SMALL SCREEN STAR ON FINDING FAME WITH HIT SHOW TENALI RAMA
by ASJAD NAZIR
ONE of the biggest small screen success stories from recent years is smashhit serial Tenali Rama, which has powered by past 700 episodes since it premiered in 2017.
At the forefront of the historical comedy-drama based on the life of legendary 16th century Telugu poet Tenali Ramakrishna has been acclaimed actor Krishna Bharadwaj, who after years of struggle landed the star-making serial popular with all generations.
Having first acted as a four-year-old, he thinks acting is part of his soul and has been connected to the craft his whole life with various mediums, including radio, theatre and TV. Tenali Rama has been a life-changing project for the actor and gained him a global fan base.
Eastern Eye caught up with Krishna during lockdown to discuss his struggle, the success of his serial, acting and secret to staying motivated.
How have you been coping with the Covid-19 lockdown?
I’m really enjoying this lockdown because I have got this gap after three years of shooting Tenali Rama non-stop. It has gone from being hectic to getting a two-month gap from shooting. So, I am totally enjoying this period at home. I am sleeping, eating, reading and doing a lot of stuff I was missing. This lockdown has been like a blessing and I am really enjoying it at home.
How much does the success of Tenali Rama mean to you?
It means a lot because before Tenali Rama I was out of work for four years. I had no work or money. I had no personal, social or financial life and was in deep depression. So I remember those four years and then I got Tenali Rama, which became a huge success immediately. So it means a lot, because I’ve seen a bad life before this. Then suddenly I became a renowned actor of a hit show.
You must also enjoy the fact this show is loved by all ages?
Yes, I get a lot of love and respect from all ages, especially children and elders. So it really means a lot because I got this success after long years of struggle. I have been in Mumbai for 16 years, but it was only after 13 years I got something, which is a hit. So, it’s a very nice feeling being appreciated for your work. Tenali Rama is the biggest success of my life.
Why do you think that the show has been so successful?
When Tenali Rama got launched on SAB TV, the channel had very few hit shows and the only successful one was Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah. Then SAB TV had a revamp and launched Tenali Rama. The audience was immediately taken by the first visuals, including the colours, sets and lighting. Tenali Rama is a very well written show. It’s a show which has a lot of comedy and teaches you something. Audiences got hooked immediately with the show and my character. It is also very relatable.
Tell us more?
It is very natural for the public because we converse with each other. Unlike other historical shows, it wasn’t about saying dialogue in a particular way and the kind of stories we told connected with viewers, especially children, who learned a lot from them. I’ve got messages that kids are learning good Hindi from your show. Also, the ensemble cast of this show is perfect. So these and other things worked for Tenali Rama.
How do you stay motivated as an actor with a show that has run over 700 episodes?
Well, it’s common for an actor to get bored or feel monotonous after doing a show that has crossed 700 episodes. But, I feel really fortunate to get this show because for a male actor to get something like Tenali Rama on Indian TV is a very big thing. While playing Tenali Rama in the show, I have gone through various emotions and lived a real life kind of relatable character.
But how do you cope with such a demanding character?
I do feel exhausted playing Tenali Rama because this character is totally opposite to me and not my energy. So every day I’m shooting for Tenali Rama, I am not being myself and that becomes an enjoyable challenge. I am quite a reserved kind of person, so have kept myself motivated by playing these different kinds of emotions and expressions. We have track-based stories, so every week we get a new story, new characters and new per day artists coming. It’s not about 700 episodes, it’s about living a character I enjoy playing. People actually think that I am Tenali Rama and that he would have been like me only.
What do you most love about your character?
What I love most about the character is that Tenali Rama is a very intelligent and witty person. I love that he always remains so happy. Even if he is in any trouble, he doesn’t get upset about it and comes out a winner. So after three years of playing Tenali Rama, I feel this character has made me a happier person in my personal life also.
What are your hopes for the show?
Well, as soon as the lockdown ends, we’re going to start the shoot. People are waiting for Tenali Rama to start again. I keep getting a lot of messages on social media, asking when is it returning? They want to interact with me. They want me to talk like I am Tenali Rama. I think people are desperately waiting for their favourite shows to return on air. I think we have a brighter future after lockdown because TV is currently being dominated by repeat telecasts. So people are desperately waiting for fresh episodes. I think we have another 500 episodes. So there’s a bright future for Tenali Rama.
What have you been watching during the lockdown?
Well, I have been binge watching a lot of shows and films on Netflix, Amazon and all. I watched Money Heist, Dark, The Politician, The Boys, She and Panchayat. I have been also watching my show because while shooting I was not able to watch it and now I can.
What inspires you?
The thought I don’t want to live an ordinary life inspires me. I want to live a life where people know, love and respect me for my work. This inspires me a lot. I want to be known as a highly appreciated actor and want that to become my identity.
Who are your acting heroes?
Naseeruddin Shah, Ranbir Kapoor, Irrfan Khan, Nawazuddin Siddiqui and Pankaj Tripathi are the kind of actors who inspire me a lot. They are my acting heroes. I learn a lot watching them. Also, most of these actors have struggled a lot in life and then they got their due. After struggle, they became renowned actors and my life is also somewhat like that, so I get really motivated by their work. They are my acting heroes in the industry.
Why do you love being an actor?
I love to become another character. An actor needs to become somebody else and not himself when playing a role. In daily soaps, most actors don’t get this chance and get roles according to their character. So the character and the real life actors are mostly the same. But very few characters have been written on daily soap where you need to have a different body language, attitude, temperament and physicality than your real life self. Tenali Rama is a character where I need to be a totally different person from myself. And that’s why I love being an actor, because I love to be somebody else. I love to get into somebody’s shoes or in their brain and become them. It gives me a certain kind of high and I totally love that.
New neurons continue forming in the brain’s hippocampus into old age
Study confirms presence of neural progenitor cells in adults
DNA carbon dating and single-nucleus RNA sequencing were used
Research shows variation in neuron production between individuals
Findings could aid treatments for neurodegenerative and psychiatric disorders
Human brain shows ongoing neuron formation into older age
A new study has confirmed that the human brain continues to produce new nerve cells well into late adulthood, challenging previous assumptions about age-related decline in neurogenesis. The findings, published in the journal Science, provide fresh insight into how adaptable the brain remains over a lifetime.
Neurogenesis, the process by which new neurons form in the brain, is known to occur in the hippocampus — a region involved in memory. While previous research has suggested that this process continues throughout life, there has been limited concrete evidence of the presence of neural progenitor cells in the adult brain.
Research confirms presence of progenitor cells
The study, conducted by researchers at the Karolinska Institutet in Sweden, confirms the existence of these progenitor cells — cells that develop into neurons — in the adult hippocampus. The team used DNA carbon dating to determine when the cells were formed. Brain tissue samples from people aged 0 to 78 were analysed, sourced from international biobanks.
“We have now been able to identify these cells of origin, which confirms that there is an ongoing formation of neurons in the hippocampus of the adult brain,” said Jonas Frisén, professor of stem cell research at the Karolinska Institutet, who led the study.
Advanced techniques reveal cell activity
To conduct the study, the researchers applied a method known as single-nucleus RNA sequencing, which allows scientists to analyse gene activity in individual cell nuclei. This was combined with machine learning to identify the different stages of neuron development, from stem cells to immature neurons.
The team identified all neural progenitor cell stages in early childhood samples. In adult samples, they located dividing progenitor cells using antibodies against the proliferation marker Ki67, alongside machine learning algorithms.
The results not only confirmed that adult neurogenesis takes place but also revealed that many of the dividing cells were in active developmental stages.
Significant variation between individuals
A notable finding from the study was the large variation in the presence of progenitor cells between individuals. While some adults had many such cells, others had very few. The researchers said this variability could have implications for understanding individual differences in brain ageing and cognitive resilience.
They also found that although the progenitor cells in humans were similar to those in animals such as mice, pigs, and monkeys, the active genes involved differed, suggesting some species-specific distinctions in brain development.
Implications for brain health and disease treatment
The findings provide valuable insight into how the human brain changes over time and could have medical implications. As many neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer’s, involve the loss of neurons in regions like the hippocampus, understanding how new neurons form could contribute to the development of regenerative therapies.
“This is an important piece of the puzzle in understanding how the human brain works and changes during life,” said Frisén. “It may also guide future treatment strategies for neurodegenerative and psychiatric conditions.”
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Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, who grew up in Brenchley
Day one of the Kent County Show begins at Detling Showground near Maidstone
The Duchess of Edinburgh visits the event for the first time in 16 years
Organisers expect up to 70,000 visitors over the weekend
Farming and rural life are at the centre of the three-day programme
Highlights include live camel racing, equine sports, livestock displays and more
Kent County Show opens with royal visit
The Kent County Show returned to Detling near Maidstone on Friday, marking the start of a major three-day celebration of farming, food, and rural living. The event opened with a special visit from the Duchess of Edinburgh, who is attending for the first time in 16 years.
Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, who grew up in Brenchley near Tunbridge Wells and serves as patron of the Association of Show and Agricultural Organisations (ASAO), met with farmers, equine exhibitors, and local businesses on her tour of the showground.
Spotlight on farming and rural life
Organised by the Kent County Agricultural Society, the show brings together people from across the county to highlight the importance of agriculture and rural industries. Chairman Matthew Cullen said there was a "real buzz in the air" and called the royal visit a “great achievement”.
“There’s lots on offer,” he said. “From the livestock section with all the animals, young farmers, equine sports and food halls. We’ve also got something a little unusual this year – live camel racing. It isn’t what you’d normally get to see.”
Mr Cullen added that the event offers an opportunity for farmers to network and for the public to better understand how food is produced. “We all know Kent as the Garden of England, so for the rural and farming sector, it's a proud moment to come together and show off to the general public.”
Boost in interest following farming TV series
According to Mr Cullen, the farming sector has seen a noticeable spike in public interest, partly due to the popularity of the Amazon Prime series Clarkson’s Farm. “It has brought farming to the forefront of people’s minds,” he said, noting a broader uptick in engagement at agricultural shows across the UK.
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Friday highlights at the showground
The opening day features a packed programme of events across multiple rings. Highlights include:
09:30 – Kent Youth Trials (Heritage Ring)
10:00 – Joseph’s Amazing Racing Pigs (Countryside Ring)
11:15 – Camel Racing (John D Wood & Co Astor Ring)
11:45 – Sheep Dog Display (Countryside Ring)
12:15 – Hypo Hounds Diabetic Assistance Dog Display (Countryside Ring)
13:15 – Heritage Parade (John D Wood & Co Astor Ring)
15:05 – British Novice Showjumping with 90cm Open (Standen Ring)
17:30 – Donkey In Hand Championship (Pam Nesfield Ring)
Performances from Rock Choir and various vehicle and dog displays are also scheduled throughout the day.
Visitor information and tickets
Attendance for the weekend is expected to range between 60,000 to 70,000 people, depending on the weather. Tickets are still available to book online or can be purchased at the gate.
Adult tickets: £22 (in advance)
Child tickets: £3 (in advance)
Under 5s: Free entry
The Kent County Show continues through the weekend with a wide range of attractions, from local produce to equestrian competitions and entertainment for all ages.
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Heehs’s biography is grounded in extensive archival research across France, England, India and Israel
My friend and colleague, the American historian Peter Heehs, who has lived in Pondicherry, India, for decades, recently published a compelling new biography, The Mother: A Life of Sri Aurobindo’s Collaborator (2025). Heehs previously authored The Lives of Sri Aurobindo (2008), which remains one of the most balanced and scholarly accounts of Aurobindo’s life.
According to Heehs, most previous biographies of the Mother were written for devotees and relied on secondary sources, often presenting her as a divine incarnation without critical engagement. “Such biographies are fine for those who see the Mother as a divine being,” Heehs said, “but they can be off-putting for readers who simply want to understand her life – as an artist, writer, spiritual teacher, and founder of the Ashram and Auroville.”
Heehs’s biography is grounded in extensive archival research across France, England, India and Israel, along with digital collections of historical newspapers and journals. He examined all of her published works in both French and English, even uncovering essays written under a pseudonym that had not been seen since 1905. He traces her early life within the vibrant world of Belle Époque Paris (1871–1914), where she moved in artistic and esoteric circles.
Heehs describes two principal approaches to biographyAMG
Born in 1878 into a moderately wealthy Sephardic Jewish family – her father was Turkish-Egyptian, her mother Egyptian-Jewish – Mirra Alfassa grew up in an intellectually rich and cosmopolitan environment. Tutored at home, she later studied painting at the prestigious Académie Julian and exhibited at the Paris Salon. Her first husband, Henri Morisset, was a painter of the Intimist school, more traditional than contemporaries like Henri Matisse, Édouard Vuillard and Pierre Bonnard. Though he never gained their level of fame, he moved in similar artistic circles, and Mirra herself knew and associated with figures like Auguste Rodin.
At the same time, she was deeply engaged in the French occult revival, serving as managing editor of the Revue Cosmique, an esoteric journal. Her spiritual journey intensified when she encountered the Bhagavad Gita under the guidance of Indian lecturer G N Chakravarty and later engaged with eastern spiritual teachers such as Inayat Khan and ‘Abdu’l-Bahá.
In 1910, her second husband, Paul Richard, travelled to Pondicherry and met Sri Aurobindo. In 1914, Mirra joined him in India, and together with Aurobindo, they launched the monthly review Arya, which published most of Aurobindo’s major writings. The First World War forced their return to France, followed by a sojourn in Japan. They returned to Pondicherry in 1920, after which Paul Richard departed. Mirra remained and became Aurobindo’s closest spiritual collaborator.
Heehs describes two principal approaches to biography. The first – the contingent approach – follows the subject’s life chronologically, attending closely to verifiable facts. The second – the teleological approach – interprets the subject’s life as an inevitable progression towards a destined goal. “I took the contingent approach when dealing with the Mother’s early life,” Heehs explained, “and continued to do so even after Sri Aurobindo declared her to be an incarnation of the divine Shakti. As a historian, my role is not to make theological pronouncements but to present the facts of her outer and inner life, insofar as she spoke about them.”
When asked about the Mother’s lasting contributions, Heehs emphasised: “She established the Sri Aurobindo Ashram, founded its school – the Sri Aurobindo International Centre of Education – and launched the international utopian city of Auroville. At the same time, she oversaw both the inner and outer lives of the ashram’s members.”
Aurobindo Ackroyd Ghosh – the polymath Indian philosopher, freedom fighter and revolutionary yogi – was educated in England at St Paul’s School and King’s College, Cambridge, where he was trained in the Classics. Long before the term “Asian century” became popular, Aurobindo had already envisioned Asia’s re-emergence on the world stage. Today, countless volumes have been written about his extraordinary life and complex philosophical legacy.
Although it may sound like a modern geopolitical thesis, Aurobindo proclaimed in 1918: “Asia is once more rising; she is throwing off the torpor of centuries. She is recovering the pride of her past and the faith in her future... It is through the recovery of the deeper self of Asia that the world will find its balance.”
His collaborator, Mirra Alfassa, widely known as the Mother, dedicated her life to actualising this prophetic vision.
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Serious public health challenges in the decades ahead
Uterine cancer cases and deaths are projected to rise significantly in the US by 2050.
Black women are expected to experience the highest increase in incidence-based mortality.
A new model predicts incidence rising to 86.9 cases per 100,000 for Black women and 74.2 for White women.
Researchers stress the urgent need for improved prevention and early detection strategies.
Sharp increase in uterine cancer predicted over next three decades
Uterine cancer, currently the fourth most commonly diagnosed cancer among women in the United States, is projected to see a substantial rise in both cases and deaths by 2050, particularly among Black women. A new study led by researchers at Columbia University warns of worsening racial disparities in outcomes if preventative measures are not introduced.
This year alone, around 69,120 new cases of uterine cancer and nearly 14,000 deaths are expected in the United States. However, projections by the Columbia University research team, published in Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention, indicate a significant increase in both incidence and mortality over the next 30 years.
Black women to face disproportionate increase in mortality
The study found that Black women already experience double the mortality rate from uterine cancer compared to women from other racial and ethnic backgrounds. Using a predictive model, researchers estimated that this gap will widen dramatically by 2050.
The incidence-based mortality rate among Black women is expected to rise from 14.1 per 100,000 in 2018 to 27.9 per 100,000 by 2050. In contrast, for White women, the rate will increase from 6.1 per 100,000 to 11.2 per 100,000 in the same period.
The incidence rate is also projected to rise to 86.9 cases per 100,000 in Black women and 74.2 cases per 100,000 in White women by 2050, compared to 56.8 and 57.7, respectively, in 2018.
About the study model
The projections were developed using the Columbia University Uterine Cancer Model (CU-UTMO), a state-transition microsimulation tool designed as part of the National Cancer Institute’s Cancer Intervention and Surveillance Modeling Network (CISNET).
The model simulates the disease trajectory based on age (18–84), race (Black and White), tumour type (endometrioid or nonendometrioid), stage at diagnosis, and birth cohort from 1910 onwards. It was validated using 2018 data and showed a strong fit to actual incidence and mortality statistics.
Lead author Dr Jason D. Wright, the Sol Goldman Professor of Gynaecologic Oncology at Columbia University, explained:
“There are likely a number of factors that are associated with the increased burden of uterine cancer in Black women. They more commonly have aggressive types of uterine cancer, face delayed diagnosis resulting in later-stage disease at diagnosis, and there are often delays in their treatment.”
More aggressive tumour types in Black women
The model also highlighted that while endometrioid tumours, a less aggressive form, are projected to increase in both Black and White women, the rate of nonendometrioid tumours, which have a poorer prognosis, will rise considerably in Black women alone.
These trends point to an urgent need for improved public health interventions aimed at early diagnosis and treatment, as well as research into tailored approaches for high-risk groups.
Potential for prevention and screening
In a stress test of the model, researchers incorporated hypothetical screening methods capable of detecting uterine cancer and precancerous changes before clinical diagnosis. The analysis found that such interventions could lead to significant reductions in cancer incidence, lasting up to 15 years in White women and 16 years in Black women, if introduced at the age of 55.
Dr Wright commented on the implications of the test:
“The stress testing suggests that if there was an effective screening test, we may be able to substantially reduce the burden of disease. While there is presently no screening or prevention that is routinely used for uterine cancer, we are currently examining the potential impact of integrating screening into practice.”
Call for action
With cases and deaths from uterine cancer projected to climb, the researchers conclude that immediate steps must be taken to develop and implement primary and secondary prevention strategies. Without intervention, the burden of uterine cancer, particularly among Black women, is expected to grow significantly, posing serious public health challenges in the decades ahead.
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Tesco has issued an urgent product recall for two batches of Wall’s Scotch Eggs
Tesco and the Food Standards Agency (FSA) have issued an urgent recall for Wall’s Scotch Eggs.
Salmonella contamination has been confirmed in two batches with a use-by date of July 2, 2025.
Customers are advised not to eat the affected items and return them to any Tesco store for a full refund.
No other Wall’s products are affected by this recall.
Wall’s Scotch Eggs recalled due to salmonella risk
Tesco has issued an urgent product recall for two batches of Wall’s Scotch Eggs after salmonella contamination was confirmed. The Food Standards Agency (FSA) supported the decision and has advised customers to check their kitchens and dispose of or return the products immediately.
The recall applies specifically to Wall’s 2 Classic Scotch Eggs 226g and Wall’s The Classic Scotch Egg 113g, both with a use-by date of 2 July 2025. Customers who purchased either product are urged not to consume them due to the potential health risk.
Symptoms and safety guidance
Salmonella is a bacteria that can cause food poisoning, with symptoms including fever, diarrhoea, and abdominal cramps. The FSA and NHS advise that anyone experiencing these symptoms after eating a recalled item should seek medical advice if necessary.
Customers are advised to avoid eating the affected products and return them to any Tesco store for a full refund, with no receipt required. Point-of-sale notices have been displayed in all stores that stocked the affected items to alert customers to the issue.
Tesco and manufacturer issue statements
Tesco confirmed the recall on its website and through in-store notices. The supermarket stated:
"Wall’s is recalling various Classic Scotch Eggs with the use-by date of 2 July 2025. This is due to the presence of salmonella."
The manufacturer, The Compleat Food Group, described the recall as a voluntary precaution, citing a "potential risk of salmonella." However, Tesco confirmed that the affected products sold in its stores were contaminated.
A spokesperson for The Compleat Food Group said:
"This is an isolated incident and no other Wall’s products are affected."
What to do if you’ve bought the product
Customers who have purchased the affected Wall’s Scotch Eggs are asked to:
Not consume the product.
Return it to any Tesco store for a full refund.
No proof of purchase is needed.
Additional information and support are available through the Wall’s website atwalls-pastry.co.uk or by contacting Tesco Customer Services on 0800 505 555. Customers can also email customercare@compleatfood.com for assistance.
To find the nearest Tesco branch, shoppers can use the store locator tool available on the Tesco website.
FSA guidance on food recalls
The FSA explained why recalls such as this one are issued:
"If there is a problem with a food product that means it should not be sold, then it might be 'withdrawn' or 'recalled'."
In this case, the FSA has issued a Product Recall Information Notice to alert both consumers and local authorities. It added that in some instances, a 'Food Alert for Action' is also issued to ensure the appropriate steps are taken.
This latest recall follows a recent series of food safety alerts, as salmonella was also detected in other snacks sold across England, Scotland, and Wales in the past week.