INDIAN actor Adil Hussain first became intrigued by death when he was graduating from drama school.
He questioned the concept of time, the mystery of what happens after one dies and the notion of reincarnation. It is this, he told Eastern Eye, that initially drew him to his latest cinema release, Hotel Salvation.
Set primarily in the Indian holy city of Varanasi, Hussain’s character Rajiv joins
his father as he attempts to seek salvation before he passes. The film explores the
themes of life, death and rebirth as the two protagonists rediscover contentment
and peace.
Indeed, working on the movie seems to have been something of a cathartic experience for Hussain. One of the most poignant moments in the film for the 53-year-old is one particularly moving, yet charmingly humorous, scene where his character asks for forgiveness from his on-screen father, played by Indian actor Lalit Behl.
“I couldn’t be there when my own father actually passed away as I was shooting for some TV series around 3,000km from my hometown. So when this scene happened, when I am saying goodbye to my [on screen] father thinking that he would actually pass away, it was very real for me.
“I couldn’t actually say bye to my dad when he passed away so here I was saying my goodbye to my dad, believing that he is my dad. It was one of my favourite moments in the film.”
The life-affirming drama is being released in the UK, after a very successful run in a variety of prestigious film festivals, having already received Best Film at the 2017 New York Indian Film Festival.
The film has a deep subject matter, so it is something of a surprise to discover that
the director of the film is as young as he is. At 25, director Shubhashish Bhutiani has already won critical acclaim for his work, including his short film Kush, which was a prize winner at the Venice Film Festival in 2013 and Hussain laughs as he explains what it was like to work with such an up-and-coming film maker.
“When I was told about this 23 year old boy who had written the script and was going to direct [it] at the age of 24, I thought ‘Wow, I was chasing girls when I was 24 and this boy has written a script on death.’
“When I met him, I thought he was extremely wise. You know, like an old wine in a new bottle. He’s very mature and wise and humble and intelligent at the same time.”
Keen to allow his actors to let moments happen and choose their own direction, Hussain explains that Bhutiani was careful in allowing some of his direction to be ambiguous.
“It was a collaborative process rather than a dictatorial process, so that is why I guess the film has become the way it has become.”
The film has been recognised in the independent film industry, but Hussain hopes that the appetite for these kinds of movies will continue to grow in India.
According to the actor, whose other film credits include Life of Pi and comedy drama English-Vinglish, Hotel Salvation should be considered as a mainstream piece due to its father-son premise and he hopes that this kind of cinema will become as famous as Bollywood films.
“You know, commercial Bollywood films would be released in 3,000 screens and this would release in 150 screens so it is a huge disparity. I hope it becomes better,” he says.
Hotel Salvation will be released on 25 August 2017 at select cinemas across the UK.
Comedian and presenter Romesh Ranganathan has opened up about his long-term mental health challenges, describing how he has found effective ways to manage his wellbeing and now feels he is in “one of the best places I’ve ever been in my life”.
Speaking on BBC Radio 4’s Desert Island Discs, Ranganathan discussed experiencing suicidal thoughts in the past and the steps he has taken to improve his mental health. He also reflected on his Sri Lankan heritage, his upbringing, and the difficulties his family faced during his youth.
Managing mental health with daily routines
Ranganathan said he uses running, reading and breathing exercises to help maintain his mental wellbeing. These habits have become an important part of his routine.
“One of the things I’ve noticed when it comes to mental health is you do stuff that works… and then for some reason you just stop doing it,” he said. “You go, ‘Oh, I’ve done that every day for a week, I’m really feeling better, shall I just stop? Yeah!’ And then a few weeks later, wonder why I feel much worse.”
He described recognising when his mental health dips as “half the battle”, explaining that he is now better equipped to respond to difficult periods. “Sometimes I just go through a dark period and I know that I’ve got to do something about it,” he said.
Sharing mental health experiences responsibly
The 47-year-old broadcaster also reflected on the challenges of discussing mental health publicly, particularly when such conversations might affect others.
“You’ve got to be careful because it’s triggering [for other people],” he told presenter Lauren Laverne. “The way that I try and tackle that is to talk about it… I’m trying to destigmatise it to make the conversation normal.”
Mental health should be something people feel able to talk about openlyBBC Radio 4
However, Ranganathan acknowledged the fine line involved in public disclosures. “You do also have to be mindful of the fact that people may have been affected by that,” he said. “You don’t always get it right, but I think the rewards outweigh the risks.”
He explained that, like physical illness, mental health should be something people feel able to talk about openly. But he also emphasised the importance of being sensitive to those who may have personal experiences with suicide or depression.
Personal losses and long-term challenges
Ranganathan revealed that his struggles with mental health date back to his teenage years. He recalled particularly difficult moments during his A-levels, when his father was imprisoned for fraud, and the wider financial difficulties the family faced at the time.
“I’ve been through in my life a number of periods of suicide ideation,” he said. Despite these challenges, he said he currently feels mentally strong and positive. “As I speak now, this is running close to one of the best places I’ve ever been in my life mentally.”
His father died in 2011, but Ranganathan continues to reflect on his parents' lives and the lasting impact they’ve had on him.
Honouring his mother’s strength
During the interview, Ranganathan spoke warmly about his mother, Shanthi, and described her as “one of my heroes”. He shared how his parents moved to the UK from Sri Lanka in 1970, eight years before he was born.
While his father embraced British culture, socialising and working, Ranganathan said his mother had a very different experience. “That’s a 19-year-old girl who had kids in a foreign country,” he said. “My dad was going off to work… my mum is at home and going to the shops, but… there’s a strong argument he should’ve implemented more boundaries than he did.”
He admitted that one of his biggest regrets is “not having enough empathy or understanding” of his mother’s situation when he was growing up.
Family challenges and early life
Ranganathan recalled a difficult period when he was 12, and his father lost his job and struggled financially. “He was trying to make money in his sort of Sri Lankan Del Boy way, and it wasn’t working out,” he said. “He couldn’t keep up the mortgage repayments on their house.”
His father was later arrested and sentenced to two years in prison for fraud, an event that deeply affected Ranganathan during his teenage years.
Despite these hardships, Ranganathan eventually found success in comedy in the early 2010s and has since become a household name in the UK. He now hosts a weekend show on BBC Radio 2 and has fronted numerous popular television programmes.
Music and reflections
As part of his Desert Island Discs appearance, Ranganathan selected songs from artists including Kanye West, Eminem, and Huey Lewis and the News. His musical choices reflected different stages of his life and emotional journey.
The interview provided a rare and honest glimpse into the comedian’s personal experiences and mental health journey, offering encouragement to others who may be facing similar struggles.
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Lokesh Kanagaraj set to direct Aamir Khan in a high-octane superhero film
Bollywood icon Aamir Khan has officially revealed that he will be teaming up with Tamil filmmaker Lokesh Kanagaraj for a large-scale superhero action film. The project, which is still in its early stages, is expected to begin production in the second half of 2026.
A rare early reveal from Aamir Khan
Aamir is known for picking his projects carefully, usually choosing one at a time, often after his latest release has had its run. But this time, ahead of the 20 June release of Sitaare Zameen Par, he decided to open up about what’s coming next. In a media interaction in Mumbai, he confirmed that he and Lokesh Kanagaraj have signed on to create a superhero film. “It’s a big-scale action film,” Aamir said, adding that while production is still more than a year away, the plan is firmly in place.
Lokesh, known for action-packed Tamil hits like Kaithi, Master, Vikram, and Leo, has built a reputation for combining stylish action with grounded storytelling. Aamir, who has dabbled in the action genre with films like Ghulam, Ghajini, and Dhoom 3, is expected to bring emotional weight and mainstream appeal to this pairing.
When asked for more details, Aamir smiled and declined to say more, simply stating that the full picture would emerge in time. For now, both actors and fans will have to wait as the film moves towards pre-production.
No PK sequel, but a Dadasaheb Phalke biopic is in the works
During the same interaction, Aamir also addressed speculation about a sequel to PK. “That’s just a rumour,” he said plainly. “I don’t know where that came from.” Instead, he confirmed he will reunite with director Rajkumar Hirani for a biopic on Dadasaheb Phalke, widely regarded as the father of Indian cinema.
Meanwhile, Sitaare Zameen Par, a spiritual follow-up to his acclaimed 2007 film Taare Zameen Par, will see Aamir play a basketball coach working with a team of individuals with special needs. Directed by RS Prasanna and co-starring Genelia D’Souza, the film also introduces ten new actors.
Aamir Khan dismisses PK 2 rumours and confirms biopic on Dadasaheb PhalkeGetty Images
With multiple ambitious projects lined up, including a superhero film, a historical biopic, and the epic mythological saga, Aamir Khan is entering a creatively fertile phase of his career, balancing scale with substance.
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Habibur Masum pleaded guilty at Bradford Crown Court to manslaughter and possession of a bladed article. (Photo: West Yorkshire Police)
A MAN has admitted killing his wife as she pushed their baby in a pram through Bradford city centre, but has denied her murder.
Habibur Masum, 26, pleaded guilty at Bradford Crown Court to manslaughter and possession of a bladed article. He denied the charge of murder. The victim, 27-year-old Kulsuma Akter, was stabbed multiple times on 6 April last year. The baby was unharmed.
Masum, of Leamington Avenue, Burnley, was remanded in custody by Justice Cotter and is due to stand trial for murder on Monday.
He also denied two charges of assault, one count of making threats to kill and one charge of stalking. During a previous hearing, the court was told those charges relate to incidents over two days in November 2023.
The stalking charge alleges Masum tracked Akter between November and April, found her location at a safe house, sent threatening messages including photos and videos, loitered near her temporary residence, and caused her alarm or distress and fear of violence.
Akter was attacked at around 15:20 BST on Westgate near Drewton Road. She later died in hospital. Masum was arrested in Aylesbury after a three-day manhunt by West Yorkshire Police.
Her mother, Monwara Begum, speaking from Bangladesh last year, said: "I am in shock. She was my youngest daughter and I adored her greatly... The only day I didn't hear from her was the day she was attacked."
Music has inspired every aspect of Rick Ram’s life. The massively popular chutney soca star grew up surrounded by songs that shaped him as both an artist and individual. That journey led him to become an award-winning singer with a string of hits.
When Eastern Eye asked him to select his favourite songs, he chose ones filled with magic, meaning and cherished memories.
Tu by Sonu Nigam: When I was about 11, my mother Camla Ramoutar sang with a band called Melody Express and rehearsed at our home. One night, the lead singer did not show up, and they were practising this song. Jerry Beharry overheard me singing along and told me to perform it on stage. It became the first song I ever sang live.
Nache Man Mora Magan by Mohammed Rafi: Known as one of the most difficult songs to sing, this track encouraged me to pursue a music career. It was my first entry into Mastana Bahar, a respected platform that launched the careers of many artists.
Pretty Woman from Kal Ho Naa Ho: This song brought me my love and life partner, Vanessa Ramoutar. I entered a major competition in Trinidad and Tobago for the best cover version of this song. I did two versions with Xsitaaz Band and Caribbean Vibrations Band. We performed on a live TV show called Indian Variety, and I needed a dancer. That is when the beautifully talented Vanessa walked into my life.
Mitwa from Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna: This film track is a personal favourite to sing live. It remains one of the sweetest songs ever composed.
Sapano Main Pyardi by Ramdeo Chaitoo: This was the first traditional chutney song I covered. It will always hold a special place in my heart because it represents Caribbean music.
Ro Na Kabhi Nahin Rona from Apna Desh: I recorded a cover version of this song in 2007 and was blessed with a beautiful baby girl that same year. She brought such light into our lives, and the song became a huge success. To commemorate that moment, we named our daughter after the track – Varonah. For her sweet 16, we created a special remix of it just for her.
Ah Wish I Was Single by Rick Ram: I have many original hits in the chutney soca genre, but this one stands out. In 2012, I recorded the song and entered two competitions. I placed third in the Chutney Soca Monarch and won my first title as South Super Saturday Chutney Soca Monarch.
Nanda Baba by Anand Yankarran: This iconic song, originally sung by the late, great legend Anand Yankarran, remains one of the greatest traditional chutney tracks. I remember calling Mr Yankarran to ask his permission to do a cover, just before he passed away. He was so excited and said he had never heard anyone sing it the way I did. I recorded it with his blessings.
Luuuzzaarr by Rick Ram: This song was born out of a difficult time, when my wife and I were being bullied. Rather than retaliating, we channelled that experience into creating something positive. Luuuzzaarr made a huge impact – and helped me win two titles: the 2024 Chutney Soca Monarch and the 103.1FM Chutney Soca Road March competition.
Party Like This by Rick Ram: This original song is dedicated to my little prince, my son Rick Junior. He is full of energy and watches everything I do. A reflection of him, I am proud of this track just as I am proud of him and everything he is. It has become his anthem.
Instagram: @rick.ramoutar.75
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Tom Felton returns to the role of Draco Malfoy for the Broadway stage
For the first time since the final Harry Potter film wrapped over a decade ago, Tom Felton is returning to the wizarding world, but not on screen. Instead, the actor is headed to Broadway, where he’ll take on the role of an adult Draco Malfoy in Harry Potter and the Cursed Child. The stage production, which continues the story 19 years after the original books, will now feature one of its most iconic characters portrayed by the man who first brought him to life.
Felton will join the cast at New York’s Lyric Theatre beginning 11 November 2025, for a limited 19-week run until 22 March 2026. This also marks his Broadway debut, making the moment doubly significant. Not only is he the first actor from the original film series to step into the stage version of the Potter universe, but he’ll be playing Draco at the exact age the character is in the play, creating a rare full-circle moment for both the actor and the fans.
Unlike the sneering schoolboy we met in The Philosopher’s Stone, this Draco is a father now. Cursed Child picks up nearly two decades after the Battle of Hogwarts, with the next generation of witches and wizards, including Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Draco’s children starting their own journey at Hogwarts.
Speaking about the experience, Felton admitted that slipping back into Draco’s signature look affected him more deeply than expected. “The blond hair came back on, and I immediately started crying,” he said in an interview. “It felt like going back to school.” He reflected on how the role shaped his childhood and said stepping back into those robes was like “meeting Draco as an adult for the first time.”
Producers Sonia Friedman and Colin Callender called Felton’s casting “a powerful moment of nostalgia and evolution,” acknowledging how his presence bridges the film legacy with the stage story in a way that resonates deeply with longtime fans.
Since his time in the films, Felton has explored a mix of stage and screen roles, from the sci-fi blockbuster Rise of the Planet of the Apes to his stage debut in 2:22 A Ghost Story and the recent A Child of Science. He also published a memoir, Beyond the Wand, sharing his experiences growing up in the spotlight.
But this latest role has stirred a different kind of emotion. “It’s surreal,” he said. “I let go of that character 16 years ago. Now I get to explore him again with new responsibilities, regrets, and maybe redemption.”
Tom Felton makes his Broadway debut in Cursed ChildGetty Images
Harry Potter and the Cursed Child continues to be one of the most successful plays in Broadway history, having sold over 10 million tickets worldwide. Felton’s involvement is expected to bring in a fresh wave of fans, especially those who grew up with the original films. Presale for tickets begins 10 June, with general sales opening on 12 June.