SHATTERING stereotypes may be a little easier than breaking a long-held image, especially
if you are a Hindi film actor. But Emraan Hashmi, who was once tagged as Bollywood’s
‘serial kisser’, has been making honest efforts to set himself free from that long-standing
image and venture into brand new territories.
Last seen in powerful international drama Tiger (2018), Emraan has now started picking up
roles, which utilise his acting calibre to the full and do not necessarily resort to skin-show or lip-locks to titillate the audience.
His latest release Cheat India exposes fraud in the education system and sees him star in a
never-seen-before avatar. Aside from playing the lead role, the versatile actor has also produced the Soumik Sen-directed film, which makes some eye-opening revelations.
Eastern Eye’s Mohnish Singh in Mumbai caught up with Emraan to talk about Cheat India
and what kind of changes he believes his film can make to the ailing education system of
the country. The actor spoke from the heart and was clearly passionate about the subject matter of Cheat India.
We see you in a completely different avatar in the superb trailer of Cheat India. What made you sign this film in the first place?
When the director (Soumik Sen) approached me with the script, I loved it and thought the
main issue it addresses is something, which needs to be brought to the forefront. I was extremely surprised at how the director and writer had handled such a relevant issue that everyone knows about. The director has made such a great and daring film around it. The film has commercial trappings also, like four songs and all the elements that made it a palatable Bollywood masala film. So, that was really heartening and I ended up doing this film.
You are not only the actor, but also turned producer for this project. What made you take this plunge?
I wanted to get into production from a long time. So, when I heard the script of this film, I
decided it should be my first film as a producer, because it had everything. I am very proud of it.
The Cheat India trailer is so mass-friendly and you seem to be at a totally different level in the film. Do you think the movie would fare really well at the box-office, keeping in mind the response the trailer has generated?
I am very happy with the response for the trailer. After 15 years of experience in the industry, I am talking like a wise man, but what really matters to me is the journey, not box-office numbers. The box-office numbers are important for producers and people who have invested in the film as they want some return on their revenue. But it is taking up a particular subject, a problem in our country with a no-holds-barred approach and tells everyone that this is how screwed up our system is; this is how middlemen are jacking up fees, and how flawed and regressive our education system is, that matters.
Tell us more.
As long as the issue is brought to the forefront and it becomes a conversation starter among people along with good entertainment, I am happy. I do not know about my performance and how people are going to react to it, but I did this film and I felt I’d never played a character like that before. So, I am very happy to get such a role.
We have seen many con films before, but Cheat India brings up something which we knew existed, but no filmmaker ever tried to make a film on it. Why, according to you, has everyone been shying away from this subject for so many years?
Because five years ago something like this would have not been made. They would have
felt it’s ‘arty’ in nature and would be unsure about investing in it. They would wonder since
there is no action in it or no sex despite Emraan Hashmi in it - who will watch the movie? These would be the main concerns. But I think in the past four years things have changed drastically. Films, which were considered arty back then are commercial films now. They have become commercially viable. It is great to see more filmmakers coming forward and making movies like this.
It is an important subject.
This issue is something which affects students, parents, future parents, education faculties, our schools and ministers. Everyone is somewhere touched by this. It is very important that this issue is highlighted. There are a lot of students and parents who do not know scams like this exist in our education system. So through this film, people will get to know the reality. I am happy that finally the matter is coming to the forefront. Better late than never.
Were you aware of these scams and cheating rackets in the education system before the script was brought to you?
Yes, since my school days. Not about cheating rackets per say, but about leaks. Exam paper leaks have happened in my class too. When it happened, a lot of students had bought the leaked question papers. Even I tried to push my father to buy it and was slapped on my face, (laughs). He just slapped me, but did not shout at me. There were 15-20 students from my class who had bought the paper a day before the exam. But it was the wrong paper.
What happened?
All students were crying in the class as they had not prepared for the examination at all. Some middleman messed with them. So it was back then when I came to know about all this. But now this has become so common. We get to hear about so many paper-leaks these days. Every state has had the problem of student impersonation, proxy examiners, paper-leaks and all kinds of job placements that have been fudged. Teachers’ appointment letters have been manipulated. Ours is a fractured education system.
Do you think your film is going to create some sort of awareness among students and parents about these issues, which are ailing the Indian education system?
You are very optimistic to say that, but things are not going to improve overnight. Even after making a real hue and cry, have the roads in Mumbai improved? No, right? It has been happening for years. We are just reiterating things, which have been said many times before. Having said that, I hope things change soon. This movie puts a stamp on what happens. We have shown you in two hours, not in detail tough, but yes, we have touched pretty much everything that happens in our education system.
Cheat India seems to be a hard-hitting, message- driven film. So, can we say you are driving your focus towards such kind of movies now?
I love these kind of films. I love movies that are entertaining as well as bring a message to society. I do not say I won’t explore other genres. Even with other genres, I will still do things my way. I cannot do a typical masala film. If it is an action film, it has to be a different kind. I cannot do action when one guy is hitting, 10 others are flying in the air. I will probably do other types of films side by side, but yes, I love doing message-driven films. They entertain you and at the same time, they make you think what is going on around.
Djokovic serves to Italy's Flavio Cobolli during their men's singles quarter-final tennis match on the tenth day of the 2025 Wimbledon Championships on July 9, 2025. (Photo: Getty Images)
Djokovic to play Sinner in his 14th Wimbledon semi-final
Alcaraz aims for third straight final against American fifth seed Fritz
Sinner leads Djokovic 5-4 in head-to-head, winning last four matches
Fritz seeks to become first American man in Wimbledon final since 2009
NOVAK DJOKOVIC will face world number one Jannik Sinner in the Wimbledon semi-finals on Friday, while defending champion Carlos Alcaraz plays Taylor Fritz in the other last-four clash.
Djokovic, a seven-time Wimbledon champion, is aiming for a record 25th Grand Slam title and sees the grass courts of the All England Club as his best chance to achieve it. Now 38, he is preparing for what he calls the “biggest challenge” of his campaign.
The Serb, who has not won a Grand Slam since claiming his 24th major at the 2023 US Open, will be playing in his 14th Wimbledon semi-final, with 10 wins from his previous 13 matches at this stage. He has reached every final at Wimbledon since 2018, and his last semi-final loss at the tournament came in 2012 against Roger Federer.
A win on Friday would put Djokovic into his 11th Wimbledon final and 38th Grand Slam final overall. If he progresses, he would equal Federer’s Open era record of seven consecutive Wimbledon men’s finals.
Djokovic beat Sinner in the Wimbledon quarter-finals in 2022 and again in the semi-finals in 2023. However, Sinner has had the upper hand in recent meetings, defeating Djokovic at the 2024 Australian Open and again at this year’s French Open. The Italian currently leads their head-to-head 5-4 after nine encounters and has won their last four matches.
“Sinner and Alcaraz are the leaders of tennis today. I couldn't ask for a bigger challenge, for sure. I look forward to it,” Djokovic said.
Sinner, who brushed aside Ben Shelton in the quarter-finals, dismissed concerns about an elbow injury. A win for the 22-year-old Australian Open champion would send him into his first Wimbledon final. It would also mark his fourth consecutive Grand Slam final appearance, making him the sixth man to do so in the Open era.
“Me and Novak, we know each other better because we played quite a lot. So we understand what's working and what's not,” Sinner said.
In the other semi-final, Spain’s Alcaraz will be aiming for his third successive Wimbledon final when he takes on American fifth seed Fritz.
Alcaraz, 22, had a slow start to the tournament. He went to five sets against Fabio Fognini in the opening round and dropped sets against Jan-Lennard Struff and Andrey Rublev. But he returned to form with a straight-sets win over Cameron Norrie in the quarter-finals.
The world number two is currently on a 23-match winning streak since losing to Holger Rune in the Barcelona final in April. He has won 34 of his last 37 matches on grass.
“Taylor is playing great. The grass season has been really successful for him so far. I have to be ready for that battle,” Alcaraz said.
Fritz, 27, is looking to reach his second Grand Slam final. He lost his first, against Sinner, at the US Open last year. If he defeats Alcaraz, he will become the first American man to make the Wimbledon final since Andy Roddick in 2009.
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The Canary Wharf business district including global financial institutions in London.
THE UK economy contracted unexpectedly in May, marking the second consecutive monthly decline, according to official data released on Friday. The figures present a challenge for the Labour government as it attempts to revive economic growth.
Gross domestic product fell by 0.1 per cent in May, following a 0.3 per cent contraction in April, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) said in a statement.
Economists had forecast a 0.1 per cent increase in GDP.
The data comes at a time when prime minister Keir Starmer's government is dealing with global challenges, including US tariffs and persistent inflation.
The Labour government’s fiscal strategy relies heavily on economic growth, particularly after recent reversals on welfare cuts and winter fuel payments for pensioners.
Finance minister Rachel Reeves described the figures as "disappointing" and said there was "more to do."
Labour has announced plans to reduce red tape and has unveiled a multi-billion pound investment programme aimed at the National Health Service and infrastructure to boost growth.
In separate data published by the ONS on Friday, UK exports to the United States increased by £0.3 billion in May. This followed a record fall in April when President Donald Trump's tariffs took effect.
"Growth is becoming incredibly difficult to achieve for the government," said Lindsay James, investment strategist at Quilter.
"The plans put in place so far are unlikely to move the needle in the absence of improving business and consumer sentiment in an environment of ongoing cost pressures," she added.
ONS director of economic statistics Liz McKeown said there were "notable falls in production and construction" which affected GDP in May.
She said the decline in production was led by "oil and gas extraction, car manufacturing and the often-erratic pharmaceutical industry."
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A similar event held at the same site last year resulted in a planning enforcement notice being issued due to complaints of noise and disturbance.
A PROPOSED 10-day Hindu festival in Wembley, north London, has drawn objections over concerns about noise and disruption in the area.
Asian Events Media (AEM) has applied to Brent Council to host the Navratri celebration at Alperton Studios from September 22 to October 1, according to The London Standard.
The event would run from 6pm to 11pm on weekdays and until midnight on weekends.
A similar event held at the same site last year resulted in a planning enforcement notice being issued due to complaints of noise and disturbance. The notice remains in place.
Brent Council’s Planning Enforcement Manager (PEM) said granting the licence would “facilitate the criminal act of breaching [the notice]” and described the building as unsuitable for such events due to lack of soundproofing.
A local resident said last year’s noise was “loud and constant”, leading them to miss work. However, AEM said the previous organisers “were not professional” and blamed poor speaker placement and equipment choices.
AEM pointed to a previous event in Barham Park that drew no complaints and said they are “very, very strict” with sound levels.
The application will be reviewed by Brent Council’s Alcohol and Entertainment Licensing Sub-Committee on July 14.
The London Standard reported that neither the police nor the council’s Licensing Enforcement Officer have objected.
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Priyanka Chopra Jonas poses for pictures during the inauguration of NMACC
Priyanka Chopra sparked online backlash after picking a hot dog over vada pav in a red carpet food round
The Heads of State star responded with a cheeky Instagram Story: “Didn’t know there was a syllabus for being desi”
Influencers and fans debated her food choices, calling her selection “un-Indian”
Chopra stars alongside John Cena and Idris Elba in Heads of State, now streaming on Prime Video
Priyanka Chopra found herself at the centre of a heated food debate this week, but she’s not taking it lying down. After her red carpet interview clip from the Heads of State premiere went viral, where she picked a hot dog over vada pav, social media was flooded with comments questioning her “desi” credentials. But Chopra wasn’t having any of it and gave a pointed yet humorous reply to the unexpected backlash.
Priyanka Chopra attends Amazon's "Heads Of State" World Premiere Getty Images
Fans question her desi tag after viral red carpet moment
It all started at the Heads of State premiere, where Chopra participated in a rapid-fire food round. When asked to choose between popular dishes, she said her mood would dictate whether she picked empanadas or samosas and responded “both” when it came to enchiladas versus chicken tikka masala.
But it was her swift answer when asked to choose between vada pav and hot dog that stirred things up. Without hesitation, she said, “I love a vada pav, but hot dog is my weakness.” The clip quickly gained traction, especially after a content creator reposted it with commentary questioning her loyalty to Indian street food.
Priyanka responded to the online noise with an Instagram Story that made her stance clear. Sharing Sidhu’s edited reel, she wrote, “Wow bro! Didn’t know there was a syllabus for being desi. It’s not that serious,” adding a few laughing emojis to lighten the tone.
The remark struck a chord with many fans who appreciated her straightforwardness, while others continued to dissect her choices in comment threads and meme pages.
Priyanka Chopra shared her take on the food debate via Instagram StoriesInstagram Screengrab/priyankachopra
A busy season for Priyanka with Heads of State and Indian comeback
The debate comes amid a packed year for Chopra. Her action-comedy film Heads of State, co-starring John Cena and Idris Elba, is currently streaming on Amazon Prime Video. The movie sees the trio involved in a chaotic mission as mismatched operatives trying to stop an international threat. While the film has received mixed reviews, Chopra’s performance has been praised for its energy and comic timing.
Meanwhile, she’s also preparing to return to Indian cinema with SSMB 29, directed by RRR filmmaker SS Rajamouli. The adventure film is said to be inspired by the Indiana Jones-style genre and stars Mahesh Babu and Prithviraj Sukumaran. Chopra was spotted shooting in Hyderabad earlier this year.
John Cena, Priyanka Chopra and Ilya Naishuller attend the photocall for "Heads Of State"Getty Images
Food preferences do not equal cultural betrayal, say fans
While some social media users mocked her food picks, many rallied in her support, pointing out that liking international food doesn’t negate her desi identity. “She’s lived all over the world, let her eat what she wants,” wrote one user. Others highlighted the absurdity of the backlash, with one tweet reading, “This is why we can’t have nice things. She says hot dog and suddenly she’s not Indian enough?”
In the end, Priyanka Chopra’s message was simple: taste is personal, and gatekeeping someone’s cultural authenticity based on food choices is more embarrassing than funny.
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The bank's commitment to green lending reflects focus on sustainability (Photo: Getty Images)
BANKING major State Bank of India (UK) has cut interest rates on its buy-to-let mortgage products to help landlords reduce borrowing costs.
The bank said the rate cuts would help landlords invest in rental properties and meet growing demand for rental homes across the UK.
For the Standard Product Range, interest rates have been reduced by up to 35 basis points across all Loan-to-Value (LTV) tiers for five-year fixed-term products. In the SPV Product Range, rates have been cut by up to 40 basis points. Additionally, a flat fee has been introduced on larger loans for limited companies, aiming to simplify the lending process, a statement said.
The Houses in multiple occupation (HMO) product range has seen significant improvements. Rates have been reduced by up to 90 basis points on two-year fixed products and up to 50 basis points on five-year fixed products. Non-green properties now benefit from a flat rate of 5.15 per cent for five-year terms.
Fees for five-year products have also been lowered to 1.50 per cent for 50 per cent and 65 per cent LTV. Furthermore, green properties receive an additional discount of 10 basis points. Also, pricing for Multi-Unit Freehold Blocks (MUFB) has been brought in line with the HMO product range, offering similar rate reductions and terms.
Abhishek Sahay, chief business officer at SBI UK, said the bank wanted to support landlords with better lending deals.
"We understand the importance of service standards and have added capacity to our underwriting team to process applications in a timely manner," he said. "We recognise the crucial role landlords play in the UK housing ecosystem, and these rate reductions are designed to help them thrive in a dynamic market."
He added that the bank's ongoing commitment to green lending reflects focus on sustainability and reduction in the carbon footprint of the housing sector.