Singer Azealia Banks has penned an emotional apology letter to Zayn Malik over racist remarks she made back in May.
The 25-year-old “212” hitmaker took to Instagram and Facebook to share the letter, reported Ace Showbiz.
“I chose to share this letter on social media as I offended not only Zayn but may other people,” she explained.
“I have learnt to admit my wrongs and how to take accountability for my actions. Im sorry.”
In her letter, Banks said, “Dear Zayn, There are no words that can fully express how sorry I am. Recent events have taught me the importance of taking accountability for ones actions. I want and need to say I am sorry, I was wrong.”
“As a black woman, in America, I sometimes forget that there are words and comments that hurt other communities. At times, I am so consumed by my own struggle, and the struggle of my race, that I forget to consider the hardships other minorities continue to endure.
“Coming from an ethnicity that is largely discriminated against does not warrant a license to use derogatory, abusive terminology nor does it give me the right to make hurtful remarks.
“I apologise not only to you, Zayn, but to all those I hurt and offended. I am not cruel, nor am I heartless or vindictive. There is a lot of love in my heart and there is good in my soul. What I did was wrong and I am committed to becoming a better person.”
She concluded her letter by praising Zayn and asking for his forgiveness. “Throughout my transgressions you remained a gentleman and I applaud you for displaying class and maintaining a level head,” she wrote.
“The world can learn a lot from you and I hope you find room in your heart to accept my sincerest apologies.”
Banks apology to Zayn came amidst her ongoing feud with Russell Crowe following a hotel altercation.
Rowling dismisses Watson's recent conciliatory tone as a calculated shift.
The author argues Watson's life of fame and wealth has left her ignorant of real-world issues.
A 2022 BAFTA speech and a poorly received note are cited as a major breaking point.
Rowling contrasts her own past poverty with Watson's privileged upbringing.
She firmly states that public disagreement from former collaborators warrants a public response.
The bitter divide between J K Rowling and the stars of her Harry Potter world has just gotten much deeper. In a raw and personal online post, the author tore into Emma Watson, attacking not just her opinions but her character. Rowling branded the actress as "ignorant," claiming her life of fame has left her utterly disconnected from reality. This comes immediately after Watson made a public attempt to soften their long-running and very public disagreement on transgender rights, a move that seems to have only made the Harry Potter feud worse.
J K Rowling calls Emma Watson ignorant as old and new feminism collide in a bitter public feud Getty Images
What did Emma Watson say about J K Rowling?
It all started on a podcast, with Watson chatting to host Jay Shetty about navigating personal relationships amid public disagreement. She spoke about hoping to keep loving people she doesn't necessarily agree with, a comment widely understood to be about Rowling. She fondly referred to the author as “Jo,” talking about treasuring their shared past. It sounded like a peace offering, or maybe she’s just tired of the whole mess. “I will never believe that one negates the other,” she said, trying to hold two opposing ideas in her hands at once. It was gentle. It was careful. And Rowling clearly hated every second of it.
This is where things got really nasty. She basically called Watson a rich kid who has no idea how the real world works. “Emma has so little experience of real life she’s ignorant of how ignorant she is.” She then drew a sharp line between their lives: Watson, a multimillionaire since her teens, versus Rowling herself, scribbling away in poverty while creating the entire Potter universe.
Her point? Watson can afford to champion certain ideologies from a cushy, protected bubble. Rowling, claiming her own gritty past, says she understands what’s really at stake for vulnerable women in public spaces. It’s the classic “you’ve never had it tough” argument.
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What was the final straw for J K Rowling?
Turns out, it was something years ago. She revealed the true "turning point" wasn't just Watson's public criticism, but a moment during the 2022 BAFTA Awards. Watson was on stage, and made a little quip about being there “for ALL the witches,” which everyone read as a sly dig at Rowling. But then, according to Rowling, Watson sent her a note. The note read: "I’m so sorry for what you’re going through."
It arrived when Rowling felt most exposed. She says the threats were at their worst; graphic promises of death, rape, and torture flooding in. Her security team had to tighten everything down. The fear for her family's safety was a constant worry. In that climate of genuine terror, Watson's note felt like a slap in the face. From Rowling's perspective, it was a hollow gesture, a one-line sympathy card offered after Watson had publicly poured fuel on the very fire causing the chaos.
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The generational lens shaping this conflict
Rowling's views come from a place of real struggle. She remembers living in poverty and struggling for everything. When she speaks of women's shelters and safe spaces, she is referring to physical protection for women based on their biological sex. These are real things to her, and she feels they should be safeguarded.
Watson sees things differently. She represents a newer way of thinking. Her focus is on identity and making sure everyone feels included. Her work with the UN and her public comments show this. She believes how people identify themselves is what matters most. For younger people, this makes perfect sense. For Rowling's generation, it can seem like it ignores real-world dangers.
Emma Watson reflects on her fallout with JK Rowling Getty Images
Two different ways of speaking out
Their conflict also shows how the rules for famous people have changed.
Watson's approach is modern. She is careful with her words, choosing to let her deeds speak for her. This works well today, where social media rewards this kind of subtle support.
Rowling slams Watson’s privileged perspective in trans rights clash revealing how generations see activism differentlyGetty Images
Rowling does things the old way. She writes long posts explaining exactly what she thinks. She isn't afraid to start a debate or stand alone in her opinion. She acts like someone who expects people to read her full argument and engage with it directly.
They're not just disagreeing about issues, they're using completely different playbooks from different times. One speaks in careful hints and shared understanding, the other in direct arguments and clear lines. No wonder they can't hear each other.
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BAFTA nominee Imran Perretta explores fractured youth in 'Ish'
BAFTA-nominated filmmaker explores fractured friendship in Ish
Inspired by his own teenage experiences and friendships
Cast two real-life best friends as the leads
Film tackles race, policing and belonging in Britain
Returning to the friendships of youth
Imran Perretta, the London-based artist and BAFTA-nominated filmmaker behind The Destructors, says his new work Ish was born out of reflection on his own teenage friendships. “It was an excuse to go back to those times and relive what it means to have friendships that are so deep in your teenage years,” he explains. “Even though what happens between the boys is difficult, there’s also joy and heartbreak.”
Portraying the stop-and-search
At the heart of the story is a police stop-and-search that shatters the relationship between two boys, Ish and Maram. Perretta was determined to avoid sensationalism. “I wanted to shoot that scene in a way that reflected how it unfolds in real life—the pauses, the waiting, the trauma of seeing a young boy step out. I didn’t try to overthink it. I just wanted to give it the rhythm and emotional weight it has in real life.”
Friendship, self-determination and identity
Although friendship and identity frame the film, Perretta prefers to speak of “self-determination”. He explains: “Identity as a notion is manifold. Really, it’s about finding yourself in a nuanced way. I wanted the actors to bring themselves to it. That way it becomes more contemporary, more true to their experience as young people.”
Writing from life, but letting go
The film draws heavily on his own life, a challenge he found both personal and universal. Co-writing with Enda Walsh allowed him to step back. “Sometimes when you write from your life, it can feel problematic, like you’re lying to make it fit a narrative. Sharing the writing meant I didn’t have to hold on so tightly. And when the boys played it out, it became their story. That was freeing, both creatively and personally.”
Casting real friends
For Perretta, authenticity was key. He and casting director Laura rounded up nearly a thousand boys in Luton, seeking non-actors rooted in the community. The final choice was serendipitous: Farhan and Yahya, who not only impressed in auditions but turned out to be real-life best friends since nursery. “The chemistry was off the charts. They’d been building it since they were kids. We didn’t have to work on it at all.”
Perretta was determined to avoid sensationalismBFI
Contributing to wider conversations
Perretta hopes Ish resonates beyond cinema. “My practice has always been to look at how government policy and state power affect people’s intimate lives. With stop-and-search, I want people to see the young person at the centre of it, to understand how it can change their life, their sense of self, their relationship with authority. It’s not a spectacle—it’s deeply personal.”
Supporting the young cast
Though the subject matter was heavy, Perretta insists the young cast carried it with remarkable maturity. His role, he says, was more like an older brother. “Film sets are pressurised environments. Our job was to make sure the boys felt valued, so they could express themselves freely. None of them had acted before, but they gave everything of themselves. It felt like a family.”
Perretta insists the young cast carried it with remarkable maturityBFI
The importance of silence and stillness
Moments of quiet are as vital as the dramatic ones. “Life is filled with silence and stillness, and so are friendships. Falling asleep under a tree, waiting at a bus stop, drifting off after watching something troubling—those moments carry their own weight. They’re just as important as the high drama.”
What audiences should take away
Ultimately, Perretta wants Ish to prompt reflection. “I hope audiences think about their own friendships and heartbreaks. And I hope they see that it’s okay to leave a relationship, whether with a best friend or a parent—that grief can be a positive energy. Beyond that, I want people to stay aware of the lives of young people, and the very adult things they have to contend with.”
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Selena Gomez wedding shocks fans with dual Ralph Lauren gowns and Old Hollywood bob reveal
Selena Gomez married Benny Blanco in Santa Barbara on September 27.
The pop star wowed in a Ralph Lauren halter gown and a second sheer lace dress.
Her Old Hollywood Marcel wave bob was the highlight of the bridal look.
Guests included Taylor Swift, Paul Rudd, Martin Short, Steve Martin, and Paris Hilton.
Celebrity weddings increasingly use multiple outfits as branding and PR moments.
Selena Gomez wedding photos are finally here, and yes, she looked absolutely stunning. The pop star tied the knot with Benny Blanco in Santa Barbara, California, rocking not one but two Ralph Lauren dresses, each perfectly timed for different parts of the day. Her old Hollywood bob hairstyle completed the look, giving classic glamour vibes while also showing how stars stage multiple wardrobe moments for maximum impact.
Selena Gomez wedding shocks fans with dual Ralph Lauren gowns and Old Hollywood bob reveal Instagram/selenagomez/itsbennyblanco
Old Hollywood bob steals the spotlight
Gomez’s hairstylist, Renato Compora, went all out, crafting a Marcel wave bob that looked straight out of a 1950s Hollywood set. He layered treatments, deep conditioning, and thermal protection before curling every inch, creating those soft, polished waves. Fans have seen Gomez experiment with her bob before, but this wedding-ready style was absolute perfection.
First, there was the custom satin halter gown with a flowing full skirt: classic, romantic, and timeless. Then, Blanco shared photos showing Gomez in a sheer lace skirt with intricate floral detailing, strappy heels, and a dramatic veil. But it is not just a fashion flex. Celebrities are increasingly using multiple looks to craft a narrative, create media buzz, and showcase personal branding across different wedding moments.
The wedding was not just about the couple; it was a Hollywood mini-festival. Taylor Swift arrived solo. Ed Sheeran, Paris Hilton, and Gomez’s co-stars from Only Murders in the Building, Paul Rudd, Steve Martin, and Martin Short, were all there. The ceremony at Sea Crest Nursery had 170 family and friends, complete with private security, exquisite floral touches, and Ralph Lauren suits for the groom and his groomsmen.
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Celebrity wedding trends and branding
Gomez’s multiple looks hint at a bigger trend: weddings as brand statements. Celebrities are increasingly viewing their weddings as an extension of their public persona, right down to the meticulously chosen dresses and hairstyles. Every ensemble, photo carousel, and accessory presents an opportunity to establish the narrative, attract media attention, and convey a tale without using words.
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Aditya Chopra backs Ahaan Panday for his second YRF project despite limited filmography
Following his big turn in Saiyaara, Ahaan Panday locks his next project with YRF.
Director Ali Abbas Zafar, known for Sultan and Tiger Zinda Hai, will helm the untitled film.
The project is an action romance, a genre Zafar has previously excelled in.
Producer Aditya Chopra personally recommended Panday for the lead role.
Filming is scheduled to begin in the first part of 2026, with music sessions already underway.
The Saiyaara wave is far from over. Ahaan Panday, whose debut film became a genuine box office phenomenon, is not wasting any time. He has reportedly signed on for his next feature, an ambitious action romance for Yash Raj Films. The project will see him working under the direction of blockbuster filmmaker Ali Abbas Zafar, marking a major new phase for the young actor.
Aditya Chopra backs Ahaan Panday for his second YRF project despite limited filmography Instagram/ahaanpandayy
What is Ahaan Panday’s next film after Saiyaara?
So, what’s next for the guy who just delivered one of the year’s biggest hits? According to industry reports, it’s a hard-hitting action romance. The new film is expected to have intense passion sequences with high-stakes drama and action elements. The move is a sharp pivot from the intense romance of Saiyaara, deliberately designed to show a different side of Panday. The script is finalised, and the team has already started work on the music.
Ali Abbas Zafar signs Ahaan Panday for upcoming YRF action romance Instagram/ahaanpandayy
Why did Ali Abbas Zafar cast Ahaan Panday?
Look, it’s no accident that Ahaan landed this role. The word is that Aditya Chopra himself pushed for him. According to him, in an industry crammed with overexposed faces, Ahaan’s freshness is pure gold. He’s not that familiar, and right now, that’s the whole point. After Saiyaara, people are leaning in, trying to get a read on him. What’s he really about? Casting him now, before anyone else can, is a power move. Chopra isn’t hiding his short filmography. In fact, he’s using it by turning that mystery into the main event.
When does the Ahaan Panday and Ali Abbas Zafar film start shooting?
For fans eager to see this new collaboration, the timeline is taking shape. The production is aiming to get the cameras rolling around the first quarter of 2026. That gives plenty of time for pre-production, which will apparently include action workshops and look tests to craft a completely new image for Panday.
This film will mark the fifth collaboration between Zafar and the YRF banner, a partnership that so far has a flawless commercial record with hits like Sultan and Tiger Zinda Hai.
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Samaira and Kiaan Kapur claim banks wiped clean in Sunjay Kapur inheritance row
Samaira and Kiaan Kapur allege key bank accounts tied to the Sunjay Kapur estate have been emptied.
Delhi High Court raised concerns over a widow’s plea to submit the asset list in a sealed cover.
The fight centres on a will the children say they never knew about and now call “bogus.”
Assets are estimated at about £2.52 billion (₹30,000 crore); the children were reportedly paid about £159.6 million (₹1,900 crore) before filing.
The inheritance dispute over industrialist Sunjay Kapur’s estate took a sharp turn in Delhi High Court as Karisma Kapoor’s children told judges they believe the estate’s bank accounts have been “wiped clean.” Counsel for Samaira and Kiaan Kapur told the court there is “nothing left” in key accounts, pushing the bench to question a request by the widow, Priya Sachdev, to keep the full asset list confidential. The stakes are high: the estate is valued at roughly £2.52 billion (₹30,000 crore).
Samaira and Kiaan Kapur claim banks wiped clean in Sunjay Kapur inheritance row Instagram/therealsamairakapoor/Getty Images
Children allege bank accounts wiped clean
Samaira and Kiaan’s lawyer said audited records and bank statements suggested funds had been moved out of accounts linked to the estate. That blunt allegation: “banks have been wiped off, there is nothing left” became the headline moment of the hearing and set the tone for the children’s broader claim that they have been blocked from verifying assets they may legally inherit as Class I heirs.
Priya Sachdev’s legal team asked the court to accept a detailed inventory of assets in a sealed cover, arguing privacy and security concerns. Justice Jyoti Singh voiced obvious scepticism, asking how the children could properly contest a will or challenge transfers if they were bound by confidentiality. The bench described unconditional secrecy as “problematic” for defending legal rights while seeking a way to balance privacy with transparency.
Samaira and Kiaan Kapur claim banks wiped clean in Sunjay Kapur inheritance row Instagram/therealsamairakapoor/Getty Images
Will authenticity to face forensic scrutiny
At the heart of the case is a will the children say they never saw until weeks after Sunjay Kapur’s death. They have labelled that document “bogus” and asked the court to subject any contested papers to forensic verification. The litigation will now move beyond headline accusations to technical probes: handwriting analysis, document provenance checks and a forensic examination of financial flows tied to the estate.
Priya Sachdev’s counsel countered the children’s narrative by saying Samaira and Kiaan were paid a substantial sum, reported in court as about £159.6 million (₹1,900 crore), shortly before the legal action began. That payment, the widow’s lawyers argue, undermines suggestions the children were left bereft. The siblings maintain the payout does not resolve the larger questions about the will’s legitimacy or the current status of remaining assets.
Randhir Kapoor had strongly opposed Karisma’s marriage to businessman Sunjay Kapur Getty Images
What happens next
The court tried a middle path at the hearing: it directed the list of assets be filed in a sealed cover but ordered copies shared with all parties involved, preserving some confidentiality while ensuring the children can scrutinise the claims. The next steps include forensic examination of the contested will and a detailed review of financial transactions. For now, judges urged an end to public blame-trading but stopped short of an outright gag order. This family legal drama, marked by allegations of emptied accounts, claims of a “bogus” will and a multi-billion-pound estate, appears set for a prolonged, technical and highly scrutinised legal battle.