Hera Pheri starring Akshay Kumar, Suniel Shetty, Paresh Rawal, and Tabu is one of the best comedy films made in Bollywood. The movie has received cult status and today, it completes 21 years of its release.
Suniel Shetty took to Twitter to revisit the film. He tweeted, “No wonder we underestimate how quickly time flies. It seems I blinked, and 21 years went by. What a film we made @priyadarshandir @akshaykumar @SirPareshRawal @GulshanGroverGG #Tabu. Missing #OmPuri ji very dearly today...”
Akshay Kumar replied to Shetty and wrote, “Agreed! Even we didn’t know back then what a film we were making, each scene better than the other. Specially love this one : dhoti Genius of Priyan sir and epic dialogues by late Neeraj Vora.”
— (@)
Directed by Priyadarshan, Hera Pheri was a remake of the Malayalam film Ramji Rao Speaking. In 2006, a sequel to the film titled Phir Hera Pheri was released and it was also a super hit at the box office.
Hera Pheri 3 was announced with Suniel Shetty, Paresh Rawal, Abhishek Bachchan, and John Abraham. But the film was later shelved. There have been reports of Kumar, Shetty, and Rawal teaming up for Hera Pheri 3, but nothing has been officially announced.
Well, a lot of fans of the franchise have tweeted that they want to watch Hera Pheri 3. Check out the tweets here…
Pls pls make hera pheri 3 ?the world needs a vaccine and that is hera pheri 3 ❤️
Identical twins Croo and Sach have gained recognition in the fashion and digital space for their vibrant content, often shot in scenic locations. Heavily inspired by cinema, the ambitious Indian duo make bold style statements with their eye-catching outfits and have big plans ahead.
Eastern Eye asked the rising social media stars to share the 10 things that creatively inspire them most.
Rajesh Khanna’s acting and fashion: The legendary Hindi cinema icon has always been a huge inspiration for us. His romantic aura, unique walk, and killer fashion sense – especially those retro fits – influence a lot of our personal style. We love turning up in vintage clothes because they instantly bring out that old-school Bombay mafia gangster vibe we admire.
Dilip Kumar’s pure acting: There is a reason he is regarded as one of the greatest actors in Indian cinema. His raw, natural style is a masterclass for us. We study his expressions and pauses to craft emotion-driven reels. Whether we shoot dialogue-heavy content or silent dramatic clips, his influence is everywhere. He helps us elevate even the simplest concept into something powerful and deeply moving.
Amitabh Bachchan’s persona and vintage style: When the superstar burst onto the scene in the 1970s, his fierce screen presence redefined intensity – and that shapes how we approach high-energy, gritty reel content. We recreate cinematic moments with hard-hitting lines, commanding expressions and dramatic walk-ins. His blazer and sunglasses look and deep baritone also inspire how we style and deliver those punchy, “don’t mess with us” characters on Instagram.
Amitabh Bachchangetty images
The timeless beauty of Madhubala: Often hailed as the most beautiful star of Hindi cinema, Madhubala’s elegance influences how we frame our female leads. Soft lighting, dreamy close-ups and graceful movements – all come from her legacy. We use her timeless charm to blend vintage aesthetics with modern storytelling in our reels.
Madhuri Dixit’s 1990s glamour and dance: The dancing queen made a huge impact in her prime. The multi-talented star’s expressions and dance finesse have definitely inspired our rhythm-based reels. We blend Bollywood thumkas with glamorous visuals and fast cuts – always with her finesse in mind. Her 1990s colour palettes and glam styling also guide how we create fashion transitions in dance reels.
Ranveer Singh’s fashion and attitude: The unique actor’s over-the-top style and wild energy are our go-to when we want to break the internet. Loud outfits, bold moves and unexpected transitions – that is Ranveer’s zone. We love channelling his “no rules” attitude into our fashion-centric reels, adding an unapologetic flair to every frame we create.
Les Twins’ dance and fashion: The French duo – dancers, choreographers, producers, models and designers – have made an impact across multiple creative fields. They completely changed the way we view dance. Their precision, swag and effortless flow inspire us to choreograph sharp, clean and stylish reels. We also love their streetwear aesthetic – it has shaped how we dress, shoot and edit our content with a fresh, global urban vibe.
Ranbir Kapoorgetty images
Shah Rukh Khan’s struggle to stardom: The superstar’s journey really hits home for us. Coming from nothing and building an empire through passion, dedication and relentless hustle – that story is our biggest motivation. We see ourselves in that grind and share the same fire to prove something. Whenever we create reels or any kind of content, we channel his energy – starting small, thinking big and pouring our heart into everything. His romantic intensity, raw vulnerability and on-screen confidence push us to dream bigger and stay true to ourselves. He reminds us that the journey matters just as much as the destination.
Ranbir Kapoor’s acting: From the newer generation of actors, Ranbir inspires us with the way he fully becomes his character without ever overdoing it. There is a softness, depth and quiet strength in his performances that we try to bring into our creative reels. His expressions often speak louder than words, and that minimal, emotional style teaches us how to connect with the audience on a deeper level.
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‘Nimbus’, is raising concerns among health experts
A new highly transmissible Covid variant, known as ‘Nimbus’, is raising concerns among health experts as cases rise sharply in parts of Asia and begin to appear in the UK. Official data shows that the strain, which has been labelled N.B.1.8.1, could drive a summer wave of infections due to its increased contagiousness and potential to evade immunity from earlier vaccinations or infections.
Cases detected in the UK
According to the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), 13 confirmed cases of the variant have already been recorded in England, and 25 British samples have been submitted to international databases since the end of March. However, experts say these figures likely underestimate the true spread, given the current limited Covid testing regime compared to the height of the pandemic.
UKHSA data up to 1 June reveals that 6.1 per cent of those tested for Covid were positive—the highest weekly figure for 2025. This marks a 7 per cent increase from the previous week and a 97 per cent rise compared to early March.
Rapid international spread
Nimbus, which is a descendant of the Omicron family of variants, has been linked to a spike in cases in China, Singapore, and Hong Kong. Globally, it now accounts for around 10.7 per cent of Covid infections, up from just 2.5 per cent a month earlier, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO).
The WHO has designated the variant as a ‘variant under monitoring’, which means it is being tracked for its potential impact but is not currently classified as a variant of concern.
Scientists warn of summer spike
British scientists are now warning that the new strain could fuel a rise in cases over the summer months, particularly as people become more socially active during the warmer weather.
Professor Lawrence Young, a virologist at Warwick University, said: “We are very likely to see a spike of infections over the next couple of months, possibly by later this month or in July. But it’s difficult to predict the level of this infection wave.”
He explained that population immunity from previous vaccinations or infections is likely waning, and unlike flu, Covid continues to spread in hot and humid weather. Laboratory studies also suggest that Nimbus is more efficient at infecting human cells and may have enhanced abilities to evade the immune system.
No evidence of increased severity
Despite its contagiousness, there is currently no indication that Nimbus causes more severe illness or higher mortality rates than earlier strains. However, experts caution that vulnerable groups—such as the elderly, people in care homes, and those with weakened immune systems—remain at risk of serious illness.
Data from the Office for National Statistics indicates that Covid contributed to just over 300 deaths in England during May 2025.
Symptoms and vaccine protection
The symptoms of the Nimbus variant appear to be consistent with those of previous Covid strains. These include fatigue, fever, sore throat and muscle aches.
There is currently no suggestion that the variant causes different or more severe symptoms. Moreover, scientists believe that existing Covid vaccines, reformulated to tackle Omicron and its descendants, should still offer protection against Nimbus.
UKHSA data shows that people who received a Covid booster last spring were 45 per cent less likely to require hospital treatment compared to those who remained unvaccinated.
Who is eligible for the vaccine?
In the UK, free Covid vaccinations are currently being offered to:
Adults over the age of 75
Residents and staff in care homes
Individuals with weakened immune systems
The UKHSA has urged all eligible people to take up the vaccine offer to help protect themselves and others from severe illness, particularly with the rising presence of the Nimbus strain.
Officials closely monitoring situation
Dr Gayatri Amirthalingam, deputy director at UKHSA, confirmed that the agency is closely tracking the spread of the N.B.1.8.1 variant both domestically and internationally.
“UKHSA is monitoring all available data relating to SARS-CoV-2 variants in the UK and abroad, and we continue to publish our findings in our regular Flu and Covid-19 surveillance reports,” she said.
“NB.1.8.1 has been detected in small numbers in the UK to date, but international data suggests that it is growing as a proportion of all Covid-19 cases.”
As the summer approaches, experts are reminding the public that even though the pandemic is no longer dominating daily life, Covid continues to evolve. The emergence of Nimbus underscores the need for vigilance, particularly among those at higher risk.
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Seema Misra was wrongly imprisoned in 2010 after being accused of stealing £75,000 from her Post Office branch in Surrey, where she was the subpostmistress. (Photo credit: Getty Images)
SEEMA MISRA, a former sub-postmistress from Surrey who was wrongly jailed in the Post Office scandal, told MPs that her teenage son fears she could be sent to prison again.
Misra served five months in jail in 2010 after being wrongly convicted of theft. She said she was pregnant at the time, and the only reason she did not take her own life was because of her unborn child, The Times reported.
Speaking at a meeting in parliament on Tuesday, she said, “It affects our whole family. My 13-year-old younger son said, ‘Mummy, if the Post Office put you back in prison don’t kill yourself — you didn’t kill yourself [when you were in prison] because I was in your tummy. What if they do it again?’”
Misra, who wore an electronic tag when giving birth, supported a campaign to change the law around compensation for miscarriages of justice.
In 2014, the law was changed under Lord Cameron, requiring victims to prove their innocence beyond reasonable doubt to receive compensation. Campaigners say this has resulted in only 6.6 per cent of claims being successful, down from 46 per cent, and average payouts dropping from £270,000 to less than £70,000.
Sir David Davis called the rule change an “institutional miscarriage of justice” during prime minister’s questions and urged the government to act.
Dame Vera Baird, interim head of the Criminal Cases Review Commission, has also announced a full review of the body’s operations, following years of criticism over its performance.
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Deepika Padukone is redefining what power looks like in Bollywood
It didn’t take a walkout on a picket line or a fiery press conference to shake the Indian film industry; it took Deepika Padukone quietly demanding, “Eight hours.” No dramatic monologue or sensational tweets. Just a simple request: humane hours, overtime pay, and a refusal to push her body and mind past the brink. And just like that, the conversation in Bollywood cracked wide open.
In an industry that glorifies overnight shoots, delayed pack-ups, and “dedication” measured in sweat, Padukone’s decision to exit a high-profile film, Spirit, over her demand for an eight-hour workday was certainly a career move for her. But beyond that, it was a cultural revolt.
Deepika’s decision is pushing conversations beyond the glamGetty Images
When “enough” becomes revolutionary
What made this moment resonate wasn't just who said it, but when. After giving birth to daughter Dua in September 2024, Padukone’s priorities naturally shifted. She didn’t demand luxury. She asked for balance. And Bollywood, unaccustomed to being told “no,” didn’t take it well.
Her terms were straightforward: eight-hour shifts, payment for overtime, profit-sharing, and a refusal to perform intimate scenes or speak in Telugu; reasonable boundaries that suddenly became controversial when voiced by one of the industry’s most bankable stars.
When director Sandeep Reddy Vanga, known for pushing his cast in emotionally aggressive scenes, reportedly rejected these conditions, Padukone walked away from the project. She was swiftly replaced by Triptii Dimri. Vanga later alluded to “script leaks” and an unnamed actor who had “put down” a younger co-star, setting the entire social media ablaze with speculation.
— (@)
But Deepika wasn’t dragging anyone down; she was raising the floor.
Behind the glamour, Deepika Padukone is leading a quiet revolution in work cultureGetty Images
Not a diva, just done
What’s shocking is how quickly people defaulted to calling her “difficult.” And yet, actors like Shah Rukh Khan are known for avoiding night shoots and Akshay Kumar famously doesn’t work Sundays. No one raises eyebrows when they draw boundaries because it’s framed as “professionalism.” But when a new mother does it? Suddenly, it's "unreasonable."
Director Siddharth P. Malhotra, who worked with Rani Mukerji during Hichki, exposed this double standard: “Rani asked for eight-hour shifts to be with her daughter. Kajol only did one shift a day for We Are Family. It’s only a problem when women say it aloud.”
The industry responds. Some with applause, some with alarm
The dominoes have finally started falling. Mani Ratnam called it a necessary reset. Pankaj Tripathi described his own past of 16-18 hour days as “soul-draining,” while Barun Sobti, an actor-turned-producer, said he’d enforce 8-hour shifts if given the reins. Kajol, ever candid, deadpanned, “I love that you can work less,” while Ajay Devgn added that “honest filmmakers” would never object.
From star to changemaker, Deepika Padukone is rewriting the rules of the setGetty Images
But not everyone cheered
Director Tarun Mansukhani worried about logistical chaos. Some commented: “What happens when mid-budget films start losing their heroes to time clocks?” Others whispered about setting a dangerous precedent.
More than just a star’s schedule
This isn’t just about an actor clocking out early. It’s about rethinking the ecosystem.
Tripathi’s remark: “The actor leaves; the labourers stay”, in fact revealed the hierarchy. Spot boys, technicians, junior artists, they don’t get to negotiate. They wait, often unpaid for overtime, as the “show must go on.” The real question Deepika raises is: if she can’t get fair hours, who can?
And then there’s pay. A producer once told her they couldn't afford to pay her more because it would require cutting the male lead's salary and her response was a simple: 'Goodbye'.
The message? Equal pay isn’t a negotiation; it’s a principle.
When one woman said no to burnout, Bollywood was forced to listenGetty Images
Bollywood vs the world
Hollywood actors operate under union protections like SAG-AFTRA mandates, rest breaks, overtime pay, and hard stop hours. Violate it, and the studio pays. In contrast, Bollywood thrives on chaos masked as passion. People wear sleeplessness as a badge of honour. But glamour doesn’t justify grind.
While some southern Indian industries like Tollywood and Mollywood run leaner and faster, the Bollywood machine is notoriously disorganised, more time wasted in disarray than in shooting.
As one Mumbai-based casting director put it, “We imitate Hollywood’s sparkle but not their structure.”
Challenging the grind: how Deepika is shifting industry norms one demand at a timeGetty Images
Will the industry bend or break?
Deepika's stand has pushed the debate beyond vanity. This is about structure, safety, and sustainability. If the Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) and the Indian Film & Television Producers Council (IFTPC) don’t use this flashpoint to draw up new frameworks, the fallout will continue to be individual actors “opting out” rather than an industry choosing to change.
There’s already noise on social media from mid-tier actors who’ve faced burnout. They described enduring 14-hour shoot days with minimal breaks and have urged producers to build reasonable rest periods into their schedules. The pot’s boiling.
Deepika Padukone’s stand is making work-life balance a power move in Indian cinemaGetty Images
The curtain call
What started with one woman asking to wrap up on time has opened a conversation that Bollywood has avoided for far too long. Deepika Padukone’s quiet battle has exposed the uncomfortable truth: that this industry, which prides itself on discipline and “family vibes,” often forgets that families need time, sleep, and respect.
She didn’t just ask for eight hours. She asked for dignity and, most importantly, balance. And in doing so, she’s invited every actor, technician, spot boy, and choreographer to do the same.
This isn’t a diva’s whim; it’s like labour is stepping into the spotlight, demanding its long-overdue close-up. Bollywood’s glamour will always shine. But maybe, finally, it won’t have to come at the cost of people collapsing under its weight.
TV chef and author Nadiya Hussain has revealed that the BBC has decided not to commission another series of her cookery programme, marking what she described as a "huge turning point" in her career.
Hussain, who rose to national fame after winning The Great British Bake Off in 2015, shared the news via a five-minute video posted on Instagram. The decision ends a decade-long run of various food shows she has fronted for the broadcaster.
No renewal for Nadiya's cookery series
Speaking to her followers, Hussain said: "The BBC have decided that they didn’t want to commission a show. And for me, that was a huge turning point because it’s something I’ve done for the past 10 years."
The chef, author and presenter has hosted a number of popular series for the BBC, including Nadiya Bakes, Nadiya's Fast Flavours, Nadiya’s Simple Spices, Nadiya's Everyday Baking and Cook Once, Eat Twice. In addition to cookery shows, she also fronted the documentary Nadiya: Anxiety and Me, which explored her personal experiences with mental health.
A BBC spokesperson confirmed the decision, saying: “After several wonderful series we have made the difficult decision not to commission another cookery show with Nadiya Hussain at the moment.”
However, the broadcaster added that Hussain remains “a much-valued part of the BBC family” and they are looking forward to “working together on future projects”.
A moment of career change
In her video, Hussain reflected on the impact of the decision, stating it came at a time when she was already reassessing the direction of her professional life.
“I was already on this steady trajectory of change and I was thinking about where I wanted my career to go. When the BBC decided they didn’t want to commission the show anymore, it really did kind of solidify everything for me,” she said. “It made me dig my heels in and think, ‘OK, I know where I want to be’.”
Hussain is one of the most high-profile personalities to emerge from The Great British Bake Off, and one of the few contestants to go on to host solo TV series on a major network.
Industry challenges and identity
Elsewhere in the video, Hussain touched on her broader experiences in the food and media industries, speaking candidly about some of the difficulties she has faced as a Muslim woman.
“It’s really difficult,” she said. “As a Muslim woman, I work in an industry that doesn’t always support people like me or recognise my talent or full potential.”
She added, “There’s a lot of gaslighting, making me feel like what’s actually happening isn’t happening.”
Despite these challenges, she said she is now moving in a “positive direction” and is focused on projects that allow her to be her “most authentic self”. Hussain explained that she wants to work with people who value her voice and believe in her abilities.
Taking a stand on values
In her message, Hussain also spoke about the ongoing war in Gaza and how it has shaped her decisions around brand partnerships.
“I’m way more mindful of who I work with, brands I work with – especially if they are brands that support the genocide,” she said. “I’ve made sure I’m actively working with brands that align with me.”
She added that these career adjustments have given her a new sense of freedom: “I’m excited about taking back a bit of ownership of what I do, how I do it and who I work with. That’s given me a freedom I haven’t had in the last 10 years.”
Her comments come at a time when many public figures and organisations are under scrutiny for their positions, or perceived positions, on the Israel-Gaza conflict. Israel has rejected allegations of genocide, which are currently being examined by the International Court of Justice.
Despite the setback, Hussain appears optimistic about what lies ahead, as she focuses on aligning her work with her personal values and long-term goals.