Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

'White Lotus' actor Jason Isaacs calls Indian trip ‘transformative’, highlights 'wealth gap'

"We travelled around India a lot and we saw the highs and the lows and the massive wealth gap there," he said.

'White Lotus' actor Jason Isaacs calls Indian trip ‘transformative’, highlights 'wealth gap'

A still from White Lotus

WHITE LOTUS actor Jason Isaacs recalled his memories of filming the 2018 movie Hotel Mumbai in India, where he said the wealth gap between the rich and the poor made him reflect on what material possessions mean.

In an interview, Isaacs described that trip as “quite transformative”.


“I think about transformation a lot because I’m older... And I think probably the first time I really thought a lot about it was when I worked in India. Well, they made a film called Hotel Mumbai,” he said, of the film based on the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks.

“We travelled around India a lot and we saw the highs and the lows and the massive wealth gap there. It does make you reflect on what material possessions mean... It’s something that I think about all the time.”

The White Lotus focuses on a group of tourists and how their lives change during the course of an ultra-luxury vacation, and Isaacs said he had a similar experience in Thailand where the third season of the HBO show is set.

Isaacs said of his India visit, “I made some friends, but also got to see a country where people live very differently with massive disparity. We’re actors, we’re endlessly curious about who people are, how they are, and choices they make. And, also, for me, different cultures, different politics, different attitudes to life and death... So, it was a very three-dimensional experience.”

The White Lotus is created by Mike White. Each season revolves around the dynamics between rich guests and employees of a fictional resort chain, called White Lotus. The first season was set in Hawaii and the second was shot in Sicily.

Isaacs plays the role of Timothy Ratliff, a US-based financier, who visits the resort with his family – wife Victoria (Parker Posey), sons Saxon (Patrick Schwarzenegger), Lochlan (Sam Nivola) and daughter Piper (Sarah Catherine Hook). While on vacation, his character finds out that his business is in trouble.

Isaacs, 61, said, “Mike chose Thailand for a reason because people go there for a spiritual odyssey as well as for all the normally entertaining things. He wanted to make the series have more resonance and he achieved it in spades. I had some big acting to do. There’s some extreme emotions. ...this series has questions of identity and what is the self.”

More For You

UK Asian Film Festival 2025 Explores Themes of Longing & Belonging

The UK Asian Film Festival 2025 explores themes of love, identity, and belonging through South Asian cinema

gatty image

UK Asian Film Festival celebrates stories of longing and belonging in 27th edition

From May 1st to 11th, the UK Asian Film Festival (UKAFF) returns for its 27th edition, bringing an interesting line-up of films and events to London, Leicester, and Coventry. This year’s theme, “Longing and Belonging,” explores the universal human search for connection, identity, and purpose through South Asian cinema.

As the longest-running South Asian film festival in the world, UKAFF has always championed female voices and challenged patriarchal norms. This year’s selection continues that mission, presenting stories of displacement, love, tradition, and resilience.

Keep ReadingShow less
Thudarum Review Round-Up: Mohanlal Delivers a Comeback Masterclass

A scene from Thudarum showcasing Mohanlal and Shobana’s mature on-screen chemistry in this slow-burn family thriller

Instagram/thudarummovie

'Thudarum' review round-up: Mohanlal returns to form in a dark, emotional ride that’s winning hearts

Director Tharun Moorthy’s Thudarum has drawn attention not just for its gripping storyline, but for bringing back the Mohanlal audiences have longed to see: an actor rooted in emotion rather than spectacle. With critics praising both the writing and performances, Thudarum has emerged as a memorable addition to Mohanlal’s long filmography, with reviewers calling it a return to form.

Across the board, reviewers highlight how the film presents Mohanlal as Shanmugham (nicknamed Benz), a humble taxi driver and former stuntman who now lives a quiet life in a Kerala village with his wife, played by Shobana, and two children. His prized possession is his old black Ambassador car, a gift from a mentor which becomes central to the plot when it’s unknowingly used, setting off a chain of devastating events.

Keep ReadingShow less
Sreeleela

Sreeleela’s rise from South cinema to Bollywood stardom has captivated audiences across India

Instagram/sreeleela14

Can Sreeleela fill the big Bollywood void?

It is no secret that Bollywood is facing a talent drought. While established stars continue to dominate screens, there is a clear gap when it comes to younger actors making a strong mark.

In the past, each generation delivered a crop of newcomers who injected fresh energy into the industry. That pattern has stalled in recent years, with fewer young actors making a lasting impression. Into this space steps Sreeleela, a fast-rising actor from the South who has begun to attract serious attention in Hindi cinema.

Keep ReadingShow less
Florence Pugh

Florence Pugh stuns on the red carpet at the London premiere of Thunderbolts, hours before a robbery unfolded outside the after-party venue

Getty Images

Masked robbers target Florence Pugh's van after 'Thunderbolts' premiere in London

In a shocking turn of events after the London premiere of her latest film Thunderbolts, actress Florence Pugh found herself at the centre of a robbery. The 29-year-old was attending an after-party at 180 Strand, accompanied by family and friends, when thieves targeted one of the five Mercedes minivans used to transport her and her entourage.

Pugh, joined by her grandmother Pat and actor boyfriend Finn Cole, had just arrived at the venue following the screening of the Marvel blockbuster at Leicester Square. As they went inside, two masked men on a motorbike approached one of the parked vehicles, smashing its windows in the process. The thieves swiftly stole a laptop and a mobile phone from the van's middle seats before fleeing the scene.

Keep ReadingShow less
Justin Bieber and Hailey Bieber

Justin Bieber breaks his silence on marriage rumours and health concerns following viral Coachella video

Getty Images

Justin Bieber clears the air on Hailey Bieber relationship rumours and addresses health struggles

Justin Bieber has been forced to address ongoing rumours about his marriage to Hailey Bieber and his personal health after weeks of speculation. Recently, a video of him smoking at the 2025 Coachella Festival went viral, causing concern among fans and reigniting gossip about his relationship.

In response, Justin took to Instagram to set the record straight, writing a candid note about his feelings. He spoke out against the harsh judgement he's faced, acknowledging his flaws and how they shape his perspective. "They treat me like a** out here, but I remember that I am flawed too and God forgave me," he shared. The 31-year-old singer explained that while he doesn’t always handle negativity perfectly, remembering his own imperfections helps him rise above the criticism.

Keep ReadingShow less