05012026-LSTC-01.qxd 1/4/2026 8:19 PM Page 1 c m y b ONE BATTLE DOMINATES NSFC One Battle After Another triumphed at the 2025 National Society of Film Critics Awards, winning four awards including Best Picture. Ethan Hawke won Best Actor for Blue Moon. TRIBUNE Allu mobbed Life A casual outing in the evening turned into a chaotic situation for Telugu star Allu Arjun and his wife, Sneha Reddy, after the couple was mobbed in Hyderabad. In visuals going viral on social media, Allu Arjun and Sneha could be seen stepping out of a venue, surrounded by a packed crowd of fans. LUDHIANA | MONDAY | 5 JANUARY 2026 his biggest privilege From Michelin-starred kitchens to the director’s chair, the celebrity chef is embracing life’s many callings “I’m so busy with Bungalow (his restaurant in “It is my way of exploring and expanding the New York) that I’ve no breathing space. I’m vision of Indian food, like stuck inside the restaurant 24x7, but now it’s when they (actors) are my big mission to have this movie find making modak, everyhome. I promise you that you might body, including kids are have never seen a food movie like going to start making this in your life before. This is the modak. It’s putting a new best work of my life,” he said. breath of life into our traTalking about his memorable ditions. I’m very proud experience of hosting actors that God has given me the Deepika Padukone and Ranopportunity and the stage I moved to the veer Singh recently at his where I can do this beautiUS when I was restaurant, Khanna said it fully, organically and feed very young. I used was a privilege to have the into a celebration of to feel the pride of cooking star couple at Bungalow in India,” he said. Indian food was missing. I feel New York. A video surfaced Khanna is thrilled to be online showing Padukone back as one of the judges MasterChef India has sparked making modak under Khanon the competitive cookthat whole pride, especially na’s guidance. “When Deepiing reality series, Maspost-pandemic, when people ka and Ranveer were going to terChef India 2026, which became so conscious... come, we had to keep figuring will premiere from Januout the dates, as at the restauary 5 on Sony Entertainrant, it was impossible for us to get ment Television and SonyLIV It . one seat. But it was a privilege (to have them). will also feature Chef Ranveer Brar and Kunal New Year was happening, and every day we Kapoor as the judges. This season introduces a gave a mithai (sweet), and Deepika helped us to unique twist with the ‘jodi’ format, where conmake the mithai that day, it was anar ke testants, paired as family members, spouses, modak,” Khanna said. friends, or even inter-generational duos, will compete to transform into culinary geniuses under the guidance of the show’s judges. Altogether 12 pairs from various parts of India will be part of it. Michelin-starred Chef Khanna said the culinary show has significantly transformed the cooking culture in India and has been instrumental in honouring chefs. Reflecting on his journey as a host, Khanna recalled a time when many people mistakenly wrote “chief” instead of “chef”, and highlighted how the profession was relatively unrecognised in smaller cities. “…The journey has been unbelievable since then. Besides, it has helped us to stand shoulder to shoulder with the global chefs. I also feel that this has been a very important spark point for people to understand cooking in a much bigger spectrum,” he said. As the show embarks on its ninth season, its theme focuses on celebrating the diverse flavours that encapsulate India. Khanna lauded MasterChef India for showcasing the richness of Indian cuisine. “I moved to the US when I was very young. I used to feel the pride of cooking Indian food was missing. I feel this entire platform has sparked that whole pride, especially post-pandemic, when people became so conscious. Social media has helped a lot in it too,” the Amritsar-born Chef said. — PTI Jan Neta trailer sees massive response Star couple Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh were recently spotted at an NBA game in New York, and their stylish appearance garnered attention on social media. The couple also posed for selfies with fans at the venue, creating a buzz among their admirers present at the match. One of the fans posted the video on her Instagram handle G ET ready for an unforgettable evening of illusion, laughter and mind-bending magic as Suhani Shah, India’s leading magician and mentalist, brings her acclaimed show The Mind Readers Magic Soiree to Ludhiana! With over 5000 performances worldwide and two decades of experience, Suhani blends psychology, humour and interactive mentalism to create a truly immersive experience. The show is on January 17, at 7 pm at Guru Nanak Dev Bhawan, Ludhiana. A fan of magic or simply seeking a unique night out, this show promises to leave you spellbound. A Popular television couple Jay Bhanushali and Mahhi Vij have announced their separation after nearly 14 years of marriage, sharing the news with their fans through a joint statement on social media. The couple emphasised that the decision to part ways was mutual and taken with care, respect and consideration for their family. On Sunday, they posted a c m y b SUHANI SHAH LIVE S Amritsar’s art scene goes global, this New Year brings a burst of colour — and a bold, unapologetic spirit. Dedicated to artists and works that provoke, heal and evoke a thousand emotions, Five Rivers Art Gallery has unveiled its new show, Landscapes of the Human Spirit. Featuring contemporary masters Satish V Kale, Sudhir Talmale, and the globally celebrated Raghu Neware, whose abstracts are renowned worldwide, the curated exhibition weaves stories, emotions, and vibrant colours across the canvas. The exhibition runs until January 10 and is open to all. for Jay & Mahhi and shared her experience. In the video, Deepika looked stunning in her black leather jacket and smoky eyes. Ranveer was his usual fabulous, fashionable self in a black coat and black beanie. The duo welcomed the New Year in the United States. Deepika also ticked off a Backstreet Boys concert from her bucket list in Las Vegas. — ANI play STORIES ON CANVAS Splitsville NYC moment S ALSA O’CADO with Sweet Potato Chips is quickly winning hearts at Savior, Open Grove Retreat, New Chandigarh. This Italian-inspired delight features crispy sweet potato slices served with creamy avocado mash, tempered with shallots and sundried tomatoes, finished with a hint of lemon and a drizzle of sour cream. A perfect spot to unwind, OG Retreat combines a serene ambience with innovative culinary creations, making every visit a treat for both the taste buds and the soul. love As Thalapathy Vijay’s Jan Neta moves closer to its theatrical release, the film’s trailer has already made history. Released amid towering expectations, the trailer crossed a staggering 75.5 million views within just 24 hours, setting a new benchmark and reaffirming the extraordinary anticipation surrounding Thalapathy Vijay’s final cinematic outing. The response has been swift and explosive, with fans across regions flooding screens and social media. Producer Venkat K. Narayana said, “The audio launch in Malaysia unfolded as a celebration of grand proportions, reflecting Vijay Sir’s unmatched bond with his fans. The Malaysia Book of Records honour marks a landmark chapter in this journey. With the trailer out , excitement has reached unprecedented levels ahead of the worldwide release on January 9, 2026.” DeepVeer’s eat SALSA O’CADO DELIGHT joint note on their Instagram stories. “Today, we choose to part ways on a journey called life, yet continue to have each other’s backs. Peace, growth, kindness, and humanity have always been our guiding values for the sake of our children, Tara, Khushi, and Rajveer.” They went on to share that there is “no villain in this story” and asked people not to jump to conclusions. — ANI amritsar F OR celebrity chef-turned-filmmaker Vikas Khanna, directing the acclaimed actor Shabana Azmi in his upcoming film, Imaginary Rain, is more than just a career milestone. He describes it as the “greatest highlight” of his life. The movie, based on his 2023 novel of the same name, will see Azmi play the role of a MasterChef in Manhattan, rediscovering her roots in India after a personal tragedy. The film also features Prateik Patil. Khanna, who has also written the film, explores themes of grief, family, and rediscovering one’s passion through Indian cuisine. “My next movie is coming out in a few months. It’s called Imaginary Rain, it’s with Shabana Azmi, A R Rahman (music), and Prateik. It’s about a chef in New York. I think it’s my life’s best work. “And to direct Shabana Azmi has been one of the biggest privileges of my life. I’m very proud of it. For me to convince her (Azmi) to play this role possibly will be one of the greatest highlights of my life,” says the Chef-filmmaker, who made his directorial debut with the 2019 film, The Last Color, starring Neena Gupta. Khanna said he has been working actively towards releasing Imaginary Rain. HOT ludhiana Vikas Khanna calls directing Shabana Azmi chandigarh WHAT’S