contemporary real-life stories are just as compelling as historical ones. CRICKET BIOPICS Cricket and cinema have always had a special relationship in India and 2026 is doubling down. Rajkummar Rao is preparing for a biopic on Sourav Ganguly, exploring one of India’s most charismatic captains, while Anushka Sharma headlines Chakda ’Xpress, inspired by the journey of Jhulan Goswami, India’s legendary women’s cricketer. Both films highlight perseverance, triumph and the emotional highs and lows of real sporting heroes, proving cricket biopics remain a winning formula. chandigarh OME February 21, the skies above Zakir Rose Garden in Sector 16 will burst into colour as a lively Kite Flying Show unfolds as part of the Rose Festival celebrations. Beginning at 9:30 am, the event promises a delightful blend of artistry, community spirit and festive cheer. Visitors can look forward to a captivating kite exhibition featuring artistic, traditional and designer creations that showcase the craftsmanship behind this timeless pastime. Adding to the excitement, professional kite flyers from Ahmedabad will present an aerial display of large-format and theme-based kites, transforming the morning sky into a moving canvas. In a heartening gesture, free kites will be distributed to children to encourage participation and promote safe kite flying. Organisers have strictly prohibited the use of Chinese manjha, reinforcing their commitment to safety and environmental responsibility. Jointly organised by the Municipal Corporation Chandigarh and The Environment Society of India, Chandigarh, the event invites families and friends to gather, look up and celebrate the simple joy of watching kites dance in the wind. Shakira returns Life mohali WHAT’S TRIBUNE HOLLYWOOD TO JOIN THE PARTY (L-R) SUNNY DEOL, RANVEER SINGH, ANUSHKA SHARMA, RAJKUMMAR RAO, SALMAN KHAN Michelle Yeoh gets Hollywood star Oscar-winning actress Michelle Yeoh was honoured with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in the Motion Pictures category at a ceremony in Los Angeles on Thursday. She received her star in the category of Motion Pictures. Yeoh, celebrated for her roles in films such as Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon and Crazy Rich Asians, was joined by directors Ang Lee (Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon) and Jon M Chu (Crazy Rich Asians) during the ceremony. In a heartfelt speech, Yeoh reflected on her journey, saying, “Once I was a little girl from Malaysia, sitting under the vast sky, looking up at a single steady star and daring to believe I could follow it. And now there’s one on the ground.” While expressing gratitude to the guests for showing their support, she said, “Thank you for showing up and for standing beside me. For being part of my life in the quiet moments, not just the bright ones. Your presence is everything.” She went on to offer a fun nod to her husband, Jean Todt, who remained absent from the ceremony. “To the fans around the world, to my Yeoh family — my brother and his beautiful wife surprised me, they came all the way from Malaysia yesterday. My husband, who is not here, because I gave him permission to go to India, and my Todt family, thank you all for surrounding me with love, for being my safe harbour and for helping me stay true to my own North Star,” she said. The Hollywood Walk of Fame star came on the heels of Michelle Yeoh’s other achievement as she was presented with the Honorary Golden Bear for lifetime achievement at the 2026 Berlinale. — ANI c m y b If you thought this trend was only in Bollywood, think again. Globally, filmmakers are pulling truth into drama with big projects such as Michael, directed by Antoine Fuqua, chronicling the life of Michael Jackson and Roosevelt, Martin Scorsese’s project featuring Leonardo DiCaprio as US President Theodore Roosevelt. Across continents, filmmakers are embracing real stories, whether historical, cultural or personal, and audiences are showing up in droves. CHAT UP FARHAN TO PORTRAY RAVI SHANKAR ALIA HEADS TO BAFTAS Farhan Akhtar Farhan Akhtar will make his Hollywood debut playing music maestro Pandit Ravi Shankar in a four-part Beatles biopic series, set for global release in April 2028. Posting on Instagram, Akhtar said he was “honoured and grateful” to join the legacy of Shankar and The Beatles. The ensemble cast includes Paul Mescal, Harris Dickinson, Barry Keoghan, and Joseph Quinn. Bollywood star Alia Bhatt was spotted at Mumbai Airport on Friday, departing for London to present at the 79th EE BAFTA Film Awards on February 22. She wore a blue top, denim jeans, a wine coat, cap, handbag, and white sneakers. The ceremony, hosted by Alan Cumming, features presenters including Bryan Cranston, Cillian Murphy, Michael B. Jordan and Sadie Sink, with ‘Sinners’ and One Battle After Another leading nominations. NICK JONAS WEARS MANGALSUTRA Priyanka Chopra Jonas’s husband, American popstar and India’s Jiju Nick Jonas, is being called “the greenest flag” by the Indian netizens. In a reel on his Instagram page, Nick is seen wearing a mangalsutra bracelet proudly, as he promotes his wife’s new movie, The Bluff, on Prime Video, while preparing beverages for her. The appearance, along with his visible support for his wife during the promotions, quickly won hearts all over the internet and went viral.