Chila Burman’s neon art sparks Diwali spirit across London
Installations feature traditional motifs and themes from Indian festivities
Chila Burman in Leicester
Square with her artwork
By Amit RoyOct 29, 2024
IN THE run-up to Diwali, the artist Chila Burman lit up London’s West End with 14 of her neon installations.
The eight in Leicester Square included depictions of the deities Ganesh and Lakshmi, curly fish, sea shells and an Indian Barbie doll in a sari
Her Lakshmi is rightly placed in a lotus, but is also given a veena, which is normally the preserve of Saraswati, the goddess of wisdom, music, art and learning.
In the three days from October 10-12, other neon installations could be seen on the London Trocadero, the Hippodrome and Westminster Reference Library.
She placed flamingos in the glass front of the Londoner Hotel, where she stayed the night to prepare for a 6am launch of her artworks, while it was still dark.
Chila expressed delight that a statue of William Shakespeare, leaning against a pile of books was looking down on her creations: “Shakespeare says, ‘There is no darkness, but ignorance.’ And my installation is called, ‘There is no darkness in the garden of light.’ It’s almost like visual poetry. It’s great honour to be here.”
Neon installations of Ganesh
The Shakespeare quotation comes from Twelfth Night:
Malvolio: I am not mad, Sir Topas: I say to you, this house is dark.
Feste (who is disguised as the priest “Sir Topas”): Madman, thou errest: I say, there is no darkness but ignorance; in which thou art more puzzled than the Egyptians in their fog.
Malvolio: I say, this house is as dark as ignorance, though ignorance were as dark as hell; and I say, there was never man thus abused. I am no more mad than you are: make the trial of it in any constant question.
Chila was commissioned by “Art of London”, which has a segment called Art After Dark. Art of London was launched in 2020 by the “Heart of London Business Alliance (HOLBA)” in partnership with Westminster City Council and some 500 businesses and 100 property owners in the Leicester Square, Piccadilly Circus, St James’s and St Martin’s areas of the West End.
Galleries such as the Royal Academy, the National Portrait Gallery, the National Gallery and many other institutions stay open late as part of Art After Dark.
Kirsty Tullett-Jones, director of marketing and communications, Art of London, said: “Art After Dark returns bigger than ever before, inviting culture seekers to explore the West End’s spectacular exhibitions, bars, and restaurants. Chila Burman’s neon installations beautifully capture the enchanting energy of the area, and we hope it inspires visitors as they experience this trail of illuminated art.”
Curly fish
One of HOLBA’s directors is Krishma Singh-Dear, head of design at Edwardian Hotels London, the group that includes the Londoner and May Fair hotels and is headed by her father, Jasminder Singh, and her brother, Inderneel Singh.
“When we asked her if it would be ok to put flamingos in the front of the Londoner, she said, ‘Absolutely,” a HOLBA source commented. “She was very enthusiastic.”
As dawn broke on a chilly morning, a councillor from Westminster City Council, Ryan Jude, arrived to express support for Chila.
Asked by Eastern Eye whether there was a diversity element to the projects backed by Westminster, Jude responded: “Completely.” He said he came from a Christian family in India: “I’m 29 and the first member of my family born in this country. All my family is from India. My dad grew up in Bombay (now Mumbai). My mum grew up mainly in the south – in Kerala, in Goa, in Tamil Nadu. And my brother and sister were born in Bangalore.”
Jude, who is the cabinet member with responsibility for climate, ecology and art at Westminster, added: “I’m the first cabinet member of Indian descent in the city’s history, and so a big thing for me is ensuring that we support our different, diverse communities. Westminster is one of the most diverse communities in the whole country, and Chila’s artworks obviously celebrating Indian Hindu culture is brilliant, particularly with Diwali around the corner.”
Burman with Ryan Jude (right)
He said that “this was the second year in a row where we’ve brought art out into our community to enable our residents to visit galleries late into the night and experience art that we have here in Westminster.”
When it was pointed out that some British Asians, especially among the elderly, were apprehensive about going into theatres and art galleries, the councillor acknowledged: “As the cabinet member for culture, the biggest thing for me is connecting our communities and our residents with the offerings that we have.
“We often hear how the West End has this public culture, with the theatre district, with the museums and the art offerings, but many of our residents often feel disconnected from it.
“We want to encourage all our communities, no matter where they come from or what their background is, to come and see what we have to offer here. The museums often put on historic events that touch on Indian culture, African culture, European culture, we cover the world here. It’s not just focused on England, and we want to celebrate that in the arts and what we have in the outdoor spaces as well.
“So, we’re actively supporting residents to see that not only can they access this, come and see the art, but it could be a career for them. A career in the creative industry is so important for the UK’s economy. I want to encourage as many people as possible in Westminster to experience that.”
Chila Burman with curator Leyla Gatens
He added: “The West End is the hub of the UK’s cultural offer, and as the council, we’re always wanting our residents and tourists to come and experience what it is that we have to offer here. But we’re conscious that sometimes it’s difficult to find the time to get into some of our most famous galleries. So the Art After Dark offering is absolutely brilliant. It enables our residents to come into the National Gallery, the National Portrait Gallery and more and see them late at night.”
Jude emphasised: “Culture and creative industries are one of the biggest economic drivers that we have in the UK. It’s also an international soft power. Look at our music scene, look at our artists, look at our TV shows, our film industry, look at how far they reach across the globe. And we need to make sure that we keep that going. To us in Westminster, it also brings tourists here. They come to see the artwork. They come to see our galleries, they come to see our theatres, and then they stay. They go to our restaurants, they go to the bars, they go to the shops. So, it’s really crucial that we keep our cultural offer here nice and strong.” They go to our restaurants, they go to the bars, they go to the shops. So, it’s really crucial that we keep our cultural offer here nice and strong.”
Siddharth to co-star with Freida Pinto in Netflix’s Unaccustomed Earth
Series based on Jhumpa Lahiri’s award-winning short story collection
John Wells and Madhuri Shekar leading the adaptation with Ritesh Batra directing two episodes
Cast includes Indraneil Sengupta, Adi Roy, Sarayu Blue, and Iyla Sundarsingh Mckaig
Actor Siddharth has joined Freida Pinto in Unaccustomed Earth, Netflix’s highly anticipated adaptation of Jhumpa Lahiri’s celebrated short story collection. The new drama, combining elements of family conflict with romance, marks Siddharth’s latest international outing. With Pinto leading the cast, the series promises to bring Lahiri’s themes of migration, love, and identity to a global audience.
Siddharth and Freida Pinto team up for Netflix’s Unaccustomed Earth adaptation of Jhumpa Lahiri’s short stories Getty Images
What is Unaccustomed Earth about?
The Netflix series adapts Lahiri’s Pulitzer Prize-winning collection of stories, weaving them into an eight-part narrative set in Cambridge, Massachusetts. It follows the life of Parul Chaudhury played by Freida Pinto, a devoted wife whose world unravels when a long-lost love resurfaces, sparking a scandalous affair within a close-knit Indian American community.
Described by the streamer as an “epic, soapy drama,” the show explores themes of belonging, generational conflict, and the push and pull between tradition and individual desire.
Siddharth takes on the role of Amit Mukherjee, a Bengali American raised in Cambridge. Known as the dependable friend everyone turns to in moments of crisis, Amit is warm-hearted yet struggles to find stability in both work and relationships.
According to Netflix, Amit’s life begins to spiral just as his relationship starts to look promising, with the unexpected return of his lost love setting off a chain of emotional conflicts. This layered character gives Siddharth the opportunity to bring both depth and vulnerability to the story.
Actor Siddharth's Instagram postInstagram Screengrab/worldofsiddharth
Who is behind Unaccustomed Earth on Netflix?
The series is being spearheaded by Emmy-winning producer John Wells alongside playwright and screenwriter Madhuri Shekar. Wells serves as writer, showrunner, and executive producer, while Shekar joins him as co-writer and co-producer.
Indian filmmaker Ritesh Batra will direct the first two episodes, with additional episodes helmed by Nisha Ganatra. The project is produced under John Wells Productions in association with Warner Bros. Television. Lahiri herself is also attached as an executive producer, ensuring the adaptation stays faithful to her original text.
Jhumpa Lahiri’s award-winning Unaccustomed Earth comes to Netflix with a global ensemble castGetty Images
When will Unaccustomed Earth release on Netflix?
Netflix has yet to announce an official release date for Unaccustomed Earth. The show is currently in production and will join the streamer’s growing list of South Asian stories with international appeal.Lahiri’s works have been adapted for the screen before, most notably The Namesake directed by Mira Nair and starring Irrfan Khan, Tabu, and Kal Penn. With an ensemble that also includes Indraneil Sengupta as Jai, Adi Roy as Kaushik, Sarayu Blue as Ruma, and Iyla Sundarsingh Mckaig as Hema, expectations are high for the series to deliver another culturally rich story with global resonance.
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Taylor Swift's lawyer denies deposition agreement in Tustin Baldoni- Blake Lively lawsuit
Swift’s legal team denies claims she agreed to a deposition
Justin Baldoni sought to question her over friendship with Blake Lively
Judge ruled Baldoni missed the deadline to schedule her questioning
Swift’s lawyer says she has “no material role” in the case
Taylor Swift’s lawyer has confirmed the singer has not agreed to a deposition in the ongoing It Ends With Us lawsuit between Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni, shutting down claims made by Baldoni’s legal team. The pop star was named as a potential witness due to her close friendship with Lively, but her counsel insists she has no connection to the allegations. The high-profile legal battle has drawn global attention as it moves towards trial.
Taylor Swift's lawyer denies deposition agreement in Tustin Baldoni- Blake Lively lawsuit Getty Images
Why did Justin Baldoni want Taylor Swift’s deposition?
Baldoni’s lawyers argued that Swift’s long-standing friendship with Lively made her a “key witness” who could offer insight into private communications between the two actors during the film’s production. They claimed she had agreed to appear for questioning after October due to prior work commitments, referencing the rollout of her forthcoming album.
However, Swift’s attorney Douglas Baldridge refuted this in a court filing, stating that she never agreed to sit for questioning and was only contacted about it three days prior. He stressed that if forced, she could only make time during the week of 20 October, but this would be contingent on the court’s direction, not voluntary consent.
Taylor Swift has "no material role" in legal case, says lawyerGetty Images
What did the judge say about the Taylor Swift deposition bid?
Judge Lewis J. Liman denied Baldoni’s request to extend the discovery deadline to include Swift’s deposition. He ruled that Baldoni’s legal team “failed to demonstrate appropriate diligence” after waiting until this week to approach her representatives, despite having months to do so.
The judge confirmed that the discovery schedule requires all depositions to conclude by the end of September, meaning Baldoni has lost the chance to question Swift as part of the pre-trial evidence process.
Bryan Freedman, speaks to the press at US District Court after a pre-trial hearing in New York on February 3, 2025Getty Images
How has Taylor Swift responded to being named in the lawsuit?
Swift’s team has criticised Baldoni for trying to pull her into what they call a “media spectacle” despite her having no role in the case. Baldridge wrote that “since the inception of this matter, we have consistently maintained that my client has no material role in this action.”
Lively’s lawyers shared this view, accusing Baldoni of attempting to generate tabloid coverage by involving Swift. They also opposed extending the discovery period, saying any scheduling issues were caused by Baldoni’s delay, not Swift’s unavailability.
Taylor Swift and Blake Lively prior to Super Bowl LVIII between the San Francisco 49ers and Kansas City ChiefsGetty Images
What is the Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni lawsuit about?
The legal clash began in December when Lively accused Baldoni, her co-star and director on It Ends With Us, of sexual harassment and orchestrating a retaliatory smear campaign after she complained. Baldoni denied the claims and countersued for defamation, but the judge later dismissed his countersuit as legally invalid.
U.S. judge rules Blake Lively\u2019s harassment claims were legally protected speech Getty Images
The case is heading to trial in March 2026 with only Lively’s original allegations remaining. The court previously allowed Baldoni limited access to Lively and Swift’s text messages during the discovery process but has now closed the door on deposing Swift.
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Piyush Goyal recalled that in February, Narendra Modi and Donald Trump had instructed their trade ministers to conclude the first phase of the bilateral trade agreement (BTA) by November 2025. (Photo: Getty Images)
INDIA’s commerce and industry minister Piyush Goyal on Thursday said that negotiations on the proposed trade agreement between India and the United States, which began in March, are progressing in a positive atmosphere and both sides are satisfied with the discussions.
He recalled that in February, Indian prime minister Narendra Modi and US president Donald Trump had instructed their trade ministers to conclude the first phase of the bilateral trade agreement (BTA) by November 2025.
“Discussions have been going on in a positive atmosphere with seriousness since March. It is progressing, and both the countries are satisfied with the progress,” Goyal told reporters. On Wednesday, he had also said that India is in “active dialogue” with the United States.
Trump this week said there would be “no difficulty” for the two countries to reach a successful conclusion and that he looked forward to speaking with his “very good friend” Modi in the coming weeks. In a post on Truth Social, he wrote he was “pleased to announce that India, and the United States of America, are continuing negotiations to address the Trade Barriers between our two Nations.”
Modi responded on X, welcoming Trump’s statement and expressing confidence that the negotiations would help unlock the potential of the partnership. He said India and the US are close friends and natural partners and are working to conclude the discussions at the earliest.
The two countries have completed five rounds of negotiations since March. The sixth round, scheduled to take place in India last month, was deferred after Washington imposed an additional 25 per cent tariff on Indian goods over purchases of Russian crude oil.
The aim of the pact is to more than double bilateral trade in goods and services to USD 500 billion by 2030 from the current USD 191 bn. Trade ties have been strained due to tariffs, with the US imposing a 50 per cent import duty on Indian goods from August 27. The move has hit exports from labour-intensive sectors such as shrimp, textiles, leather and footwear. India has described the tariffs as unfair, unjustified and unreasonable.
Talks have also been delayed over US demands for greater access in sensitive sectors such as agriculture and dairy. India has said repeatedly that it will not compromise the interests of small and marginal farmers and cattle rearers.
The US is India’s largest trading partner. In 2024-25, bilateral trade in goods was USD 131.8 bn, with India’s exports at USD 86.5 bn and imports at USD 45.3 bn. The US is also the third-largest investor in India, with foreign direct investment of USD 76.26 bn between April 2000 and June 2025, accounting for 10 per cent of India’s total FDI inflows.
On protests in Nepal, Goyal said the Indian government is monitoring the situation and working to bring back Indian citizens stranded there. He added that the Indian mission in Nepal is ready to provide support and expressed hope for normalcy to return soon.
(With inputs from agencies)
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West Midlands Police said they were called just before 08:30 BST on Tuesday, September 9, after the woman reported being attacked by two men near Tame Road. (Representational image: iStock)
A WOMAN in her 20s was raped in Oldbury in what police are treating as a racially aggravated attack.
West Midlands Police said they were called just before 08:30 BST on Tuesday, September 9, after the woman reported being attacked by two men near Tame Road. Officers said the men made a racist remark during the incident.
Chief Supt Kim Madill of Sandwell Police said: “We are working really hard to identify those responsible, with CCTV, forensic and other enquiries well under way. We fully understand the anger and worry that this has caused, and I am speaking to people in the community today to reassure them that we are doing everything we can to identify and arrest those responsible. Incidents like this are incredibly rare, but people can expect to see extra patrols in the area.”
The first suspect has been described as white, with a shaved head and of heavy build, wearing a dark sweatshirt and gloves. The second man was also white, wearing a grey top with a silver zip. Police said the incident is being treated as isolated and urged anyone with information to call 101 quoting log 798 of September 9.
The Sikh Federation (UK) said the perpetrators reportedly told the woman: “You don't belong in this country, get out.” Dabinderjit Singh of the group said the attack happened “in broad daylight on a busy road” and criticised politicians for failing to condemn it.
Labour MP Gurinder Singh Josan said on X the case was “a truly horrific attack” and that police were treating it as a hate crime and working “extremely sympathetically with the victim at her pace.”
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Coolie hits £47m worldwide as fake ‘big mistake’ quote on Aamir Khan cameo goes viral
Viral clipping claimed Aamir Khan called his cameo in Coolie “a big mistake”
The image showed fabricated quotes criticising the role and script
Fact checks confirm no credible record of Aamir making such remarks
Despite mixed reactions, Coolie has crossed £41.75 million (₹500 crore) globally
Aamir Khan, one of Bollywood’s most acclaimed stars, has become the subject of a viral claim alleging he regretted his cameo in Coolie. The Rajinikanth starrer, directed by Lokesh Kanagaraj, featured Aamir in a brief special appearance. Social media posts claimed Aamir called the cameo “a big mistake”, but fact checks have found no evidence he ever said this. The controversy surfaced as the film continues its strong box office run.
Coolie hits £47m worldwide as fake ‘big mistake’ quote on Aamir Khan cameo goes viral Instagram/sunpictures
Did Aamir Khan really call his Coolie cameo a mistake?
The viral image doing the rounds online showed a newspaper-style clipping with quotes attributed to Aamir Khan, allegedly saying he “can’t figure out what his character was meant to do” and that it was “badly written.”
However, no verified news outlet or interview carries these remarks. The clipping has no byline, date, or publication name. Media watchdogs flagged inconsistencies in formatting and language, suggesting the content was fabricated. Reputed entertainment portals have confirmed that Aamir has not made any public comment criticising his cameo.
— (@)
What has Aamir Khan actually said about his cameo in Coolie ?
During Coolie’s promotional phase, Aamir had spoken positively about appearing alongside Rajinikanth. He described the experience as “loads of fun” and revealed he agreed to do it purely out of admiration for the veteran star.
Known for his perfectionist approach, Aamir also clarified at the time that he had not read the full script before saying yes. He emphasised that the cameo was a gesture of respect, not a creative collaboration, and that he was not involved in shaping the film’s storyline.
Despite the trolling around Aamir Khan’s appearance, Coolie has performed strongly. Industry trackers report that the film has grossed over £41.75 million (₹500 crore) worldwide. In India alone, the action thriller has earned around £28.05 million (₹336 crore), with Tamil Nadu contributing nearly £12.52 million (₹150 crore), Andhra Pradesh and Telangana around £5.84 million (₹70 crore), Karnataka £3.76 million (₹45 crore), and Kerala £2.09 million (₹25 crore).
The film opened to record-breaking figures over the Independence Day weekend before seeing a drop in weekday collections. Its overseas business has remained solid, pushing it into the year’s top-grossing Indian films.
False attributions like this can damage reputations and distort public opinion. In this case, the fake quote risked suggesting friction between Aamir Khan and director Lokesh Kanagaraj, or disappointment with Rajinikanth’s project.
— (@)
Neither Aamir nor his team has issued an official response yet, but sources close to the actor stress that he has no regrets about the cameo. The fabricated claim shows how easily misinformation can spread when presented in seemingly authentic formats.