International Indian Film Academy Awards (IIFA) used to take place overseas, but this year as the awards completed 20 years, the organisers decided to hold it in Mumbai, India. The award function took place last night and was attended by big stars of Bollywood like Salman Khan, Alia Bhatt, Deepika Padukone, Ranveer Singh, Ayushmann Khurrana, Katrina Kaif, Aditi Rao Hydari, Madhuri Dixit, Vicky Kaushal, Karan Johar, Aparshakti Khurrana and others.
It was a wonderful night with amazing performances and winners taking home the trophy. Well, we are sure everyone wants to know which actor won the award. So, here’s the full list of winners…
Best Film - Raazi
Best Story - Andhadhun
Best Actor (Female) - Alia Bhatt (Raazi)
Best Actor (Male) - Ranveer Singh (Padmaavat)
Best Director - Sriram Raghavan (Andhadhun)
Best Supporting Actor (Female) - Aditi Rao Hydari (Padmaavat)
Best Supporting Actor (Male) - Vicky Kaushal (Sanju)
Best Debut Actor (Female) - Sara Ali Khan (Kedarnath)
Best Debut Actor (Male) - Ishaan Khatter (Dhadak)
Lifetime Achievement Award – Comedian Jagdeep
20 Years Best Actor (Female) - Deepika Padukone
20 Years Best Actor (Male) - Ranbir Kapoor
Best Music in the last 20 years - Pritam
Outstanding performance by a director in last 20 years - Rajkumar Hirani
Best Film in the past 20 years - Kaho Na Pyaar Hai
Best Lyrics - Amitabh Bhattacharya (Dhadak)
Best Playback Singer (Male) - Arijit Singh for Ae Watan (Raazi)
Best Playback Singer (Female) - Harshdeep Kaur and Vibha Saraf for Dilbaro (Raazi)
Best Music - Sonu Ke Titu Ki Sweety
Congratulations to all the winners! Now we hope that soon the award function is shown on the small screen and we watch our favourite stars performing on stage. Katrina Kaif, Ranveer Singh, Salman Khan, Madhuri Dixit, and others have performed at IIFA this year. We are sure the telecast of IIFA will rule the TRP charts.
Actor babil khan recently had a public breakdown on instagram, sharing a concerning video that was later deleted. those close to the 27-year-old son of the late star irrfan khan have since said he is doing fine. however, the incident highlights the urgent need to take mental health more seriously across all areas of society, including among high-profile figures in the film industry. it also serves as a reminder that anyone who is struggling should be encouraged to reach out for help.
Babil Khan
POOR ADVERT
It was recently revealed that, in terms of brand endorsements, Ananya Panday is one of the most visible celebrities on Indian television. The fact that an actress with limited talent and an underwhelming film record has become a go-to face for advertisers reflects the current state of popular culture in India. While she cannot be faulted for making the most of these opportunities, one would hope that those investing in such campaigns could find more compelling representatives to promote their products.
Ananya Panday
FILM FESTIVAL HERO
The annual UK Asian Film Festival delivered a vibrant 27th edition with another action-packed programme celebrating cinema. Founder and festival director Dr Pushpinder Chowdhry deserves particular praise for being the driving force from day one and providing a valuable international platform to filmmakers from around the world.
The great British champion told me the festival’s strong ethos has always inspired the dedicated team to use their platform to challenge norms, build empathy and bring communities together. She explained: “The festival themes have always focused on the universal search for identity, connection, and purpose. The films and events we select include stories of displaced immigrants, quests for love, and negotiations between heritage and modern life.
The festival has received strong support from dedicated individuals, communities, and businesses, who believed in our work, reinforcing the idea that storytelling remains a vital force for unity in a divided world. “In an era marked by fear and division, the festival’s programming emphasised that it is not people we should fear, but the forces that seek to silence or divide us.”
SOCIAL MEDIA SUICIDE
One of the most damaging effects of social media influencers is the way they can create unrealistic expectations for young people, including follower counts. Tragically, this pressure recently contributed to the suicide of content creator Misha Agrawal, just two days before her 25th birthday.
Despite building a solid brand and a strong following on Instagram, the founder of Misha Cosmetics reportedly took her own life after falling short of reaching one million followers. This is heartbreaking when you consider that many public figures have large numbers of fake followers. Her death serves as a stark reminder that much more needs to be done to safeguard the mental health of those consumed by online validation.
If you are struggling, help is available. Samaritans offers free, confidential support 24 hours a day on 116 123 or via email at jo@samaritans.org.
Misha Agrawal
PERMISSION TO RETURN
There is another chance to catch the acclaimed theatre production Permission, which had its UK premiere last year. The multi-layered story, which moves between a Heathrow immigration line and a rooftop in Karachi, will be staged at Tara Theatre in London from May 30 to June 7. Writer Hunia Chawla said the play, starring Rea Malhotra Mukhtyar and Anisa Butt, “will make you think, laugh and cry at the same time.”
Permission
BOLLYWOOD’S BAD EXCUSE
It seems as if those connected to Hindi cinema are shamelessly using the current conflict between India and Pakistan to save face.
The recent Bollywood concert headlined by Salman Khan and Madhuri Dixit was cancelled with the Kashmir terror attack cited as the reason – though it was more likely due to poor ticket sales.
Similarly, the last-minute cancellation of Bhool Chuk Maaf, starring Rajkummar Rao, was blamed on cross-border tensions. In reality, this time-loop comedy had generated little buzz or advance interest and seemed destined to flop. Producers had planned to quietly shift the film to a streaming platform, but cinema owners in India took the matter to court, forcing a theatrical release this week. When the film inevitably fails, it may only confirm what many suspected from the start.
Bhool Chuk Maaf
STORY OF A DREAM TEAM
One of this year’s standout music collaborations is between internationally renowned Norwegian music producer Alan Walker and rapidly rising Indian hip hop star King. Their newly released, genre-defying track Story of A Bird is a powerful dance-pop anthem described as a global creative rallying cry. The fusion of Walker’s signature atmospheric EDM production with King’s raw lyricism resonates strongly with a new generation on the rise. These self-made music stars have bridged cultures and sounds, while celebrating the unstoppable spirit of those who dare to dream.
King and Alan Walker
MAGNIFICENT MARK
The recently released season five of comedy series Man Like Mobeen is packed with hilarious moments from start to finish, thanks to its marvellous characters and strong performances. While co-creator Guz Khan is brilliant in the title role, the standout star is once again Mark Silcox, who shines in his superb supporting role as Uncle Shady. He owns every scene he appears in with his deadpan delivery and is so good that a spin-off series – or even a movie – centred on him would be entirely justified. The full season is now available on BBC iPlayer and is well worth watching.
Mark Silcox and Guz Khan
MESMERISING MANASI MANASI
Manasi Ghosh showed exactly why she recently won Indian Idol 15 with stunning performances during her recent UK concerts.
Touring with fellow finalists Anirudh Suswaram and Sneha Shankar, the wonderfully talented singer swept across the stage like a tornado, delivering a terrific range of tracks. Her performance was perfectly complemented by strong stage presence and a charming personality that instantly endeared her to audiences. It is no surprise that this versatile singer won the long-running music reality show and if this UK tour, organised by Rock On Music, is anything to go by, she has a spectacular future ahead.
HIRAN’S HAMLET HURRAH
Hiran Abeysekera has quietly but powerfully established himself as one of the most compelling stage actors of his generation. From his Olivier Award-winning turn in Life of Pi to his recent haunting portrayal of Nathuram Godse in The Father and the Assassin, Abeysekera has brought an intensity, precision and emotional intelligence that continue to captivate audiences.
This autumn, he takes on the demanding title role in Hamlet at the National Theatre’s Lyttelton stage. Few parts test an actor’s range like Shakespeare’s tortured Dane, and few contemporary performers are as well-equipped to take it on. With his gift for balancing vulnerability and charisma, Abeysekera is likely to deliver a Hamlet that feels both deeply human and viscerally modern. This is unlikely to be just another Shakespeare revival, but a potential milestone for one of British theatre’s brightest talents. As his ascent continues, this role may well cement Abeysekera’s place among the greats.
Susan Stronge, Senior Curator at the Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A) in London, has been awarded the Outstanding Contribution to the Arts accolade at the Eastern Eye Arts, Culture and Theatre Awards (ACTAs) 2025. The award recognises her lifelong dedication to illuminating the rich artistic legacies of South Asia, particularly through her curatorial excellence and scholarship in the arts of the Mughal and Sikh courts. Stronge’s most recent work, the landmark exhibition The Great Mughals: Art, Architecture and Opulence, has drawn widespread acclaim for its depth, curation, and international collaboration, bringing together more than 200 rare and opulent objects to tell the story of one of history’s most artistically rich empires.
With a career spanning over three decades, Susan Stronge has established herself as one of the foremost authorities on South Asian courtly arts. As a Senior Curator in the Asian Department at the V&A, she has curated some of the museum’s most celebrated exhibitions. The Arts of the Sikh Kingdoms (1999) was a groundbreaking display that brought global attention to Sikh heritage and visual culture, while Bejewelled Treasures: The Al Thani Collection (2015) showcased the opulence of Indian jewellery design and craftsmanship through centuries.
Stronge’s curatorial work is supported by her scholarly output, which includes highly respected publications such as Painting for the Mughal Emperor and Tipu’s Tigers, both of which explore the intersection of art, politics, and identity in the Indian subcontinent. Her ability to weave compelling narratives around objects has made her a trusted voice in the field of art history.
Her latest exhibition, The Great Mughals, which opened in November 2024 at the V&A, has been hailed as a masterclass in storytelling through material culture. The exhibition features objects never before displayed in the UK—such as a gold-embroidered hunting coat, a jewelled dagger adorned with over 2,000 gemstones, and a mother-of-pearl shield with silver inlay—highlighting the global influences and extraordinary craftsmanship that defined the Mughal era. Stronge also edited the accompanying catalogue, The Great Mughals, a definitive resource offering in-depth analysis of the empire’s artistic achievements.
Susan Stronge’s ACTA award is not only a celebration of her past achievements but also a testament to her continued influence in deepening public understanding of South Asian art and its global significance. Through her exhibitions, research, and writing, she has ensured that the stories of emperors, artists, and artisans from centuries past continue to resonate in today’s cultural landscape.
BANGLADESH's Muhammad Yunus "needs to remain" in office as interim leader to ensure a peaceful transition of power, a cabinet member and special adviser to Yunus said Friday (23).
Yunus, the 84-year-old Nobel Peace Prize winner who took over after a mass uprising last year, had threatened to quit the job if parties did not give him their backing, a political ally and sources in his office said.
The South Asian nation has been in political turmoil since the student-led revolt that toppled then-prime minister Sheikh Hasina in August 2024, with parties protesting on the streets over a string of demands.
"For the sake of Bangladesh and a peaceful democratic transition, Professor Yunus needs to remain in office," Faiz Ahmad Taiyeb, a special assistant to Yunus, and head of the Ministry of Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology, said in a post on Facebook.
"The Chief Adviser is not going to step down," he added. "He does not hanker after power."
He later deleted his post.
Bangladesh's political crisis has escalated this week, with rival parties protesting on the streets of the capital Dhaka with a string of competing demands.
Yunus's reported threat to stand down came after thousands of supporters of the powerful Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) rallied in Dhaka on Wednesday (21), holding large-scale protests against the interim government for the first time.
Yunus has promised polls will be held by June 2026 at the latest in the Muslim-majority nation of around 170 million people.
But supporters of the BNP -- seen as front-runners in the highly anticipated elections that will be the first since Hasina was overthrown -- demanded he fix a date.
Yunus's relationship with the military has also reportedly deteriorated.
According to local media and military sources, army chief General Waker-Uz-Zaman said on Wednesday that elections should be held by December, warning that Bangladesh was in a "chaotic phase" and that the "situation is worsening by the day".
Taiyeb issued a warning to the army on Friday. "The army can't meddle in politics," he wrote.
"The army doesn't do that in any civilised country," he added.
"By saying that the election has to be held by December, the military chief failed to maintain his jurisdictional correctness."
The army played a decisive role in the ending of Hasina's rule by not stepping in to quash the uprising, after at least 1,400 protesters were killed in a police crackdown.
It was Waker-Uz-Zaman who announced that Hasina had been overthrown, with the military taking brief control, before handing over to Yunus.
The army issued a statement late on Thursday it said was aimed to combat those seeking to create divisions between the military and the public.
"Some vested interest groups are circulating misleading information and trying to create a divide between the army and the general public," the army said in a statement late Thursday (22).
It released a list of the hundreds of people it had briefly sheltered inside army bases in the chaotic days following Hasina's ouster "to save them from extrajudicial killings".
Among those the army said it sheltered to "save lives" were 24 political figures, as well as judges, civil service staff, academics and more 525 police personnel.
The army did not give details on those it accused of seeking to undermine its support.
The National Citizen Party (NCP) -- made up of many of the students who spearheaded the uprising against Hasina, and a group close to Yunus -- has previously accused of the army of supporting Hasina's Awami League party.
Hasina, 77, remains in self-imposed exile in India, where she has defied an arrest warrant to face trial for crimes against humanity related to the police crackdown.
The government banned the Awami League this month after protests outside Yunus's house, a move that sparked criticism from Human Rights Watch, calling it an "excessive restriction on fundamental freedoms that mirrors the previous government's abusive clampdown".
(AFP)
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Currently, Harvard hosts around 10,158 students and scholars from across the world at its various schools. (Photo: Getty Images)
THE SOUTH ASIAN ASSOCIATION (SAA), a major student group at Harvard University, has strongly condemned the Trump administration’s decision to revoke Harvard’s eligibility to enrol foreign students. The group described the move as an “unwarranted and flagrant attack” and urged the university’s administration to continue supporting its international student community.
On Thursday, the Trump administration directed the Department of Homeland Security to terminate Harvard’s Student and Exchange Visitor Programme (SEVP) certification. “This means Harvard can no longer enrol foreign students and existing foreign students must transfer or lose their legal status,” the federal agency stated.
In response, SAA said it “strongly condemns" the Department of Homeland Security’s decision, which bars future enrolment of international students and requires current international students to transfer.
“Amid this unwarranted and flagrant attack,” SAA said it was expressing its “unwavering support for our international community.”
The group called on Harvard’s administration, faculty and students to maintain “steadfast support for its international student body in these turbulent times. To all international students: you belong at Harvard and we will stand for you.”
“We stand with our South Asian peers and community members who have been adversely impacted,” SAA said in a statement posted on Instagram.
The association added that international students bring “integral and immeasurable value” to both SAA and the wider Harvard community.
Founded in 1986, the South Asian Association is one of the largest student groups on campus with hundreds of members. It was created as a community space for South Asians from all backgrounds, “most importantly, immigrants, international students and first-generation Americans.”
“Our members come from nations across the entire South Asian diaspora, and we strive to affirm their belonging and importance on campus,” the group stated.
“If this decision by the current federal administration is actualised, Harvard will lose some of its greatest minds and kindest souls, and SAA will irrevocably lose its community,” it added.
Currently, Harvard hosts around 10,158 students and scholars from across the world at its various schools.
According to data from the Harvard International Office, there are 788 students and scholars from India at Harvard for the 2024–25 academic year.
(With inputs from PTI)
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From OTT outfits to cryptic captions, Urvashi Rautela knows how to command attention
Let’s talk about Urvashi Rautela. Not the memes or the mockery but the walking paradox that keeps showing up on red carpets, in headlines, and sometimes, accidentally, in temples.
You might roll your eyes when her name pops up, but you don’t scroll past. Whether she’s blocking a hotel staircase at Cannes for a photo op or casually suggesting a temple near Badrinath is dedicated to her, Urvashi is a recurring character in India’s cultural circus, equal parts spectacle, sincerity, and self-promotion.
Urvashi Rautela continues to make bold appearances at Cannes 2025Getty Images
From crowns to Cannes: the evolution of Urvashi
Once a beauty queen, now a full-time internet obsession, Urvashi Rautela has been chasing stardom across languages, genres, and continents. She’s done Bollywood, dipped into regional cinema, walked international carpets, and, most importantly, refused to be invisible.
At Cannes 2025, she delivered one viral moment after another. A video of her blocking a hotel staircase for a photoshoot, with guests trapped and eyes rolling, went viral. Netizens called it “peak cringe.” Her response? Silence. Because why apologise when you’re trending?
A black gown with a torn armpit? Fans debated: PR stunt or legit disaster? Urvashi spun it into a hero moment, claiming she ripped it while helping a 70-year-old woman. Cue awws and eye-rolls!
A gold “bra-necklace” clutch dubbed “Barbie’s midlife crisis” and a crocodile necklace. Cartier or copycat? The internet still isn’t sure!
But what others call faux pas, Urvashi spins into flair. Even when critics compared her golden look to “Barbie’s midlife crisis,” she didn’t flinch. She wore it like armour and perhaps that’s the point.
Urvashi’s signature style turns heads on the global red carpetGetty Images
Temples, tales, and a touch of delusion?
Then there was that temple claim. In a now-notorious interview, she said a shrine near Badrinath was built in her name, where devotees garlanded her photo. The internet exploded. Locals fumed. Eventually, she clarified: “It’s named after the apsara Urvashi!”
This wasn’t her first godly flex. In 2022, she reposted a fan’s “puja” to her, cheekily dubbing it Urvashism. She even expressed a desire for a real temple in South India, citing her growing fandom there.
So the question is, is it self-worship or self-marketing? Depends who you ask. But in a media world where buzz matters more than background checks, her temple talk, however misfired, worked.
Urvashi Rautela grabs headlines with every appearance
Getty Images
Fact-checking Urvashi: a full-time job
What’s tricky with Urvashi is that you never know where confidence ends and creative fiction begins. She’s claimed to be the first Bollywood actress to walk in Manipuri attire. Said she’s fluent in French. Hinted at roles in Kantara 2 and a Parveen Babi biopic, both quickly denied by the respective creators.
Add to that her tone-deaf moment after the Saif Ali Khan incident, where she accidentally pivoted from a stabbing incident to discussing her diamond Rolex. The internet says even her apologies sometimes feel like PR rehearsals rather than genuine remorse.
Still, she keeps pushing. And pushing. And pushing.
From red carpets to airports, Urvashi never goes unnoticedGetty Images
The meme economy loves her
No Indian celebrity gets memed quite like Urvashi Rautela. Twitter and Reddit dissect her every move. There’s a whole corner of the internet that treats her as performance art, like a case study in what happens when hustle overtakes humility.
Nicknames like “Mata Urvashi” and “Damdami Mai” trend ironically. Hashtags like #Urvashism live on. Even the phrase “delulu is the solulu” fits her internet brand like a glove. The point is, she’s not just mocked, she’s watched.
And that’s the trick. In today’s fame economy, it’s not about being respected. It’s about being remembered. And on that front, Urvashi delivers.
Behind the glitter and gaffes is someone who clearly wants it. The fame. The acceptance. The top seat at every table. Urvashi Rautela might not always have the right words or the right necklace, but what she does have is relentless drive.
Her story isn’t polished, but it’s persistent. She’s a walking headline generator, never playing it safe, never fading quietly. Whether you laugh with her or at her, she’s part of the cultural conversation. And let’s be honest, we need a few characters like that to keep the circus interesting.
Urvashi’s looks are as headline-worthy as her comebacksGetty Images
Final thoughts? Don’t underestimate the unbothered
Urvashi Rautela is not trying to be perfect. She’s trying to be unforgettable. And in an era of blink-and-you’ll-miss-it fame, she’s cracked the code. Loud outfits, louder claims, and the loudest kind of self-belief.
So next time you see her trending, ask yourself: Is she clueless… or playing 4D chess while we’re stuck on checkers? Either way, you’ll keep watching. And that’s exactly the point.