Where: Harrow Leisure Centre, Christchurch Avenue, Harrow HA3 5BD; and Ramgarhia Community Centre, Ulverscroft Road, Leicester LE4 6BY
What: Musical event celebrating the colours of Navratri with garba, dandiya and live performance by Jaysinh Gadhvi. There is also food stalls and prizes for the best dressed attendees.
www.eventbrite.co.uk
SHYAM NAYAN PRESENTS DHARA
When: Saturday, August 31
Where: The Bhavan, 4A Castletown Road, London W14 9HE
What: The London based dancer will share timeless, hereditary pieces from both the Jaipur and Banaras gharanas of Kathak. The evening will showcase the rich heritage of classical Indian music, dance, and literature.
www.bhavan.net
ATIF ASLAM
When: Friday, September 6, Saturday, September 7 and Sunday September 8
Where: SEC Armadillo, Exhibition Way, Glasgow G3 8YW; and Mattioli Arena, 12 Memory Lane, Leicester LE1 3UL; and OVO Arena, Arena Square, Engineers Way, London HA9 0AA
What: The Pakistani pop superstar returns for another UK tour with a full live band, where he will perform his greatest hits and all-time classics.
www.rockonmusicuk.com
ADITYA GADHVI
When: Friday, September 6 and Sunday September 8
Where: OVO Arena, Arena Square, Engineers Way, London HA9 0AA; and Maher Centre, 15 Ravensbridge Drive, Leicester LE4 0BZ
What: Indian singer Aditya Gadhvi brings his infectious garba vibes with popular Gujarati songs and pulsating rhythms.
www.rockonmusicuk.com
BHOOLI BISRI YAADEIN
When: Saturday, September 7
Where: Elliot Hall, Harrow Arts Centre, 171 Uxbridge Road, Pinner HA5 4EA
What: Top singing talents present a musical evening filled with the mesmerising melodies of Bollywood music legends Mohammed Rafi, Mukesh, Kishore Kumar and Lata Mangeshkar.
What: The award-winning British sitar maestro delivers a concert celebrating India’s rich musical heritage. He will be accompanied by Shahbaz Hussain in tabla.
www.curveonline.co.uk
ARIJIT SINGH
When: Sunday, September 15 and Monday, September 16
Where: The O2 Arena, 205 Peninsula Square, London SE10 0ES; and Utilita Arena, King Edwards Road, Birmingham B1 2AA
What: The popular Indian singer embarks on another UK tour with a full live band, where he will perform his greatest hits, along with much loved film classics.
www.rockonmusicuk.com
ROOPA PANESAR
When: Wednesday, September 18
Where: LSO St Luke's, 161 Old Street, London EC1V 9NG
What: One of the UK’s finest sitar players returns for a concert of Indian classical music, collaborating with trailblazing Indian classical and contemporary musicians.
www.barbican.org.uk
Falguni Pathak
FALGUNI PATHAK
When: Friday, September 20
Where: OVO Arena, Arena Square, Engineers Way, London HA9 0AA
What: The undisputed queen of dandiya music returns with a live show filled with much-loved songs, mesmerising melodies and infectious energy.
www.ovoarena.co.uk
REWIND QUEENS
When: Saturday, September 21 - Sunday, September 22
Where: Resorts World Arena, Perimeter Road, Birmingham B40 1NT; and OVO Arena, Arena Square, Engineers Way, London HA9 0AA
What: Concert headlined by popular singers Alka Yagnik, Kavita Krishnamurthy, Anuradha Paudwal and Alisha Chinai, performing their greatest hits with a full live band.
www.graceentertainment.co.uk
DILJIT DOSANJH
When: Sunday, September 22
Where: Utilita Arena, King Edwards Road, Birmingham B1 2AA
What: The Punjabi superstar kick-starts the UK leg of his record-breaking Dil-Luminati world tour with an explosive performance powered by his biggest hits.
www.utilitaarenabham.co.uk
THEATRE
VITAMIN D
When: Tuesday, September 3 – Saturday, September 22
Where: Soho Theatre, 21 Dean Street, London W1D 3NE
What: Award-winning play looking at the changing relationships between women, complexities of emotional crises, British South Asian culture and the stigma of divorce.
www.sohotheatre.com
RUN REBEL
When: Thursday, September 26 – Saturday, October 5
Where: Theatre Peckham, 221 Havil Street, London SE5 7SB
What: Stage adaptation of Manjeet Mann’s powerful award-winning winning novel of a young girl, who finds strength to finally break free from her claustrophobic and abusive home life, embarks on another UK tour.
What: Popular stand-up comedian Nish Kumar’s new show dissects politics, climate collapse and income inequality. Check website for further tour dates.
www.nishkumar.co.uk
DESI CENTRAL COMEDY SHOW
When: Saturday, September 7
Where: The Beck Theatre, Grange Road, Hayes UB3 2UE
What: Stand-up comedy show featuring terrific talents Farhan Solo, Prince Abdi, Tommy Sandhu, Janine Harouni and Eshaan Akbar.
www.luventertainment.co.uk
TEZ ILYAS: AFTER EIGHT
When: Saturday, September 7
Where: G Live, London Road, Guildford GU1 2AA
What: The popular stand-up comedian embarks on another UK tour with his new show about the changing world and trying to make sense of his new life as a married man. Check website for further tour dates and availability.
www.TezIlyas.com
Aditi Mital
ADITI MITTAL: BAD ALTITUDE
When: Monday, September 9 - Saturday, September 14
Where: Soho Theatre, 21 Dean Street, London W1D 3NE
What: The popular Indian stand-up comedian returns with a live show about her trek to Mount Everest.
www.sohotheatre.com
ANUBHAV SINGH BASSI: KISI KO BATANA MAT
When: Sunday, September 15
Where: Indigo at The O2, 205 Peninsula Square, London SE10 0ES
What: Popular Indian stand-up comedian presents his laughter filled show, with two performances, at 2pm and 6pm.
www.theo2.co.uk
AHIR SHAH: ENDS
When: Monday, September 23 – Saturday, September 28
Where: Soho Theatre, 21 Dean Street, London W1D 3NE
What: The British stand-up comedian presents his award-winning show about family, immigration, marriage, history, politics, and beans.
www.sohotheatre.com
EVENTS
PUNJABI SUMMER SPEED DATING, MINGLING & AFTER PARTY
When: Saturday, September 7
Where: Sway Bar, 61-65 Great Queen Street, London WC2B 5BZ
What: Event is specifically tailored for UK-born Hindu and Sikh professionals who are on the lookout for meaningful connections and possibly romance.
www.eventbrite.com
MAHISHASURA MARDINI - THE COLOSSAL MAHALAYA
When: Wednesday, October 8
Where: Swiss Cottage Library, 88 Avenue Road, London NW3 3HA
What: The London Durgotsav Committee will stage a dance drama that will include recitation of hymns from scriptural verses, Bengali devotional songs and dances.
www.eventbrite.com
CLASSES
BOLLYWOOD DANCE CLASS
When: Saturday, August 31
Where: CRATE, 35 Saint James Street, London E17 7FY
What: Fun Bollywood dance class focusing on movement and mindfulness.
www.eventbrite.com
FULL DAY SIMPLE INDIAN COOKERY COURSE
When: Saturday, September 14
Where: Hounslow, London
What: A practical hands-on homestyle cooking course learning how to prepare a variety of Indian dishes using spices for depth of flavour. Check website for further cooking courses.
www.cookingwithmonisha.com
AFGHAN COOKERY CLASS
When: Sunday, September 15
Where: Migrateful Cookery School, Corporation Row, London EC1R 0HU
What: Chef Najee will teach you some of his favourite Afghan dishes followed by a sit down meal in a family friendly class.
Sir Rod Stewart has called off a series of concerts in the US as he recovers from a bout of flu, just weeks before his anticipated set at Glastonbury Festival. The 80-year-old singer, who was due to perform six shows across Nevada and California in early June, announced that four have been cancelled and two will be rescheduled.
Sharing the update on Instagram, Rod apologised to fans and expressed his frustration at having to take a break. “I’m devastated and sincerely sorry,” he wrote. “I’ll be back on stage and will see you soon.” The cancelled dates include multiple shows in Las Vegas and Stateline, Nevada, while the California concerts will now take place in September.
Despite the setback, Stewart’s headline appearance at Glastonbury is still very much on. He’s set to take over the festival’s famous Legends slot on Sunday, 29 June, more than two decades since he last played the Pyramid Stage in 2002. At the time, he performed alongside Coldplay and Stereophonics, but this time he’ll return as the oldest artist ever to headline the Legends slot.
Speaking on The Peter Crouch Podcast, Stewart revealed he was only allocated 75 minutes for his Glastonbury set but has requested an extra 15. “I play for over two hours every night, 90 minutes is nothing,” he said. He also shared that Rolling Stones guitarist Ronnie Wood, his former bandmate from Faces, will join him for part of the show, making it a mini-reunion.
Cancelled ShowsInstagram/sirrodstewart
Slowing down but not stopping
Though Stewart has hinted that this might be his final major tour, he’s not ready to retire just yet. “This will be the end of big world tours, but I’m not hanging up the mic,” he said. Instead, he’s eyeing more intimate venues for future performances, possibly exploring a swing or Great American Songbook setlist.
Rod Stewart set to reunite with Ronnie Wood at GlastonburyGetty Images
Rod has faced several health issues this year, including strep throat and a recent round of vocal rest. Still, he seems determined to power through Glastonbury with his charm and energy. With hits like Maggie May and Da Ya Think I’m Sexy, fans can expect a career-spanning set worthy of the Sunday slot.
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Deepika Padukone joins Allu Arjun in Atlee pan India epic AA22xA6
Deepika Padukone has officially signed on as the female lead in Atlee’s highly anticipated film with Allu Arjun, tentatively titled AA22xA6. The announcement has come after her controversial exit from Spirit, directed by Sandeep Reddy Vanga, making this casting a major talking point in film circles and among fans.
The film’s production house, Sun Pictures, introduced Deepika with a video of her training for what appears to be a fierce action role. Concept sketches depict her as a warrior queen, leaping into battle with a massive axe. The video includes scenes of her practising fight choreography in a motion-capture suit and even riding a CGI horse while wielding a weapon.
The visual cues suggest a fantasy-meets-science-fiction world with Deepika at the centre of it. This will be her first screen outing with Allu Arjun and her second project with director Atlee after the 2023 hit Jawan. The makers are calling it a “magnum opus” and have brought on top international technicians, including VFX experts who have worked on Iron Man 2 and Transformers.
Hollywood-based creators involved in the project have publicly praised the film’s script. From creature designs to large-scale battle sequences, AA22xA6 will be one of Indian cinema’s biggest cross-industry collaborations yet.
Sun Pictures reveals the film logo with a teaser full of actionYoutube Screengrab/ Sun TV
Exiting Spirit, entering strength
Deepika’s casting comes soon after her exit from Spirit, which led to a social media stir. While Sandeep Reddy Vanga seemed to suggest she made unreasonable demands, sources close to the actor say she simply wanted an eight-hour workday, a choice influenced by her becoming a new mother.
Vanga’s cryptic posts online accused an actor of lacking commitment, but fans and industry insiders were quick to defend Deepika’s professionalism. Some even joked, “She doesn’t need Vanga,” applauding her for choosing stronger projects over toxic work environments. Replacing her in Spirit is Animal star Triptii Dimri.
Director Atlee guides Deepika through motion capture choreographyYoutube Screengrab/Sun TV
With AA22xA6, Deepika is not just stepping into a powerful role on screen, she’s also showing that leading women in the industry can call the shots without compromise.
Identical twins Croo and Sach have gained recognition in the fashion and digital space for their vibrant content, often shot in scenic locations. Heavily inspired by cinema, the ambitious Indian duo make bold style statements with their eye-catching outfits and have big plans ahead.
Eastern Eye asked the rising social media stars to share the 10 things that creatively inspire them most.
Rajesh Khanna’s acting and fashion: The legendary Hindi cinema icon has always been a huge inspiration for us. His romantic aura, unique walk, and killer fashion sense – especially those retro fits – influence a lot of our personal style. We love turning up in vintage clothes because they instantly bring out that old-school Bombay mafia gangster vibe we admire.
Dilip Kumar’s pure acting: There is a reason he is regarded as one of the greatest actors in Indian cinema. His raw, natural style is a masterclass for us. We study his expressions and pauses to craft emotion-driven reels. Whether we shoot dialogue-heavy content or silent dramatic clips, his influence is everywhere. He helps us elevate even the simplest concept into something powerful and deeply moving.
Amitabh Bachchan’s persona and vintage style: When the superstar burst onto the scene in the 1970s, his fierce screen presence redefined intensity – and that shapes how we approach high-energy, gritty reel content. We recreate cinematic moments with hard-hitting lines, commanding expressions and dramatic walk-ins. His blazer and sunglasses look and deep baritone also inspire how we style and deliver those punchy, “don’t mess with us” characters on Instagram.
Amitabh Bachchangetty images
The timeless beauty of Madhubala: Often hailed as the most beautiful star of Hindi cinema, Madhubala’s elegance influences how we frame our female leads. Soft lighting, dreamy close-ups and graceful movements – all come from her legacy. We use her timeless charm to blend vintage aesthetics with modern storytelling in our reels.
Madhuri Dixit’s 1990s glamour and dance: The dancing queen made a huge impact in her prime. The multi-talented star’s expressions and dance finesse have definitely inspired our rhythm-based reels. We blend Bollywood thumkas with glamorous visuals and fast cuts – always with her finesse in mind. Her 1990s colour palettes and glam styling also guide how we create fashion transitions in dance reels.
Ranveer Singh’s fashion and attitude: The unique actor’s over-the-top style and wild energy are our go-to when we want to break the internet. Loud outfits, bold moves and unexpected transitions – that is Ranveer’s zone. We love channelling his “no rules” attitude into our fashion-centric reels, adding an unapologetic flair to every frame we create.
Les Twins’ dance and fashion: The French duo – dancers, choreographers, producers, models and designers – have made an impact across multiple creative fields. They completely changed the way we view dance. Their precision, swag and effortless flow inspire us to choreograph sharp, clean and stylish reels. We also love their streetwear aesthetic – it has shaped how we dress, shoot and edit our content with a fresh, global urban vibe.
Ranbir Kapoorgetty images
Shah Rukh Khan’s struggle to stardom: The superstar’s journey really hits home for us. Coming from nothing and building an empire through passion, dedication and relentless hustle – that story is our biggest motivation. We see ourselves in that grind and share the same fire to prove something. Whenever we create reels or any kind of content, we channel his energy – starting small, thinking big and pouring our heart into everything. His romantic intensity, raw vulnerability and on-screen confidence push us to dream bigger and stay true to ourselves. He reminds us that the journey matters just as much as the destination.
Ranbir Kapoor’s acting: From the newer generation of actors, Ranbir inspires us with the way he fully becomes his character without ever overdoing it. There is a softness, depth and quiet strength in his performances that we try to bring into our creative reels. His expressions often speak louder than words, and that minimal, emotional style teaches us how to connect with the audience on a deeper level.
Instagram: @vaghelabrothers
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Deepika Padukone is redefining what power looks like in Bollywood
It didn’t take a walkout on a picket line or a fiery press conference to shake the Indian film industry; it took Deepika Padukone quietly demanding, “Eight hours.” No dramatic monologue or sensational tweets. Just a simple request: humane hours, overtime pay, and a refusal to push her body and mind past the brink. And just like that, the conversation in Bollywood cracked wide open.
In an industry that glorifies overnight shoots, delayed pack-ups, and “dedication” measured in sweat, Padukone’s decision to exit a high-profile film, Spirit, over her demand for an eight-hour workday was certainly a career move for her. But beyond that, it was a cultural revolt.
Deepika’s decision is pushing conversations beyond the glamGetty Images
When “enough” becomes revolutionary
What made this moment resonate wasn't just who said it, but when. After giving birth to daughter Dua in September 2024, Padukone’s priorities naturally shifted. She didn’t demand luxury. She asked for balance. And Bollywood, unaccustomed to being told “no,” didn’t take it well.
Her terms were straightforward: eight-hour shifts, payment for overtime, profit-sharing, and a refusal to perform intimate scenes or speak in Telugu; reasonable boundaries that suddenly became controversial when voiced by one of the industry’s most bankable stars.
When director Sandeep Reddy Vanga, known for pushing his cast in emotionally aggressive scenes, reportedly rejected these conditions, Padukone walked away from the project. She was swiftly replaced by Triptii Dimri. Vanga later alluded to “script leaks” and an unnamed actor who had “put down” a younger co-star, setting the entire social media ablaze with speculation.
— (@)
But Deepika wasn’t dragging anyone down; she was raising the floor.
Behind the glamour, Deepika Padukone is leading a quiet revolution in work cultureGetty Images
Not a diva, just done
What’s shocking is how quickly people defaulted to calling her “difficult.” And yet, actors like Shah Rukh Khan are known for avoiding night shoots and Akshay Kumar famously doesn’t work Sundays. No one raises eyebrows when they draw boundaries because it’s framed as “professionalism.” But when a new mother does it? Suddenly, it's "unreasonable."
Director Siddharth P. Malhotra, who worked with Rani Mukerji during Hichki, exposed this double standard: “Rani asked for eight-hour shifts to be with her daughter. Kajol only did one shift a day for We Are Family. It’s only a problem when women say it aloud.”
The industry responds. Some with applause, some with alarm
The dominoes have finally started falling. Mani Ratnam called it a necessary reset. Pankaj Tripathi described his own past of 16-18 hour days as “soul-draining,” while Barun Sobti, an actor-turned-producer, said he’d enforce 8-hour shifts if given the reins. Kajol, ever candid, deadpanned, “I love that you can work less,” while Ajay Devgn added that “honest filmmakers” would never object.
From star to changemaker, Deepika Padukone is rewriting the rules of the setGetty Images
But not everyone cheered
Director Tarun Mansukhani worried about logistical chaos. Some commented: “What happens when mid-budget films start losing their heroes to time clocks?” Others whispered about setting a dangerous precedent.
More than just a star’s schedule
This isn’t just about an actor clocking out early. It’s about rethinking the ecosystem.
Tripathi’s remark: “The actor leaves; the labourers stay”, in fact revealed the hierarchy. Spot boys, technicians, junior artists, they don’t get to negotiate. They wait, often unpaid for overtime, as the “show must go on.” The real question Deepika raises is: if she can’t get fair hours, who can?
And then there’s pay. A producer once told her they couldn't afford to pay her more because it would require cutting the male lead's salary and her response was a simple: 'Goodbye'.
The message? Equal pay isn’t a negotiation; it’s a principle.
When one woman said no to burnout, Bollywood was forced to listenGetty Images
Bollywood vs the world
Hollywood actors operate under union protections like SAG-AFTRA mandates, rest breaks, overtime pay, and hard stop hours. Violate it, and the studio pays. In contrast, Bollywood thrives on chaos masked as passion. People wear sleeplessness as a badge of honour. But glamour doesn’t justify grind.
While some southern Indian industries like Tollywood and Mollywood run leaner and faster, the Bollywood machine is notoriously disorganised, more time wasted in disarray than in shooting.
As one Mumbai-based casting director put it, “We imitate Hollywood’s sparkle but not their structure.”
Challenging the grind: how Deepika is shifting industry norms one demand at a timeGetty Images
Will the industry bend or break?
Deepika's stand has pushed the debate beyond vanity. This is about structure, safety, and sustainability. If the Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) and the Indian Film & Television Producers Council (IFTPC) don’t use this flashpoint to draw up new frameworks, the fallout will continue to be individual actors “opting out” rather than an industry choosing to change.
There’s already noise on social media from mid-tier actors who’ve faced burnout. They described enduring 14-hour shoot days with minimal breaks and have urged producers to build reasonable rest periods into their schedules. The pot’s boiling.
Deepika Padukone’s stand is making work-life balance a power move in Indian cinemaGetty Images
The curtain call
What started with one woman asking to wrap up on time has opened a conversation that Bollywood has avoided for far too long. Deepika Padukone’s quiet battle has exposed the uncomfortable truth: that this industry, which prides itself on discipline and “family vibes,” often forgets that families need time, sleep, and respect.
She didn’t just ask for eight hours. She asked for dignity and, most importantly, balance. And in doing so, she’s invited every actor, technician, spot boy, and choreographer to do the same.
This isn’t a diva’s whim; it’s like labour is stepping into the spotlight, demanding its long-overdue close-up. Bollywood’s glamour will always shine. But maybe, finally, it won’t have to come at the cost of people collapsing under its weight.
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Lokesh Kanagaraj set to direct Aamir Khan in a high-octane superhero film
Bollywood icon Aamir Khan has officially revealed that he will be teaming up with Tamil filmmaker Lokesh Kanagaraj for a large-scale superhero action film. The project, which is still in its early stages, is expected to begin production in the second half of 2026.
A rare early reveal from Aamir Khan
Aamir is known for picking his projects carefully, usually choosing one at a time, often after his latest release has had its run. But this time, ahead of the 20 June release of Sitaare Zameen Par, he decided to open up about what’s coming next. In a media interaction in Mumbai, he confirmed that he and Lokesh Kanagaraj have signed on to create a superhero film. “It’s a big-scale action film,” Aamir said, adding that while production is still more than a year away, the plan is firmly in place.
Lokesh, known for action-packed Tamil hits like Kaithi, Master, Vikram, and Leo, has built a reputation for combining stylish action with grounded storytelling. Aamir, who has dabbled in the action genre with films like Ghulam, Ghajini, and Dhoom 3, is expected to bring emotional weight and mainstream appeal to this pairing.
When asked for more details, Aamir smiled and declined to say more, simply stating that the full picture would emerge in time. For now, both actors and fans will have to wait as the film moves towards pre-production.
No PK sequel, but a Dadasaheb Phalke biopic is in the works
During the same interaction, Aamir also addressed speculation about a sequel to PK. “That’s just a rumour,” he said plainly. “I don’t know where that came from.” Instead, he confirmed he will reunite with director Rajkumar Hirani for a biopic on Dadasaheb Phalke, widely regarded as the father of Indian cinema.
Meanwhile, Sitaare Zameen Par, a spiritual follow-up to his acclaimed 2007 film Taare Zameen Par, will see Aamir play a basketball coach working with a team of individuals with special needs. Directed by RS Prasanna and co-starring Genelia D’Souza, the film also introduces ten new actors.
Aamir Khan dismisses PK 2 rumours and confirms biopic on Dadasaheb PhalkeGetty Images
With multiple ambitious projects lined up, including a superhero film, a historical biopic, and the epic mythological saga, Aamir Khan is entering a creatively fertile phase of his career, balancing scale with substance.