A Gujarati comedy about an elderly woman who rewrites the rules of old age is all set to make its world premiere at the Leicester Indian Film Festival this May. Jai Mata Ji – Let’s Rock will open at the Phoenix cinema and is expected to be one of the standout titles at this year’s festival.
The film follows an 80-year-old grandmother who unexpectedly wins a fortune and is faced with a wild choice: whether to seek revenge, fall in love, indulge in luxury, or embrace a no-holds-barred lifestyle she calls her “thug life.” The movie’s fresh take on ageing, autonomy, and joy is expected to strike a chord with audiences looking for unconventional heroes. This isn’t a quiet story of retirement but about celebrating second chances and unapologetic living.
- YouTubewww.youtube.com
This year’s festival brings together six films from India that explore themes of identity, belonging, and the search for freedom. One of the most anticipated is We Are Faheem & Karun, a same-sex love story that was initially banned by India’s Ministry of Defence. The film explores the quiet intimacy and tension between two men navigating their bond in a world that refuses to acknowledge them. Director Onir James will attend the Leicester screening for a live discussion after the film.
Other entries include a colonial-era documentary about Indian laundry workers enslaved by the Dutch, a Himalayan journey of self-discovery, a road trip between a father and son trying to reconnect, and a delicate animated feature about a family of glassblowers. But it’s Jai Mata Ji that breaks away with its sharp humour and the rare portrayal of an older woman as the strong, unpredictable heart of a story.
Jai Mata Ji – Let’s Rock, where the feisty grandmother embraces her unexpected windfall with flairYoutube
The Leicester Indian Film Festival runs from 8 to 11 May at Phoenix cinema, bringing powerful, personal stories to the big screen. It’s not just about watching films but about hearing voices that are too often left out.
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.