19032026-LSTC-01.qxd 3/18/2026 8:44 PM Page 1 c m y b TRIBUNE HERE COMES SPIDER-MAN Tom Holland has returned as Marvel’s friendly neighbourhood superhero, with the first glimpse of Spider-Man: Brand New Day teasing a darker chapter for the beloved web-slinger. CHAT UP VIR DAS TO PERFORM IN LONDON Vir Das will perform at London’s Royal Albert Hall for the first time as part of his new international standup tour Hey Stranger, the actor-comedian announced on Wednesday. The performance marks a landmark moment for Indian stand-up comedy on the global stage with Das becoming one of the rare Indian performers to headline the iconic 5,272seat venue. Watch out Life Situationship or Nanoship— which is your scene? If these terms baffle you, here’s your guide to the modern dating ecosystem John Krasinski is back as Jack Ryan after his Prime Video action series ended in 2023. Now, the CIA analystturned- deputy director is back in a sequel movie, titled Jack Ryan: Ghost War. CHANDIGARH | THURSDAY | 19 MARCH 2026 Decoding the 2026 dating terms Mona I F you thought dating was confusing in 2016 because of Tinder, adorable in 2020 with pandemic resetting romance, and mildly dystopian in 2024 due to app overload, welcome to 2026 — where your love life comes with a glossary, a group chat review board, and at least three exit strategies pre-installed. Relationships no longer begin with “How did you meet?” They begin with, “Wait… was this a soft launch or a hardball situation?” Let’s take a look at the modern dating ecosystem. In the hyperconnecetd world, relationship status and dynamics vary, here are some different ‘arrangements’. ‘IT IS UNPRECEDENTED...’ Ranveer Singh made a high-energy appearance at the music launch event of Dhurandhar: The Revenge in Mumbai on Tuesday night, drawing thunderous cheers from fans as excitement builds ahead of the film’s theatrical release on March 19. Clearly overwhelmed by the response, Singh greeted fans warmly and took a moment to absorb the atmosphere created by the film’s growing buzz. Situationship: It’s the cockroach of romance — it survives every era. A “relationship” with all the emotional intensity of a rom-com and the structural integrity of wet cardboard. You are exclusive… except you’ve never said you’re exclusive. You’re dating… but only when it suits you. In 2026, the situationship now comes with analytics. There’s usually a 12slide PowerPoint explaining why no labels are “healthier.” Monkey branching: Why break up and be alone when you can simply swing? Monkey Branching is the art of not letting go of one branch until you’ve firmly grasped another. Evolutionarily efficient, emotionally devastating. It’s LinkedIn networking, but for hearts. NORA DISTANCES HERSELF FROM SARKE… Nora Fatehi on Wednesday distanced herself from the controversy surrounding the sexually explicit lyrics of Sarke Chunar, saying she had shot the song in Kannada language three years ago and was shocked by its Hindi version like everyone else. The song, which features in the upcoming Kannada movie KD The Devil, was released on YouTube two days ago and quickly went viral for its shock value and lyrics that almost describe a sexual act. Delusionship: You’ve made eye contact with your crush twice. You now know your wedding colour palette. The Delusionship thrives in a digital age where a single “like” becomes a 14episode mental web series. Celebrity crushes? That’s old-school. Now, it’s the guy who viewed your story at 2:14 am. That means something. (It doesn’t please…stop being delulu, it’s so 2024) Micro-mance / Nanoship: A term floating around online refers to relationship that lasts 72 hours but somehow changes you forever. You trauma-bond over meal preferences. You discuss childhood wounds by date two. By date three, you’ve emotionally retired from love. You’ve speed-run intimacy. Choreomance: In 2026, romance is no longer just candlelight dinners, it is doing chores together! It’s grocery shopping together and arguing laundry folding styles. DIGITAL OLYMPICS Like everything else today, relationships also have to be digitally acknowledged! Here comes another set of terms whether its acknowledging your partner or being in different stages of the bond. Soft Launch: The modern mating call. A blurry hand. Two wine glasses. A suspicious shoulder in the corner of a mirror selfie. You don’t tag them. You don’t name them. But you let the Internet speculate like it’s a royal engagement. Orbiting: They ghost you. But they watch every story. Like a tiny emotional satellite reminding you they exist. They will not text you back — but they will like your vacation photo from 13 seconds ago. Roaching: It’s a manipulative dating behaviour where someone secretly dates or sleeps with several people at the same time, while making you think the relationship is exclusive. The name suggests that if you uncover one hidden partner, there are probably many others lurking out of sight, just like roaches. Kittenfishing: Not a full catfish (pretends to be another person online). Just a gentle lie. Old photos. Strategic angles. “I’m 5’11” (in boots). In 2026, authenticity is important — but “curated authenticity” — real, but not too real. KNOW YOUR FLAGS AND, THE GOODBYES GREEN-FLAGGING: Nick Jonas wearing desi wife’s mangalsutra on his wrist as she preps for Bluff promotions, he’s the one extreme of green, almost a forest. RED FLAGS: Kanye West and how his partner dressed and behaved sparked conversations about control in relationships — a major red flag. BEIGE FLAGS: The weird ones. He names his plants. She narrates grocery shopping. Not toxic. Just… niche. Beige is the colour of modern tolerance. QUIET QUITTING: You’re still technically together. You just stopped trying. Stopped planning. Stopped caring. It’s emotional ghosting — but you’re both still on the couch. SLOW FADE: Text frequency decreases scientifically. From paragraphs to sentences to haha to thumbs up to silence. COBWEBBING: You delete photos. Archive memories. Burn the hoodie. Spring cleaning, but for heartbreak. ISTOCK eat WHAT’S HOT play love PAHADI FLAVOURS UNPLUGGED VIBES SIGNATURE SHINE ELEBRATING the culinary heritage of the region, Himachali Rasoi presents a traditional dinning experience in Shimla. Located at 54, Middle Bazar, the restaurant celebrates age-old recipes. The menu features wholesome dham thalis like Kangri and Mandyali, along with local favourites such as Sidu, Babroo and Patande, paired with Rehru and Kangri chai. RIPPING music down to its purest form, ‘ SoulVerse Unplugged promises a soulful live experience at TuBu Cafe, Sector 10 C, Chandigarh. Designed for lovers of meaningful melodies, the evening will feature raw acoustics, heartfelt vocals and live instruments, creating an intimate and immersive ambience. With its cosy setting and focus on pure musical expression, the event offers a refreshing escape for those who enjoy unplugged performances. The musical evening will be held on March 22. REFINED jewellery showcase awaits as Signature Jewellery by Rachna Mehra and Chandini Khanna comes to Hyatt Regency, Ferozepur Road, Ludhiana. In collaboration with Divya Dhanda, the exhibition will present a curated selection of statement pieces that blend traditional craftsmanship with contemporary design. From elegant everyday accents to festive highlights, the showcase caters to those with a taste for fine detailing and timeless style. Set in a luxe setting, it promises a relaxed browsing experience for jewellery lovers. The exhibition will be held on March 23 from 4 pm to 7 pm and March 24 from 11 am to 7 pm. c m y b A ludhiana S chandigarh shimla C Flavours of Rajasthan From Jungli Murg to Gulab Jamun Ki Sabji — Chef Rahul Kumar brings culinary history and flavours of Rajasthani cuisine to Amritsar Neha Saini Rajasthani cuisine is largely built on simple, local and limited ingredients but make no mistake, its flavours and culinary heritage is anything but basic. Shaped by centuries of tradition, resilience, the food that was born out of survival in a harsh, arid climate, evolved into flavoursome dishes in royal kitchens. What works for it is ingenuity and a mastery of spices. And while among several influences on Rajasthani cuisine come from Persian and Mughlai kitchens, bringing the taste of some authentic and some modern dishes from the land of dunes, Chef Rahul Kumar curated a wholesome spread at the Le Grand Café at week-long Rangilo Rajasthan - Taste the Flavours of Rajasthan special at Le Meridien, Amritsar. Chef Kumar, who hails from the Chomu, a small village that falls on the Sikar-Jaipur highway, is a second generation specialist in traditional Rajasthani cuisine. With a deep connection to the culinary heritage of his homeland, Chef Kumar has been working on the techniques that have been passed down through generations, in his case, his father and his approach focuses on preserving the true spirit of Rajasthani cooking while presenting dishes that tell stories of the region’s culture and history. “Typically, Rajasthani food encourages slow cooking methods, clever preservation techniques and the generous use of aromatic spices, resulting in dishes that are deeply flavourful and memorable. Because there is water scarcity and vegetation is bare minimal, most of the Rajasthani food we know today comes from simple, home cooked methods and ingredients that were basic and easily sourced. Whether it’s Daal-Baati-Churma, Ker Sangri (the famous dried wild berries and beans) or Jungli Murg, one of the oldest and simplest non-vegetarian Rajasthani dishes. Jungli Murg originated as a hunting dish, cooked only with chicken/meat, ghee/mustard oil and chillies. Now, it has evolved into something more with the use of rich gravy and spices. Similarly, there is Chakki Ki Sabji, a traditional Marwari delicacy made from steamed wheat dough pieces, where women used to wash down the leftover dough and cook the gluten with spices for curry,” he said. It also throws some intriguing twists in the form of Gulab Jamun Ki Sabji, an unusual yet beloved Rajasthani dish where sweet gulab jamuns are cooked in a savoury gravy, creating a remarkable interplay of sweet and spicy notes. Another highlight of the festival is Laal Maas, a celebrated preparation once served in the royal kitchens of Rajput rulers, known for its striking red colour and robust flavour, thanks to the Mathania red chillies, which lend both heat and depth to the rich gravy. “These dishes reflect the resourceful nature of desert cuisine. The region I come from specialises in home cooked, flavours and desi ghee lade dishes. There is so much one can do with limited, but unique ingredients found across Rajasthan. So, the trick is not to delve into how simple these ingredients are but how you layer them to pack some rich luxury,” said Kumar.