New initiative Lila charts a new path for South Asians in UK music industry
Lila’s first venture sees it as a funding partner of Bobby Friction's cultural platform, Going South, a key player in curating the Arrivals stage at Glastonbury’s Shangri-La, showcasing South Asian talent.
Lila, a newly launched initiative designed to reshape the equities of South Asian participation in the UK music industry and bridge the gap in representation and support, was launched in partnership with the Center for Music Ecosystems, a global research and development organisation.
Lila's first venture sees it as a funding partner of Bobby Friction’s cultural platform, Going South, a key player in curating the Arrivals stage at Glastonbury's Shangri-La, showcasing South Asian talent.
Music producer and entrepreneur Vikram Gudi founded Lila (Sanskrit: divine play) with a mission to bridge the gap between South Asian talent and inclusion in the UK music industry. Lila believes that South Asian artists and industry professionals should be able to thrive at the forefront of the UK music industry.
Lila’s willingness to confront inequities and uplift artists directly has helped deliver the first-ever dedicated South Asian space at Glastonbury’s Shangri-La, the festival's radical area known for celebrating underrepresented art and culture. The 'Arrivals' stage, programmed by cultural organisations Dialled In, Going South, and Daytimers, will showcase over 50 hours of South Asian live music and DJs including Bobby Friction, Anish Kumar, Nabihah Iqbal, Raji Rags, and Nikki Nair. Lila is a proud funding partner of Bobby Friction’s Going South’s showcase of South Asian creativity. This collaboration represents an important first step towards platforming South Asian voices and talents within the music industry.
Increasing diversity in the music industry has been a refrain for decades. However, the gap in representation remains, particularly for South Asians. Lila's founder, Vikram Gudi, is tackling this issue head-on with the passion of an artist-inspired, and a global team of experts. In partnership with the international nonprofit Center for Music Ecosystems, Lila will develop research-backed initiatives to narrow the participation gap. Increasing access to professional development resources, scholarships, recognition, and collaborations will enable South Asian musicians and industry professionals to reach new heights within the industry. The result is a more inclusive industry that benefits everyone.
Lila intends to deliver:
Quantitative research and analysis on South Asian participation in the industry.
More recognition in the UK for South Asian cultural heritage.
A central resource and catalyst to support South Asian music.
Increased global opportunities for South Asian artists, including at showcase events that feature UK artists.
Developing research and monitoring tools to understand Lila’s impact in real-time, in partnership with the Center for Music Ecosystems.
Vikram Gudi, Entrepreneur and Founder of Lila, says: “The idea of Lila has been in the back of my mind throughout my music career. I’ve always known that I wanted to do something more, after seeing a distinct lack of funding, initiatives, and infrastructure for South Asian musicians and music professionals. I had few role models from my own background to look up to, and I sensed that there was more I could do in the future. There’s an overwhelming amount of South Asian talent in the UK, and we want Lila to act as an accelerator. I’m excited to work with CME; and have the wealth of experience and passion of Shain behind us. There’s a sense of optimism around the South Asian music community and now is our opportunity to move the needle significantly.”
Shain Shapiro, PhD - Founder and Executive Director of Center for Music Ecosystems adds: “The more diverse our music industry is, the better it will be financially, socially and holistically. This means intentionally working to enhance all forms of diversity. It is a privilege to be working with Vik on this initiative, which we hope will start in the UK and evolve to include many more countries and industries around the world.”
Bobby Friction, Founder of Going South says: “It's been an epic journey and a joy working with Lila & Vikram. Vikram and I are so obviously aligned with what we want for South Asian music in the UK and globally; plus his boundless optimism is infectious. Organisations like Lila are sorely needed at the moment and its timing couldn't be better. So much of the structure around charities and NGOs within the music ecosystem doesn't focus on the British Asian music community, but Lila’s efforts for equality across the entire music industry can change that.”
Ammo Talwar CEO Punch Records / Chair UK Music Diversity Taskforce says, “The South Asian diaspora has always had deep cultural and creative musical sounds. I’m very excited about Lila’s mission around supporting the next wave of UK talent and how that manifests.”
Justin Bieber surprise-released his seventh studio album, Swag, on Friday, 11 July.
The 21-track album explores themes of family, faith, and mental health.
Collaborations include Gunna, Sexyy Red, Cash Cobain, and Eddie Benjamin.
Album includes viral quote, “I’m standing on business,” from recent paparazzi incident.
Justin Bieber has stunned fans by releasing a surprise new album titled Swag, marking his return to music after four years. Released on Friday (11 July), the 21-track album signals a clear shift in tone for the pop star, who has drawn inspiration from his roles as a husband and father, as well as his spiritual beliefs.
The album comes shortly after a string of cryptic social media posts and fan speculation about Bieber’s mental health, triggered in part by a viral video of him confronting paparazzi on Father’s Day. The now-infamous line from the clip, “I’m standing on business,” has become a catchphrase among fans and is directly used in the track Butterflies.
Justin Bieber breaks silence with surprise album Swag amid fan concern over mental healthGetty Images
Swag marks Justin Bieber’s seventh studio album
Swag is Bieber’s first full-length release since Justice (2021), which topped charts globally. The new record presents a rawer and more introspective voice, according to sources close to the singer, and signals a move away from the polished pop of his previous albums.
The project includes collaborations with a diverse lineup of artists, including Gunna, Cash Cobain, Sexyy Red, Eddie Benjamin, and Marvin Winans. Tracks such as Therapy Session, Dadz Love, and Forgiveness explore intimate personal experiences, while others like Daisies hint at marital ups and downs.
A source told People magazine that the album is “darker, more vulnerable, and less polished” than Bieber’s past work, though not depressive. “It’s much deeper. Fans will notice the genre shift immediately.”
Several tracks on Swag appear to reflect Bieber’s personal struggles. In Daisies, he sings, “Falling petals, do you love me or not?”, a line many fans believe hints at tensions in his marriage to Hailey Bieber.
The couple’s relationship has drawn intense public attention in recent months. Justin previously shared a post celebrating Hailey’s Vogue cover while candidly admitting they had argued that day, which led to renewed media speculation.
Despite this, the album’s tone remains centred around commitment and faith. Songs like Devotion and Soulful reveal a continued emphasis on Bieber’s Christian beliefs, which have been central to his recent music and public image.
The phrase, “I’m standing on business,” which Bieber said while confronting a photographer, has been embraced by fans online and repurposed for Swag’s rollout.
Billboards teasing the album popped up in New York’s Times Square, Los Angeles, and even Reykjavík in the days leading up to the surprise drop, creating a sense of mystery and anticipation. Bieber also posted an Instagram Reel revealing the track list on a massive screen in NYC.
Many fans believe this subtle, meme-driven marketing campaign was intentional. One wrote on X: “We called him unemployed and with nothing to do, and now he’s feeding us like this? Thank you, Justin.”
Fans and fellow artists react to Bieber’s musical return
The response to Swag has been overwhelmingly positive online. Listeners have praised both the emotional depth and sonic variety of the album. “SWAG isn’t just a title, it’s a mission statement,” one fan tweeted. Others commented on its therapeutic quality, with tracks like Therapy Session and Forgiveness resonating especially strongly.
US rapper Big Sean joined in the celebrations, commenting, “Yes!!!!” on Bieber’s Instagram post announcing the album. With streaming now live on Spotify and Apple Music, Swag is set to make a major impact.
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Priyanka Chopra Jonas poses for pictures during the inauguration of NMACC
Priyanka Chopra sparked online backlash after picking a hot dog over vada pav in a red carpet food round
The Heads of State star responded with a cheeky Instagram Story: “Didn’t know there was a syllabus for being desi”
Influencers and fans debated her food choices, calling her selection “un-Indian”
Chopra stars alongside John Cena and Idris Elba in Heads of State, now streaming on Prime Video
Priyanka Chopra found herself at the centre of a heated food debate this week, but she’s not taking it lying down. After her red carpet interview clip from the Heads of State premiere went viral, where she picked a hot dog over vada pav, social media was flooded with comments questioning her “desi” credentials. But Chopra wasn’t having any of it and gave a pointed yet humorous reply to the unexpected backlash.
Priyanka Chopra attends Amazon's "Heads Of State" World Premiere Getty Images
Fans question her desi tag after viral red carpet moment
It all started at the Heads of State premiere, where Chopra participated in a rapid-fire food round. When asked to choose between popular dishes, she said her mood would dictate whether she picked empanadas or samosas and responded “both” when it came to enchiladas versus chicken tikka masala.
But it was her swift answer when asked to choose between vada pav and hot dog that stirred things up. Without hesitation, she said, “I love a vada pav, but hot dog is my weakness.” The clip quickly gained traction, especially after a content creator reposted it with commentary questioning her loyalty to Indian street food.
Priyanka responded to the online noise with an Instagram Story that made her stance clear. Sharing Sidhu’s edited reel, she wrote, “Wow bro! Didn’t know there was a syllabus for being desi. It’s not that serious,” adding a few laughing emojis to lighten the tone.
The remark struck a chord with many fans who appreciated her straightforwardness, while others continued to dissect her choices in comment threads and meme pages.
Priyanka Chopra shared her take on the food debate via Instagram StoriesInstagram Screengrab/priyankachopra
A busy season for Priyanka with Heads of State and Indian comeback
The debate comes amid a packed year for Chopra. Her action-comedy film Heads of State, co-starring John Cena and Idris Elba, is currently streaming on Amazon Prime Video. The movie sees the trio involved in a chaotic mission as mismatched operatives trying to stop an international threat. While the film has received mixed reviews, Chopra’s performance has been praised for its energy and comic timing.
Meanwhile, she’s also preparing to return to Indian cinema with SSMB 29, directed by RRR filmmaker SS Rajamouli. The adventure film is said to be inspired by the Indiana Jones-style genre and stars Mahesh Babu and Prithviraj Sukumaran. Chopra was spotted shooting in Hyderabad earlier this year.
John Cena, Priyanka Chopra and Ilya Naishuller attend the photocall for "Heads Of State"Getty Images
Food preferences do not equal cultural betrayal, say fans
While some social media users mocked her food picks, many rallied in her support, pointing out that liking international food doesn’t negate her desi identity. “She’s lived all over the world, let her eat what she wants,” wrote one user. Others highlighted the absurdity of the backlash, with one tweet reading, “This is why we can’t have nice things. She says hot dog and suddenly she’s not Indian enough?”
In the end, Priyanka Chopra’s message was simple: taste is personal, and gatekeeping someone’s cultural authenticity based on food choices is more embarrassing than funny.
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HYBE Cine Fest 2025: How HYBE Cine Fest 2025 is India’s K-pop soft launch
You step into your local PVR today. The smell of popcorn hits you, but instead of previews for the latest Bollywood hit, the lobby is a sea of ARMY Bombs and CARAT Bong light sticks. Fans in TXT tees are swapping photocards. Someone’s already belting out a LE SSERAFIM chorus into a mic at the pop-up Noraebang station. Inside Screen 3? It isn’t a film, but a full-blown K-pop concert. Thousands of voices scream every word of BTS’s Dynamite, and tears well up during Jungkook’s solo. But this isn’t Seoul. It’s Kolkata, Mumbai, Delhi, and Bengaluru, all this weekend. And HYBE? They’re taking notes, big ones!
What is Hybe Cine fest?
HYBE Cine Fest 2025 is a three-day cinema event (from 10 to 12 July) that brings some of the biggest K-pop concert experiences to the big screen across India. Organised by South Korean entertainment giant HYBE in partnership with PVR INOX and Trafalgar Releasing, the fest features full-length concert films from BTS, SEVENTEEN, TXT, ENHYPEN, ILLIT, and Katseye. Expect stadium-level production with cinematic visuals, surround sound, and collective fan chants, everything fans love about a K-pop concert, recreated inside a cinema.
HYBE didn’t pick India at random. It’s a calculated move. The company has confirmed it will open an Indian office in Mumbai or Delhi by September or October 2025. This festival is a soft launch, a proof-of-concept to test the waters. By partnering with PVR INOX and global distributor Trafalgar Releasing (which brought in over 260,000 fans during the Latin American edition), HYBE is laying the groundwork for bigger things. With India’s entertainment market projected to grow from £22.9 billion to £32.2 billion (₹2.45 trillion to ₹3.45 trillion) by 2028, the timing is no accident.
HYBE isn’t just here to screen films. This is step one in a long-term strategy:
Live concerts: The biggest fan demand. Data from this weekend supports the case for bringing TXT, ENHYPEN, or SEVENTEEN to Indian stages post-2025.
Local talent & collaborations: HYBE’s upcoming Indian office could scout homegrown talent or spark Indo-Korean music projects, similar to what HYBE America did with Katseye.
Lifestyle takeover: Pop-up merch counters are only the beginning. HYBE wants to control K-pop fashion, fan experiences, and digital platforms (like Weverse) in India.
Expect ticket prices between £7.50–£14 (₹800–₹1,500), depending on location and seat type. Morning and midday weekday shows are filling up fastest, so book early if you want the full fan-crowd vibe.
While Indian ARMYs, CARATs, MOAs, and ENGENEs lose their voices this weekend inside packed theatres, HYBE’s executives are wide awake, analysing ticket data, fan turnout, and social media buzz. Every chant, every Noraebang sing-along, every sold-out show is a datapoint fuelling their next big move.
HYBE Cine Fest 2025 is more than a weekend spectacle. It’s a strategic push to embed K-pop deep into India’s entertainment ecosystem. The concert films are just the beginning, the real goal is long-term cultural presence, local talent scouting, and eventually, massive live tours. The light sticks are lit. The playbook is open. And HYBE’s Indian takeover has officially begun.
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Cierra Ortega addresses her Love Island USA exit in a TikTok video
Cierra Ortega has exited Love Island USA after a past social media post using a slur resurfaced.
The 25-year-old content creator said she “had no idea” the word was a racial slur.
Ortega apologised to the Asian community and said she accepts being removed from the show.
She revealed her family has been threatened and immigration authorities were called on them.
Cierra Ortega, a contestant on this season of Love Island USA, has publicly apologised after an old social media post containing a racial slur resurfaced, prompting her sudden exit from the popular reality series.
The 25-year-old Los Angeles-based content creator addressed the controversy in a video, expressing regret for using a derogatory term towards Asian people in a post made last year. Ortega, who is of Mexican and Puerto Rican descent, said she was unaware of the word’s offensive meaning at the time but took full responsibility.
Ortega says she deleted the offensive post after learning it was a racial slurInstagram/cierra.ortega
Ortega says she had “no idea” it was a racial slur
In her nearly five-minute video, Ortega clarified that the post was made in 2024 and deleted as soon as a follower informed her that the word was a racial slur. “I had no idea that the word carried such pain or history,” she said, adding, “If I had known, I would have never used it.”
Describing the video as an “accountability post, not an apology video,” Ortega said she was deeply sorry to the Asian community and anyone she had hurt. She emphasised that ignorance was not an excuse and admitted that her actions had consequences. “Intent doesn’t excuse impact,” she said.
Following her exit from the villa, Ortega revealed that the backlash extended to her family. She claimed they had faced harassment, including death threats and even calls to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). “My family doesn’t feel safe in their own home,” she said. “There’s no need to fight hate with hate. I don’t think that’s justice.”
Ortega’s relatives later issued a statement on her Instagram story, saying they understood the anger but condemned the level of harassment. “We’re not here to justify or ignore what’s surfaced. But the threats and attacks go far beyond accountability,” they wrote.
Ortega’s Instagram story Instagram Screengrab/cierra.ortega
Ortega accepts the show’s decision to remove her
Although the episode announcing her departure referred only to “personal reasons,” Ortega said she fully supported Love Island USA’s decision to remove her from the show. “This was a consequence I deserved,” she stated. Her former villa partner, Nic Vansteenberghe, remained on the show and has since recoupled with another contestant.
Ortega insisted she deleted the offensive post immediately after realising its meaning and has since made efforts to educate herself and others around her.
The Love Island USA contestant apologised to the Asian community onlineInstagram/cierra.ortega
Second contestant to leave over resurfaced racist remarks
Ortega is the second contestant to be removed from this season over past racist language. Earlier in the season, fellow islander Yulissa Escobar was taken off the show after an old podcast clip emerged in which she used another racial slur. Escobar also apologised on social media and echoed Ortega’s concerns about the extreme online abuse following her exit.
The backlash faced by both women has raised concerns about the mental health of reality TV participants. Peacock, the NBC-owned streaming platform airing Love Island USA, recently aired an on-screen message urging viewers to stop targeting contestants with threats and harassment.
Love Island USA aired a message urging viewers to stop harassing contestantsInstagram/cierra.ortega
As the show heads towards its finale, the debate continues over how far accountability should go, and at what cost to the people involved.
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Rashmika Mandanna teams up with Allu Arjun again in Atlee’s next
Rashmika Mandanna to star opposite Allu Arjun in Atlee’s big-budget sci-fi project AA22xA6.
The film already features Deepika Padukone, Janhvi Kapoor, and Mrunal Thakur.
Rashmika has completed a look test and body scan in Los Angeles.
Film to release in multiple languages by late 2026 or early 2027.
Rashmika Mandanna is officially part of director Atlee’s highly ambitious sci-fi feature, tentatively titled AA22xA6. With Allu Arjun headlining the project, the casting of Rashmika not only reunites the Pushpa duo but also strengthens what is being called one of the biggest star ensembles in Indian cinema today. The Sun Pictures production already boasts names like Deepika Padukone, Janhvi Kapoor, and Mrunal Thakur, and now Rashmika’s addition has significantly heightened the buzz.
Director Atlee and Allu Arjun brainstorm futuristic concepts with top Hollywood VFX studios in LA Youtube Screengrab
Rashmika Mandanna signs on for her boldest role yet
According to insiders from the production team, Rashmika was approached by Atlee earlier this year and has since completed her look test and digital body scan in Los Angeles. Her role is described as one of the most challenging and distinctive of her career. The film's makers are reportedly working on extensive pre-production tailored to her character, hinting at an unconventional arc that moves far away from her previous on-screen avatars.
This marks Rashmika’s second collaboration with Allu Arjun after the massive success of the Pushpa franchise. However, sources close to the film insist that their dynamic in AA22xA6 will offer audiences something completely new.
Allu Arjun and Rashmika Mandanna attend a promotional event of their upcoming Indian film 'Pushpa 2: The Rule' Getty Images
AA22xA6 to explore dual universes and advanced VFX
The project is being mounted on a scale rarely seen in Indian filmmaking. Atlee, who last directed Jawan with Shah Rukh Khan, is said to be drawing inspiration from global visual spectacles like Avatar, crafting a narrative that unfolds across two distinct universes.
Backed by Sun Pictures, the film leans heavily on visual storytelling, with AI-driven VFX and futuristic world-building at its core. The director has reportedly insisted on running post-production in parallel with the shooting schedule to give actors real-time feedback on scenes involving heavy CGI.
Atlee\u2019s and Allu Arjun's\u00a0next promises a grand visual universe with cutting-edge VFX Instagram/filmybaapofficial
Star-studded cast, global ambitions
What sets AA22xA6 apart is its ensemble. Deepika Padukone was the first female lead to be confirmed, followed by industry buzz around Janhvi Kapoor and Mrunal Thakur. Rashmika’s entry adds further star power, and there’s talk of a fifth female lead also being finalised soon.
Sun Pictures plans to release the film globally in multiple languages, with a theatrical launch expected either by late 2026 or early 2027. The film is currently in production, and the makers are expected to drop a visually striking teaser later this year to kick off their promotional campaign.
Director Atlee guides Deepika through motion capture choreography Youtube Screengrab/Sun TV
What this means for Rashmika and Allu Arjun
Both Rashmika and Allu Arjun are riding high after the record-breaking success of Pushpa 2: The Rule. While Allu is already a pan-India name, Rashmika’s popularity has been steadily rising across Hindi and South Indian markets. This film gives them a fresh canvas to explore a new on-screen equation and further expand their reach among global audiences.
As anticipation builds for AA22xA6, all eyes will be on how Atlee brings together this megastar cast for what could potentially be a landmark moment in Indian science fiction cinema.