Salaar will not hit the screens on its scheduled release date of September 28 due to "unforeseen circumstances", the makers announced Wednesday.
In a statement on X, production house Hombale Films said it will reveal the new date of the Prabhas-starrer in due course. "We deeply appreciate your unwavering support for #Salaar. With consideration, we must delay the original September 28 release due to unforeseen circumstances.
"Please understand this decision is made with care, as we're committed to delivering an exceptional cinematic experience. Our team is working tirelessly to meet the highest standards," the banner said in the post.
— (@)
The first part of the pan-India film series, titled Salaar Part 1: Ceasefire, is billed as a big-budget action adventure. It is directed by Prashanth Neel of the "KGF" franchise fame and produced by Vijay Kiragandur.
"The new release date will be revealed in due course. Stay with us as we make the final touches on #SalaarCeaseFire and thank you for being a part of this incredible journey," Hombale Films further said.
The film will also feature Prithviraj Sukumaran, Shruti Haasan, Eshwari Rao, Jagapathi Babu, and Sriya Reddy.
He may be living the dream in Bali these days, but Bally Sagoo remains proudly British at heart.
During a recent visit to his home city of Birmingham, the trailblazing music producer sat down for a wide-ranging interview with Eastern Eye that was thoughtful, nostalgic and inspirational.
From defining British Asian culture to popularising fusion music, crossing cultural frontiers and delivering blockbuster hits, the game-changer inspired an entire generation with his achievements. Since starting in the late 1980s, he has collaborated with iconic artists and created a blueprint for commercial fusion music that still influences talent around the world.
In the free-flowing conversation, he reflected on his genre-defying journey, the lasting legacy of his biggest tracks, why Top of the Pops was a dream come true, and what it was really like to collaborate with legends such as Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan and Amitabh Bachchan. He also opened up about life in Bali, his timeless music – and how he is still finding inspiration after decades of success.
Bally Sagoo
You still look young, while the rest of us are ageing. What’s your secret? (Laughs) I do not know, Asjad. I think it is just living a good life in southeast Asia, eating well and being happy.
How did you end up in Bali? Well, I have been going to southeast Asia for quite some time and love that part of the world. I am travelling a lot, finding myself – and love living out there in Bali. I am having a great time. I love my seafood, I love being near the sea. Who would not want to live there?
How would you sum up your spectacular music journey? It has been amazing. I am so grateful to have fans around the world who have supported me for so long. It is a blessing to have touched so many people with my tracks. I have been doing this my whole life – nearly four decades now. My first records came out in the late 1980s. I have been put on this planet to do this. This is my life. Music is my life.
How much does it mean to you that your tracks from decades ago still sound so fresh? That means everything. The amount of people I meet globally – even in remote places like small islands – say the same thing. They say it sounds fresh. Magic Touch was nearly 35 years ago. Gur Nalon Ishq Mitha was 1991. Aaja Nachle was 1998. Even when I look back, I think, how many years ago was that? But when I listen to them, they really do sound quite current – and I am proud of that.
Is there one song that’s closest to your heart? It is impossible to choose – it is like picking a family member or child. There are so many. Ones that stand out include Dil Cheez, Aaja Nachle and Chura Liya. Then Gur Nalon Ishq Mitha – and many more! So, it is difficult to pick one.
Albums by him
You broke ground for a generation of artists. How does that feel? It is great that I was able to open doors and break barriers. Music was something I was doing as a teenager at school growing up in Birmingham. It has not been easy. One thing that really upsets me is when people ask, how does it feel to have made it? I am like, there is no such thing. I am still on this journey. Constantly moving – and that is also something people can learn from.
Tell us more about that. I put years into my music – even months into just one song. There is so much that goes into it, and some people do not realise. Today, people are in a rush – they want things instantly. That is when it does not work. Great music stands the test of time – and that takes hard work. That is why people hear all the little details in my tracks.
You helped make Birmingham the commercial capital of South Asian music – and remain a proud Brummie despite travelling the globe. Birmingham has always been a big melting pot. It is an important part of the world that broke music and created new styles. I am living proof – I started here. I was born in India but came here when I was six months old, so I have been raised in Birmingham my entire life. All my influences came from here.
You helped put the music – and vibrant city – on the global map. Not just Birmingham, but the UK in general. We should be proud that we catapulted our Asian roots – whether Indian, Pakistani or otherwise – to the world stage. From Sufi to bhangra, we changed the whole scene. And we did it without social media. We had to physically go out and push our music – there was no internet to help us.
Does it sadden you that later generations did not make full use of the platform pioneers like you created – and that other countries overtook us? That is part of moving forward. The world woke up when they heard our music and wanted to be part of it. More youngsters became proud of their culture and thought, let us make music that reflects the best of both worlds. There is now great music coming from all over – western countries, India, Pakistan. Social media has helped that. But it all started with us in the UK – and we should be proud of that.
You have had many highlights. What was the most memorable? There is not just one. Touring with Michael Jackson, of course. But Top of the Pops was the icing on the cake – because I grew up watching it. I told my parents I would be on there one day. (Laughs) They would smack me and tell me to get back to studying. No one thought it would happen. That was a breakthrough moment. Working with superstars like Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan was also unforgettable.
What made the late qawwali legend Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan so special? He was the best vocalist I ever worked with. Everything was special about him. He had an aura. His voice was unbelievable. He could record a track in one take. There were no effects or digital tricks – unlike a lot of singers today. That is why Magic Touch will always be special. I recorded it in 1991 – very early in my career.
Rising From The East and Magic Touch
You were thrown in at the deep end but produced one of the greatest albums of all time. Did you expect that impact? I thought it would be great for the UK scene – but I had no idea it would be so popular worldwide, especially in India and Pakistan. Bollywood went ballistic when they heard it. They all wanted to work with Nusrat – and with this sound.
You also made a superhit album with Amitabh Bachchan – one that younger fans may not know about. Yes – he approached me to do an album. This was in 1996. I cheekily said, come and record it in my Birmingham studio – and he did. We made Aby Baby here. He was not the best vocalist, but he was a legend and the number one movie star. It was his idea to include his father’s poetry. I wanted to do Kabhi Kabhie – one of my favourites.
Do you have any unfulfilled ambitions? I still have dreams like anyone else. I am more laidback now – I do not need to race anyone or prove anything. I am enjoying the journey and am grateful for where I am. I meet people of all ages – from young listeners who discovered my music long after it was made, to those who grew up with it. I have always made different styles of music.
That variety has defined your music. I always made music for all kinds of people. I never wanted to just stick to bhangra because it was popular. I tried to make something for every listener. (Laughs) I never rinsed the same beat like some others. Every album had something different – and that continues.
What does music mean to you today? What it has always meant – it is my life. I love listening to music from around the world. Music has no language or barrier – it should be for everyone. That is what I believe.
What inspires you creatively? The same as always – listening carefully to what is happening globally. Living abroad now, I come across instruments I have never heard before – and my first thought is, how can I get that sound into my studio? I am exploring Japanese, Korean, Chinese instruments – some I cannot even pronounce. I love fusing different musicians and singers. I have always done that.
Looking for the perfect way to spend your Saturday night? Bring the Laughter is back with a bang, offering an unmissable evening of stand-up comedy in Birmingham. On Saturday, 17 May, the Birmingham Hippodrome will come alive with a high-energy showcase featuring some of the UK’s most exciting comedic talents. Whether you're a lifelong fan of British comedy or just looking for a fun night out with friends, this event promises big laughs, good vibes, and unforgettable moments.
Bring the Laughter isn’t just another comedy show—it's a celebration of diverse voices in the UK comedy scene, with a line-up that reflects the rich tapestry of British Asian culture. Known for delivering laughter across the nation, the show has grown in popularity for its unique mix of observational humour, cultural commentary, and razor-sharp wit.
In a time when we all need more laughter and lightness, Bring the Laughter offers the perfect escape. The show has been praised not just for its comedy but also for creating a safe, inclusive space where people from all walks of life can come together and enjoy a good laugh.
Whether you're a regular comedy club goer or completely new to the scene, the evening promises something for everyone—clever punchlines, cultural anecdotes, and laugh-out-loud moments that will stick with you long after the curtains close.
The Birmingham Hippodrome, located in the heart of the city, offers a world-class venue for this live comedy event. With excellent acoustics, comfortable seating, and easy accessibility, it’s the ideal place to soak in a night of laughter with friends, family, or colleagues.
With such a fantastic line-up and a prime city-centre location, why not make a whole evening of it? Enjoy a pre-show meal at one of Birmingham’s many nearby restaurants, or grab drinks after the show to keep the good vibes going. Whether you're local to Birmingham or planning a weekend visit, this comedy night is the perfect highlight to build your plans around.
Tickets for Bring the Laughter are expected to sell out quickly, so early booking is highly recommended. Head over to the official website to secure your seats, check out further tour dates across the UK, and stay updated with any changes to the line-up: www.luventertainment.co.uk
Don’t miss out on this laugh-packed evening that promises to lift your spirits and tickle your funny bone. Comedy lovers, mark your calendars—Saturday, 17 May at Birmingham Hippodrome is where the laughter lives!
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Bangladeshis wave flags in Dhaka last Saturday (10) after the interim government banned all Awami League activities under the Anti-Terrorism Act
BANGLADESH’S Election Commission has suspended the registration of Sheikh Hasina’s Awami League, effectively barring the former ruling party from contesting national elections.
The move comes after the interim government, led by Nobel Prize winner Muhammad Yunus, banned all activities of the Awami League under the Anti-Terrorism Act after days of protests.
The government cited national security threats and an ongoing war crimes investigation against the party’s top leadership over deaths of hundreds of protesters.
“With the home ministry’s ban on all activities of the Awami League and its affiliated organisations, the Election Commission has decided to suspend the party’s registration,” Election Commission Secretary Akhtar Ahmed told reporters late on Monday (12).
Under Bangladesh’s electoral laws, a political party must be registered with the Election Commission to participate in national polls.
The suspension means the Awami League – which led the country for more than 20 years – is now officially disqualified from contesting future elections, unless the ban is lifted and the registration restored.
Hasina, 77, remains in self-imposed exile in India and has defied an arrest warrant from Dhaka for crimes against humanity.
“The ban on the Awami League is a concerning development,” Indian foreign ministry spokesman Randhir Jaiswal told reporters in New Delhi.
“We strongly support the holding of free, fair and inclusive elections in Bangladesh.”
In Bangladesh, the interim government also announced an amendment to the ICT Act, allowing the tribunal to prosecute not only individuals, but also political parties and organisations. The change clears the way for the Awami League to be tried as a collective entity for alleged crimes committed during its time in power.
It is the oldest political party in Bangladesh, which was founded in 1949, and led the country’s liberation war in 1971.
The Awami League dismissed the decision as illegitimate, posting on its official Facebook page: “All decisions of the illegal government are illegal.”
In October, the government banned the Awami League’s student wing, Bangladesh Chhatra League, calling it a “terrorist organisation” for violent attacks on protesters.
Bangladesh’s Election Commission also issued a directive prohibiting the party and its affiliates from conducting any political activities, including publications, media appearances, online and social media campaigns, processions, rallies, or conferences, until the International Crimes Tribunal completes its proceedings.
According to the United Nations, up to 1,400 protesters died in July-August 2024 when Hasina’s government launched a brutal campaign to silence the opposition.
Hasina, credited with turning around the economy but accused of human rights violations and the suppression of dissent, won a fourth straight term in 2024, but the poll was boycotted by the main opposition, whose top leaders were in jail or in exile.
Political parties, including former prime minister Khaleda Zia’s Bangladesh Nationalist Party, have demanded an early poll and a return to democratic rule.
The newly formed student-driven National Citizen Party, which emerged from last year’s uprising that toppled Hasina, wants polls only after reforms are implemented.
Yunus, who is not aligned to any party, has pledged reforms and said national elections could be delayed until 2026 and that he is not interested in running. (Agencies)
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Steelworkers protest outside ArcelorMittal headquarters in Saint Denis on Tuesday
UNIONS in France fighting to save 600 jobs at ArcelorMittal operations have called on the government on Tuesday (13) to take control of the sites, following Britain’s example with British Steel.
CGT union chief Sophie Binet told hundreds of workers protesting outside the company’s French offices that she would raise the matter directly with president Emmanuel Macron.
“I will deliver to him the CGT proposals to nationalise” the group’s French operations, she told the protesting workers.
Macron later on Tuesday was to debate a range of high-profile figures on television, including Binet, as he sets out plans for the final two years of his term.
ArcelorMittal announced plans last month to cut 600 jobs across the seven sites it has in France, from a total workforce in the country of around 7,100 people. It is in the process of negotiating the job reductions with unions.
The group – the second-biggest steelmaker in the world, formed from a merger of India’s Mittal Steel with European company Arcelor – has warned of industry “uncertainty” after the US imposed 25-per cent tariffs on steel and aluminium imports.
Yet the group in April posted a quarterly group net profit of $805 million (£605.2m). To shave costs, it is shifting some support jobs from Europe to India, and last year it suspended a $2 billion (£1.5bn) decarbonisation investment in France.
Lakshmi Mittal
French unions believe Macron’s government can follow the lead of its British counterpart, which last month passed a law allowing it to take control of ailing British Steel.
Italy last year also ousted ArcelorMittal as owner of its debt-ridden ex-Ilva plant, accusing the company of failing to prop up the operation after buying control in 2018. “The Italians have done it, the British have done it... so why aren’t we French able to also do it?” asked a regional CGT head, Gaetan Lecocq.
“Mittal should get out, should leave – we don’t need him,” Lococq said of Lakshmi Mittal, ArcelorMittal’s executive chairman and one of India’s richest men.
CGT chief Binard also took up a slogan chanted by the protesters, yelling: “Metal without Mittal!”
A lawmaker with the hard-left France Unbowed party, Aurelie Trouve, has put forward a bill for the nationalisation of ArcelorMittal in France.
Trouve said the company “has clearly been organising the offshoring of production for years, and now we are faced with an emergency”.
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The Indian stock market has been among the best performing in the world since April, after Trump slapped tariffs on US trading partners
THE latest conflict between India and Pakistan may impact New Delhi’s efforts to pitch itself as a safe haven for foreign investors amid global economic turmoil – but not much, investors and analysts said last Wednesday (7), prior to the ceasefire between the two countries.
India’s $4 trillion (£3 tr) economy has limited direct trade with Pakistan. Even its overnight crossborder missile strikes had little immediate impact on local equity, currency and bond markets, on the view that full-fledged conflict was unlikely.
“If there is a cessation of hostilities like there should be, pragmatically and practically, the investment climate may not actually be harmed,” Ajay Marwaha, head of fixed income at Mumbai-headquartered investment house Nuvama Group, said last week.
Previous conflicts have not had a lasting impact on Indian assets, Citibank analysts wrote in a note last Wednesday.
In the last such flare-up with Pakistan, in February 2019, the Indian rupee held steady and bond yields rose 15 basis points over that month but retreated later.
In June 2020, when fighting broke out between Indian and Chinese troops in the Galwan valley, the rupee weakened one per cent, but regained ground as the two sides disengaged, Citi analysts said.
Since US president Donald Trump unveiled a slate of huge tariffs on his country’s trading partners, Indian markets have, in fact, performed well.
“The Indian market had begun to outperform on the back of the perception that there is some insulation from Trump tariffs, given the strength of domestic consumption and a clear signal of monetary loosening from the central bank,” said Sat Dhura, portfolio manager at Janus Henderson Investors.
He acknowledged that “recent events are likely to keep foreign investors away”, but added that local investment flows were likely to be sticky, helping to serve as a support to the markets.
India is expected to remain the fastest-growing major economy, with the central bank forecasting GDP growth of 6.5 per cent this financial year. It is also among the best-performing of the world’s big stock markets since early April, when Washington announced reciprocal tariffs on its trading partners.
Foreign investors, who sold Indian stocks from last October to March this year, turned buyers in April and early May, picking up about $1.5 billion (£1.12bn). They remained sellers of Indian bonds, offloading $1.7bn (£1.3bn) since the start of April.
The focus, analysts said, remains on trade deals. India sealed a long-negotiated trade agreement with the UK last Tuesday (6) and discussions are ongoing for a bilateral trade agreement with the US.
“While sentiments are likely to be jittery in the immediate term, these tensions are unlikely to derail the medium-term appeal of the Indian economy,” said Radhika Rao, senior economist at DBS Bank in Singapore.
More “substantial developments” like the justconcluded India-UK trade deal, the impending agreement with the US and the central bank’s dovish policies will dictate the path of India’s growth trade outlook, Rao added.
The impact of the conflict between India and Pakistan on any potential longer-term investment “may not be very much”, said Subhash Chandra Garg, a former top government bureaucrat.
The areas bordering Pakistan are in the north and west of India but most foreign investment for manufacturing facilities is centred in southern and central India, Garg noted. (Reuters)