08032026-LSTL-01.qxd 3/8/2026 1:00 AM Page 1 c m y b DHURANDHAR 2 TRAILER OUT The highly anticipated trailer for Dhurandhar: The Revenge has finally been unveiled, delivering a powerful and explosive preview of what promises to be one of the year’s biggest film releases. The film will hit cinemas on March 19. TRIBUNE Life Celebrating actresses who are redefining narratives this Women’s Day Mona O N International Women’s Day, the spotlight turns to women who are redefining success and representation in cinema. Across industries, a new generation of actresses is challenging stereotypes, taking creative risks, and balancing demanding careers with evolving personal lives. Their journeys reflect ambition, resilience, and courage, inspiring audiences while reshaping narratives about women both on and off screen. Desi girl’s global run Among the most prominent examples is global icon Priyanka Chopra Jonas, whose career spans continents and industries. One of the first Indian actors to successfully transition from Bollywood to Hollywood, Priyanka’s journey demonstrates determination and a willingness to break barriers. She entered films after winning Miss World 2000, making her screen debut in the Tamil film Thamizhan before appearing in Bollywood films such as The Hero: Love Story of a Spy and Andaaz. Priyanka’s performance in Fashion marked a turning point, earning her the National Film Award for Best Actress for portraying a model navigating the darker side of the fashion industry. She continued to push boundaries with roles in Barfi!, where she played a young autistic woman with sensitivity. She portrayed Olympic boxing champion Mary Kom in the biographical drama Mary Kom. These performances demonstrated that female-led stories could achieve both critical acclaim and commercial success. Her bold move to Hollywood came at a time when SouthAsian actors rarely received leading roles. Priyanka’s breakthrough came with the American television series Quantico, where she played FBI agent Alex Parrish. She later appeared in international films including Baywatch, The Matrix Resurrections, and The Bluff, establishing herself as a global star. Beyond her career, Priyanka has broken stereotypes in her personal life as well. In 2018, she married American singer and actor Nick Jonas, ten years her junior, in a widely PRIYANKA CHOPRA JONAS Posh in Paris Victoria Beckham presented sculptural gowns in sheer fabrics, sharply tailored suits and voluminous coats in Paris on Friday for her Fall/Winter 2026 collection, playing with shape and texture. Dresses in deep blues and greens complemented sober suits. LUDHIANA | SUNDAY | 8 MARCH 2026 Bollywood’s multi-hyphenate women Breaking barriers, redefining success owning the PERFORMER & POWER PRODUCER spotlight NEERU BAJWA Richa Chadha has always stood for fearless storytelling. Known for her powerful performances, she has seamlessly expanded her creative journey into production. Backing both fiction and nonfiction projects, Richa represents a woman who not only performs stories but also shapes them behind the scenes. This Women’s Day, we celebrate the evolving face of womanhood in Indian cinema — one that balances creativity with commerce, vulnerability with ambition and art with entrepreneurship. These women exemplify how today’s Bollywood actresses are not limiting themselves to a single narrative. They are expanding their identities, and proving that being multi-faceted is not an exception — it is the new normal. CONTENT CREATOR & ENTREPRENEUR celebrated cross-cultural wedding blending Indian and Western traditions. The couple later welcomed their daughter, Malti Marie Chopra Jonas, via surrogacy. Balancing family life and a global career, Priyanka shines as a trailblazing woman rewriting the rules of success. Queen of Pollywood Neeru Bajwa stands as one of the most influential figures in Punjabi cinema. Born in Canada to a Punjabi family, Neeru began her career in television and Hindi films, making her Bollywood debut with Main Solah Baras Ki (1998). Although she appeared in several Hindi films early on, she eventually shifted focus to Punjabi cinema, where she found creative freedom and a devoted audience. Her breakthrough came with the blockbuster Jatt & Juliet (2012). Neeru’s portrayal of strong, witty female characters established her as a leading figure in the industry. She expanded her filmography with hits like Mel Karade Rabba, Jihne Mera Dil Luteya, Shadaa, Jindua, and Kali Jotta, showing that Punjabi cinema could address complex social issues beyond comedy. Beyond acting, Neeru has ventured into production with Channo Kamli Yaar Di and direction with Sargi, further expanding her creative influence. Off-screen, she balances a demanding career with family life, married to Canadian businessman Harry Jawandha and mother of three daughters. Her continued successwith films likePhaphey Kuttniyan and Madhaniyan, along with appearances in Bollywood projects such as Son of Sardaar 2 and Tehran, reinforces her reputation as a resilient and influential figure. Widely regarded as the Queen of Pollywood, Neeru has not only achieved boxoffice success but has also reshaped how women are represented in Punjabi films. Versatile star performer Alia Bhatt entered Bollywood with Student of the Year (2012), a glossy campus drama introducing her to mainstream audiences. Alia quickly proved her depth with roles in Highway (2014) and Udta Punjab (2016). In Raazi (2018), she portrayed an Indian spy married into a Pakistani military family. The film became one of the highest-grossing female-led Hindi films of its time and earned widespread critical acclaim. Alia’s personal life has evolved alongside. She married actor Ranbir Kapoor in 2022, and the couple welcomed a daughter later that year. Since becoming a mother, Alia has maintained strong career momentum with projects such as Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani and herHollywood debut Heart of Stone. With upcoming projects like Alpha and Love & War, she demonstrates the ability to balance motherhood, global projects, and increasingly ambitious roles, reinforcing her position as one of the most versatile performers of her generation. ALIA BHATT c m y b Parul Gulati is the perfect embodiment of hustle meeting heart. Alongside acting, she built her hair extension brand Nish Hair from the ground up. As a content creator and entrepreneur, she bridges the world of entertainment and business. Her dual identity showcases resilience — the performer chasing scripts and the businesswoman chasing scale. VOICE BEYOND THE CAMERA Actor, podcaster, emcee and vocal advocate for womencentric causes — Neha Dhupia’s journey is layered with purpose. Whether she’s anchoring conversations on her podcast, hosting prestigious events, or championing campaigns for women’s rights, she embodies influence with intention. PERFORMANCE MEETS PURPOSE HAPPY WOMEN’S DAY Kritika Kamra is not just an actress but also an entrepreneur championing sustainability through her fashion brand Cinnabar. By blending creativity with conscious business, she reflects a woman’s ability to balance aesthetics with ethics. Her journey symbolises a duality — performance-driven passion and purpose-driven entrepreneurship.