Filmmaker Homi Adajania, who has previously helmed such notable films as Being Cyrus (2006), Cocktail (2012) and Finding Fanny (2014), returns to direction with Maddock Films’ hugely anticipated outing Angrezi Medium (2020). Starring Irrfan Khan, Radhika Madan, Kareena Kapoor Khan and Deepak Dobriyal in important characters, the movie is a standalone sequel to the 2017 satirical comedy Hindi Medium.
Recently, Eastern Eye caught up with Homi Adajania and tried to know more from him about the film. In this interview, the directors told us how emotionally draining was it to shoot with ailing Irrfan Khan, why he agreed to helm the project, how Angrezi Medium is different from its predecessor and much more.
Hindi Medium was loved by the audiences and did good business as well. When you started working on its sequel, did you feel any kind of pressure?
Zero pressure, because I loved Hindi Medium. I thought it was a beautiful, brilliant film. But if Angrezi Medium was a sequel to Hindi Medium, then I don’t think I would have directed it. As a creative person, because it was a blank slate, new characters, a new story, all that was very exciting for me because I could make new characters. It was a fully different story.
How different it is from its predecessor?
Actually, Hindi Medium was about how crazy parents go to ensure their kids get into the right school. In this, there is a single father and how far he goes to make his daughter’s dream come true. So, there is a certain story that is being carried forward, but it has got nothing to do at all with Hindi Medium in terms of characters and the story. I guess, based on that I decided to do it. There is no pressure. It is not that I am taking it forward.
This is a very special film not only for you as a filmmaker but also for us. How emotionally charging this was as a lot of things were going on when you set out to make this film?
It was emotionally charging, it was emotionally draining, it was one of the most beautiful experiences I had in my life. It was completely different than the ones I have directed before. I mean there were good days, there were bad days but Irrfan Khan has such incredible spirit, strength in him that strangely we were feeding off his strength rather than he feeding off us.
You know, earlier when I used to make films, I used to spend a lot of time bothering about the lights going off, something not looking aesthetic, etc. I used to bother about things that were not in my control. On this film, I realised that it is the stupidest thing to do. We complicate our lives as human beings by spending so much attention on things that are not in our control. We like to do that for some strange reason. We are a bizarre species, but in this film that was not important and it made me a better human being, it made me a lighter person and it made me realise that I can make films in a much lighter way with the same amount of effort, with the same amount of intention but in just a happier space.
It is always that we got out fun in our films, we always had a blast but it used to consume me earlier. I used to get exhausted every time a film would get over. In this case, I suddenly realised that we were not curing cancer, we were not sending someone to the Mars, we were telling a story. I was like, ‘Don’t take yourself so seriously, you are making a movie, so enjoy yourself.’ Movies will come and go, your memory of making it will remain, so make it a great memory. I think this film was made with so much love and so much positivity. We laughed and laughed our way through it. I don’t know how it got done. When I looked at it I was like, ‘Wow, we got a movie here.’
Like you said that movies are the stories that we talk about and share with the world. You know there is a certain section of society that can get influenced by a certain content in movies. How much responsibility do you think movies have?
I do feel that they influence the consumer. A book that you read influences, a movie that you watch influences, a song that you hear influences. I mean that definitely does happen. This is one of the reasons I made this film. I was actually working on a very dark subject in my cabin. It was about a schizophrenic serial killer. Then one fine day, Dinesh Vijan asked me to come and listen to the narration of Angrezi Medium. He said, ‘All the writers have come. We have a whole lot of directors. We keep helping one another, where we pitch ideas, we give feedback on one another’s stories, etc. Just come, give your feedback.’
When I actually went in, I was rolling on the floor laughing. Then I was rolling on the floor crying a bit. I realized what was I doing? Why was I getting into the serious shit? I said look at the world around us, it is the time to make people laugh, it is the time to spread love. I really feel that this is the time and when I heard this, the feeling I had got from hearing it and laughing so much was amazing. It is really a bizarre movie at some level. But I realised that this is what I should be sharing.
I will tell you something as a filmmaker with huge gaps in between, when you quietly go into the theatre, you hear people laughing. They are not laughing at some gag or something, they are laughing from their bellies. I can’t tell you the satisfaction. You feel like, ‘Wow, yaar! I made them laugh.’ It is such a fulfilling feeling and when I heard this. I was like, ‘Why am I not doing this? This is what I should be doing. If I can’t make movies, I should be making people feel good about life and that’s exactly what this is.’ I said, ‘Okay I am doing it.’ Like you said, does it influence people? Yeah, it does and therefore I said let me influence people to laugh and love more.
When it comes to dark, serious and sensitive topics, as a filmmaker do you feel responsible that you want to portray it in a way that it looks right on the screen?
I think, no. For me, as a filmmaker, if I am portraying a real issue, I have to portray it for what it is and that is all it is. We have to get to the truth and core of the issue and portray it. That is what you do when that is the genre you want to get into and put it out there. It is not a film that it should not be told. They should be told. They need to be told. Then can they be misunderstood or can they be taken in other way? Of course, everything is subjective. I mean, different people will have different perceptions of the same interview. It is the same interview, but it will be different from what he will take away and what you will take away.
A filmmaker is vulnerable as audiences may have a different vision to the filmmaker’s vision but that is a subjective thing. Now if your dealing with sensitive topics, I mean, it is difficult to get across, please everyone. But I guess if the intent of the filmmaker is correct and the reason why they want to give a social message is for the right reason, their job is done and now how it is construed is not in their hands.
Tell us something about the song ‘Kudi Nu Nachne De’.
Irrfan Khan could not promote the film because he underwent the treatment. So, we had to figure out different ways to do this. I messaged all these beautiful people and called them up and said, ‘I want you guys to do this’. For me, it was a two-fold reason why they did it. The first one was that it was a beautiful song about just let a girl dance. And it is symbolic that let a woman be and the world will become a better place. And that is what the song stands for. They all loved that and also the idea that Irrfan couldn’t do it. Irrfan Khan is such a huge inspiration for everyone in this industry. There were no questions and they were as busy as they were. I said, ‘I will come to where you are, I will shoot it off, it will take me half an hour’. We just shot all of them.
Deepika Padukone could not do it because she was not well. I was supposed to shoot with her too but we couldn’t wait otherwise we would have the whole lot. I did not have time otherwise I would have taken every woman in the industry and put her in for all ages. Unfortunately, I was rushing for time and suddenly I got the idea because Sachin- Jigar were working on another track and they were sitting outside with a guitar and they made this song and I said, ‘Wow, give me this song and I am going to put it on the end credits of my film without any visuals and get all the girls to do this’. So, it was very rushed but it is beautiful. I think it is really beautiful.
Angrezi Medium is running successfully in cinemas now.
Chart-topping singer Jay Sean has been announced as the headline performer for this year’s Middlesbrough Mela, and he’s set to bring the party after dark. In a historic first, the 2025 edition of the UK’s longest-running multicultural festival will introduce a Saturday evening concert headlined by the Down hitmaker, marking a major moment in the Mela’s 35-year legacy.
The festival, which takes place on 16 and 17 August at Middlesbrough’s Albert Park, expects over 50,000 visitors across the weekend. But all eyes will be on Saturday night, when the park transforms into a concert-style arena from 6pm onwards, with Jay Sean taking the stage in a ticketed evening slot curated by BBC Asian Network presenters.
Fans are expected to travel nationwide for Jay Sean’s UK exclusive performance
South Asian trailblazer returns to UK stage
Jay Sean, widely regarded as one of the most successful British Asian artists of all time, made history by becoming the first South Asian artist to top the US Billboard Hot 100. His chart dominance in both the UK and US in the late 2000s helped redefine South Asian representation in mainstream pop.
In 2024, he launched his own record label, 3AM Entertainment, under Virgin Music Group to champion emerging South Asian talent. Now, his return to UK stages for this exclusive Middlesbrough Mela performance has created major buzz, with organisers expecting fans to travel from all corners of the country.
The 35th edition of Middlesbrough Mela promises music food and cultural festivities
Festival Director Kash Patel called Jay Sean’s appearance “a game-changer” and said it reflects the energy and cultural pride that the Mela has come to represent. “Jay Sean’s legacy goes beyond music. He’s inspired generations of British Asians. Having him here is a proud moment for Middlesbrough,” he added.
The first wave of discounted tickets, priced at £15 (₹1,600) plus booking fee, is now live exclusively for Tees Valley residents, with general sales to follow. VIP Golden Circle packages, offering perks like fast-track entry, priority viewing, and complimentary food and fairground rides, are also available via the official Middlesbrough Mela website and Skiddle.
Jay Sean is confirmed as the headline act for Middlesbrough Mela 2025
The Mela’s free daytime programme remains packed with live music, dance, street food, shopping stalls, a funfair, and activities for all ages. Community members, performers, and local businesses are also invited to get involved through stalls, advertising, or volunteering.
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The tour will continue with stadium shows in Birmingham and Glasgow
US singer Chris Brown launched the UK leg of his Breezy Bowl XX tour in Manchester on Sunday, just days before he is due in court over a grievous bodily harm (GBH) charge. The 36-year-old artist performed at the Co-op Live arena, marking his 20th year in the music industry.
Brown was arrested in Greater Manchester last month in connection with an alleged assault during a previous visit to the UK in 2023. He is accused of attacking a music producer with a tequila bottle at a nightclub in London. The incident is said to have taken place during his last UK tour. Brown has been charged with GBH and is currently on bail.
‘Thank you to the jail’, singer jokes on stage
Addressing fans during Sunday’s performance, Brown joked about his recent time in custody. “Thank you for coming and supporting me,” he said, before adding, “And thank you to the jail. It was really nice.” The comment was met with cheers from the audience, who had earlier watched a montage of Brown’s career highlights — including footage from outside Manchester Crown Court during his arrest.
The video package, which showed both his achievements and controversies, appeared to be a deliberate acknowledgement of his legal troubles. The singer has previously faced legal issues in the United States, but continues to maintain a large fan base internationally.
Bail set at £5 million
Brown was released after agreeing to a £5 million security fee. He had been held in custody for nearly a week before the court granted bail. A security fee serves as a financial guarantee to ensure a defendant returns to court, and can be forfeited if bail conditions are breached.
As part of his bail terms, the judge permitted Brown to continue with his scheduled performances. He resumed his tour with a show in Amsterdam before heading to the UK.
Upcoming court appearance in London
Brown is due to appear at Highbury Corner Magistrates’ Court in London on Friday, 21 June, alongside co-defendant Omololu Akinlolu, a 38-year-old US artist known as HoodyBaby. Both are facing charges in connection with the alleged nightclub assault.
So far, no plea has been entered by Brown or Akinlolu.
Tour continues across UK stadiums
Following his Manchester shows, Brown will perform in Cardiff at the Principality Stadium on Thursday. After his court hearing on Friday, he is scheduled to appear at London’s Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Saturday and Sunday.
The tour will continue with stadium shows in Birmingham and Glasgow, followed by two additional arena dates in Manchester. The Breezy Bowl XX tour celebrates two decades of Brown’s career, which began with his debut single Run It! at age 16. On Sunday, he opened the Manchester show with the hit and went on to perform several of his UK top 10 singles, including Turn Up The Music, With You, and Don’t Wake Me Up.
Brown recently won Best Male R&B/Pop Artist at the 2025 BET Awards, held in Los Angeles.
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Fans express concern over Bieber’s intense Instagram updates
Bieber posted over a dozen updates in a matter of hours, many of them laced with frustration. One post read, “Happy daddy day to me u lil ho,” while another simply stated, “quit f–ing with me. I’m really not the one.” Accompanying the messages were moody selfies and a video of him silently shaking his head with the caption “how I feel about you.”
The timing raised even more eyebrows. Just days earlier, Justin had an angry confrontation with paparazzi outside Soho House in Malibu. When one photographer wished him a happy Father’s Day, Bieber snapped: “You don’t go to people you don’t know and say sh–t out of nowhere with a camera in their face.” He went on to say, “I’m a father. I’m a dad. You guys are on private property.”
The next day, he followed up with unseen photos of his baby boy, Jack Blues, and captioned it with a middle finger emoji and the phrase “ay bay bay.” His wife Hailey, who gave birth to their son in August 2024, liked the post, but fans remained unsettled.
Fans express concern over Bieber’s emotional health
Longtime followers have noted a pattern in Bieber’s recent behaviour. Last week, he lamented on Instagram about feeling drained by “transactional relationships.” In his story, he wrote, “If I have to do something to be loved, that’s not love.” In another post, he added, “I don’t think any of us can handle hearing ‘try harder and you’ll be like me.’”
Though some fans supported his right to speak openly, many expressed worry. Comments ranged from “I love you but I’m worried, king,” to “I just hope you find peace.”
While his representative previously dismissed drug rumours as “pitiful and exhausting,” Bieber’s emotional vulnerability and anger continue to fuel speculation. As of now, he hasn’t addressed the backlash or clarified the meaning behind his Father’s Day posts.
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Fielder’s work often revolves around themes of performance in everyday life
Canadian comedian and writer Nathan Fielder has long been known for his unconventional television work. Gaining recognition through Nathan for You, Fielder built a reputation for creating boundary-pushing, satirical content that blurred the lines between reality and performance. One of the most talked-about episodes involved a frozen yoghurt flavour that deliberately tasted unpleasant, while The Rehearsal, another of his projects, explored the complexities of human behaviour by meticulously recreating real-life scenarios to prepare people for difficult conversations or events.
Fielder’s work often revolves around themes of performance in everyday life, the blending of public and private personas, and the anxiety surrounding authenticity. His limited media presence and rare interviews add to the intrigue, leaving audiences unsure whether he is playing a version of himself or deliberately maintaining a fictional persona.
The Curse and a shift to fictional storytelling
In 2023, Fielder made a significant shift in his career by co-creating and starring in The Curse, a limited series that further explored his interests through scripted drama. Co-created with filmmaker Benny Safdie, the show also stars Academy Award-winner Emma Stone. This marked a departure from Fielder’s earlier, semi-documentary style work and introduced him into the realm of fictional narrative television.
The Curse follows a married couple, played by Fielder and Stone, who are producing a home improvement reality show while also trying to start a family. Their personal and professional lives take a dark turn after an unsettling encounter with a young child who places a curse on them. The story examines themes such as performative activism, media manipulation, and the illusion of kindness, set against the backdrop of a seemingly well-intentioned couple who struggle with their own moral contradictions.
Nolan’s high praise for the series
Acclaimed director Christopher Nolan expressed his admiration for The Curse in an interview, describing it as a rare and groundbreaking piece of television. “It’s an incredible show, and it’s unlike anything I’ve ever seen on television before,” Nolan said. “There are so few shows that come along that have genuinely no precedence. You’re going back to things like Twin Peaks, or The Prisoner, or Dennis Potter’s The Singing Detective… you’re in an amazing space, and I can’t wait to catch up with the climax.”
Nolan’s comments place The Curse among some of the most influential and surreal television dramas of the past, underlining its unconventional storytelling and emotional impact.
Critical reception and cultural relevance
The Curse has received praise for its sharp commentary on social media, authenticity, and the performance of morality in the public eye. The show’s unsettling tone and layered narrative structure have sparked discussions around the ethics of entertainment and the lines between fiction and reality.
- YouTubeYouTube/ Rotten Tomatoes TV
Emma Stone’s participation in the project aligns with her previous roles in unconventional films, particularly her collaborations with director Yorgos Lanthimos. Her performance, alongside Fielder’s restrained and often ambiguous portrayal, has been noted for adding depth to the show’s central themes.
A bold entry into prestige television
With The Curse, Nathan Fielder has successfully transitioned into the world of prestige television drama, maintaining the thematic interests that defined his earlier work while exploring them in a new, scripted format. The show’s ability to provoke discussion, confuse genre expectations, and attract praise from figures like Christopher Nolan marks it as a standout series in today’s media landscape.
Whether audiences view it as satire, drama, or something in between, The Curse demonstrates Fielder’s continued commitment to challenging conventional storytelling, and his growing influence in both comedy and drama alike.
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Prabhas brings back romance and humour in The Raja Saab teaser
After years of playing intense and brooding characters, Prabhas seems to be in his element again with The Raja Saab, a horror comedy directed by Maruthi. The teaser, released on 16 June, gives fans a refreshing look at the actor in a light-hearted, funny role, a rare shift from his recent string of larger-than-life action heroes. With visuals full of humour, horror, and romance, the teaser is already gaining attention not just for the plot but also for its theatrical rollout and unexpected nod to Shah Rukh Khan.
A haunted haveli, SRK-style romance, and spooky laughs
The teaser opens with a quirky love story, as Prabhas’s character openly declares his love for Nidhhi Agerwal in typical Bollywood style, even likening it to Shah Rukh Khan’s legendary on-screen charm. But the story soon shifts to a spooky, ghost-filled haveli, an elaborate set spanning 41,256 sq ft, which the makers claim is India’s largest horror backdrop. The teaser combines eerie folklore visuals, comedy, and a touch of madness, offering glimpses of other lead actors Malavika Mohanan and Riddhi Kumar. Sanjay Dutt’s surprise appearance adds to the intrigue. The haunted house isn’t just a gimmick, the filmmakers say they wanted the space to “feel haunted,” not just look scary.
Director Maruthi, known for youth-centric comedies like Bhale Bhale Magadivoy, calls this film a “genre-defying journey,” bringing together fantasy, romance, and horror. Prabhas appears in dual looks and delivers a hilarious one-liner toward the end: “Amma Durgamma Thalli... Kaapaadammaa,” adding to the film’s desi horror-comedy vibe.
Fan frenzy, leaked teaser, and December release date
The teaser wasn’t just launched online, it was also screened on IMAX screens in Hyderabad, drawing massive crowds. Fans celebrated with dances and even performed a milk bath ritual on a Prabhas cut-out. However, excitement spilled over early when visuals from the teaser leaked online. The makers issued strict warnings on social media, threatening to suspend accounts sharing pirated content and urging fans to respect the film’s release.
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Originally slated for an April release, The Raja Saab is now confirmed to hit theatres on 5 December. With horror, comedy, action, romance, and Prabhas in a never-before-seen avatar, this film could offer a refreshing break from the usual big-budget spectacles.