Highlights
- The actor-filmmaker will portray the legendary sitar maestro in The Beatles – A Four Film Cinematic Event
- The role marks his first acting appearance in a major Hollywood production
- The announcement comes as conversations around Don 3 continue
Hollywood debut linked to The Beatles story
Farhan Akhtar is set to make his Hollywood acting debut as Pandit Ravi Shankar in The Beatles – A Four Film Cinematic Event, the ambitious project directed by Sam Mendes. The series explores the lives of the iconic band and features Shankar as a key figure, reflecting his close association with guitarist George Harrison.
Backed by Sony Pictures, the films are currently in production and are planned for a global theatrical rollout in April 2028.
A cultural bridge in the narrative
Shankar’s collaborations with Harrison helped introduce Indian classical music to Western audiences, influencing The Beatles’ later sound and expanding the global reach of the genre. Akhtar’s casting places him at a pivotal cultural point within the story, underscoring India’s imprint on one of the most influential bands in music history.
Timing amid Don 3 developments
The casting news arrives while Akhtar remains in the spotlight over developments linked to Don 3, including ongoing discussions and speculation around the film’s casting and direction. Even as the franchise draws attention, the Beatles project signals a significant international turn in his acting career.
Expanding his global footprint
With filming underway, the project represents a notable step beyond Hindi cinema for Akhtar. Joining a high-profile ensemble, he is set to bring one of India’s most celebrated musicians to the screen as part of a major international production.
The singer jokingly texted Clairo saying, "Let's f**k her up," sparking an online frenzy
Why Charli XCX jokingly declared war on Peppa Pig after one viral comment
Highlights
What started as a playful celebrity game has turned into one of the internet's most unexpected viral moments, with Charli XCX jokingly threatening to "f**k up" Peppa Pig after the beloved cartoon character appeared to dismiss singer Clairo.
The exchange quickly spread across social media, drawing reactions from fans and fellow musicians, while turning an unlikely clash between a pop star and a fictional children's character into a trending talking point.
Peppa Pig's viral remark sparked the joke
The playful exchange began during Peppa Pig's appearance in Pitchfork's Over/Under game, where the animated character rated a selection of music artists.
While expressing admiration for acts including PinkPantheress and The Beatles, Peppa responded to Clairo by saying, "I don't know her," a line widely recognised as a reference to Mariah Carey's famous response when asked about Jennifer Lopez.
The remark, accompanied by a knowing glance at the camera, quickly gained traction online.
Charli XCX rushed to Clairo's defence
After seeing the clip, Charli XCX privately messaged Clairo, writing, "Let's f**k her up," alongside a screenshot of the viral post.
Clairo later shared the exchange on social media, prompting thousands of reactions from fans, many of whom responded with pig and bacon-themed jokes.
PinkPantheress, whom Peppa had praised in the original video, also joined the conversation, posting a message supporting Clairo.
As the exchange continued, Clairo responded to the growing attention with humour, replying to posts before eventually telling followers, "ok that's enoughhhhh lolllllllllll."
Some fans joked that the viral moment was the perfect opportunity for the singer to announce new music, though Clairo replied that she did not have anything ready to share.
Her most recent album, Charm, was released in 2024, with its accompanying tour concluding in 2025.
Charli XCX keeps her focus on new music
While the online joke continued to gather momentum, Charli XCX did not publicly add to the exchange.
Instead, the singer has been focusing on promoting her upcoming album, Music, Fashion, Film, which is scheduled for release on July 24.
Although fans speculated that one of the track titles could be a playful nod to the viral exchange, there has been no indication that the album references the light-hearted social media moment.