Skip to content
 
Search

Latest Stories

Indian Film Festival to celebrate UK-India Year of Culture

Sarwar Alam
By Sarwar AlamJun 02, 2017
Sarwar Alam
See Full Bio

The annual London Indian Film Festival (LIFF) this month will celebrate the UK-India Year of Culture with its opening night film based on the life of Maharaja Duleep Singh.

The Black Prince, which was launched at the Cannes Film Festival last month, dramatises the story of the last king of Punjab who was taken under her wing by Queen Victoria during the Raj.

"As an edgy tie-in to the UK-India Year of Culture and complementing the BFIs (British Film Institute) India on Film programme, the festival opens with the red carpet premiere of the historical epic The Black Prince by Kavi Raz.

This powerful UK-produced film was launched at Cannes, and stars Indian music singer Satinder Sartaaj and iconic actress Shabana Azmi, and dramatises the little-known story of the last King of Punjab who was abducted by the British Raj to be mentored by Queen Victoria," an LIFF statement said.

Europe's largest Indian film festival is now in its eighth year and will include films screened across 11 cinemas in London between June 22 and 29.

The closing night film is a Malayalam road-movie thriller Sexy Durga, set in Kerala and directed by Sanal Kumar Sasidharan.

It had won the prestigious Tiger Award for best film at Rotterdam earlier this year.

"This years selection includes premieres of new comedies, gripping thrillers, shocking horror and insightful true life documentaries as well as bringing together UK previews of major award-winning films from the worlds greatest film festivals," said LIFF director Cary Rajinder Sawhney.

Dr Alka Bagri of the Bagri Foundation, the main sponsor of LIFF, said: "We are excited to celebrate with LIFF the art of Indian independent cinema in this UK-India Year of Culture.

This years programme is a vibrant and diverse mixture of films which explore all aspects of human experience, tackling hard-hitting issues through fiction and documentary.

"LIFF continues to offer stimulating talks, bringing together important figures of the LGBTQ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Queer) community, and to propose the timely and critical discussion around the futures of artists and filmmakers in the face of Brexit.

"The other films in this years line-up include the world premiere of Tamil comedy Ticket The Movie by Raaghav Ranganthan, anarchic Bollywood comedy Badman by Soumik Sen, and N Padmakumars inspirational Mumbai drama Billion Colour Story.

The London festival will be followed by the Birmingham Indian Film Festival from June 23 to July 2.

london indian film festival

Related News

Katy Perry seen in black bikini on Capri yacht after Orlando Bloom split
Entertainment

Katy Perry seen in black bikini on Capri yacht after Orlando Bloom split

5 secret beaches
Travel

5 secret beaches in the UK that feel like the tropics

The Beckham family
Entertainment

Brooklyn Beckham’s absence looms over Harper’s birthday as family rift deepens

More For You

Cardi B shocks Paris Couture Week with live crow and bold Schiaparelli look

Cardi B poses with a live crow outside the Petit Palais in Paris

Instagram/lamodemagazine__

Cardi B shocks Paris Couture Week with live crow and bold Schiaparelli look

Quick highlights:

  • Cardi B appeared at Schiaparelli’s Autumn 2025 couture show in Paris holding a live crow on her arm.
  • Her dramatic black gown was designed by Daniel Roseberry, Schiaparelli’s creative director.
  • The surreal look paid tribute to Elsa Schiaparelli’s legacy of theatrical, boundary-pushing fashion.
  • The show marked a shift in Roseberry’s aesthetic, away from corsetry towards freer silhouettes.

Paris Couture Week opened on a dramatic note this year as Cardi B made a startling entrance at the Petit Palais wearing a black Schiaparelli gown, with a live crow perched on her arm. The rapper’s appearance outside the venue sent photographers scrambling as the bird flapped and squawked, setting the tone for a show rooted in tension, elegance, and surrealism.

The outfit, crafted by Daniel Roseberry for Schiaparelli’s Autumn 2025 collection, featured graphic fringe and a towering beaded neckline. But it was the crow, alive, glaring, and restless, that stole the spotlight, embodying the fashion house’s long-standing obsession with the unexpected.

Keep ReadingShow less
Kareena Kapoor

Kareena Kapoor joins growing criticism of Prada’s uncredited use of Indian design

Getty Images

Kareena Kapoor mocks Prada with her ‘OG Kolhapuri’ post as fashion giant faces backlash over copied design

Quick highlights:

  • Kareena Kapoor posted a cheeky Instagram Story flaunting Kolhapuri chappals, saying, “Sorry not Prada... but my OG Kolhapuri.”
  • Her post follows outrage over Prada’s ‘toe-ring sandals’ resembling the Indian Kolhapuri design.
  • A PIL has been filed in the Bombay High Court against Prada for unauthorised use of the Kolhapuri style without credit.
  • Prada acknowledged the inspiration and agreed to meet Indian artisans for dialogue.

Kareena Kapoor took a subtle yet sharp swipe at luxury fashion label Prada amid growing controversy around its recently launched ‘toe-ring sandals’, a design that closely mirrors India’s traditional Kolhapuri chappals. Without naming the brand, Kareena shared a photo of her feet in silver Kolhapuri slippers during her London vacation and captioned it: “Sorry not Prada... but my OG Kolhapuri ❤️.”

The actor’s post struck a chord with many online, surfacing just days after Prada came under fire for allegedly copying the Kolhapuri design without acknowledgment.

Keep ReadingShow less
Monica Barbaro and Andrew Garfield at Wimbledon

Garfield and Barbaro twin in Ralph Lauren for their most public appearance yet

Instagram/voguemagazine

Monica Barbaro and Andrew Garfield quietly confirm relationship with Wimbledon appearance

Quick highlights:

  • Andrew Garfield and Monica Barbaro stepped out in matching Ralph Lauren looks at Wimbledon 2025.
  • The couple shared affectionate moments courtside, including hand-holding and a cheek kiss.
  • They were first linked romantically in February after being spotted at a London play.
  • The pair may reunite on screen in Luca Guadagnino’s upcoming film Artificial.

Andrew Garfield and Monica Barbaro made their most public appearance yet as a couple on Sunday, arriving hand-in-hand at Wimbledon 2025 in coordinated white ensembles and sharing subtle yet sweet moments of affection. The actors, who were first rumoured to be dating in February, looked completely in sync as they entered the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on 6 July. Dressed in matching Ralph Lauren outfits, the two smiled for cameras and appeared relaxed throughout the day.

  Andrew Garfield and Monica Barbaro arrive hand in hand at Wimbledon in all whiteInstagram/voguemagazine

Keep ReadingShow less
Kantara Chapter

Rishab Shetty battles through flames in new Kantara Chapter 1 poster

Instagram/rishabshettyofficial

‘Kantara Chapter 1’ poster released on Rishab Shetty’s birthday, confirms October 2025 theatrical date

Quick highlights:

  • Kantara: Chapter 1, the much-awaited prequel to the 2022 blockbuster, releases in cinemas on 2 October 2025.
  • Poster unveiled on Rishab Shetty’s 42nd birthday shows him in an intense warrior avatar.
  • The film explores the divine origins of Panjurli and Guliga, expanding the Kantara mythology.
  • Massive action sequences filmed with 3,000 participants over 50 days make it one of India’s biggest productions.

Rishab Shetty gave fans a fierce first glimpse into Kantara: Chapter 1 on his 42nd birthday, unveiling a new poster that shows him in full warrior mode. The upcoming prequel to the 2022 Kannada hit Kantara is now officially set to release on 2 October 2025. Directed and headlined once again by Shetty, the film is expected to dive deep into the spiritual and mythological roots of the original story.

   Kantara Chapter 1 poster  Instagram/rishabshettyofficial  

Keep ReadingShow less
Zayn Malik

Zayn Malik shares a moody preview of his upcoming song Fuchsia Sea

Getty Images

Zayn Malik raps about racism he experienced as Asian member of One Direction in "Fuchsia Sea"

Quick highlights:

  • Zayn Malik previewed a new track, Fuchsia Sea, on Instagram, touching on racism he experienced during his One Direction years.
  • “They still laughed at the Asian,” he raps, alluding to feeling othered despite success.
  • Malik was the only South Asian member of the band, which included Harry Styles, Louis Tomlinson, Niall Horan, and the late Liam Payne.
  • The track marks a rare public reflection on the racial dynamics behind his 2015 departure from the group.

Zayn Malik is turning to music to process the discrimination he says he experienced during his time with One Direction. On Saturday, 5 July, the 32-year-old singer previewed a raw and emotional rap song titled Fuchsia Sea, sharing a clip and lyrics on Instagram that many fans believe directly address racism he faced as the only South Asian member of the global boy band.

In the verse, Malik raps: “I worked hard in a White band, and they still laughed at the Asian.” The line immediately sparked intense conversation online, with listeners pointing out how it echoed long-suspected tensions about racial identity and representation during his tenure in One Direction.

Keep ReadingShow less
© Copyright 2025 Garavi Gujarat Publications Ltd & Asian Media Group USA Inc