Acclaimed actor Manit Joura has had such a close connection with super hit drama serial Kundali Bhagya since it premiered in 2017 that he recently made a winning return, after shocking fans by leaving last year.
The popular star has perfectly picked up where he left off with his portrayal of Rishabh Luthra on the ZEE TV show and is delighting fans with his presence. He is clearly enjoying being part of the Kundali Bhagya family again and was happy to speak with Eastern Eye about the magnetic charm of the show. He also discussed his dream role, inspirations, future plans, and what he enjoys as an audience member.
How do you look back on your wonderful acting journey?
If I look back at my acting journey it is no less than a movie script. My journey has been full of ups and downs, with a lot of twists, turns, failures and some successes, and also a lot of learning and unlearning. I’ve got to know myself better and what exactly is being a human being. In a nutshell, I would say my journey as an actor has been fruitful.
How do you reflect on your amazing Kundali Bhagya journey in particular?
Honestly, my journey with Kundali Bhagya has literally changed my bhagya (destiny). Whatever I am today is because of Kundali Bhagya and the character Rishabh Luthra. I got a lot of love and recognition because of the show. I got Kundali Bhagya when I was looking for that one big break that might change my career graph, and it actually did. It has personally also given me a lot. I’ve grown from a boy to a man and am very grateful for it.
Why did you decide to leave the show and what made you return?
Leaving the show wasn’t a pre-planned thing. It was a very impromptu decision because my mother wasn’t keeping well and as the eldest son in the family, it was my responsibility to take care of her. And the reason I made a comeback is that there was something left that I had to say through my character.
Tell us about that?
The makers added a lot of twists and turns in the plot, which made my character demand a lot from me as an actor. I was thrilled about it and also the fact that Kundali has been close to my heart. So, whatever and whenever I can do something for this show, I will do it.
Why do you think Kundali Bhagya is so loved by the audience?
Different people like the show for different reasons. Anything that is honest and truthful is relatable to people. And the bond we share, we don’t act like brothers. That bond shows on screen. My bond with family and vice versa is shown. We don’t try to be a family, we are a family! We don’t give a second thought before expressing ourselves. That off-screen chemistry reaches audiences of the show, and they relate to it. The show’s writers write the words and we actors come at them with our own senses and emotions.
You have played diverse roles. Which other characters have you enjoyed playing?
Honestly, I’ve loved all the characters that I have done. But the character closest to my heart has to be Harsh Shastri (from Prem Bandhan) because as an actor I always used to think that I won’t be able to do a schizophrenic character, or it doesn’t come naturally to me. I had to work really hard for that character. I used to think that I might end up hurting people’s sentiments. I did a lot of research before performing it. My research and spontaneity helped me ace the role.
What is the plan going forward?
To be honest, there is no plan. I only plan things that are in my control, such as my schedule, and craft (being well prepared for the shoot). Also being ready for the opportunity that knocks on my door. I stopped planning because the majority of stuff that you plan never
happens. Life has different ways of surprising you.
What is your dream role?
There are so many, ones I think about most is doing biographical or real-life characters, so that I’ll get to spend time with the person and get to portray them. I would love to do a biography of Virat Kohli and think I would look good.
What kind of content do you enjoy watching as an audience?
I love watching everything. Even if it is a normal film that is not watched by many people, then also I like it because that gives me an understanding that I don’t have to do this and should do that. I watch everything without getting bored. I enjoy love stories, action films, and documentaries. I love watching Imtiaz Ali’s cinema because he shows the character with so much innocence, beauty, and simplicity that it reflects real life such as his characters in Tamasha, and Rockstar. He shows a real graph and journey travelled by each character, and you go along with it.
What inspires you?
What inspires me is the honest work of any actor. Even a small, but impactful role inspires me. Like Pankaj Tripathi did in Gangs Of Wasseypur. Also, music, stories, and innocence of actors inspire me. Being a good human inspires me. The one who is honest with himself is a good human.
Why do you love being an actor?
I don’t think I would do anything else other than acting. Acting has taught me a lot. The deeper I go into it, the more I enjoy it. I can act until my last breath without getting bored. I don’t want to find this answer – that is why I love acting. I just enjoy the moment. It makes me forget everything, including my personal life, and issues. When I’m acting, I’m just acting. I didn’t become an actor because of fame or money. It is everything to me and a very spiritual process.
Fragments of Belonging is Nitin Ganatra’s first solo exhibition
Opens Saturday, September 27, at London Art Exchange in Soho Square
Show explores themes of memory, displacement, identity, and reinvention
Runs from 3:30 PM to 9:00 PM, doors open at 3:15 PM
From screen to canvas
Actor Nitin Ganatra, known for his roles in EastEnders, Bride & Prejudice, and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, is embarking on a new artistic chapter with his debut solo exhibition.
Titled Fragments of Belonging, the show marks his transition from performance to painting, presenting a deeply personal series of works at the London Art Exchange in Soho Square on September 27.
Exploring memory and identity
Through abstract forms, bold colour, and layered compositions, Ganatra’s paintings reflect themes of memory, displacement, and cultural inheritance. The exhibition has been described as a “visual diary,” with each piece representing fragments of lived experience shaped by migration and reinvention.
What visitors can expect
The exhibition will showcase original paintings alongside Ganatra’s personal reflections on identity and belonging. The London Art Exchange promises an intimate setting in the heart of Soho, where visitors can engage with the artist’s work and connect with fellow creatives, collectors, and fans.
The event runs from 3:30 PM to 9:00 PM on September 27, and is open to all ages.
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£1 tickets available for families receiving Universal Credit
The Peter Rabbit™ Adventure runs at Hampton Court Palace from 25 July to 7 September 2025
Trail includes interactive games, riddles and character encounters across the gardens
Children can meet a larger-than-life Peter Rabbit in the Kitchen Garden
Special themed menu items available at the Tiltyard Café
£1 tickets available for families receiving Universal Credit and other benefits
Peter Rabbit comes to life at Hampton Court
This summer, families visiting Hampton Court Palace can step into the world of Beatrix Potter as The Peter Rabbit™ Adventure takes over the palace gardens from 25 July to 7 September 2025.
Explore the Kitchen Garden, Tiltyard and WildernessHRP
The family trail, officially licensed by Penguin Ventures on behalf of Frederick Warne & Co., combines the palace’s historic gardens with the much-loved tales of Beatrix Potter. Visitors will encounter interactive activities, puzzles and games while exploring the Kitchen Garden, Tiltyard and Wilderness.
Interactive activities and wildlife learning
Along the trail, children can try Mrs Tiggy-winkle’s washing equipment to make music, search for Peter Rabbit under wheelbarrows, or test their hopping skills alongside Beatrix Potter’s characters.
The experience also highlights Potter’s role as a committed environmentalist. Young visitors are encouraged to look for real wildlife such as hedgehogs, squirrels and toads while learning about habitats and conservation in the palace grounds.
Children can meet a larger-than-life Peter Rabbit HRP
Meet Peter Rabbit and enjoy themed treats
Peter Rabbit himself will make appearances in the Kitchen Garden at set times each day, where families can take photos among the seasonal produce. Fresh fruit and vegetables grown in the gardens will feature in special Peter Rabbit™ menu items at the Tiltyard Café.
After completing the trail, children can also explore the Magic Garden playground or visit Henry VIII’s Kitchens inside the palace, where live cookery demonstrations take place each weekend.
Tickets and access
The Peter Rabbit™ Adventure is included in general admission:
Off-peak (weekdays and bank holidays): Adults £27.20, Children (5–15) £13.60, Concessions £21.80
Peak (weekends and events): Adults £30.00, Children £15.00, Concessions £24.00
HRP Members go free
Families in receipt of Universal Credit and other means-tested benefits can access £1 tickets throughout the summer (advance booking required).
Membership offers unlimited visits to Hampton Court Palace and other Historic Royal Palaces sites, including seasonal events such as the Hampton Court Palace Food Festival and Henry VIII’s Joust.
For more details and booking, visit
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The former Match of the Day presenter was voted best TV presenter by viewers at the ceremony on Wednesday
Gary Lineker named best TV presenter, breaking Ant and Dec’s 23-year run
Former Match of the Day host left BBC after social media controversies
Netflix drama Adolescence wins two awards, including best drama performance for 15-year-old Owen Cooper
Gavin & Stacey takes home the comedy award
I’m a Celebrity wins in the reality competition category
Lineker takes presenter prize after BBC departure
Gary Lineker has ended Ant and Dec’s record 23-year winning streak at the National Television Awards (NTAs). The former Match of the Day presenter was voted best TV presenter by viewers at the ceremony on Wednesday.
Lineker stepped down from Match of the Day in May after 26 years, following controversy around his social media posts. Accepting the award, he thanked colleagues and said the prize showed “it is OK to use your platform to speak up on behalf of those who have no voice.” He added: “It’s not lost on me why I might have won this award.”
Asked if he might work with the BBC again, Lineker said he was uncertain but was “really looking forward to working with ITV.”
The last winner before Ant and Dec’s run was Michael Barrymore in 2000.
Netflix drama Adolescence scores double win
Netflix’s hit drama Adolescence won best new drama and best drama performance for 15-year-old Owen Cooper. The show, which follows the story of a teenage boy accused of murder, became a national talking point earlier this year.
Cooper beat fellow nominee Stephen Graham, who plays his on-screen father, though neither attended the event.
Gavin & Stacey named best comedy
Gavin & Stacey’s Christmas finale, watched by more than 20 million viewers, was named best comedy. Ruth Jones, who plays Nessa, accepted the award and joked: “Alright, calm down. I’m going to the bar now for a pint of wine.”
Backstage, Jones paid tribute to co-writer and co-star James Corden, who could not attend, and addressed reports of a new Apple TV+ project, saying nothing had yet been confirmed.
I’m a Celebrity beats The Traitors
In the reality competition category, I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! triumphed over The Traitors, Love Island, and Race Across the World. Presenters including Coleen Rooney and Oti Mabuse collected the award.
Other winners of the night
Michael McIntyre’s Big Show won the Bruce Forsyth Entertainment Award
Molly-Mae Hague’s Behind It All won best authored documentary
Wallace & Gromit received a special recognition award
Gogglebox won factual entertainment, while Call the Midwife secured returning drama
The NTAs remain unique in British television for being entirely voted for by the public.
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UN human rights office urges India to drop cases against Arundhati Roy
ARUNDHATI ROY’S forthcoming memoir, Mother Mary Comes To Me, is about the author’s close but fraught relationship with her mother, Mary Roy, whose death in 2022 her daughter has likened to “being hit by a truck”.
Mary Roy, who insisted her children call her “Mrs Roy” in school, belonged to the Syrian Christian community. She does not seem a very nice person.
The Financial Times, which interviewed Arundhati at her home in Delhi, reveals: “In an episode to which the writer makes oblique reference early in the book but withholds until later — because of the pain it caused — she returned from boarding school for the holidays, aged 13, to find that Mrs Roy had had her beloved pet dog, Dido, shot and buried as ‘a kind of honour killing’ after Dido mated with an unknown street dog.”
In 1996, someone tipped me off that a publisher had won an auction by paying £1 million for The God of Small Things by an unknown Indian writer. This was unprecedented for a debut novel. But the buzz among the bidders was that the novel was a possible contender for the Booker Prize.
As I was writing my story at the Daily Telegraph, the night editor, Andrew Hutchinson, leant over and quipped: “Writing about your sister again?” As we know, Arundhati Roy did win the Booker in 1997. I had actually met Arundhati two years previously when she had stuck up for Phoolan Devi, the subject of Shekhar Kapur’s movie, Bandit Queen, based on Mala Sen’s biography.
Phoolan had been repeatedly raped by upper class Thakurs (the men were later lined up in the village of Behmai and executed by Phoolan’s gang in 1981). The film was exploitative, claimed Arundhati, because for Phoolan, it was like being raped again. She wrote a piece in Sunday in Calcutta (now Kolkata), headlined, “The Indian rape trick”.
Mala arranged for me to interview Phoolan who was refusing to talk to Channel 4 which was making a documentary in India on the controversial movie. In public, she supported Arundhati, but behind the scenes did a deal with C4 which paid her £40,000.
The FT interview says Arundhati “left home at 16, putting the length of the subcontinent between her mother in Kerala and herself in New Delhi, where she was admitted as one of the few women students at the School of Planning and Architecture. ‘I left in order to be able to continue to love her, because I knew she would destroy me if I stayed,’ she says.
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The mural has been covered and is being guarded by security
A new mural by street artist Banksy has appeared on the Royal Courts of Justice building in central London.
The artwork depicts a judge hitting a protester, with blood splattering their placard.
It comes days after nearly 900 arrests at a London protest against the ban on Palestine Action.
The mural has been covered and is being guarded by security; Banksy confirmed authenticity via Instagram.
Banksy’s latest work at the Royal Courts of Justice
A new mural by the elusive Bristol-based street artist Banksy has appeared on the side of the Royal Courts of Justice building in central London.
The artwork shows a judge in traditional wig and black robe striking a protester lying on the ground, with blood depicted on the protester’s placard. While the mural does not explicitly reference a specific cause or incident, its appearance comes just two days after almost 900 people were arrested during a protest in London against the ban on Palestine Action.
Security and public access
Social media images show that the mural has already been covered with large plastic sheets and two metal barriers. Security officials are guarding the site, which sits beneath a CCTV camera.
Banksy shared a photo of the artwork on Instagram, captioning it: “Royal Courts Of Justice. London.” This is consistent with the artist’s usual method of confirming authenticity.
Location and context
The mural is located on an external wall of the Queen’s Building, part of the Royal Courts of Justice complex. Banksy’s stencilled graffiti often comments on government policy, war, and capitalism.
Previous works in London
Last summer, Banksy launched an animal-themed campaign in London featuring nine works. The series concluded with a gorilla appearing to lift a shutter at the London Zoo. Other notable pieces included piranhas on a police sentry box in the City of London and a howling wolf on a satellite dish in Peckham, which was removed less than an hour after unveiling.