Meera Syal, a well-known actor, screenwriter, and novelist of Indian origin based in the UK, has been conferred a BAFTA fellowship, the highest honour awarded by the British Academy of Film and Television Arts upon an individual in recognition of an outstanding and exceptional contribution to film and/or television.
The Goodness Gracious Me and The Sandman star was awarded the BAFTA fellowship at the annual television awards held at the Royal Festival Hall in London on Sunday, May 14.
Syal, who was born to Punjabi parents and grew up in the West Midlands region of England, put a glittering bindi on her BAFTA and said, “This represents change.”
She added, “To all my fellow travellers, all the ones who have been made to feel because of their race, sex or class that their stories don't matter... They do because the untold stories are the ones that change us, and sometimes can change the world.”
During her speech, the 61-year-old also emphasised that the TV industry needs more diversity. “We are all storytellers here. So, we know how much it matters, what stories we choose to tell, but more importantly, who gets to tell them. Not just in front of the camera, but in the writers’ rooms, the makeup vans, and around the table where the deals are done,” she said.
BAFTA said that as part of the fellowship, Syal will work directly with the arts charity over the coming year to mentor and support aspiring participants through BAFTA’s year-round learning, inclusion, and talent programmes.
“I hope to engage with many talented practitioners and continue working to make BAFTA a truly representative and celebratory place for all our creatives. And I am grateful for the chance to pay forward the opportunities and experiences I have been lucky enough to have over my career,” said Syal.
Jane Millichip, CEO at BAFTA, said, “Meera Syal has made an extraordinary impact on the screen and literary arts. As an actor and writer, she is an exceptional storyteller with enormous range, which means she is loved by peers and the public as much as she is critically acclaimed.”
The BAFTA fellowship is the latest recognition of Syal’s achievements in the field of arts, which include being made an MBE and then a CBE by Queen Elizabeth II.
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Big B defends his choice to praise Abhishek openly and others privately
Amitabh Bachchan reveals why he praises Abhishek publicly but not Jaya or Aishwarya
Quick highlights:
Amitabh Bachchan has responded to online comments asking why he often praises son Abhishek Bachchan on social media but not wife Jaya Bachchan, daughter-in-law Aishwarya Rai, or daughter Shweta. The actor explained that while he chooses to support Abhishek publicly, he honours the women in his family privately, saying he prefers to respect them “in his heart.”
Bachchan defends Abhishek praise, addresses fan remarks online
The 81-year-old actor, who regularly shares photos and thoughts with fans, recently posted images of himself meeting admirers outside his Mumbai home, Jalsa. Captioned “Yes, I praise Abhishek. So?”, the post sparked comments from users questioning why he doesn’t do the same for Jaya, Aishwarya, or Shweta.
Responding directly, Bachchan wrote, “Yes, I shall praise them in my heart… not publicly… respect for the ladies.” His reply quickly circulated across platforms, with many praising his thoughtful answer. Others pointed to his tendency to engage more often when defending Abhishek, especially around film releases.
Bachchan also shut down a user accusing him of having “paid fans,” bluntly replying, “Prove it! You are small-minded… why don’t you pay and get fans too?” When another person mocked those waiting outside his home as “unemployed,” he replied with characteristic wit: “So give them a job? When they stand at the gate of Jalsa, they are EMPLOYED in love.”
Actor remains active on social media while juggling film projects
Bachchan has become increasingly interactive online in recent years, often directly responding to criticism and fan feedback. Meanwhile, Abhishek was last seen in Housefull 5, a multi-starrer comedy that released earlier this month. Jaya Bachchan appeared in Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani in 2023, while Aishwarya Rai was part of Mani Ratnam’s Ponniyin Selvan films. Despite the online chatter, Amitabh continues to walk his own path, on-screen and online.