There is a subtle warmth and charm to Karan Tacker which you do not find in his contemporaries. He is undoubtedly one of the most handsome men to lit up the small screen. Known for playing charming romantic leads on such shows as Love Ne Mila Di Jodi (2009-10), Rang Badalti Odhani (2010-11) and Ek Hazaaron Mein Meri Behna Hai (2011-13), the actor has not done any fiction show in the past couple of years.
However, he is now set to make his fiction digital debut with acclaimed filmmaker Neeraj Pandey’s sprawling action spy thriller Special OPS, which is up for its premiere on 17th March on Hotstar Specials.
Recently, Eastern Eye sat down with Karan Tacker for a freewheeling conversation on his webseries Special OPS. A hardworking actor for many years, Tacker opened up about the various preparations that he had to do to slide into the skin of his character, what led him to be a part of Special OPS, the reason behind staying away from television for such a long time, and much more.
This is the first spy thriller of India (on web). In terms of scaling, I think it is safe to say that it is one of the most well-scaled shows. There is no show like this. I don’t think that there is really a slick spy thriller like Special OPS.
There is a constant chatter on social media that people are not able to see you more on the screen.
We were waiting for this.
That is a very safe answer. Isn’t it?
It is not the safe answer, it is the fact. If you ask actors and expect that there will be some kind of spice in the answers, but then if you ask them to keep their hands on their hearts, the actor will say that he wants to work with a good maker with all his heart. I want to play a character where I will be able to showcase my talent. Farooq Ali is one such character. You will see the graph of 19 years and how my character develops itself in those years. Here, I get a chance to display my acting abilities. In this show, there is an innocence to my character and there is a journey where he transforms into a man from a boy, and the journey of 19 years of finding that man and how he completes it. I think actors are constantly in search of such characters. Actors are a bit greedy and it is wee bit of a selfish character.
But don’t you think that it is risky for an actor if he is not seen frequently on the screen?
I think somebody who is not confidant about their craft feel so, but I have never felt that it is risky to be not seen. It is not that I am sitting at my home when I am not acting. I have hosted a lot of shows and, in fact, the last show that I hosted, The Remix, was nominated for the 2019 International Emmy Awards. There were only three shows around the world that got nominated. It was an Indian show and it was mine. So, these are proud moments.
Are you going to host the next season of The Remix as well?
I hope so. Let’s see.
What is it that has kept you away from television?
I have been very lucky when it comes to TV as I have played a wide range of different characters. Whatever work I have done today, have been coming-of-age. They all have been in a very “today’s space” and after that I felt that I cannot explore much on TV. So, I did a lot of reality shows, I hosted a lot and that is something I really enjoyed.
As an actor, I was always looking out for doing something on a big scale. You know, when you are not from the film fraternity or a film background, as an actor to find that big break is also challenging. And I was offered a lot of films in this period of looking for the right kind of project, but those were not the films that I wanted to do. I was very specific about how I wanted to see myself and see my career graph.
How has your graph been so far in terms of your career?
It has been fantastic, honestly. When you are acting, you are just an actor. After people see your work, they start admiring and loving you. If I see my career in that aspect, frankly speaking, people’s love for me has only increased. Even today when I scroll over social media, the way people see me is great. When I put out the trailer and the way people were excited, I was just so happy about it. When you look at all these things, you feel just very good. When I look back, I feel God has been kind, people have been kind and loving. I hope they give the same love to Special OPS.
Is there any director you would say yes to immediately?
There are a lot of directors. Shriram Raghavan is one of them. I always wanted to work with Karan Johar, I always wanted to work with Imtiaz Ali.
As a friend, has Karan Johar told you anything about how the industry perceives an actor?
Most definitely. You know, it helps to have a friend like that in the industry to kind of always get an opinion about what your decisions are. So, yes, he is.
It is nothing like that. It is not that I have made an effort that I will say no to TV and then I will work on web or if I work on web then I will say no to TV. I just want to do good work and if that comes from television or web or films or theatre. Wherever I feel I can grow as an actor and better my craft, that is what I hope for.
What kind of preparations you had to do to perfect your part in Special OPS as it is a fast-paced spy action thriller?
Holding a gun is something any guy knows it. I am telling this because these guns had come on the very first day of my shoot. They are actual guns. These are real army guns and we had an army person on the shoot all the time. And the moment you hold a gun in your hand, you feel like you are the hero. The start of the shoot was heroic. But the training is to de-glam yourself because there was a real image that I had as an actor before and people looked at me like a romantic and a very chocolate boy. But when you do an action thriller, to get into the skin of the character is the challenge but the best part of the show is that the general perception of a RAW agent is very tough with a body and a macho looking guy. This character is exactly the opposite of it.
A RAW agent is supposed to be somebody who blends into the crowd. He could be anybody sitting here and you could not know that this guy is an international spy. To be able to blend in like that was the real challenge because my character, over the time, goes through different identities and to be constantly playing those identities convincingly where I am playing a flamboyant character, I am a very local person, was tough. To constantly do that was the real challenge. I really relied on the script and my director for that matter.
Scarlett Johansson says early roles focused on “desirability” and male-centred narratives
Notes positive shift in how women are portrayed in Hollywood today
Recalls being hypersexualised and typecast as a young actress
Currently stars in The Phoenician Scheme, with Jurassic World Rebirth out on 2 July
Scarlett Johansson has reflected on how Hollywood roles for women have evolved, admitting that early in her career, most of her characters were written to serve male-driven storylines. Speaking in an interview, the actress said the landscape has changed, with more nuanced opportunities for women on screen.
The Black Widow star, who began acting at nine, noted a shift in the kinds of roles she’s being offered now. “When I was younger, a lot of the roles I was offered had their ambitions or arcs revolving around their desirability or the male gaze,” she said. “That is less frequent now; something has shifted.”
Scarlett Johansson opens up about breaking free from early typecastingGetty Images
Johansson says more complex roles are finally being written for women
The 39-year-old actress acknowledged that the film industry is slowly embracing more layered portrayals of women. “The messaging is different now; there are more role models, women in visible and powerful positions, and roles that aren’t just one-note,” she said.
Scarlett has long been vocal about the way she was sexualised early on in her career. In a 2022 interview, she admitted that being objectified in Hollywood made her fear she’d be stuck playing the same type of roles. “I kind of became pigeonholed… I remember thinking, ‘I think people think I’m 40 years old,’” she said.
Johansson reflects on her childhood stardom and evolving careerGetty Images
From child star to filmmaker, Johansson now takes control of the narrative
Having debuted in North (1994), Scarlett went on to star in Lost in Translation, The Horse Whisperer, Ghost World, and the Avengers franchise. Now, she’s not just acting; she’s also directing. Her first feature, Eleanor the Great, premiered at Cannes in May.
From Avengers to auteur Scarlett Johansson embraces creative control Getty Images
Alongside her current role in Wes Anderson’s The Phoenician Scheme, she has Jurassic World Rebirth, which hit theatres on 2 July. After decades in the business, Johansson seems to finally be stepping into a space where she can define her own story, both on and off the screen.
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Flying car mishap forces Beyoncé to pause Houston performance mid-song
Beyoncé stopped her Houston Cowboy Carter show after her suspended Cadillac prop tilted dangerously.
The singer was performing 16 Carriages mid-air when she yelled, “Stop! Stop!” to halt the show.
She was safely lowered to the stage and told fans, “If ever I fall, I know y’all will catch me.”
Parkwood Entertainment confirmed a technical mishap but said the show resumed without injuries.
Beyoncé stopped her Cowboy Carter tour performance in Houston after a mid-air prop began to tilt precariously during the penultimate song. The singer, perched in a suspended red Cadillac high above the crowd, abruptly cut the song 16 Carriages short when the vehicle began to slant.
The dramatic moment unfolded on Saturday night at NRG Stadium, where Beyoncé was performing a sold-out hometown show. The car, typically used as a soaring stage prop, began to tip sideways as she sang, prompting her to clutch a pole for stability and shout, “Stop! Stop, stop, stop!”
Fans gasped as the vehicle leaned further mid-song. Video clips posted online show Beyoncé remaining composed before being slowly lowered to the ground. Once safely back on stage, she smiled at the crowd and said, “If ever I fall, I know y’all will catch me.”
Beyoncé halts Cowboy Carter show after flying car nearly tips over crowd in HoustonGetty Images
Beyoncé’s production company, Parkwood Entertainment, later confirmed the incident was due to a “technical mishap” with the cables holding the Cadillac. “She was quickly lowered, and no one was injured,” the statement read. “The show continued without incident.”
This isn’t the first time Beyoncé has experienced prop malfunctions during a live show. Earlier this year, a robot bartender missed pouring her drink on cue, and during her 2018 On The Run II tour, a broken platform forced her to climb down a ladder while wearing heels.
Beyoncé fans react as ‘Queen B’ keeps cool mid-crisis
Fans quickly took to social media with reactions ranging from concern to humour, many quoting her old on-stage catchphrase: “Somebody’s getting fired.” Others expressed admiration for how calmly she handled the situation, finishing the concert without missing a beat.
The Houston show marked the 23rd stop on Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter tour, which ends in Las Vegas next month. The three-hour spectacle, featuring country-infused ballads, fan favourites, and her daughters Blue Ivy and Rumi, continues to smash venue records worldwide.
With sharp wit, emotional honesty and a knack for turning personal crises into punchlines, Indian comedian Prashasti Singh is set to make her Edinburgh Fringe debut this August with her acclaimed stand-up show, Divine Feminine. Before taking on the world’s biggest arts festival, she will offer London audiences a sneak peek with previews at Soho Theatre from 23 to 26 July.
Prashasti, known globally for her appearances on Netflix’s Ladies Up, Comedy Premium League and Amazon Prime’s Comicstaan, uses this deeply personal new show to unpack the consequences of chasing a dream that might not have been hers to begin with. Raised in a patriarchal family, she once aspired to become a patriarch herself. Now, inching towards 40 and pretending to be 30, she wonders – was it all worth it?
A blend of silliness, angst, cultural insight and raw emotional truth, Divine Feminine is the Indian funny girl’s boldest, most introspective work yet. As she prepares for Edinburgh, she opens up about the journey, nerves and joy of revealing just a little too much on stage.
How do you reflect on your action-packed comedy journey so far?
Oh, it has been great! A lot of luck and of course some challenges. I stumbled upon stand-up at the verge of 30 while still at my marketing job. The stars aligned in a way that it became my profession before it truly became my passion. The initial years were mostly about getting on stage as much as possible and delivering what was expected of me. I think in the last couple of years, I have finally understood myself as an artist and performer, and with this show, I am at last finding my voice.
How much does the success of Divine Feminine mean to you? I have travelled with this show across India, Europe and Australia and have been overwhelmed by the love it has received. The Hindi version is 1.5 hours long and performing it has given me immense confidence and security as an artist. That is also why I wanted to break out of my comfort zone and write a version of the show in English to reach a more global audience. The process has been very enriching, and I am very curious to see how a more diverse audience will respond.
How much are you looking forward to taking the show to this year’s Edinburgh Fringe? Very, very excited. I have visited the festival a couple of times before and have always wondered how it would feel to be a performer at such a big and vibrant festival. This year I will get to experience that.
What can audiences expect from your show? Some very silly, some very angsty jokes, some cultural, some human insights and a lot of emotional truth.
Do you ever feel like you are revealing too much about yourself on stage? I do feel that I reveal a lot about myself, but I do not think it is a problem. I feel whatever inside me is finding expression in humour is no longer raw or volatile. It has been processed enough internally that I am able to laugh at it, and hence feel safe putting it out in front of people.
How do you feel when you are on stage in front of a live audience? It is always the best part of my day. I feel very good.
Does being at a festival like Edinburgh, with thousands of acts, put pressure on you or motivate you? I think it does both. I have seen some mind-blowing shows at the Fringe in past years, so I want my show to be a respectful offering in this amazing buffet. At the same time, the Fringe is a place where artists and audiences are most open to experiments. So I feel motivated to try new things and take some risks that I would otherwise shy away from.
What is the comedy master plan going forward? There is no master plan. I am working on a very simple philosophy – do work that I enjoy and people enjoy, and then find ways to grow that work and the number of people who enjoy it.
What inspires you creatively? Great work by other artists. The drive for excellence. People who are brave enough to put out their original, twisted thoughts in front of others. That is why being at the Fringe is so exciting.
Who is your comedy hero? Oh, this is a long list. So many people have done such great work before me. It is really very difficult to name just one.
Who is the funniest person you know in real life? One aunt of mine who has had a fairly tough life. She reminds me that humour is a great life skill beyond the stage.
Has being funny ever got you out of trouble? Absolutely never.
Why should we all come and watch Divine Feminine at the Edinburgh Fringe? See, if you have come this far, you are already hooked. Also, if you have ever thought that you could be losing your sanity or femininity, if you have ever felt old or joyless or lonely or not perfect in any way – the show is for you. It is funny, insightful and fairly honest. I am looking forward to seeing you all at the Fringe.
Charli XCX criticised certain fans for attacking her autotuned vocals at Glastonbury 2025.
Called the backlash “the most boring take ever” in a series of posts on X.
Defended her artistic choices, saying divisive art is often the most impactful.
Her Brat set clashed with Neil Young’s headline act, drawing polarising reactions.
Charli XCX has addressed criticism over her use of autotune during her Glastonbury 2025 performance, calling out the ageist tone of comments that questioned her authenticity as a performer. The singer clapped back on X, brushing off the noise as outdated and out of touch.
Charli XCX defends her Glastonbury set, calling autotune criticism outdated and dull BBC
Charli XCX defends Glastonbury set from autotune critics
During her Brat set on the Other Stage, Charli delivered fan favourites like “365” and “Von Dutch” to a roaring crowd. But online, some viewers slammed her use of autotune and lack of a live band. In a sharp response the next day, she posted: “The idea that singing with deliberate autotune makes you a fraud… is like, the most boring take ever. Yawn.”
— (@)
Charli has long been open about using autotune deliberately as an artistic tool. In earlier interviews, she said she intentionally includes “pitchy” moments in her vocals to add texture and imperfection. Responding to the online backlash, she added: “I enjoy the discourse… the best art is divisive and confrontational and often evolves into truly interesting culture.”
— (@)
Brat performance draws strong reactions, both love and hate
Charli’s set, held opposite Neil Young’s headline slot, split Glastonbury attendees and online viewers alike. Despite the criticism, her show was widely praised by critics.
— (@)
Highlights included a cameo from fellow performer Gracie Abrams during the viral “Apple” dance segment. Charli ended her performance drenched in stage rain, sipping white wine, with giant signs declaring “Brat is forever.”
— (@)
After her set, Charli joined her fiancé George Daniel, drummer of The 1975, for an intimate DJ session, keeping the Brat Summer spirit alive.
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Kareena Kapoor gets emotional discussing Saif’s stabbing incident in an interview with Barkha Dutt
Kareena Kapoor has spoken out for the first time about Saif Ali Khan’s stabbing.
Saif was attacked at home in January 2025 during a burglary attempt.
Their sons, Taimur and Jeh, witnessed the violent episode.
Kareena says the family is still coping but trying to move forward together.
Actor Kareena Kapoor has opened up for the first time about the terrifying night her husband, Saif Ali Khan, was stabbed by an intruder at their Mumbai home. In a deeply personal interview with journalist Barkha Dutt, Kareena admitted that the incident left her shaken and sleepless for months, especially with their children, Taimur and Jeh, present during the attack.
The January 2025 break-in at their Bandra residence ended with Saif being stabbed six times. The attacker, later identified as Mohd Shariful Islam Shehzad, entered the flat during a failed burglary attempt and assaulted Saif in four-year-old Jeh’s room. The actor underwent emergency surgery to remove part of the knife lodged near his spine.
Kareena Kapoor says the incident left their children Taimur and Jeh shakenGetty Images
‘I still haven’t come to terms with it,’ says Kareena Kapoor
Kareena described the emotional aftermath of the attack as “something I haven’t fully processed.” She spoke about the trauma of watching a violent act unfold inside their own home, saying, “Seeing someone in your child’s room, that doesn’t leave you. For weeks, I couldn’t sleep.”
She said that such incidents felt “unthinkable in Mumbai,” where celebrity homes are considered secure. “It felt like something that happens elsewhere, not here. But it happened to us,” she said.
‘We’re stronger as a family, but my sons saw too much too soon’
Both of their sons witnessed the stabbing, something Kareena says forced her to balance her own trauma with parenting. “They’ve always lived a very protected life. Then this happened, and suddenly they saw blood, violence… I hope it teaches them resilience, but no child should have to go through that.”
Kareena and Saif are now focusing on healing as a family after the traumatic episodeGetty Images
Jeh, the younger of the two, has found his own way to cope. “He calls his father Batman and Iron Man. That’s how he sees him, like a superhero,” Kareena said, adding that the family has leaned on each other for strength and grown stronger as a unit.