Anu Vaidyanathan: The comedy Blimp getting ready to rise
The comedian will be taking her stand-up show Blimp to this year's Edinburgh Fringe, after some preview performances
By Asjad NazirJul 20, 2023
A UNIQUE journey led Anu Vaidyanathan towards becoming a stand-up comedian.
After her success as an athlete, which included becoming the first Indian woman to qualify for the Half Ironman 70.3 Clearwater World Championship in 2008, she wrote a memoir on her life in sport and turned down film studios, wanting to option the book.
This then led her towards training as a filmmaker and while learning how to direct a comic performance, she found stand-up comedy. What initially started off as something to help her become a better film director turned into a passion and a laughter-filled stage journey entertaining audiences.
She will be taking her stand-up show Blimp to this year’s Edinburgh Fringe, after some preview performances, and was happy to discuss it with Eastern Eye. The cool comic also talked about live performances, inspirations, and the funny people she knows.
Tell us about your show Blimp?
Blimp is the love child of my two major pursuits, filmmaking and motherhood. It is a comic take on what the life of a female artist/ filmmaker looks like. I am an engineer by training, and it has been quite an education to step into the more subjective realm of the arts. I paint the story of several misadventures along the road with a through-line that people can hopefully relate to.
How much of the show is based on personal experiences?
As a writer, nearly everything I write has a landing point in memory, lived experience or extrapolation. I am wary of assigning percentages and take several creative, fictive liberties, but over time and in workshopping the new show, I believe relatability is key. It delights me no end that my day-to-day struggles, quandaries, and discombobulation is what audiences seem to chuckle most about.
What made you title the show Blimp?
This is a very short story. I was thinking of a metaphor and a hot-air balloon now only used for advertisements seemed perfect to talk about a woman’s voice.
How much are you looking forward to performing at the Edinburgh Fringe?
I know every edition of an experience is unique and this year I am a little stretched because my first show, BC:AD – Before Children, After Diapers, is still touring. I have a dozen dates of this left, ending on July 20. I have simultaneously been workshopping my new show, Blimp, slowly and steadily. In my first year, I thought of Edinburgh as an exotic mecca with a confluence of artistic energy like no other. The rain didn’t bother me. The indignantly cute Scottish grannies who corrected ‘diaper’ to ‘nappy’ embraced me. The flyering damn near killed me. This year, I feel a bit more settled.
Why is that?
I know why I am going and how to manage my expectations. My imperative is to make work, keep it fresh and give writing and performing their due. I love comedy because it feels like a quicker feedback loop creatively than writing books or making films. I love flyering because it is brain candy to run into that many people - their whims, love, and inebriation, on life or other substances. I have learned with time that people are not so bad and there is a place for everyone.
How do you feel before going on stage?
Depends on the day. I always have a healthy amount of butterflies. The great Camille Sullivan told me about David Bowie’s take on this subject – that butterflies are important. I believe if that is good enough for David Bowie, it is good enough for me.
Do you sometimes feel like you reveal too much?
Always. I wear my heart on a sleeve, which is quite a difficult thing to do after many decades of being a very neurotic engineer.
Who is your comedy hero?
I have no heroes and no heroines. I am my own hero. Simply because it is too dysmorphic to want to find your answers in the lives of others.
Has being funny ever helped you in real life?
Not too many times but having a sense of humour has helped.
What inspires you as a comedian?
I want to go out laughing. I’ve read about the psychology of a laugh originating in the depths of despair and relate to that. Being south Indian, my relationship with the arts is also distant from moneymaking. It delights me to be able to bring a smile to anyone’s face, leave them thinking about what something really meant and honestly, it’s a better bedside manner than a serious take on any subject.
Tell us about that?
I love words. Those of Mr (Aldous) Huxley ring true in this case – “It’s dark because you are trying too hard. Lightly child, lightly. Learn to do everything lightly. Yes, feel lightly even though you’re feeling deeply. Just lightly let things happen and lightly cope with them.”
Who is the funniest person you know in real life?
There isn’t just one. I am lucky to have been adopted by a village in my comedy life. Rob Rouse, Camille Sullivan, Sasha Ellen, Posey Mehta, Sindhu Vee, Eshaan Akbar; these names I know a bit more than just on stage and love. Michelle Wolff, Guy Montgomery, and Myra Dubois I know just from afar and think are very funny.
Why should we all come watch your show at Edinburgh Fringe?
To live out and laugh with the experiences of the lowest common denominator in life, a mom. With aspirations.
Anu Vaidyanathan: Blimp at Underbelly, Bristo Square, Teviot Place, Edinburgh EH8 9AG from
August 2-13 and 15-19. tickets.edfringe.com Catch a preview of the show at Pen Theatre in London on July 28. www.anuvaidyanathan.com
You step into your local PVR today. The smell of popcorn hits you, but instead of previews for the latest Bollywood hit, the lobby is a sea of ARMY Bombs and CARAT Bong light sticks. Fans in TXT tees are swapping photocards. Someone’s already belting out a LE SSERAFIM chorus into a mic at the pop-up Noraebang station. Inside Screen 3? It isn’t a film, but a full-blown K-pop concert. Thousands of voices scream every word of BTS’s Dynamite, and tears well up during Jungkook’s solo. But this isn’t Seoul. It’s Kolkata, Mumbai, Delhi, and Bengaluru, all this weekend. And HYBE? They’re taking notes, big ones!
What is Hybe Cine fest?
HYBE Cine Fest 2025 is a three-day cinema event (from 10 to 12 July) that brings some of the biggest K-pop concert experiences to the big screen across India. Organised by South Korean entertainment giant HYBE in partnership with PVR INOX and Trafalgar Releasing, the fest features full-length concert films from BTS, SEVENTEEN, TXT, ENHYPEN, ILLIT, and Katseye. Expect stadium-level production with cinematic visuals, surround sound, and collective fan chants, everything fans love about a K-pop concert, recreated inside a cinema.
HYBE didn’t pick India at random. It’s a calculated move. The company has confirmed it will open an Indian office in Mumbai or Delhi by September or October 2025. This festival is a soft launch, a proof-of-concept to test the waters. By partnering with PVR INOX and global distributor Trafalgar Releasing (which brought in over 260,000 fans during the Latin American edition), HYBE is laying the groundwork for bigger things. With India’s entertainment market projected to grow from £22.9 billion to £32.2 billion (₹2.45 trillion to ₹3.45 trillion) by 2028, the timing is no accident.
HYBE isn’t just here to screen films. This is step one in a long-term strategy:
Live concerts: The biggest fan demand. Data from this weekend supports the case for bringing TXT, ENHYPEN, or SEVENTEEN to Indian stages post-2025.
Local talent & collaborations: HYBE’s upcoming Indian office could scout homegrown talent or spark Indo-Korean music projects, similar to what HYBE America did with Katseye.
Lifestyle takeover: Pop-up merch counters are only the beginning. HYBE wants to control K-pop fashion, fan experiences, and digital platforms (like Weverse) in India.
Expect ticket prices between £7.50–£14 (₹800–₹1,500), depending on location and seat type. Morning and midday weekday shows are filling up fastest, so book early if you want the full fan-crowd vibe.
While Indian ARMYs, CARATs, MOAs, and ENGENEs lose their voices this weekend inside packed theatres, HYBE’s executives are wide awake, analysing ticket data, fan turnout, and social media buzz. Every chant, every Noraebang sing-along, every sold-out show is a datapoint fuelling their next big move.
HYBE Cine Fest 2025 is more than a weekend spectacle. It’s a strategic push to embed K-pop deep into India’s entertainment ecosystem. The concert films are just the beginning, the real goal is long-term cultural presence, local talent scouting, and eventually, massive live tours. The light sticks are lit. The playbook is open. And HYBE’s Indian takeover has officially begun.
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Cierra Ortega addresses her Love Island USA exit in a TikTok video
Cierra Ortega has exited Love Island USA after a past social media post using a slur resurfaced.
The 25-year-old content creator said she “had no idea” the word was a racial slur.
Ortega apologised to the Asian community and said she accepts being removed from the show.
She revealed her family has been threatened and immigration authorities were called on them.
Cierra Ortega, a contestant on this season of Love Island USA, has publicly apologised after an old social media post containing a racial slur resurfaced, prompting her sudden exit from the popular reality series.
The 25-year-old Los Angeles-based content creator addressed the controversy in a video, expressing regret for using a derogatory term towards Asian people in a post made last year. Ortega, who is of Mexican and Puerto Rican descent, said she was unaware of the word’s offensive meaning at the time but took full responsibility.
Ortega says she deleted the offensive post after learning it was a racial slurInstagram/cierra.ortega
Ortega says she had “no idea” it was a racial slur
In her nearly five-minute video, Ortega clarified that the post was made in 2024 and deleted as soon as a follower informed her that the word was a racial slur. “I had no idea that the word carried such pain or history,” she said, adding, “If I had known, I would have never used it.”
Describing the video as an “accountability post, not an apology video,” Ortega said she was deeply sorry to the Asian community and anyone she had hurt. She emphasised that ignorance was not an excuse and admitted that her actions had consequences. “Intent doesn’t excuse impact,” she said.
Following her exit from the villa, Ortega revealed that the backlash extended to her family. She claimed they had faced harassment, including death threats and even calls to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). “My family doesn’t feel safe in their own home,” she said. “There’s no need to fight hate with hate. I don’t think that’s justice.”
Ortega’s relatives later issued a statement on her Instagram story, saying they understood the anger but condemned the level of harassment. “We’re not here to justify or ignore what’s surfaced. But the threats and attacks go far beyond accountability,” they wrote.
Ortega’s Instagram story Instagram Screengrab/cierra.ortega
Ortega accepts the show’s decision to remove her
Although the episode announcing her departure referred only to “personal reasons,” Ortega said she fully supported Love Island USA’s decision to remove her from the show. “This was a consequence I deserved,” she stated. Her former villa partner, Nic Vansteenberghe, remained on the show and has since recoupled with another contestant.
Ortega insisted she deleted the offensive post immediately after realising its meaning and has since made efforts to educate herself and others around her.
The Love Island USA contestant apologised to the Asian community onlineInstagram/cierra.ortega
Second contestant to leave over resurfaced racist remarks
Ortega is the second contestant to be removed from this season over past racist language. Earlier in the season, fellow islander Yulissa Escobar was taken off the show after an old podcast clip emerged in which she used another racial slur. Escobar also apologised on social media and echoed Ortega’s concerns about the extreme online abuse following her exit.
The backlash faced by both women has raised concerns about the mental health of reality TV participants. Peacock, the NBC-owned streaming platform airing Love Island USA, recently aired an on-screen message urging viewers to stop targeting contestants with threats and harassment.
Love Island USA aired a message urging viewers to stop harassing contestantsInstagram/cierra.ortega
As the show heads towards its finale, the debate continues over how far accountability should go, and at what cost to the people involved.
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Rashmika Mandanna teams up with Allu Arjun again in Atlee’s next
Rashmika Mandanna to star opposite Allu Arjun in Atlee’s big-budget sci-fi project AA22xA6.
The film already features Deepika Padukone, Janhvi Kapoor, and Mrunal Thakur.
Rashmika has completed a look test and body scan in Los Angeles.
Film to release in multiple languages by late 2026 or early 2027.
Rashmika Mandanna is officially part of director Atlee’s highly ambitious sci-fi feature, tentatively titled AA22xA6. With Allu Arjun headlining the project, the casting of Rashmika not only reunites the Pushpa duo but also strengthens what is being called one of the biggest star ensembles in Indian cinema today. The Sun Pictures production already boasts names like Deepika Padukone, Janhvi Kapoor, and Mrunal Thakur, and now Rashmika’s addition has significantly heightened the buzz.
Director Atlee and Allu Arjun brainstorm futuristic concepts with top Hollywood VFX studios in LA Youtube Screengrab
Rashmika Mandanna signs on for her boldest role yet
According to insiders from the production team, Rashmika was approached by Atlee earlier this year and has since completed her look test and digital body scan in Los Angeles. Her role is described as one of the most challenging and distinctive of her career. The film's makers are reportedly working on extensive pre-production tailored to her character, hinting at an unconventional arc that moves far away from her previous on-screen avatars.
This marks Rashmika’s second collaboration with Allu Arjun after the massive success of the Pushpa franchise. However, sources close to the film insist that their dynamic in AA22xA6 will offer audiences something completely new.
Allu Arjun and Rashmika Mandanna attend a promotional event of their upcoming Indian film 'Pushpa 2: The Rule' Getty Images
AA22xA6 to explore dual universes and advanced VFX
The project is being mounted on a scale rarely seen in Indian filmmaking. Atlee, who last directed Jawan with Shah Rukh Khan, is said to be drawing inspiration from global visual spectacles like Avatar, crafting a narrative that unfolds across two distinct universes.
Backed by Sun Pictures, the film leans heavily on visual storytelling, with AI-driven VFX and futuristic world-building at its core. The director has reportedly insisted on running post-production in parallel with the shooting schedule to give actors real-time feedback on scenes involving heavy CGI.
Atlee\u2019s and Allu Arjun's\u00a0next promises a grand visual universe with cutting-edge VFX Instagram/filmybaapofficial
Star-studded cast, global ambitions
What sets AA22xA6 apart is its ensemble. Deepika Padukone was the first female lead to be confirmed, followed by industry buzz around Janhvi Kapoor and Mrunal Thakur. Rashmika’s entry adds further star power, and there’s talk of a fifth female lead also being finalised soon.
Sun Pictures plans to release the film globally in multiple languages, with a theatrical launch expected either by late 2026 or early 2027. The film is currently in production, and the makers are expected to drop a visually striking teaser later this year to kick off their promotional campaign.
Director Atlee guides Deepika through motion capture choreography Youtube Screengrab/Sun TV
What this means for Rashmika and Allu Arjun
Both Rashmika and Allu Arjun are riding high after the record-breaking success of Pushpa 2: The Rule. While Allu is already a pan-India name, Rashmika’s popularity has been steadily rising across Hindi and South Indian markets. This film gives them a fresh canvas to explore a new on-screen equation and further expand their reach among global audiences.
As anticipation builds for AA22xA6, all eyes will be on how Atlee brings together this megastar cast for what could potentially be a landmark moment in Indian science fiction cinema.
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Kajol says star kids face harsher pressure as Ibrahim Ali Khan gears up for Sarzameen
Kajol says today’s star kids face intense pressure to succeed immediately.
She compares their experience to her own, where she had time and space to evolve.
The actor is starring as Ibrahim Ali Khan’s mother in the upcoming film Sarzameen.
Kajol stresses the importance of reinvention and praises new actors for adapting beyond films.
Kajol believes the new generation of star kids in Bollywood are under far more pressure than actors from her era. The actress, who will soon be seen in Sarzameen alongside debutant Ibrahim Ali Khan, said young actors today are expected to prove themselves instantly, and harsh judgement follows if they don’t.
Kajol discusses star kids and the changing rules of BollywoodGetty Images
Star kids today face harsher scrutiny online
According to Kajol, it’s no longer enough to simply enter the industry with a known surname. The expectations are sky-high, and the backlash is immediate. “Whether or not your parents are famous, trolls will criticise you. But people tend to pay more attention when a star kid is involved,” she said in an interview.
She acknowledged that while she had the privilege of time and multiple films to grow into her career, younger actors now operate in what she calls a “do-or-die” environment. “They’re well prepared for it, I’ll give them that. But we could be a little kinder,” she added.
Kajol will play the mother of Ibrahim Ali Khan, son of Saif Ali Khan and Amrita Singh, in the patriotic drama Sarzameen, which will release on JioCinema on 25 July. Ibrahim’s first appearance in Naadaniyan was widely panned, sparking brutal comments online. Kajol’s remarks come at a time when the debate around nepotism and online trolling of celebrity kids is louder than ever.
The Maa actor also spoke about the importance of reinvention in a fast-changing industry. “You have to unlearn what you’ve learned before. Try new things. Keep moving,” she said, emphasising that staying relevant today means doing more than just films.
She pointed out that unlike earlier times, actors now pursue diverse paths to build their brand, from digital content and entrepreneurship to fashion and endorsements. “My kind of longevity might not apply to this generation. But they’re finding their own ways to last,” she said.
Kajol opens up about the pressure today’s actors face in the industryGetty Images
The bigger picture: Criticism, reinvention, and resilience
Kajol’s comments reflect a growing awareness among senior actors about the evolving pressures in Bollywood. With online trolling, increased media scrutiny, and instant judgment shaping careers, young actors, especially those from film families, are constantly navigating a high-stakes space.
Still, Kajol remains optimistic. “They’ll keep doing different films and other things. It won’t just be about the movies anymore,” she said, noting how the meaning of longevity in Bollywood is being redefined.
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Cardi B continues her bold fashion streak with floral runway glamour
Cardi B wore a ruby-red custom Rahul Mishra gown with sculptural 3D flowers at Paris Couture Week.
The outfit followed her earlier dramatic appearance at Schiaparelli in a fringe dress with a live crow.
She’s currently working on her debut album Am I the Drama? and a beauty venture with Revolve.
The look featured diamond accessories, a sculpted bun, and smoky makeup to match the theatrical dress.
Cardi B took her fashion game to new heights in Paris, stepping out in a dramatic Rahul Mishra creation that fused red carpet glamour with runway sculpture. The rapper’s custom-made gown, featuring 3D blooming flowers and a shimmering ruby base, was a highlight at Paris Haute Couture Week, making it one of her most talked-about looks this season.
Cardi B's red gown features 3D sculpted flowers and intricate embroideryInstagram/rahulmishra_7
The Rahul Mishra dress with blooming details
Cardi’s gown, from Rahul Mishra’s autumn 2025 collection, brought together intricate hand-embroidery with sculptural design. The dress, in a deep red shade covered in tiny rhinestones, caught the light with every movement. Beaded detailing mimicked vines climbing up her silhouette, and from behind, eight large flowers unfolded in a wire structure, making her look like a walking floral sculpture.
This bold look came just hours after her appearance at Schiaparelli, where she wore a structured black dress complete with a live crow perched on her arm. But it was Mishra’s floral fantasy that stole attention, and not just for its complexity, but for how effortlessly Cardi carried it.
Rahul Mishra’s couture creation turns heads on the Paris streetsInstagram/rahulmishra_7
A beauty look to match the drama
To complement the outfit, Cardi B kept her beauty choices both elegant and powerful. Her hair was pulled back into a low bun with styled baby hairs, a signature she’s owned over the years. She wore a diamond choker, drop earrings, and a bracelet that added more sparkle without competing with the dress. Her makeup leaned into drama too: smoky eyes, winged liner, and sharp black nails.
Known for pushing boundaries on red carpets, Cardi often prioritises fashion over beauty. “Great outfit. Every time,” she once said, emphasising how first impressions are made by what you wear.
Cardi B steps out in a custom Rahul Mishra dress at Paris Couture WeekInstagram/rahulmishra_7
Album on the way, beauty line next
Beyond couture, Cardi B is focused on finishing her long-anticipated debut album Am I the Drama?, while also preparing to enter the beauty industry with Revolve. Speaking to WWD, she hinted that both ventures are deeply personal, aimed at building a brand that reflects both her roots and spirit.
Whether she’s teasing a new single or stepping out in sculptural fashion, Cardi B continues to command attention, not by playing it safe, but by transforming every appearance into a performance of its own.