26052026-LSTL-01.qxd 5/25/2026 10:35 PM Page 1 c m y b TRIBUNE Life First look Actor Saiyami Kher has unveiled her first look from filmmaker Vikram Phadnis’ upcoming untitled romantic drama, in which she is set to play a fashion photographer. LUDHIANA | TUESDAY | 26 MAY 2026 KJo ‘Randeep Hooda TURNS was the only choice’ 54! wood Subhash K Jha notes how the Bolly des mogul has evolved over the deca Karan Johar has evolved from being Bollywood’s flamboyant insider to one of its most emotionally grounded and self-aware personalities. Over the years, the filmmaker who once seemed inseparable from glamour, gossip and starry friendships has acquired a quieter gravitas, shaped largely by fatherhood and experience. In his early years, Karan thrived in the world that his films celebrated — designer labels, lavish parties and emotional friendships. He was witty, dramatic, deeply social and unapologetically filmy. Conversations around him were always filled with gossip, banter and sharp observations about the industry he knew so intimately. Yet beneath the sparkle was also a vulnerability. Karan’s journey as a filmmaker mirrored this emotional evolution. From the glossy escapism of Kuch Kuch Hota Hai and Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham to more layered productions in recent years, ala Homebound, his cinema has slowly reflected greater emotional growth. While he continues to understand the power of mainstream entertainment better than most, there is now a notice- able depth and restraint in the stories he chooses to back. The most defining transformation in Karan’s life, however, came with the arrival of his twins, Roohi and Yash. Fatherhood altered his priorities completely. Today, his world revolves around his children, and those close to him often notice how much calmer and more secure he seems. The flamboyant social butterfly has given way to a more anchored individual who values home over hype. His children have also softened his public image. Professionally too, Karan has matured into an influential mentor figure in the industry. Through Dharma Productions, he has launched and supported several actors, directors and technicians who now form an integral part of contemporary Hindi cinema. He insists that success is not built merely on privilege or networking. “It’s not a magic wand, my dear, that I can wave and voila, a star is born! It doesn’t work that way. It’s a lot of hard work and even more luck,” he once told me. Perhaps the biggest change in Karan Johar is that he no longer appears to live in a bubble… Nonika Singh W ITH fiery passion, noted writer-director Neeraj Pathak defends both his real and reel character Inspector Avinash. With the second season of Inspector Avinash emerging as number one on Jio+Hotstar, he is overwhelmed by the response. His Instagram feed is inundated with a unanimous query; when do we get Season 3? In times when streaming platforms have a surfeit of cop dramas, he thinks Inspector Avinash has touched a chord because of its larger than life presentation and high entertainment value. In one line he sums up his directorial signature as, “Massy OTT entertainer.” For the uninitiated, he shares that Inspector Avinash, a real flesh and blood person, is as entertaining as his reel counterpart. His first meeting with the encounter specialist was as intriguing where he not only met the super-cop but also his web of informants which he refers to in his series as ‘maayajaal.’ The permission for screen adaptation of his dramatic life when he singlehandedly made criminals in Uttar Pradesh fear him and the law back in 1990s too was given as dramatically; on a napkin. Casting Randeep Hooda for the titular part was a no brainer for Neeraj, who has previously worked with another fine actor Irrfan Khan. He remembers the god of acting very fondly and reveals how Irrfan was a friend whom he directed in a television drama AnuGoonj much before he became The Irrfan. Yet another actor who fig- c m y b ❝ Director Neeraj Pathak speaks on casting, cop culture & balancing realism with massy appeal of Inspector Avinash ground, but Neeraj insists, “Often, especially, when it comes to heinous crimes, such kind of vigilantism becomes a necessary evil.” Those of you who may have given Inspector Avinash a Neeraj Pathak miss, he beseeches, “Watch it not just for Randeep’s aura but also to see how I have balanced a gritty tale of realism with ingredients ures on his of a potboiler.” ‘My Favourites The freedom that OTT provides has made him List’ is Sunny Deol. more fearless and equally responsible. While on Not only has he worked OTT the principle of self-censorship works, he with him in Bhaiaji Superhit but also written feels today even the CBFC is not that restrictive their home production Apne. and live example of that is Dhurandhar. He When Neeraj landed in Mumbai he always adds, “They have let brutality and abusive lanknew he wanted to be a director who is essential- guage pass and gave it an A certificate. Repugly a storyteller. Writing seemed the ideal way to nant violence, I think is sometimes necessary to start his journey. He proclaims, ‘patriotism is in evoke disgust against criminals. Today’s audimy blood’ and the deshbhakt in him has written ence is mature and no one takes away lessons on Pardes and intends to write and direct a patriot- violence from a film/ series.” ic actioner soon. Not because Dhurandhar has As Neeraj recreates the world of policing, his created magic on box office but since, “It’s celluloid interpretation earns him seven offers important to instil among our youth a sense of of biopics on police persons. If his cop of 1990s pride in their nation.” were to talk to today’s police, he would tell them His idea of nationalism is not narrow and to control crime and take their role responsibly. includes tales of unsung heroes like Inspector Meanwhile, Neeraj is paying heed to his Avinash. The series might begin with a cocky moral compass. To fans of his series, he promRandeep Hooda as Inspector Avinash posing a ises that when he gets down to the inevitable teaser, ‘What do you think, am I hero or a vil- Season 3 of Inspector Avinash he will not get lain,’ in Neeraj’s eyes his lead is undoubtedly a caught in the trap of monotony and mediochero. Encounter killings might be seen as rity. Only, reality will come with generous tadunethical by those who take a high moral ka of masala entertainment. ‘Randeep Hoo grounded, des da is core Haryana i to the dilwala yet hka chora, e take any nons won’t ense... Idris Elba dismisses ‘James Bond’ rumours Hollywood actor Idris Elba has cleared the rumours claiming he was considered for the role of the next James Bond and said he was never in the race. “Honestly not in the race ever...My name’s not getting thrown out, no way,” he said. “They’re going younger. And I wish them all the luck of the world. I can’t wait — it’s going to be amazing,” he added. The next instalment, tentatively titled Bond 26, will be the first James Bond film developed under Amazon MGM following its acquisition of MGM Studios and a later joint venture with long-time Bond producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G Wilson. The Bond franchise, which began in 1962, has previously been led by actors including Sean Connery, Roger Moore, Pierce Brosnan, Timothy Dalton, and Daniel Craig across five films from 2006 to 2021. Elba will next feature in Masters of the Universe. — PTI