A CELEBRATION OF THE ACTOR’S AWARD-WINNING ROLES, CHARITY WORK AND FASHION LINE
by ASJAD NAZIR
TALENTED Telugu actor Vijay Deverakonda, who is one of the biggest stars in Indian cinema today, turns a year older on Sunday (9).
The movie icon has had a remarkable rise in a relatively short space of time and got himself a huge fan following, who will all be sending him good wishes on his 32nd birthday.
Eastern Eye decided to join in the celebrations by presenting 20 fun facts about Vijay Deverakonda .
With a father who directed low-key television serials, Vijay was naturally drawn towards the creative fields while growing up and would often write stories. After completing his education, he joined a theatre group and started auditioning for film roles.
After a lot of struggle, Vijay made his movie debut with 2011 Telugu romantic Nuvvila, though he had to audition for the part. He also had to do a number of tests for his follow-up films Life Is Beautiful (2012) and Yevade Subramanyam (2015). There were other projects that the actor tried out for in those early days, but he didn’t get roles in any of them.
The actor finally became a big star after his hugely successful fourth film Pelli Choopulu (2016), which was his debut in a lead role. It won a number of honours including a National as well as a Filmfare award for Best Film in Telugu.
Vijay won a whole host of acting awards for his explosive performance in Arjun Reddy (2017). The Telugu blockbuster was remade in Bollywood as the huge hit Kabir Singh in 2019, with Shahid Kapoor playing the hero. Vijay was originally offered the lead role in the remake but declined as he didn’t want to repeat himself.
The Telugu superstar made his Tamil film debut with 2018 political thriller NOTA, which was also shot simultaneously in Telugu.
He made his debut as a producer with the comedy Meeku Maathrame Cheptha (2019) and had a cameo appearance in the movie as himself.
The big-hearted star does a lot of humanitarian work through his non-profit organisation the Deverakonda Foundation, including donating to worthy causes and helping people in need. According to reports, the foundation has successfully helped more than 17,000 middle-class families during the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic with groceries and basic essentials.
The actor is affectionately known as Rowdy and has launched a popular clothing line of the same name. He said: “I wanted to bring international fashion to people but in an affordable way.”
Today, money plays no part in Vijay selecting a project, he says, and it is all based on whether he liked the story or not. He explained: “Even if you show me obscene amounts of money I will not do something I don’t like.”
Vijay reportedly does not have many friends within the industry, but actor Rana Daggubati is one person he has admitted to chilling out with.
If he was not an actor, Vijay has said he would have loved to be an architect. He admitted to being fascinated by architecture whenever he travels and watching videos on the subject.
The Bollywood actor Vijay greatly admires is Ranbir Kapoor.
Vijay directed the short film Madam Meerena, which is available to watch on YouTube. He has no immediate plans to go into directing, preferring to act and produce instead.
In terms of music, he has been a huge fan of hip hop since he was a teenager.
The actor cites his parents, books, cinema and life experiences as some of his biggest influences.
The multi-talented star sang the anthem for his Rowdy fashion brand, which has clocked up nearly four million views on YouTube. He also sang the song What the Life for his movie Geetha Govindam.
The actor’s forthcoming film Liger initially had the working title Fighter. It is being simultaneously released in Hindi and Telugu, along with dubbed versions in Tamil, Kannada and Malayalam languages, later this year. Vijay has transformed himself physically for his role as a kickboxer in the film, which also stars Ananya Pandey.
Liger producer Karan Johar has acquired the Bollywood remake rights to Vijay’s Telugu film Dear Comrade (2019), which also had dubbed versions in Malayalam, Tamil and Kannada. A Hindi dubbed version of Dear Comrade was released on YouTube last year.
To celebrate his birthday, the star once hired three ice-cream trucks that travelled across the city of Hyderabad to distribute the sweet treat to fans and those struggling in the heat.
Today, a lot of decisions that Vijay makes, including donating large sums of money to those in need, are informed by his days of struggle. It is that humility and big-hearted nature that has connected him to fans around the world.
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.
Designed in partnership with Breakthrough T1D
The diabetes Barbie doll was developed in collaboration with Breakthrough T1D, a global not-for-profit organisation supporting people with type 1 diabetes (T1D). The autoimmune condition typically develops in childhood and requires patients to monitor their blood glucose and take insulin regularly.
Krista Berger, senior vice-president of Barbie and global head of dolls, described the launch as “an important step in our commitment to inclusivity and representation.”
“Barbie helps shape children’s early perceptions of the world, and by reflecting medical conditions like T1D, we ensure more kids can see themselves in the stories they imagine and the dolls they love,” she said.
Karen Addington, CEO of Breakthrough T1D UK, welcomed the collaboration: “I’m absolutely thrilled that Barbie now includes a doll with type 1 diabetes. For children with T1D who don’t often see themselves represented, this doll will be a powerful role model, celebrating their strength and bringing recognition, inclusion and joy to their play.”
A growing legacy of inclusive design
Since the original Barbie’s debut in 1959, the brand has evolved to reflect greater diversity. The first Black Barbie dolls were introduced in the 1960s, followed by Hispanic dolls in the 1980s. From the 1990s onwards, Mattel expanded the range to include Barbies in under-represented careers such as astronauts and scientists.
It wasn’t until 2019 that Barbie dolls with visible disabilities were introduced. Since then, Mattel has launched more than 175 diverse Barbie looks as part of the Fashionistas range, which now includes dolls with hearing aids, prosthetic limbs, wheelchairs, vitiligo, and Down’s syndrome. A black Barbie with Down’s syndrome and a blind Barbie are also part of the line.
The diabetes Barbie doll continues that trend, offering children with the condition a chance to see themselves positively reflected in their toys.
Industry-wide shift toward representation
Barbie is not the only toy brand prioritising diversity. UK-based brand Lottie includes dolls with autism and Down’s syndrome, while Lego offers a variety of inclusive minifigures, including characters with physical and non-visible disabilities.
Arjun Panesar, founding chief executive of Diabetes.co.uk, praised Mattel’s decision, stating: “Representation matters – especially in childhood. Seeing a Barbie doll with type 1 diabetes helps normalise the condition, reduce stigma and show children that they are not alone.
“It’s a positive step forward in building confidence, inclusion and understanding around living with diabetes.”
Promoting empathy through play
The launch of the diabetes Barbie doll is not just about inclusion—it is also part of Mattel’s mission to extend the boundaries of imaginative play. The company says the goal is to encourage children to engage with experiences beyond their own, helping them to understand the challenges others may face.
As Barbie continues to evolve, the inclusion of realistic medical conditions such as type 1 diabetes signals a more inclusive future for toys and the children who play with them.
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Italian-born French fashion designer Elsa Schiaparelli
“In difficult times fashion is always outrageous.” – Elsa Schiaparelli.
The Victoria & Albert Museum has announced its first ever UK exhibition dedicated to Elsa Schiaparelli, the visionary designer who blurred the boundaries between fashion, art and performance. Titled Schiaparelli: Fashion Becomes Art, it runs from 21 March to 1 November 2026 in the Sainsbury Gallery and will draw on the V&A’s status as home to Britain’s National Collection of Dress and its foremost collection of Schiaparelli garments.
Vogue 1940; Designer Elsa Schiaparelli wearing black silk dress with crocheted collar of her own design and a turbanFredrich Baker/Condé Nast via Getty Images
Exhibition scope and highlights
Over 200 objects across media: garments, accessories, jewellery, perfume bottles, paintings, photographs, sculpture, furniture and archival sketches.
Iconic pieces on display:
The ‘Skeleton’ dress (with Salvador Dalí)
The ‘Tears’ dress and the surreal shoe hat (with Jean Cocteau)
Archive objects from Schiaparelli’s London branch, highlighting her dynamic UK clientele
Accompanying artworks by Pablo Picasso, Jean Cocteau and Man Ray
A survey of the brand’s modern era under creative director Daniel Roseberry, whose sculptural gowns have dressed Zendaya, Beyoncé, Lady Gaga and Doja Cat
“Schiaparelli’s collaboration with artists and the world of performance makes her an ideal subject,” said V&A Director Tristram Hunt, calling the show “a celebration of one of fashion’s most daring innovators.”
Delphine Bellini, CEO of Schiaparelli, adds: “Elsa Schiaparelli’s fearless imagination and radical vision redefined the boundaries between fashion and art.”
'Tears' Evening dress and head veil, designed by Elsa Schiaparelli, February 1938 for Circus Collection, summer 1938. Fabric designed by Salvador Dali Victoria and Albert Museum, London
From Paris salons to the Met Gala red carpet
Long before the V&A’s announcement, Natasha Poonawalla brought Schiaparelli’s surrealist drama to global attention. In 2022, she paired a gold Schiaparelli corset with a Sabyasachi sari, styled by Anaita Shroff Adajania. A year later, she returned to the Met Gala in a futuristic silver Schiaparelli gown, both moments underlining how Indian influencers are shaping today’s couture conversation.
Natasha Poonawalla attends The 2022 Met GalaGetty Images
Curators, press details and what’s next
Curated by Sonnet Stanfill, Lydia Caston and Rosalind McKever, the show is the first UK retrospective focusing on Schiaparelli’s output from the 1920s to 1954 and its present day revival.
Tickets on sale autumn 2025
Accompanied by a fully illustrated V&A catalogue, available autumn 2026
Part of the V&A’s major fashion exhibition series following Christian Dior: Designer of Dreams and Naomi: In Fashion
Vogue 1936; Two models, standing in a white room with arrows painted on walls and wearing dresses by Schiaparelli;Cecil Beaton/Condé Nast via Getty Images
What it means for South Asian style
This isn’t just a show for fashion students and couture fans. It’s a chance to see how a radical female designer redefined beauty and power, and how that legacy continues through Indian influencers like Poonawalla, who proudly bring together cultural identity with high fashion on the world stage.
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Lewis clarifies legal rights for online and in-store purchases
Martin Lewis flags incorrect return rights information on 30 retail websites
Retailers include New Look, The Range, and Selfridges
Lewis clarifies legal rights for online and in-store purchases
Trading Standards to be alerted following MoneySavingExpert.com investigation
Martin Lewis highlights return rights confusion
Money-saving expert Martin Lewis has issued a warning to UK consumers after uncovering misleading returns information on the websites of 30 major retailers, including New Look, The Range, and Selfridges.
Speaking on ITV1's Good Morning Britain, Lewis explained that several retailers are presenting incorrect information about return rights for online shoppers — in some cases, underplaying the legal protections customers are entitled to.
In a tweet posted after the segment aired, Lewis wrote: “30 retailers including Selfridges, New Look and The Range are publishing misleading (worse) return rights information on their websites than you legally have. Find which stores to be cautious with, and what your rights are.”
Legal rights for online shoppers
During his TV appearance, Martin Lewis clarified that consumers who shop online — as opposed to in-store — benefit from legal protections under the Consumer Contracts Regulations.
“If you buy something online, unless it is personalised or perishable, you have an absolute right to change your mind,” he said. “You have 14 days after delivery — important it’s after delivery, not after order — in which to tell the retailer you're returning it. Then you have another 14 days to send it back. That gives you up to 28 days.”
He also stressed the distinction between online and in-store shopping: “If you buy something in-store, you have no legal right to return it unless it’s faulty. Some shops do allow returns as part of their policy, and if they publish that, it becomes part of the contract. But legally, there is no obligation unless the item is defective.”
Incorrect wording found on retailer websites
Lewis and his team at MoneySavingExpert.com identified numerous cases where retailers had not correctly stated consumers’ legal rights on their websites.
One such example involved New Look, where the website stated: “You can return sale items within 14 days.” Lewis responded: “No! You can notify them within 14 days and you’ve got another 14 days to send it back.”
He also flagged a misleading policy by home and garden retailer The Range, which read: “You need to return your item to us at our Range marketplace partner within 14 days of receiving it.” Lewis explained: “No. You have 14 days from receiving it to notify that you’re returning it and a further 14 days to complete the return.”
He went on to say: “We found 30 examples. What’s really frustrating is that two of those — Monsoon and New Look — had the same issue back in 2018 when we last reviewed this. We notified them then, and they still have it wrong now. So we’re taking our evidence to Trading Standards.”
Retailers respond
In response to the findings, a spokesperson for New Look said: “We thank MoneySavingExpert.com for bringing this to our attention. While our current policies comply with statutory return rights, we have updated the wording on our website to ensure greater clarity for our customers. Customers have 14 days to notify us that they’ve changed their mind on items bought online in our sale, and a further 14 days to make the return.”
Consumers are encouraged to review their rights when shopping online and refer to trusted sources like the Money Saving Expert website for accurate advice. The full list of the 30 retailers identified can be found there.
The Daily Express has also contacted The Range and other retailers mentioned in the investigation for further comment.
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Collins accepted the findings of the ASA’s investigation
Instagram post by Gemma Collins promoting Yazen weight-loss service banned
ASA rules it breached regulations on promoting prescription-only medication
Eight other weight-loss ads also banned in regulatory crackdown
ASA bans Collins' Instagram advert
An Instagram post by TV personality Gemma Collins promoting a weight-loss drug and digital service has been banned by the UK’s advertising watchdog for breaching regulations around prescription-only medicines.
Collins had shared a promotional video on 6 January 2025, stating: “I’m starting this year two sizes down, thanks to Yazen’s weight loss app and medication.” The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) ruled that the post unlawfully promoted prescription-only medication to the public.
Prescription medication references breached rules
Yazen, a Swedish digital healthcare company, provides a doctor-supervised weight-loss programme which includes prescription drugs alongside lifestyle coaching. While Collins did not name a specific drug in the advert, she referenced the medication being “prescribed on the NHS”.
The ASA said it consulted the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), which concluded that viewers were likely to interpret the advert as encouragement to seek prescription weight-loss medication.
As a result, the ASA found that the advert breached its code by promoting prescription-only treatments directly to the public. This type of promotion is prohibited under UK advertising regulations.
Collins accepted the findings of the ASA’s investigation and confirmed that she would follow the relevant guidance in future social media promotions.
Eight other ads also banned
Collins’ post was one of nine adverts banned in the ASA’s latest enforcement action targeting weight-loss drug promotions. The watchdog stated that all of the adverts promoted prescription-only treatments to consumers, a practice not allowed under UK law.
The other banned adverts included:
A Meta ad by CheqUp Health stating: “Take the first step to sustainable weight loss with CheqUp.”
A Meta ad by HealthExpress.co.uk, featuring an injection pen image and rule-breaching claims.
A Google ad for Juniper UK describing “GLP-1 Weekly Weight Loss Injection” with an injection pen image.
Two Google ads for Phlo Clinic, one offering “35% off Weight Loss Order” and another promoting “Weight loss Injections.”
A Google ad for SemaPen claiming, “SemaPen Makes Weight Loss Easier.”
A Meta ad by Cloud Pharmacy using text message imagery referencing new weight-loss medication.
A Google ad for pharmacyonline.co.uk stating “Obesity Treatment Jab” with an image of a medication vial.
The ASA ruled that none of these adverts should appear again in their current form. The regulator said it will continue to monitor the promotion of weight-loss services involving prescription medication, particularly on digital platforms.
Discover hidden UK beaches with turquoise waters and golden sands
Ideal for summer staycations without the cost of long-haul travel
Includes lesser-known spots in Wales, Scotland, Cornwall, and more
Perfect for quiet escapes, coastal walks, and Instagram-worthy views
Escape to paradise – no passport required
Think you need to fly halfway across the world for clear blue water and white sand? Think again. The UK is home to a surprising number of secluded beaches that look straight out of the Caribbean – without the crowds or jet lag. From hidden coves in Cornwall to windswept bays in the Scottish Highlands, here are some of the most tropical-looking beaches on British soil.
1. Barafundle Bay, Pembrokeshire, Wales
Often dubbed the UK’s answer to the Caribbean, this National Trust-owned gem boasts golden sand, crystal-clear waters, and dramatic cliffs. Accessed by a half-mile walk from Stackpole Quay, it remains blissfully untouched by development.
Best for: Picnics, photography, and a peaceful swim Nearest parking: Stackpole Quay car park
2. Achmelvich Bay, Sutherland, Scotland
Many of these beaches are tidal and best enjoyed at low tideiStock
With white sands and dazzling turquoise water, this beach in the remote northwest Highlands rivals beaches anywhere in the world. The journey is long, but the views – and near-solitude – make it worth every mile.
Tucked beneath rugged cliffs near Porthcurno, this tidal beach is often reached via a steep cliff path – but rewards visitors with stunning sandbars and glassy water at low tide. It’s also unofficially clothing-optional.
Best for: Adventurous walkers, secluded sunbathing Access: Steep footpath from Treen
4. Luskentyre Beach, Isle of Harris, Outer Hebrides
Framed by the turquoise seaiStock
Arguably one of Britain’s most spectacular beaches, Luskentyre’s vast white sands stretch for miles, framed by the turquoise sea and Harris’s dramatic hills. When the sun shines, it’s hard to believe you’re still in Scotland.
Best for: Landscape lovers, long coastal walks How to get there: Ferry from Skye to Tarbert, then a 25-minute drive
5. Kynance Cove, Cornwall
It’s best visited early or late in the dayiStock
With its striking serpentine rock formations, teal-coloured waters, and hidden caves, Kynance is a postcard-perfect Cornish cove. Its popularity means it’s best visited early or late in the day.
Best for: Exploring caves, paddling Nearby: Kynance Cove Café (seasonal)