After winning raves for his debut performance in Iranian filmmaker Majid Majidi’s Hindi movie Beyond The Clouds (2018), newcomer Ishaan Khatter faces the audience once again with his second Bollywood outing Dhadak. Helmed by Shashank Khaitan and produced by Karan Johar, the musical romantic film is an official remake of cult Marathi language movie Sairat (2016). In this interview with Eastern Eye correspondent, Mohnish Singh, Ishaan opens up about Dhadak, how he bagged Beyond The Clouds, and what kind of preparations he did to glide into the skin of Madhukar, the character he essays in Dhadak.
Tell us something about your character in Dhadak?
My character’s name is Madhukar Bagla. He is about 19 years old. He is born and brought up in Udaipur. He is one of the leading characters in the film. He is a boy who is very unambitious and happy and content with his life. He is perhaps naïve. He has not seen too much of life but he is a smart kid and, at the same time, he has this uncorrupted nature and certain innocence to him. He falls head over heels in love with this girl and that dictates the trajectory of his life from then on.
How much do you think you relate to your character in the movie?
I think this character was more from departure than who I am in real than even my previous characters. There are certain things, of course, that I identified with, but most of this character, I think, I had to discover. So, I won’t say he is very similar to me.
How much have you evolved as an actor since you worked on Vaah! Life Ho Toh Aisi (2005) as a child artist to now when you are playing male leads in films?
I, actually, was never meant to be part of the film (Vaah! Life Ho Toh Aisi). That film was never a serious foray into acting. It was just like an exercise, I would say. Then I grew up and I grew much more serious about cinema, very passionate about it. I started studying it. I started watching a lot of films. I did a theatre course. I trained as a dancer and attended various workshops. Then I got the opportunity to do my first film Beyond The Clouds. I would call Beyond the Clouds my first film.
How did you come to get Beyond The Clouds?
Majid Majidi met me because casting director Honey Trehan had worked with me before on Udta Punjab (2016). He was the second unit and casting director there. He remembered me from then and he remembered this particular incident that reminded him of me when he was casting for Beyond the Clouds. Actually, for the longest time, he couldn’t put a finger on it, he kept thinking that he knew this boy but he didn’t remember and later that memory came to him and he called me up and through him, I met Majidi sir.
What was the incident?
There was this incident where one day - call it an act of destiny - I was three minutes late to come down to the hotel where the team of Udta Punjab stayed. Every day, we had to report an hour and a half before and this one day something went wrong with the printer and I didn’t make it down on time and the car left without me. I was not kept on set as a punishment by a very strict AD but what happened was that there was this big 12-foot wall which I thought I was capable of scaling. So, I started doing this run-up and started skipping and jumping to get on the other side of the wall. I didn’t manage for half an hour but I persisted and this old gentleman came to me and advised me how to jump it properly. So, I tried his technique and it worked and I climbed up. Honey Sir happened to be there watching this entire half an hour of struggle and saw my persistence and for some reason through recollecting that determination, he remembered and called me up to see this film and character and told me to come and meet him.
Coming back to Dhadak, how was the whole process of learning the mannerism for your character since he hails from Udaipur?
I think first things first everything came from the text itself. Shashank Khaitan had written a very vivid script and he presented the first half to us before we started shooting and then chronologically we did the second half. We started with a lot of reading because we are using a Mewari dialect in this. He wanted us to do a lot of reading. In fact, we would read all the characters’ dialogues so that we could learn it on the tip of our tongue and there is an ease to the manner of speaking. I did some research on my own part for the language to understand a little bit more of the intricacies. I met with a gentleman from Jaipur. Where we really got lucky was when we got to travel with Shashank to Rajasthan twice during the making of the film.
Other than the dialect, were there any other changes to accommodate your character?
There was a lot of physical elements that we were able to define because we got a lot of references. We lightened the hair a little bit, use contacts because they have light eyes in Mewar. I got my ear pierced. They have these very characteristic earrings, so we picked up these earrings from Jaipur. I was very skinny after Beyond the Clouds, so they wanted me to put on some weight. We spent a lot of time in Rajasthan which really benefited us because we got a sense of the place and got comfortable with the environment and we became pretty consumed into the day to day life.
How many times did all of you see Sairat on which Dhadak is based?
Each of us had seen it twice before we started shooting, then Shashank made it a point to tell us to stop watching the film before we started preparing for this one because he didn’t want either one of us to be too influenced by the performances in that film.
There’s no question who ruled the night at the 2025 BET Awards. Kendrick Lamar walked away with five trophies, including Album of the Year for GNX and Video of the Year for Not Like Us. The ceremony, held at the Peacock Theatre in Los Angeles, paid tribute to Black excellence in music, acting, and sports, and Kendrick made sure his voice and message were front and centre.
Kendrick Lamar accepts Best Album for GNX at the BET Awards in Los AngelesGetty Images
Lamar, Doechii, and a moment that mattered
The GNX rapper also won Best Male Hip-Hop Artist and shared the Video Director of the Year award with Dave Free. Accepting his award, Lamar reflected on his long-standing relationship with BET, saying, “They’ve always kept the culture at the core and put me in the middle of it.”
— (@)
Rising rapper Doechii also made headlines, not just for winning Best Female Hip-Hop Artist but for calling out former US President Donald Trump. In a fiery speech, she criticised the use of military force to break up protests in LA following ICE raids in Latino communities. “Every time we stand up for our rights, the military is sent in. What kind of leadership is that?” she asked the crowd.
A night of icons and throwbacks
The night wasn’t just about current stars. The BET Ultimate Icon Award honoured Mariah Carey, Snoop Dogg, Jamie Foxx, and gospel star Kirk Franklin for their decades of influence in music, entertainment, and community action. Stevie Wonder presented Foxx’s award as he opened up about his recovery from a 2023 stroke. “When I saw the ‘In Memoriam’ segment, I thought that could’ve been me,” he said.
Mariah Carey celebrates her Ultimate Icon Award with a rare live performanceGetty Images
Mariah Carey, presented her award by Busta Rhymes, lit up the stage with a brief but heartfelt speech. “If you're going to win one of these, it might as well be the Ultimate Icon,” she joked, hinting at the ups and downs of her legendary career.
With Lamar and SZA heading back on tour and voices like Doechii’s rising louder, the 2025 BET Awards proved it is a stage for change.
By clicking the 'Subscribe’, you agree to receive our newsletter, marketing communications and industry
partners/sponsors sharing promotional product information via email and print communication from Garavi Gujarat
Publications Ltd and subsidiaries. You have the right to withdraw your consent at any time by clicking the
unsubscribe link in our emails. We will use your email address to personalize our communications and send you
relevant offers. Your data will be stored up to 30 days after unsubscribing.
Contact us at data@amg.biz to see how we manage and store your data.
Harris Dickinson debuts as Rhode’s first male model in new Glazing Mist campaign
Rhode, Hailey Bieber’s rapidly growing skincare label, has chosen Babygirl actor Harris Dickinson as the face of its new product, the Glazing Mist. Known for his understated performances and growing fashion presence, Dickinson is the first male model to front a campaign for the brand. The new mist, priced at £24 (₹2,520), goes live on 24 June exclusively at rhodeskin.com.
A surprising choice that feels just right
The campaign, shot in stark black-and-white, features close-up visuals of Dickinson misting his face with the Glazing Mist, designed to refresh skin and deliver a natural glow. With ingredients like ectoin, ceramides, and magnolia extract, the formula offers both hydration and barrier support. It has also earned a stamp of approval from the National Eczema Association.
Hailey Bieber explained her choice simply: she watched Babygirl, loved Dickinson’s performance, and sensed he could bring the kind of quiet edge she wanted. “I didn’t want it to feel too ‘on-the-nose’ with the film,” she said. “It had to be chic and sporty.” The internet, however, couldn’t resist the connection to Dickinson’s now-infamous milk scene in the film, and fans were quick to point out how the dewy mist echoed that very vibe.
Rhode expands, without changing its DNA
Since its 2022 launch, Rhode has stood out for sleek, limited product drops and a focused digital presence. Its recent £790 million (₹82,950 crore) acquisition by e.l.f. Beauty has only amplified interest in where the brand goes next. While introducing a male face might suggest a shift, Bieber was clear: this isn’t about launching a men’s line but widening the brand’s appeal. “I want everyone to see themselves in Rhode,” she said.
Dickinson’s inclusion reflects a subtle repositioning. Best known for roles in Beach Rats, Triangle of Sadness, and now Babygirl, he has also been a regular in fashion, working with Dior and Loewe.
With this campaign, Rhode continues to evolve clearly, without losing the minimalist identity that made it stand out in the first place.
Keep ReadingShow less
HBO’s Harry Potter reboot slammed for casting Italian actress as Indian character Parvati Patil
HBO’s upcoming Harry Potter reboot is already under fire, this time for casting Italian actress Alessia Leoni as Parvati Patil, a character rooted in Indian culture. The announcement has triggered widespread backlash from fans who accuse the makers of side-lining authentic South Asian representation in favour of what many see as surface-level diversity.
Parvati, originally portrayed by Shefali Chowdhury in the films, is one of the few explicitly Indian characters in the Harry Potter universe. The decision to cast someone with no clear Indian heritage has led to heated discussions across platforms like Reddit and X, with fans calling out what they perceive as performative inclusivity.
Fans question why Indian talent was overlooked again
Many online comments have shared similar frustrations: that casting a brown-skinned actor is not the same as casting someone of Indian origin. “They just picked someone who looks brown and called it a day,” one Redditor commented. Another added, “Parvati is not just a name, it’s a direct reference to Hindu culture. It deserved more thought.”
This is not the first controversy to hit the reboot. Earlier announcements like casting Paapa Essiedu as Snape and Arabella Stanton as Hermione also drew criticism from those who felt the series was playing fast and loose with established character identities. Supporters of accurate representation argue that while the intent may be diversity, the execution often feels tokenistic.
— (@)
Adding fuel to the fire is the casting history of the original films, where British-Bangladeshi actors Shefali Chowdhury and Afshan Azad played the Patil twins after being discovered through grassroots-level auditions. That sense of grounded authenticity, fans argue, is missing in the current reboot.
HBO's broader casting choices also under scrutiny
Alongside Leoni, HBO announced several other cast members: Katherine Parkinson as Molly Weasley, Lox Pratt as Draco Malfoy, Johnny Flynn as Lucius Malfoy, Leo Earley as Seamus Finnigan, Sienna Moosah as Lavender Brown, Bel Powley and Daniel Rigby as the Dursleys, and Bertie Carvel as Cornelius Fudge.
— (@)
The series, hoped to be a faithful adaptation of J.K. Rowling’s books, is scheduled to premiere in 2026. But with these early casting calls, many longtime fans feel HBO is missing the mark on cultural nuance—and all this before a single spell has been cast on screen.
The tense deliberations in Harvey Weinstein’s New York sex crimes retrial have descended into open conflict. Jurors are reportedly attacking each other, pressuring hold-outs, and improperly considering the disgraced movie mogul’s notorious past, information explicitly banned from their discussions. This internal strife forced the jury foreperson to urgently alert the judge on Monday morning about a “situation which isn’t very good”, casting serious doubt on their ability to reach a fair verdict.
Infighting and forbidden arguments taint deliberations
According to a court transcript, the foreperson painted a grim picture for Judge Curtis Farber. Jurors are “not on the same page”, with some actively “attacking” others in a bid to change minds. Crucially, they are “pushing people” by bringing up Weinstein’s public history, details not presented as evidence during this specific trial.
As per reports, Jurors are in a heated debate during Weinstein retrial deliberationsGetty Images
This is similar to the earlier “playground stuff” reported last week, where one young juror felt unfairly “shunned” and questioned the fairness of the process, though the judge kept him on the panel. The jury itself signalled deep divisions, requesting a reread of “reasonable doubt” rules and guidance on “avoiding a hung jury”.
Mistrial denied, but jury reminded “Stick to the evidence”
Weinstein’s lawyers, citing a “tainted” and “runaway jury”, immediately seized on the turmoil to demand a mistrial. Defence attorney Arthur Aidala argued jurors were “ganging up” and considering “things that were not brought into this trial”. Prosecutors countered that some past context was legally permissible. Judge Farber denied the mistrial but took swift action. He hauled the entire jury back in, sternly instructing them that deliberations must focus only on evidence presented during the retrial concerning the three specific charges, including rape and criminal sex acts involving three women. He reiterated they must disregard anything else they knew about Weinstein.
Weinstein jury divided by heated disputes over forbidden pastGetty Images
The jury ended Monday claiming they were “making progress”, even asking for coffee to fuel further talks and requesting to revisit some testimony. However, the damage from the infighting and forbidden discussions lingers.
Weinstein, 73, already serving a long sentence for a separate California rape conviction, awaits this jury’s verdict on charges stemming from allegations by a former production assistant, an aspiring actress, and a model. This retrial, ordered after his landmark 2020 New York conviction was overturned, remains a critical, though now deeply troubled, chapter in the #MeToo saga he set to fire.
Keep ReadingShow less
Charli XCX celebrates a year of Brat’s cultural takeover
It’s been a full year since Charli XCX dropped Brat, and the album’s neon-green grip on pop culture has not loosened. Forget fading summer anthems; Brat feels permanently wired into the now. How did an artist long celebrated for being ahead of the curve finally make the whole world tune in? Well, she did it entirely her own way.
Charli was no newcomer. She smashed charts a decade ago with “Fancy” and penned hits for others. Yet mainstream stardom on her own terms felt elusive until Brat. The rollout was masterful, starting with the divisive “Von Dutch”, then the It Girl-packed “360” video featuring faces like Julia Fox and Chloë Sevigny, who soon became unavoidable.
Charli XCX arrives for the 2025 Met GalaGetty Images
Crucially, she nurtured her core fans (“Angels”) with intimate pop-up shows, birthing the iconic Brat Wall, where teasers about collaborations and the deluxe album kept excitement boiling. When Brat landed, hitting No. 3 in the US and No. 2 in the UK, it was a moment of absolute cultural takeover.
Beyond the music: building a movement
Brat’s fire spread far beyond the songs. A simple tweet : “Kamala IS brat”, saw the US Vice President’s campaign adopt the album’s aesthetic overnight, sparking global chatter. Charli directly addressed fan speculation, confirming “Girl, So Confusing” was about Lorde, then brilliantly working it out with her on a remix weeks later. She refused to let the moment die, dropping a full remix album (Brat and It’s the Same but There’s Three More Songs so It’s Not), featuring everyone from Billie Eilish to underground stars, which pushed Brat to UK No. 1.
Charli XCX performing on stage Getty Images
The Sweat and Brat tours became must-see events, packed with surprise guests. Grammy wins followed, plus SNL, Coachella and film cameos. Even her older song “Party 4 U” surged up the charts years later. Charli questioned at Coachella: “Does this mean brat summer is finally over?” The answer seems clear. Brat wasn’t just a seasonal hit. It was almost like Charli XCX meticulously crafting a phenomenon, proving that staying fiercely true to her vision was the ultimate key to connect with a wide audience.