These British Asians brought to the forefront their stories and changed the landscape of British entertainment industry.
By Vibhuti PathakMar 08, 2024
We are often fascinated when we spot a person of colour in British entertainment, be it cinema, series or any other source of entertainment. On this International Women's Day, we made a list of women who have brought colours to the British entertainment sector and have not only won the hearts of the British Asians but also the British audience, by adding the flavours of their culture.
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Parminder Nagra, born in 1975 to Indian Sikh immigrants in England, rose to fame as Jess Bhamra in Bend It Like Beckham. Before captivating audiences, she honed her acting skills in school plays and local theatre productions, even stepping into a lead role just a week into rehearsals.
Before her breakout role, she honed her craft on stage throughout the late 90s. She impressed critics with her diverse range, playing a village girl in Skeleton, a Hindu boy in A Tainted Dawn, and even a rape victim in The Square Circle.
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Ambika Mod, a British actress, comedian, and writer, is best known for her roles in This is Going to Hurt and One Day. After studying English and working as a personal assistant, she pursued acting and comedy. Her breakout role as a junior doctor in "This is Going to Hurt" earned her acclaim. In One Day, she became the first actress of South Asian descent to play the romantic lead, sparking conversation and critical praise. Mod's journey began in Potters Bar, Hertfordshire, raised by Indian immigrant parents.
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Sanam Saeed is a Pakistani actress, singer, and former model of British origin. Born on November 2, 1985, in London, she later moved to Pakistan. Saeed has gained acclaim for her roles in Pakistani dramas, with notable performances in Zindagi Gulzar Hai and Dil Banjaara. Her versatility extends to singing, and she has made a mark as a multi-talented artist.
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Meera Syal is an English comedian, writer, playwright, singer, journalist, and actress, born on June 27, 1961, in Wolverhampton, England. A prominent figure in the British entertainment industry, Syal co-wrote and starred in the groundbreaking comedy series Goodness Gracious Me. She has also contributed significantly to literature and theatre, showcasing her prowess across various artistic mediums.
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Shazia Mirza is a British comedian, actress, and writer known for her sharp wit and humor that often explores cultural and social issues. Born in Birmingham, Mirza's comedy tackles stereotypes and challenges societal norms. She has performed on various international platforms and has been recognized for her distinctive voice in the comedy scene.
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Indira Anne Varma is a British actress and narrator, born on September 27, 1973, in Bath, England. With an impressive career in both television and film, Varma is known for her roles in Rome, Game of Thrones, and Luther. Her talent and versatility have established her as a respected figure in the entertainment industry.
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Mathangi "Maya" Arulpragasam, known by her stage name M.I.A., is a British rapper, record producer, and singer. Born on July 18, 1975, in Hounslow, London, she rose to prominence with her innovative approach to music, blending elements of hip-hop, electronic, and world music. M.I.A. has received critical acclaim for her groundbreaking contributions to the music industry.
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Simone Ashley, born Simone Ashwini Pillai in 1995, is a British actress known for her roles in Bridgerton and Sex Education. Raised in Surrey to Indian Tamil parents, she defied familial expectations, leaving school at 16 to pursue acting. Her diverse talents and journey reflect resilience, leading to prominence in the entertainment industry.
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British actress Charithra Surya Chandran, gained recognition for her roles in Alex Rider and Bridgerton. Born in Perth, Scotland, to Tamil Indian medical professionals, she spent part of her childhood in India, later settling in the UK. Chandran, an Oxford graduate, pursued acting, turning down a job offer from BCG.
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British actress Priya Kansara, made her mark with roles in Netflix's Bridgerton and The Bastard Son & The Devil Himself. A North London native of Indian descent, Kansara, a UCL graduate in Molecular Biology, balanced a healthcare communications career with her passion for acting before gaining recognition in the entertainment industry.
Summer might belong to Lorde, but fall is shaping up to be just as thrilling. Fresh off the release of her new album Virgin in June, the New Zealand singer is taking her show on the road, hitting cities across the US, UK and Europe from September through December. If her surprise performance in Washington Square Park was any indication, fans are in for something special.
In a personal note to her fans, Lorde described her concerts as a shared experience: "Every show is about us—bodies and machines creating something bigger together. Twelve years of making music just for us. This time, I’ve stripped things back to give us more space. I think Ultrasound could be our best work yet."
Lorde promises a unique collaboration between artist and audience on her Ultrasound World TourGetty Images
Fans attending the tour will be treated to performances from some stellar opening acts, including Blood Orange, The Japanese House, Nilüfer Yanya, Chanel Beads, Empress Of, Jim-E Stack, and Oklou, making this tour an even more exciting experience.
Ticket sales for Lorde’s tour will begin soon, with presale starting on May 14 at 10 A.M. local time, followed by general sales on May 16 at 10 A.M. local time. If you want to ensure a spot at her concert, it’s advisable to sign up for the presale now through her official website.
Get ready to hear Lorde's new album Virgin live as she takes her show on the road this fallGetty Images
While ticket prices are yet to be confirmed, estimates suggest that prices will range from $49 to $183 in the US and £47.90 to £126.25 in the UK. Depending on your location and seat choice, the prices may vary.
Lorde's North American leg kicks off in Austin, Texas, on September 17 and continues through major cities such as Chicago, New York, and Los Angeles. The European and UK dates will follow, starting on November 9 in Luxembourg and wrapping up on December 9 in Stockholm, Sweden. Fans can expect a mix of intimate venues and larger arenas, giving everyone a chance to experience Lorde’s magic live.
Presale tickets for Lorde's Ultrasound World Tour are now available for fans eager to secure their spotGetty Images
For those looking to grab tickets, be sure to check her website and venues for presale access and keep an eye on specific sales times in your area.
Samantha Ruth Prabhu seems to be in a celebratory mood, both professionally and personally. As her maiden production Subham hits the screens, the actress has been sharing a string of heartfelt posts, many of which feature filmmaker Raj Nidimoru.
While neither of them has publicly addressed the dating rumours, Samantha’s recent Instagram uploads have only added to the speculation. In one of the standout photos, she is seen resting her head on Raj’s shoulder mid-flight, while another shows the duo smiling beside a poster of Subham. Raj, who is credited as the creative producer on the film, appears to be a steady presence in Samantha’s life both on and off the set.
In the caption accompanying the post, Samantha thanked fans for embracing Subham, calling it “the very first step” of their journey at Tralala Moving Pictures. “Fuelled by heart, madness, and the belief that new, fresh stories matter,” she wrote. She also shared a short video of her mother, Ninette Prabhu, enthusiastically complimenting her brief cameo in the film. “Your acting was so nice… the whole theatre was full, maa,” her mother said, as Samantha playfully reminded her she had just one scene.
Fans, as expected, jumped into the comments section. Some found Ninette’s reaction adorable, while others focused on the growing closeness between Samantha and Raj. “That eighth slide, Sam! Everyone’s talking about your love story now,” one follower wrote.
This isn’t the first time the two have been spotted together. They were seen visiting the Tirupati temple before the release of Subham, and they previously worked on Citadel: Honey Bunny and The Family Man Season 2. Samantha is also set to appear in Rakt Brahmand: The Bloody Kingdom, another collaboration with Raj and his partner DK.
Subham, directed by Cinema Bandi’s Praveen Kandregula and written by Vasanth Mariganti, features six new faces in prominent roles. It is Samantha’s first step as a producer, and fans are clearly taking interest in both the stories she wants to tell and the one she may be living.
Whether it’s work, companionship, or something more, Samantha’s next chapter is unfolding in full view, and her fans are watching closely.
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New South Asian Soundcheck survey aims to tackle music industry bias in UK
A first-of-its-kind survey, The South Asian Soundcheck, has launched to uncover the realities faced by South Asian artists and professionals in the UK music scene. Led by the non-profit Lila, the project is backed by major industry players like UK Music, BPI, Musicians’ Union, and the Music Managers Forum.
The online survey, taking just 10 minutes, will gather crucial data on representation, career barriers, and earnings for South Asians in music, a community long overlooked despite its contributions. The findings could push for real change, from fairer festival lineups to more support for behind-the-scenes professionals.
BBC Radio’s Bobby Friction, a vocal advocate, says this is a pivotal moment. "Canada’s Juno Awards just added a South Asian music category. At Glastonbury, we created the first-ever South Asian stage, ‘Arrivals,’ which is returning as ‘Azaadi’ next year. But to keep this momentum, we need hard data and this survey will give us that."
Vikram Gudi, founder of Lila, stresses this isn’t just a "South Asian issue" but an industry-wide gap. "South Asians have shaped UK music for decades, yet we’re missing from top roles, festival bills, and boardrooms. This survey is step one in fixing that."
Key areas the survey explores:
Who’s working in music—artists, execs, or behind-the-scenes.
Pay gaps—how much South Asians earn compared to peers.
Visibility—why cultural acts often get side-lined.
Funding access—what support is lacking.
Major orgs are throwing weight behind it. UK Music’s Diversity Head, Eunice Obianagha, calls it "vital for driving change," while the BPI notes South Asian music’s growing influence but admits "we need data to back real action." The Musicians’ Union adds that insights from the survey could mirror their own Musicians’ Census in pushing for fairer representation.
Bobby Friction and Vikram Gudi lead the charge for South Asian representation in UK music through the ground-breaking Soundcheck surveygetty images
Results will be public, helping labels, festivals, and funders make smarter moves, whether launching mentorship schemes or earmarking grants. The research is designed by Sania Haq, who’s worked with Spotify and the UK government on similar projects.
Why it matters: Without numbers, the industry won’t act. This survey could finally turn anecdotal struggles into actionable proof.
Aamir Khan is back on screen after Laal Singh Chaddha, and expectations are naturally high. His new film Sitaare Zameen Par, a follow-up to his 2007 hit Taare Zameen Par, recently dropped its trailer and got people talking. But not for the reasons the makers would’ve hoped.
At first glance, the trailer looked like a feel-good sports drama with emotional beats. Aamir plays a foul-tempered basketball coach sentenced to train a team of intellectually disabled players. Genelia Deshmukh plays a key role, and the film also introduces ten newcomers. The message is clear: inclusivity, second chances, and personal growth.
But soon after the trailer's release, viewers began pointing out striking similarities with Champions, a 2018 Spanish sports comedy that was also adapted into an English version. In Champions, a coach is tasked with training a similar team of specially-abled players, down to the courtroom punishment and sports sequences. The film is currently available on JioCinema.
What really sparked backlash was a Reddit thread doing a shot-by-shot comparison between Sitaare Zameen Par and Champions. From the way scenes were framed to specific gags, users claimed it was almost a direct copy. Some slammed Aamir for repeating the mistake of Laal Singh Chaddha, another adaptation that failed to connect with Indian audiences. Others questioned the sport chosen for the story. “Why not cricket or hockey?” one user asked, calling basketball too niche for the Indian audience.
There were, of course, fans who defended the film. They pointed out that Sitaare Zameen Par is an official remake and argued that many Indians haven’t seen Champions, so the story will still feel fresh to them, if done well.
The film is directed by R.S. Prasanna, known for Shubh Mangal Saavdhan. The trailer suggests that the tone and mood will balance humour and emotion while challenging ideas of what ‘normal’ means in society. The cast includes fresh faces like Aroush Datta, Simran Mangeshkar, and others. Music is by Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy, with lyrics by Amitabh Bhattacharya.
Whether Sitaare Zameen Par wins over audiences or not, it’s already sparked a conversation. The film is scheduled to release on 20 June, and now all eyes are on whether Aamir’s latest gamble pays off or repeats past missteps.
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Towie star James Argent has received a suspended sentence following an assault on his girlfriend
James Argent, best known from The Only Way Is Essex, has been given a suspended six-month prison sentence after he admitted to pushing his girlfriend, former Miss Sweden Nicoline Artursson, during a holiday in Spain.
The incident happened in La Cala de Mijas, a coastal town on the Costa del Sol. According to reports, neighbours called the police after hearing Nicoline scream. She had reportedly fallen down steps outside her apartment following a heated argument with Argent. Witnesses say he tried to force her out of the flat, and during the struggle, he pushed her.
Police arrested Argent at the scene on 5 May. He spent a few hours in custody before appearing in court in Fuengirola the same day. There, he admitted to the charge of domestic violence. As part of his sentence, he was issued a two-year restraining order banning any contact with Nicoline and was ordered to take part in a gender violence rehabilitation course. He avoided jail time due to the suspended nature of the sentence but has been warned that any breach of conditions could land him behind bars.
Nicoline required hospital treatment for injuries sustained in the fall. The full extent of her injuries has not been disclosed. She has remained in Spain following the ordeal, and Argent is believed to have returned to Essex.
The couple had been dating for nearly a year and had frequently posted about each other on social media. Their last public appearance together was just days before the incident, enjoying a beach day in Calahonda.
A source close to Argent said he is remorseful and claims he never meant to hurt her. Friends insist he has been cooperating fully with the authorities and accepted responsibility immediately. However, the relationship is now over, and the court has made it clear that there must be no further contact between the two.
This is another difficult chapter in Argent’s public life, as he has previously spoken openly about past struggles with addiction and mental health. He had only recently re-emerged into the spotlight with hopes of a fresh start, both personally and professionally.
Nicoline, a model and former reality show contestant, has not spoken publicly about the incident, and her representatives have declined to comment.