Skip to content 
Search

Latest Stories

Ankur’s multi-layered role

by ASJAD NAZIR

ONE of the most popular and best-reviewed Indian web serials of 2020 has been Hotstar crime drama Aarya.


The cast includes talented actor Ankur Bhatia, who takes on the role of the younger brother of the title character played by Sushmita Sen. His unpredictable character, Sangram Singh, is torn between family and building up an illegal empire by any means necessary.

Eastern Eye caught up with Ankur Bhatia to talk about Aarya, his future plans and inspirations.

How does Aarya compare to the other work you have done?

My last two projects before Aarya were Haseena Parkar and Sarbjit, which were biopics. They were real people, whereas Sangram (in Aarya) is one I built from scratch with the directors. He can be seen as negative and his business is illegal, but we treated him as someone who is doing it for his family. He is multi-layered, so I took a lot of different characteristics from people I’ve met and built them into Sangram.

What was it like starring alongside Sushmita Sen?

It was amazing. We play siblings with conflicts, so there had to be a certain level of bonding and we developed that before shooting with workshops. It included getting to know more about each other. She is a gem and it didn’t feel at all that she wasn’t my sister during the entire shoot. It enhanced my abilities.

Which is your favourite moment in Aarya?

My favourite moment was the wedding sequence in the beginning. I was the last one to join the shoot and it was a 360-degree shot. So each of us had to do our bit and there wouldn’t be a cut in between. There were three cameras and it would come to you. I was so confused. I have never seen this kind of a shoot before, so I decided to just behave as if I was in an actual wedding. It was done for 25 minutes. I just enjoyed the moment. So that was special.

What do you enjoy watching as an audience?

I really enjoy watching thrillers and action. Lately, I watched Paatal Lok and Breathe: Into The Shadows. Abhishek Bachchan is brilliant in that. I also watched Class Of 83 and Bobby Deol has done a great job in it.

What is your plan for when the lockdown is finally over?

I just feel like going back to work and facing the camera. It’s been a long time, so I want to resume shooting as soon as I can.

Do you have a dream role?

I really want to play an ultra villainous character, exactly opposite to how I am, like Amrish Puriji or Anupam Kher sir have done, with Mogambo (Mr India) and Doctor Dang (Karma), respectively.

I would also like to play the role of a cop. The uniform just gives a certain power to the character. I always get excited about watching a cop in shows and movies, so I really want to do that.

What inspires you?

A lot of people have inspired me at various junctures in my life. I read a lot about people and that has helped. And one of them is Shah Rukh Khan. I have read about his journey and experiences. I have taken certain things on board about how he balances his work life with family. Hrithik Roshan also really inspires me. The way he transforms and comes back from failures to conquer it all is inspiring. There are many more. Wherever you look, there is inspiration.

Finally, why should we tune into Aarya?

You should definitely watch Aarya because a brilliant creative team has made it. Sushmita Sen had made a comeback after some time and I think it’s one of her finest works. The show is about a woman taking charge. It’s thrilling and backed by wonderful performances from great actors. It has done so well since its release, so is definitely one show that you shouldn’t miss.

More For You

Annabel Croft

Former tennis player and current presenter Annabel Croft

Getty Images

Annabel Croft’s Wimbledon trainers prove white sneakers are a timeless smart-casual choice

Highlights:

  • Annabel Croft spotted courtside in statement Gucci trainers during Wimbledon
  • Paired the footwear with a pleated blue dress by Boss for a sporty yet polished look
  • The platform sole offered subtle height without compromising on comfort
  • White trainers remain a key smart-casual trend, suitable for a wide range of outfits

Annabel Croft embraces sporty style at Wimbledon

Former tennis player and current presenter Annabel Croft made a notable appearance at Wimbledon this weekend, combining elegance with comfort through a smart-casual ensemble. Dressed in a pale blue pleated dress by Boss, she completed the look with Gucci platform trainers, blending classic tennis aesthetics with modern fashion.

The knife-pleat design of the dress referenced traditional tennis skirts, while the fitted T-shirt silhouette gave the outfit a distinctly athletic feel. Her trainers featured Gucci’s red and green web stripe, offering a designer twist on the classic white trainer trend.

Keep ReadingShow less
Charithra Chandran Wimbledon

Chandran wore lambskin shorts and a green cashmere sweater for her Wimbledon appearance

Instagram/charithra17/Twitter/charithra files

Charithra Chandran brings ‘Bridgerton’ elegance to Wimbledon in timeless Ralph Lauren look

Highlights:

  • Charithra Chandran attended Wimbledon as a Ralph Lauren ambassador, turning heads in a vintage-inspired ensemble.
  • Her look echoed Bridgerton character Edwina Sharma, with soft curls and a classic summer palette.
  • Fans online praised her poise and outfit, with many saying she outshone stars like Andrew Garfield.
  • The actress wore a green cashmere sweater, tailored lambskin shorts and white Nappa pumps.

Charithra Chandran’s Wimbledon appearance might have been behind Hollywood stars Andrew Garfield and Monica Barbaro, but her crisp summer ensemble made sure all eyes found her. Dressed head-to-toe in Ralph Lauren, the British-Indian actress brought understated elegance and old-school charm to Centre Court, and social media took notice.

 Charithra Chandran Wimbledon Charithra Chandran styled her hair in soft curls for the Ralph Lauren outfitInstagram/charithra17/

Keep ReadingShow less
Amazon Prime Day 2025

Running from 8–11 July, the sale is exclusively available to Prime members

iStock

Prime Day 2025 brings huge discounts on electronics including Apple, Samsung, Sony and more

Highlights

  • Amazon Prime Day runs until 11 July, with major savings on electronics
  • Apple AirPods Pro 2, iPad 11th-gen, and MacBook Air M4 hit all-time low prices
  • Samsung Galaxy phones, Sony headphones and Fire TV devices also see deep cuts
  • Prime Day is exclusive to Amazon Prime members, but free trial users can also access deals

Biggest electronics sale of the year

Amazon’s four-day Prime Day 2025 event has delivered a flood of deals on popular electronics, including smartphones, laptops, tablets, headphones and more. Running from 8–11 July, the sale is exclusively available to Prime members, though new users can sign up for a 30-day free trial to access the discounts.

As part of this year’s event, several top-rated products from Apple, Samsung, Sony and Amazon itself have seen some of their lowest-ever prices. According to The Independent’s senior tech critic Alex Lee, “Apple discounts are notoriously rare — but this Prime Day is a clear exception.”

Keep ReadingShow less
Hermes Birkin handbag

The handbag is now the most valuable ever sold at auction

Reuters

Hermes Birkin handbag fetches record £7.4m at Paris auction

Highlights:

  • The original Hermes Birkin bag sold for £7.4m at Sotheby’s Paris.
  • It belonged to British actress and singer Jane Birkin.
  • The handbag is now the most valuable ever sold at auction.
  • It ranks as the second most expensive fashion item sold globally.

A record-breaking sale

The original Hermes Birkin handbag, once owned by British actress and singer Jane Birkin, has been sold for £7.4 million at a Sotheby’s auction in Paris, setting a new world record for the most valuable handbag ever sold at auction.

The sale, held on Thursday, saw the iconic fashion item exceed all expectations, with Sotheby’s calling it “a startling demonstration of the power of a legend.” The bag is now also the second most expensive fashion item ever sold at auction, following the £24 million paid for Judy Garland’s ruby red slippers from The Wizard of Oz in 2024.

Keep ReadingShow less
Barbie with type 1 diabetes

This is also part of Mattel’s mission to extend the boundaries of imaginative play

Mattel

Mattel introduces first Barbie doll with type 1 diabetes to promote inclusion

Highlights

  • Mattel launches new Barbie with type 1 diabetes
  • The doll features a glucose monitor, insulin pump and CGM app
  • Created in collaboration with type 1 diabetes charity Breakthrough T1D
  • Part of Mattel’s broader push for inclusivity and representation in toys

Barbie with type 1 diabetes joins inclusive fashionistas range

Mattel has launched its first diabetes Barbie doll, designed to represent children with type 1 diabetes and promote greater inclusivity in children’s toys.

The new addition to the Barbie Fashionistas line comes with realistic medical features including a continuous glucose monitor (CGM) on her arm, secured with heart-shaped medical tape, and an insulin pump to help manage her blood sugar levels. She also carries a smartphone with a CGM app to monitor glucose throughout the day, and a bag large enough to store snacks and other essentials.

Keep ReadingShow less