The road to name and fame is different for every actor. Some hit stardom by showing their acting prowess in films, while others become a household name after appearing on long-running television shows. Supremely talented actress Akanksha Puri proudly belongs to the latter category.
Puri started her acting career with Madhur Bhandarkar’s Calendar Girls (2015), but her career kicked into high gear when she appeared on television. The actress made her small screen debut with Contiloe Entertainment’s mythological series Vighnaharta Ganesh where she plays goddess Parvati.
The Sony Entertainment Television series recently clocked 500 episodes, which is not a mean feat for a mythological show. To celebrate the feat, the channel organized an elaborate pooja ceremony on the sets of the show. Right after the pooja ceremony and a sumptuous lunch, Eastern Eye correspondent Mohnish Singh caught up with Akanksha Puri for a freewheeling conversation. In this interviews, the gorgeous actress talks in detail about her journey with Vighnaharta Ganesh so far, how has her life changed in the past two years and much more. Akanksha also spills the beans on her upcoming South Indian film. Excerpts...
Your popular mythological show Vighnaharta Ganesh has just completed 500 episodes, which is sort of a rarity in this genre. How do you feel?
I think it is a big thing because nowadays most of the shows go off-air even before completing 100 or 200 episodes. Our show has sustained even after clocking 500 episodes and that too with great content and good TRP. We have been getting love and support from everybody since the very beginning. The audience has really loved our show. They have accepted various avatars that we have appeared in on the show so far. I really enjoy being part of such an amazing show. I enjoy shooting with my entire cast and crew.
Had you ever thought the show would become such a huge hit among the audience and clock 500 episodes?
It was a very different show for me. In real life, I am diametrically opposite to what I play on the screen. When I was approached for the role of Parvati, I thought somebody was trying to pull a prank on me. It was impossible for me to even imagine myself in that avatar. But I was surprised beyond belief when I saw myself in the getup of Parvati for the first time. People associated with the show really believed in me that I could play the part. The audience has also accepted me wholeheartedly. It’s great. Initially, it was a very different and difficult character for me because, as I said, I am not like Parvati at all in my real-life.
Did you have to work on your language to fit the bill because, generally, in mythological shows, all characters speak in chaste Hindi?
Luckily, that was a plus point for me. My command over Hindi is very strong. I belong to the state of Madhya Pradesh, so my command over the language is very good. Moreover, I come from an extremely religious family. I have grown up listening to stories and legends of our scriptures and mythology. Some of the devotional songs and bhajans I still remember by heart. So, my command over Hindi had been my biggest strength when I came on board to play Parvati. During my childhood, I used to get irritated to see havans and pooja round the clock. But today, I thank my mother and family for all those things.
This show has helped me mature as a person. It brought restraint to my life. Today, I am a lot more patient than I was before. I can understand and handle things more judiciously now.
Let me tell you that I had appeared in a song some two years ago wherein I had worn a golden bikini. I was famous as a golden bikini girl. I was cast for the role of Parvati exactly one month after that song released. It was challenging for me to slide out of that golden bikini image and get into the skin of a revered character like Parvati. I had to work on my looks and body language. To look glamorous for me is extremely easy. But to attain that godly image was very difficult for me. But I took up the challenge and that is why the audience is loving me in this character so much. They have loved me in each and every avatar and I am hopeful they will continue showering their love on me even in future as well.
You started your career in Bollywood and then dived into the television industry. Your show Vighnaharta Ganesh has given you name and fame. Do you think that television has succeeded in adequately tapping into your talent?
Yes, it has definitely done so. I would, in fact, say that it has done more than that. I have just finished shooting for my next South Indian film. It is a high-profile film made under the banner of one of the biggest banners down South. I will be seen in a completely different, action avatar in the film. I have done some high-octane action sequences that no female artist has ever attempted before and that too without using any stunt double. The film has been made on a whopping budget of ₹ 60-70 crore. It is scheduled to roll into theatres on the auspicious occasion of Diwali. I am looking forward to its release. I am doing yet another project in the South Indian film industry. So, I would not shy away from accepting the fact that Vighnaharta Ganesh has given me recognition because its dubbed versions air on television in Tamil, Telugu and several other popular languages. I had gone down South to attend an event of our show where I got this film. I am really happy that this show has given me so much.
It is an out-and-out action entertainer where the audience will see me in a grey shade for the very first. I have attempted something extremely different. I am sure the audience would love my attempt.
Amidst all of this, you must have been approached for several Bollywood projects also.
Yes, I received a lot of Bollywood offers in between, but I could not do them because of some restrictions. But you will soon see me in any film or a web-series.
The set of your show is located in Naigaon and you live somewhere in Andheri. How do you manage to travel to and fro between Naigaon and Andheri every day?
Initially, it was indeed very challenging, but now it has become a routine. Some shows have their sets in far-flung places like Amgaon and Umargaon. So, I feel, Naigaon is still better and closer. It is true that it takes a lot of time travelling. It takes around 2-3 hours daily. But it is fine, we all have kind of accustomed to it now. It has become a part of life.
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.”
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Fans question why Indian talent was overlooked again
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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.
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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.
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Charli XCX celebrates a year of Brat’s cultural takeover
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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
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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.