UNPREDICTABLE actor Annkit Bhatia is currently playing the antagonist on popular daily drama serial Bhagyalaxmi and is really enjoying the challenge. This continues on from other interesting characters for a rising star with an impressive screen presence.
Eastern Eye caught up with Annkit to discuss his acting journey, latest project, future hopes, favourite shows and working during a pandemic.
What first connected you to acting?
I connected with acting for the first time when I had to perform in a play, when I was in the fifth or sixth standard. That was the first time when I realised acting is my calling and since then there’s been no looking back. Acting has been my first priority ever since.
Which of your acting projects has been close to your heart?
All About Section 377 is the closest to my heart because that was the project through which I got a chance to face the camera for the very first time. So that project will always remain closest to my heart.
Tell us something about your latest project?
I am doing a show called Bhagyalaxmi, wherein I am playing the antagonist. The character has his own journey and a lot of layers.
How do you approach playing a negative role?
While doing a negative role, you have to understand the psychological background of the character. And this character is the one that an actor would find creatively satisfying if he justifies it on screen. This character is like an open canvas on which I have the liberty to paint the way I want.
What is it like working during a pandemic?
I just have one word – gratitude! Because you are getting work even amid the pandemic. I know that the work is less, and we have to be prudent about a lot of things. But once the camera starts rolling, we are back to where we were. And I have always believed in ‘the show must go on’.
What kind of content do you enjoy watching as an audience member?
I love watching crime dramas on Netflix. My most favourite series is Breaking Bad. I also saw Andekhi on Sony Liv, which I loved thoroughly, and it is also one of the most underrated series. There are a couple of other web-series like Gullak. It is a mini-series full of family drama. I also love watching south Indian movies, because I love observing their direction, and action. Apart from Bollywood and Hollywood, I love the south Indian films as I love the way they make their films.
What would be your dream role?
There are a lot of roles that an actor would want to do. I recently saw Haseen Dillruba and would love to play Vikrant Massey’s character from the film, as it had a lot of layers. The character was an amalgamation of love, drama, insecurity, and grey shades.
Who would you love to work with?
Undoubtedly, Manoj Bajpayee and Pankaj Tripathi.
What do you love about being an actor?
The fact that you get to live new characters. It isn’t monotonous like some other job. Here you get to do something new every day.
Inspired by a love of Bollywood films and vibrant Punjabi music, Cherelena creates tracks that fuse diverse influences. With multiple singles and an album already to her name, the multilingual singer-songwriter from Holland recently added to her musical journey with the release of Cocaine.
Eastern Eye asked the exciting talent to share 10 songs she loves – and why they mean so much to her.
Ek Baar Dekh Liye by Kalpana Gandharva: Composed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali for the Netflix series Heeramandi, this song is beautifully sung. The heartfelt lyrics portray a woman surrendering completely to the unknown, embracing what life brings. She follows her heart with unwavering trust – a sentiment that is so profound and relatable.
Pardesi by Cherelena ft Apache Indian: One of the most cherished moments of my life was creating my own song with Apache Indian. It felt like a dream come true to collaborate with such a legendary artist. The track is about a wife longing for her husband’s return, expressing how incomplete and unmotivated she feels without him.
Bewafa by Imran Khan: This powerful song touches on the complexities of relationships – the arguments, the fear of betrayal. Sometimes, even without infidelity, the fear of the truth surfacing can lead you to say things you do not mean. It reflects the emotions and vulnerabilities that come with navigating trust, love and heartache.
Jhoomo Re by Kailash Kher: This deeply moving song carries a profound and uplifting message. It beautifully conveys that, at the core, everything is one energy – and that the divine you worship ultimately resides within yourself. It serves as a gentle reminder to treat the world with kindness and compassion, and to never break anyone’s heart.
Untouchable by Tegi Pannu: This track’s vibe and flow are incredible. It is not about the lyrics – it is about the energy, rhythm and the way it makes you feel. A perfect example of how music transcends language. You do not need to understand the words to connect with it – you either feel it, or you do not. And I definitely feel it.
Gallan Goodiyan from Dil Dhadakne Do: I have loved dancing since I was two years old. Although I stay active through sports, dancing is what truly excites me – it is my happy place. Songs like this make me feel as though I am stepping into a vibrant Bollywood scene, filling my life with energy and joy.
Cocaine by Cherelena ft Raja: This hauntingly beautiful song about love and loss captures the heartbreaking journey of a couple deeply in love but torn apart by addiction. He is consumed by his dependence on cocaine, while she is trapped in an endless struggle to save him. Based on a true story, the song delivers a powerful message: do not let drugs take control – they destroy far more than you realise.
Yeh Dil Tum Bin Kahin Lagta Nahin from Izzat: This timeless Bollywood song, sung by legends Lata Mangeshkar and Mohammed Rafi, continues to inspire me. I still take singing lessons and dedicate time to improving my craft. When it comes to mastering vocal technique, Lata didi’s songs are an unmatched treasure trove. Her signature sweetness, flawless delivery and artistry set a benchmark that is almost impossible to reach.
Bewajah Mein Dil Tera Toda by Cherelena: I wrote this song from a deeply personal place, during a time when my heart had been broken more than once. I felt a part of me was fading, and turned to songwriting as a way to process those emotions. This track reflects the journey of understanding who I became during those painful moments – and why.
Flow With Me by Cherelena: I wrote this song during a time when I was perfectly in sync with someone, and everything just clicked. I wanted to hold on to that feeling – to stay in the flow without overthinking or complicating it, knowing that sometimes taking things further can bring its own set of challenges.
Justin Bieber has addressed the growing chatter online that he may have been a victim of music mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs. The rumours, which picked up steam as Diddy faces serious sex trafficking charges in New York, were put to rest by a statement from Bieber’s camp.
A spokesperson for Bieber clarified: “Justin was not a victim. Others were hurt, and it’s important we stay focused on them.” The message came after old clips of a young Bieber with Combs began circulating again, prompting questions about the nature of their relationship when Bieber was a teenager.
Bieber’s team issues statement denying abuse and backing real victimsGetty Images
The resurfaced videos include moments from around 2009 and 2011, when Bieber was still new to the industry. In one, Diddy promised Bieber a luxury car when he turned 16. In another, he vaguely mentioned spending 48 hours together without revealing what they were doing, language that some online found troubling. However, sources close to Bieber insist these moments were part of a PR act and that he never experienced any inappropriate behaviour from Combs.
Bieber was known to be friendly with Diddy’s sons, Quincy and Justin Combs, and crossed paths with the rapper at public events during the early years of his career. But insiders stress there was no private relationship beyond that.
Fans revisit troubling footage of Bieber and Diddy from 2009 amid the case Getty Images
The speculation around Bieber came amid explosive testimony in court from Diddy’s former partner, singer Cassie Ventura, who accused him of rape, abuse, and coercing her into sex acts with others during drug-fuelled parties known as “freak offs.” The prosecution alleges Combs used fame and fear to manipulate women over a 20-year span. He has pleaded not guilty and denies all claims.
While some fans had pointed to Bieber’s recent emotional social media activity as cause for concern, those close to him say it is unrelated to Combs. They describe Bieber as focused on his family and well-being, and urge that attention remain on the ongoing trial and those directly affected.
Diddy faces mounting allegations as old clips with Bieber draw backlashGetty Images
For now, Bieber has made it clear: whatever his past association with Diddy, he was not among the victims. His statement can be taken as both a clear denial and a reminder to centre the conversation on the people who truly suffered.
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Bally Sagoo reflects on his decades-long journey shaping British Asian music.
He may be living the dream in Bali these days, but Bally Sagoo remains proudly British at heart.
During a recent visit to his home city of Birmingham, the trailblazing music producer sat down for a wide-ranging interview with Eastern Eye that was thoughtful, nostalgic and inspirational.
From defining British Asian culture to popularising fusion music, crossing cultural frontiers and delivering blockbuster hits, the game-changer inspired an entire generation with his achievements. Since starting in the late 1980s, he has collaborated with iconic artists and created a blueprint for commercial fusion music that still influences talent around the world.
In the free-flowing conversation, he reflected on his genre-defying journey, the lasting legacy of his biggest tracks, why Top of the Pops was a dream come true, and what it was really like to collaborate with legends such as Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan and Amitabh Bachchan. He also opened up about life in Bali, his timeless music – and how he is still finding inspiration after decades of success.
Bally Sagoo
You still look young, while the rest of us are ageing. What’s your secret? (Laughs) I do not know, Asjad. I think it is just living a good life in southeast Asia, eating well and being happy.
How did you end up in Bali? Well, I have been going to southeast Asia for quite some time and love that part of the world. I am travelling a lot, finding myself – and love living out there in Bali. I am having a great time. I love my seafood, I love being near the sea. Who would not want to live there?
How would you sum up your spectacular music journey? It has been amazing. I am so grateful to have fans around the world who have supported me for so long. It is a blessing to have touched so many people with my tracks. I have been doing this my whole life – nearly four decades now. My first records came out in the late 1980s. I have been put on this planet to do this. This is my life. Music is my life.
How much does it mean to you that your tracks from decades ago still sound so fresh? That means everything. The amount of people I meet globally – even in remote places like small islands – say the same thing. They say it sounds fresh. Magic Touch was nearly 35 years ago. Gur Nalon Ishq Mitha was 1991. Aaja Nachle was 1998. Even when I look back, I think, how many years ago was that? But when I listen to them, they really do sound quite current – and I am proud of that.
Is there one song that’s closest to your heart? It is impossible to choose – it is like picking a family member or child. There are so many. Ones that stand out include Dil Cheez, Aaja Nachle and Chura Liya. Then Gur Nalon Ishq Mitha – and many more! So, it is difficult to pick one.
Albums by him
You broke ground for a generation of artists. How does that feel? It is great that I was able to open doors and break barriers. Music was something I was doing as a teenager at school growing up in Birmingham. It has not been easy. One thing that really upsets me is when people ask, how does it feel to have made it? I am like, there is no such thing. I am still on this journey. Constantly moving – and that is also something people can learn from.
Tell us more about that. I put years into my music – even months into just one song. There is so much that goes into it, and some people do not realise. Today, people are in a rush – they want things instantly. That is when it does not work. Great music stands the test of time – and that takes hard work. That is why people hear all the little details in my tracks.
You helped make Birmingham the commercial capital of South Asian music – and remain a proud Brummie despite travelling the globe. Birmingham has always been a big melting pot. It is an important part of the world that broke music and created new styles. I am living proof – I started here. I was born in India but came here when I was six months old, so I have been raised in Birmingham my entire life. All my influences came from here.
You helped put the music – and vibrant city – on the global map. Not just Birmingham, but the UK in general. We should be proud that we catapulted our Asian roots – whether Indian, Pakistani or otherwise – to the world stage. From Sufi to bhangra, we changed the whole scene. And we did it without social media. We had to physically go out and push our music – there was no internet to help us.
Does it sadden you that later generations did not make full use of the platform pioneers like you created – and that other countries overtook us? That is part of moving forward. The world woke up when they heard our music and wanted to be part of it. More youngsters became proud of their culture and thought, let us make music that reflects the best of both worlds. There is now great music coming from all over – western countries, India, Pakistan. Social media has helped that. But it all started with us in the UK – and we should be proud of that.
You have had many highlights. What was the most memorable? There is not just one. Touring with Michael Jackson, of course. But Top of the Pops was the icing on the cake – because I grew up watching it. I told my parents I would be on there one day. (Laughs) They would smack me and tell me to get back to studying. No one thought it would happen. That was a breakthrough moment. Working with superstars like Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan was also unforgettable.
What made the late qawwali legend Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan so special? He was the best vocalist I ever worked with. Everything was special about him. He had an aura. His voice was unbelievable. He could record a track in one take. There were no effects or digital tricks – unlike a lot of singers today. That is why Magic Touch will always be special. I recorded it in 1991 – very early in my career.
Rising From The East and Magic Touch
You were thrown in at the deep end but produced one of the greatest albums of all time. Did you expect that impact? I thought it would be great for the UK scene – but I had no idea it would be so popular worldwide, especially in India and Pakistan. Bollywood went ballistic when they heard it. They all wanted to work with Nusrat – and with this sound.
You also made a superhit album with Amitabh Bachchan – one that younger fans may not know about. Yes – he approached me to do an album. This was in 1996. I cheekily said, come and record it in my Birmingham studio – and he did. We made Aby Baby here. He was not the best vocalist, but he was a legend and the number one movie star. It was his idea to include his father’s poetry. I wanted to do Kabhi Kabhie – one of my favourites.
Do you have any unfulfilled ambitions? I still have dreams like anyone else. I am more laidback now – I do not need to race anyone or prove anything. I am enjoying the journey and am grateful for where I am. I meet people of all ages – from young listeners who discovered my music long after it was made, to those who grew up with it. I have always made different styles of music.
That variety has defined your music. I always made music for all kinds of people. I never wanted to just stick to bhangra because it was popular. I tried to make something for every listener. (Laughs) I never rinsed the same beat like some others. Every album had something different – and that continues.
What does music mean to you today? What it has always meant – it is my life. I love listening to music from around the world. Music has no language or barrier – it should be for everyone. That is what I believe.
What inspires you creatively? The same as always – listening carefully to what is happening globally. Living abroad now, I come across instruments I have never heard before – and my first thought is, how can I get that sound into my studio? I am exploring Japanese, Korean, Chinese instruments – some I cannot even pronounce. I love fusing different musicians and singers. I have always done that.
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Surveillance footage from a Los Angeles hotel shows Sean “Diddy” Combs assaulting Cassie Ventura
A disturbing hotel surveillance video from 2016 showing music producer Sean “Diddy” Combs physically attacking his ex-girlfriend, Cassie Ventura, was recently played in court and is now circulating widely online. The footage, longer and more detailed than previously seen, has resurfaced as part of an ongoing federal sex trafficking case against Combs.
The incident took place at the InterContinental Hotel in Century City, Los Angeles. In the video, Combs is seen kicking, dragging, and throwing a vase at Ventura during a violent outburst in the hallway. Moments later, hotel security official Israel Florez arrives on the scene. He’s seen stepping in to calm Combs and eventually walking him back to his room while Ventura remains near the lifts.
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Florez, now an LAPD officer, testified in court about what he witnessed that night. He said Combs told him the fight started over an argument. Florez also recalled Combs offering him money, first a $100 bribe and later a sack of cash, telling him to keep quiet. Florez said he refused both times and stood guard at the hotel room door to ensure Ventura could safely leave.
During her own testimony, Ventura described years of physical abuse during her relationship with Combs. She recounted that on the day of the hotel attack, she had to attend the premiere of The Perfect Match, her first big film role, despite having a black eye and a swollen lip. She wore sunglasses to hide her injuries and even changed clothes inside a storage room to cover bruises on her legs.
She also spoke about earlier incidents, including a 2013 assault in which she was injured so badly that a plastic surgeon had to stitch up a cut above her eye. She said she later texted Combs a photo of her injuries. His response was: “You pushed it too far.”
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Combs' legal team argued in court that the video shown was altered to make his actions look worse and claimed CNN, who first aired the footage, edited and destroyed the original. CNN denied these claims, stating the footage they aired was authentic and unchanged.
Despite the defence’s efforts to question the video’s legitimacy, it remains a central piece of evidence. Prosecutors say attempts were made to buy the footage to keep it from going public.
As the trial continues, the resurfaced footage and testimonies are painting a disturbing picture of the years Ventura says she endured in silence. While Combs' legal team continues to deny wrongdoing and question the video’s authenticity, prosecutors say the evidence speaks for itself.
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From Stranger Things to Squid Game, Netflix is gearing up for its most explosive Tudum event yet
Mark your calendars: 31 May isn’t just another Saturday. It’s Netflix’s blockbuster bonanza, Tudum 2025, arriving with a bang. And although the actual event hasn’t streamed yet, the internet is already simmering with spicy leaks, juicy first looks, and cryptic clues.
From long-awaited finales to fresh faces in familiar worlds, here’s everything Netflix is bringing to the table. No spoilers, just pure hype.
1. Stranger Things 5 : The Hawkins finale that might emotionally destroy you
The Upside Down is gearing up for its final roar. The fifth and final season of Stranger Things drops in November, and whispers are already circulating that someone major might not make it out alive. The Duffer Brothers are teasing heartbreak, chaos, and a full-circle moment that could break Netflix’s servers all over again.
2. Wednesday season 2: Forget cute, it’s going full gothic beast mode
Wednesday Addams is back but meaner, moodier, and battling even weirder creatures at Nevermore Academy. Premiering 6 August, Season 2 leans heavily into horror, supernatural folklore, and gloriously dysfunctional friendships. Jenna Ortega has hinted at darker twists… and possibly a new love interest?
Thought Season 1 was brutal? Wait until Gi-hun goes head-to-head with the Front Man. Squid Game Season 3, launching 27 June, is being framed as a revenge saga soaked in betrayal and moral rot. No games. Just war.
4. Wake Up Dead Man: Benoit Blanc is back, and the vibes are off
Rian Johnson’s third Knives Out mystery returns with Daniel Craig, but this time, the mood? Less whodunnit, more existential chaos. Featuring a stellar cast including Glenn Close, Josh Brolin, and Mila Kunis, this late 2025 release might be the weirdest Blanc case yet.
5. Frankenstein: del Toro’s creature feature might haunt your sleep
Guillermo del Toro isn’t pulling punches. His upcoming Frankenstein, starring Oscar Isaac and Jacob Elordi, promises shadow-drenched horror, poetic violence, and zero romanticism. Think less “tragic monster” and more “run, and don’t look back.” Arriving November 2025.
Adam Sandler is dusting off the clubs. Thirty years on, Happy Gilmore 2 lands in July 2025 with Shooter McGavin returning to stir trouble. Expect golf, grudges, and Sandler’s signature cocktail of stupidity and sincerity.
7. One Piece season 2: Meet Chopper (yes, the reindeer doctor is real)
The Straw Hat crew is expanding. Season 2 of the live-action One Piece introduces fan favourites Tony Tony Chopper and Dr Kureha. With filming wrapped and post-production underway, fans are bracing for adorable talking reindeers and inevitable heartbreak.
The most introverted Bridgerton finally gets his turn. Though Season 4 won’t arrive until 2026, Tudum is expected to tease Benedict’s love arc with Sophie Beckett. Will it be scandalous? Naturally. Will there be waistcoats and whispered secrets? Absolutely.
The Pogues are calling it quits but not before one last sun-drenched, danger-packed ride. The fifth and final season of Outer Banks promises utter chaos and, just maybe, a little closure.
10. Emily in Paris 5: Emily does Rome (but leaves drama in Paris)
Emily’s off to Rome with a new bob and, inevitably, more bad decisions. Season 5 follows Lily Collins navigating Italian flair, post-breakup messiness, and what might be her best wardrobe yet. Camille is out, Alfie is in and filming is already underway.
Tudum 2025 feels less like a streaming event and more like Netflix flexing every muscle it has. It’s goodbyes (Stranger Things, Outer Banks), glow-ups (Wednesday, Emily in Paris), and glorious chaos (Squid Game, Wake Up Dead Man). Cancel your plans, grab the snacks, and prepare to be bombarded because if this is what we know before the event, just imagine what Netflix is saving for showtime.
Tudum goes live on 31 May 2025. See you on the other side.