Shakespeare is adored in the West, and indeed, also in the Indian subcontinent.
As an English graduate – who then went into writing about arts and education, I, too, have felt a certain affinity with this literary giant who speaks for us, our world and humanity.
It’s one of the reasons I went to see the performance of A Midsummer Night’s Dream at The Birmingham Botanical Gardens. Performed by Chapterhouse Theatre Company, it’s an outstanding production with a startling cast of actors.
The play is set in an Elizabethan aristocratic environment. It has some nice, quirky touches to make it an interactive and enjoyable affair. It is full of magic, fairies and star-crossed lovers. Hermia gives a particularly dynamic performance with such energy and gusto. Along with the lovelorn Helena, they are simply a delight to watch.
The company is touring throughout the summer and there is a chance to see this production at a place near you.
Those familiar with this Bard of the 16th and 17th centuries will know that so much is made of the iambic pentametre – the rhythmical stress and unstress syllables (roughly ten in each line). It mirrors the natural speech patterns of English.
Many of today’s poets argue that they borrow so much from the formation of Shakespeare’s rhyming couplets and sonnets, from the structure of his soliloquies and the poetic intensity of his thoughts.
I agree for I have no intention of offending readers by trying to debunk such a reputation.
However, what we sometimes forget is that far more literary complexity exists in Sanatani texts – also referred to as the ancient Vedas, that have given the foundations for Dharmic lifestyle and belief systems in India.
Many reputable scholars believe the four Vedas are the oldest texts in the history of mankind, and Sanskrit – in which they’re written – set the seeds for other languages to form and develop.
Whether the audience is conscious of this or not, Shakespeare echoes a lot of what Hindus believe. There is, in Shakespeare, for instance, the arrangement of planetary systems, astrological influence – the sun, the moon and the stars – the Fortune’s Wheel (Hamlet, King Lear), the cyclic arrangement of life, the stages of man’s development, the presence of good and evil (Othello), the conflict between parents and children (King Lear), kingship, honour, duty, the power of language (Richard II), the supernatural, the metaphysical and the illusory nature of our world, our reality (Macbeth, A Midsummer Night’s Dream).
Of course, Hindus know that many of these themes are embedded in the Bhagavad Gita, the oldest text in the world. It depicts the most comprehensive dialogue between a master and student at the dawn of a monumental battle.
Arjuna – the leader of the Pandavas – is having a crisis of conscience at the thought of killing his kinsmen, members of his own family – the Kauravas. It is left to Lord Krishna – his cousin – to guide him to his duty to himself, his dharma and brahma.
Shakespeare also does something similar in Henry IV Part 1 and 2 and Coriolanus for these are universal themes - but their foundations lie in the Vedas.
The Vedas come with numerous and specific rhythmical patterns that vary according to the mantras. In such texts, especially The Rig Veda, which are often cited during havan ceremonies (the fire rituals), it’s not just the words and language that convey the meaning but the sound and the vibration. And if you think the iambic pentametre is something, then you’ll be astounded when you hear the recitation of any of the devotional Sanskrit texts that evoke the ultimate spirit of the universe.
This production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream is an excellent place to launch into these comparisons.
TikTok is testing a new one-way messaging feature called bulletin boards.
Jonas Brothers, People magazine, and Paris Saint-Germain among early testers.
The feature mimics Instagram’s broadcast channels but may expand further.
Only creators can post; followers can react with emojis but not comment.
TikTok is trialling a new feature called bulletin boards, allowing select creators and brands to send direct broadcast-style messages to their followers, similar to Instagram’s broadcast channels. The Jonas Brothers, football club Paris Saint-Germain, and People magazine are among the first to test the tool, which shows TikTok’s growing focus on creator-fan intimacy beyond its traditional feed.
TikTok’s new tool mimics Instagram’s broadcast channels
Unlike regular TikTok posts that rely on algorithms or viral reach, bulletin boards aim to offer a more direct communication path. Only the creator can post updates, which may include text, videos, or images, while followers can respond with emoji reactions but cannot comment. The format is clearly inspired by Instagram’s broadcast channels, launched in 2023, where artists and influencers routinely share behind-the-scenes content and personal messages.
The new bulletin system was first spotted by marketing strategist Christina Garnett, who shared screenshots via Threads, showing how fans are invited to follow these boards. Once subscribed, users receive notifications whenever a creator sends out a new update.
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Big-name creators signal broader rollout plans
Early involvement from mainstream acts like the Jonas Brothers indicates TikTok is positioning bulletin boards as a premium tool for high-engagement fanbases. With creators constantly seeking ways to reach audiences without relying on the platform’s unpredictable feed algorithm, the feature could become a valuable line of direct communication.
It is also a clear move in the current trend of social platforms “borrowing” each other’s best features: Instagram mimicked TikTok’s short-form videos with Reels, while TikTok introduced Stories in 2022. Now, it is returning the favour with this broadcast-style tool.
People's Bulletin boardICYMI
The key question remains whether TikTok will differentiate its version with interactive additions like polls, which Instagram already offers. But for now, bulletin boards could offer artists and brands a streamlined way to share announcements, tour updates, and exclusive previews straight to their superfans’ inboxes.
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Scarlett Johansson wins praise in Jurassic World Rebirth as reviews split over story and mutant dinosaurs
Jurassic World Rebirth, starring Scarlett Johansson and Jonathan Bailey, releases on 4 July.
Twitter reactions praise the cast and visuals but criticise the film’s story and lack of emotional depth.
Rotten Tomatoes score stands at 54% from 95 reviews; Metacritic rates it 53.
Some fans applaud the Spielberg-style thrills, others feel it strays too far with mutant dinosaurs.
Jurassic World Rebirth, the latest addition to the iconic dinosaur saga, has sparked intense debate online ahead of its 4 July release. With Scarlett Johansson and Jonathan Bailey leading the cast, early Twitter reviews show a split audience, some impressed by the action and spectacle, others disappointed by the story’s direction and use of genetically altered dinosaurs.
Mixed response to mutant dinos and CGI-heavy action
Many fans on X agree that Johansson delivers a commanding performance. “She’s shot like a star, presented like a star,” one viewer wrote, praising her as the film’s standout. Jonathan Bailey also earns praise for a subtle emotional moment that resonated with viewers.
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However, critics aren't holding back. Film critics called the film “the dullest entry yet,” while others labelled it “flat and emotionless.” Some appreciated the “mutated dinos and thrilling set pieces” but slammed the pacing and dialogue.
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One viewer described the movie as “a monster-sized adrenaline ride” and praised its nostalgic tension, likening it to Jaws. Another drew comparisons to Alien: Romulus, applauding the darker horror elements, while some fans felt the movie “just ends with no momentum.”
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Rotten Tomatoes score reflects fan divide
With a current Rotten Tomatoes rating of 54% and a Metacritic score of 53, Jurassic World Rebirth becomes the third consecutive film in the franchise to be rated ‘rotten’. Still, it fares better than Fallen Kingdom (47%) and Dominion (29%).
Despite the criticism, major UK outlets gave it four and five stars, with one calling it “easily the best Jurassic in a decade.” Whether the mixed reviews will impact box office numbers remains to be seen, past entries have shown strong ticket sales despite critical setbacks.
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Mystery woman kissing Harry Styles at Glastonbury revealed as Ella Kenny
• Harry Styles was seen kissing a woman at Glastonbury 2025 in a viral video
• The woman has now been identified as London-based producer Ella Kenny
• The pair were dancing and kissing in the VIP section early Saturday morning
• This is Styles’ first public romance since his split with Taylor Russell in 2024
Harry Styles made headlines over the weekend after being filmed kissing a woman in the VIP section of Glastonbury Festival 2025, and now, the mystery is solved. The woman has been identified as London-based producer Ella Kenny, according to a report by The Sun.
The 31-year-old singer, best known for Watermelon Sugar and As It Was, was spotted at the festival in Somerset early Saturday morning, dancing closely with Kenny before sharing a kiss that lasted nearly 12 seconds. Eyewitnesses described the pair as "inseparable" and "very familiar with each other", adding to speculation that this may not have been a first-time encounter.
Harry Styles attends Spotify Celebrates The Launch of Harry Styles' New AlbumGetty Images
Harry Styles’ Glastonbury kiss with Ella Kenny grabs attention
Styles arrived at the festival around 1:45 a.m. on 28 June with friends, including long-time collaborator Kid Harpoon. Not long after, Ella Kenny reportedly joined the group. The two were seen chatting, dancing and sharing kisses on the cheek before eventually making out in full view of others in the VIP area.
One witness claimed the chemistry between the two was undeniable. “Harry only had eyes for her,” they said. “They looked like they’d known each other a while.” Neither Styles nor Kenny has commented publicly on the moment or their relationship.
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Who is Ella Kenny? Meet the producer linked to Harry Styles
Ella Kenny is a visual and experiential producer based in London, working at creative studio Noir. Her LinkedIn lists experience across high-end fashion and arts projects, but until now, she’s kept a relatively low public profile. That changed when footage of her kiss with Styles began circulating online, prompting fans to ask: “Who is she?” The kiss is the first time Styles has been publicly linked to anyone since his 2024 breakup with actor Taylor Russell. Before Russell, he dated Olivia Wilde, with whom he had a high-profile two-year relationship.
Harry Styles leaves following the funeral of singer Liam Payne Getty Images
While neither party has confirmed the nature of their relationship, the chemistry on display suggests this may not have been just a fleeting festival moment. Whether it's the start of something new or simply a weekend romance, fans will be watching closely, and Styles, as always, remains firmly in the spotlight.
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Critics praise Squid Game season 3 for its performances and bleak storytelling
Squid Game season 3 finale premiered on Netflix on 27 June, concluding the global hit series.
Fans on X criticised the ending, calling it rushed, unsatisfying, and emotionally hollow.
Audience score on Rotten Tomatoes drops to 51%, while critics maintain a solid 81% rating.
Creator Hwang Dong-hyuk described the final season as “darker and more hopeless”.
Netflix’s Squid Game may have wrapped up with its third and final season, but many fans are far from satisfied. While critics have praised the final episodes for their intensity and message, a large portion of the audience has taken to social media to criticise what they call a “rushed and meaningless” ending. The divide has become even clearer with the show’s Rotten Tomatoes audience score falling to 51%.
Squid Games season 3 Netflix
Viewers say Squid Game season 3 finale lacked payoff
Despite its reputation as one of Netflix’s most gripping dramas, Squid Game season 3 has received heavy backlash from longtime fans. Many took to X, calling the final six episodes a “waste of time” and slamming the decision to end major characters’ arcs abruptly. The central character, Seong Gi-hun, returns to the games in a broken state after the failed rebellion in season 2, but viewers say his emotional arc fizzled out in an unsatisfying face-off with the Front Man.
The show’s signature psychological games returned with more brutality, including a hide-and-seek game in a surreal Van Gogh-inspired maze and a deadly jump rope over a bridge. But despite the visual spectacle, audiences felt the storytelling was muddled. “The finale felt like they gave up,” one user wrote. “No payoff, no depth, just a spiral to nothingness.” Others pointed out the lack of emotional resonance and character development, especially for new contestants.
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Critics praise the season’s bold vision, but fans remain unconvinced
While audience reactions have been polarised, critics offered a more favourable take. On Rotten Tomatoes, Squid Game season 3 currently holds an 81% critic score, with reviewers applauding the performances, especially Lee Jung-jae’s restrained portrayal of Gi-hun. Creator Hwang Dong-hyuk had warned early on that this season would be “more bleak” and “without hope,” and many reviewers acknowledged the philosophical weight behind the grim narrative.
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Still, fans expected more from a series that once redefined genre television. With no plans for a fourth season, it seems Squid Game’s final message, that the system cannot be dismantled by one man, landed too quietly for a franchise that began with such explosive promise.
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Karan Johar opens up about emotional toll of troll who questioned his single parenthood
Karan Johar revealed how a troll's comment made him question raising kids without a mother.
The filmmaker broke down after reading the remark but found comfort in his children’s response.
Yash and Roohi, born via surrogacy in 2017, told him they’re happy “because you’re our dada”.
Johar credits his close friends and chosen family for supporting him through parenting challenges.
Karan Johar has shared a deeply personal moment about the emotional toll of being a single parent, revealing how one hurtful online comment briefly made him question his choice to raise his twins without a mother. In a recent interview, the filmmaker recalled breaking down after reading the remark and turning to his children for reassurance.
In the interview, the Rocky Aur Rani director recalled reading a troll’s comment that said, “Do you realise you’ve denied your children a mother?” The words struck a nerve. “That broke my heart. For the first time, I doubted myself,” Karan admitted.
The very next morning, still affected, he walked into his children’s room and asked the five-year-olds a question no parent should have to ask: “Are you happy?” Their response? “Yes, because you’re our dada” was all the validation he needed. “It gave me strength,” he said. “Say what you want, I’m proud to be their single parent.”
Yash and Roohi, born via surrogacy in 2017, told him they’re happy “because you’re our dada”Instagram/karanjohar
Karan Johar on parenting without a partner: ‘I do double duty on every front’
Johar, who became a single father through surrogacy in 2017 at age 44, spoke candidly about the realities of raising children without a partner or sibling for support. “I’m an only child and a single parent,” he said. “But my found family and my closest friends have filled in the gaps with endless love.”
He described navigating parent-teacher meetings, school WhatsApp groups filled with mothers, and balancing both roles at home as “daunting but fulfilling”.
Why Yash and Roohi’s names hold emotional meaning for Karan
Karan named his son Yash in honour of his late father, producer Yash Johar, and daughter Roohi as a rearrangement of his mother Hiroo’s name. “They represent the two most important people in my life,” he shared.
Despite moments of doubt, Johar says he has no regrets. “I waited for love to happen before becoming a parent. But in the end, love came in the form of my children.”