BIRTHDAY SPECIAL REFLECTING THE LIFE AND CAREER OF SOUTH INDIAN CINEMA’S SUPERSTAR
by ASJAD NAZIR
THIS month South Indian superstar Samantha Akkineni turns a year older and will be celebrating her 33rd birthday on April 28.
The multi-award-winning actress has risen through the ranks in the past decade to become a formidable force in Indian cinema and delivered an impressive body of work. She also does philanthropic work and is married into a famous film family.
The A-list star, not surprisingly, has a huge fan base and they will all wish her well as she turns a year older. To mark Samantha turning 33, Eastern Eye decided to present 33 fun facts about her.
1. The commerce graduate started working as a model before successfully auditioning for her first film and starting an extraordinary journey in cinema.
2. Samantha is married to popular actor Naga Chaitanya, who is the son of legendary movie star Akkineni Nagarjuna. She had starred opposite him in her debut film Ye Maaya Chesave in 2010. The Telugu film earned her a Filmfare Award in Best Debut Actress category.
3. Although her second film as a lead, Baana Kaathadi (2010), was her first in Tamil cinema, it was actually the third in that language she had signed, but it came out before the other two.
4. Tamil romantic drama Moscowin Kavery (2010) was her third film as a lead, but it was actually the first movie that she had ever signed.
5. She starred opposite Mahesh Babu in 2011 action comedy Dookudu, which became the highest grossing Telugu film at the time. It was described by the Los Angeles Times as “The biggest hit you’ve never heard of.”
6. In 2012, the popular star suffered a prolonged period of illness, which forced her to take an extended break. The ordeal inspired her to set up a charity supporting women and children.
7. Her film Eega (2012) was shot simultaneously in Tamil and Telugu. Both versions were so successful that the film was later dubbed in Hindi, Chinese and Swahili. It was the first Telugu film widely released in Africa.
8. Remarkably, in 2012, she shot the same romantic drama in three languages simultaneously with three different actors. She starred opposite Jiva in Tamil version Neethaane En Ponvasantham and with Nani in Telugu version Yeto Vellipoyindhi Manasu. A further Hindi version titled Assi Nabbe Poorey Sau opposite Aditya Roy Kapoor was 60 per cent complete, but shelved.
9. At the Filmfare Awards (South) in 2012, she won the Best Actress awards for Tamil and Telugu for her performances in Neethane En Ponvasantham and Eega, respectively. Samantha became the second ever actress to achieve the feat after Revathi had secured both awards in 1992.
10. Her 2013 comedy drama Attarintiki Daredi opposite Pawan Kalyan became the highest grossing Telugu language film of all time when it released.
11. Samantha was diagnosed with diabetes at a young age and later played the role of a diabetic patient in 2013 film Satyamurthy.
12. One mantra she took on board and it helped her was to, not take yourself too seriously and with that regard, she likes people with a good sense of humour.
13. A remake of a 2016 Kannada film of the same name, Samantha’s 2018 thriller U Turn was a film that was shot simultaneously in Tamil and Telugu.
14. The A-list superstar starred in the second (Theri) and third (24) highest grossing Tamil films of 2016. Her release Janatha Garage was the highest grossing Telugu film of that year.
15. Her 2016 Telugu language film A Aa was loosely based on the novel Meena, which was previously adapted as a 1973 movie. She won a number of honours, including Filmfare South Best Actress award.
16. 2017 film Mersal became one of the highest grossing Tamil films in history.
17. Her hit 2018 Tamil film Irumbu Thirai ran for 100 days, and a dubbed Telugu version titled Abhimanyudu was released. A Hindi dubbed version titled The Return of Abhimanyu was also released.
18. Her 2019 hit film Oh Baby is a remake of 2014 South Korean film Miss Granny. A Bollywood and Hollywood remake of the same film are being planned.
19. Her hit 2020 release Jaanu is a Telugu remake of 2018 Tamil film ’96, but Samantha had initially rejected it thinking she wouldn’t be able to do it.
20. Although she made a quick cameo in 2012 film Ekk Deewana Tha, the actress has no intention of making the move to Bollywood despite getting multiple offers over the years and is happy acting in South Indian cinema.
21. Samantha will woo Hindi-speaking audiences in the second season of web serial The Family Man and plays a negative character in it.
22. The actress says she is inspired by late great Hollywood legend Audrey Hepburn.
23. Whenever possible she avoids shooting after 6pm, so she can be home with her husband and have family time.
24. She has starred with all the superstars of South Indian cinema, including doing two or more films with Vijay, Suriya, Dhanush, Jr NTR and Mahesh Babu.
25. The actress is known as Sam, but is also addressed by the name of Yashoda by friends and family.
26. Samantha has a number of tattoos, which includes her husband’s name and one on the wrist of two arrows, which is a Roman symbol meaning ‘create your own reality’.
27. She loves to read and a favourite book is Rhonda Byrne’s bestseller The Secret.
28. London is her most favourite holiday destination.
29. A TV series that was a firm favourite for the actress was The West Wing.
30. She has always been praised for her fashion choices and is most comfortable wearing traditional Indian outfits.
31. Samantha once confessed to having a fear of snakes.
32. She and her husband are a power couple, and have the pet name ChaySam.
33. Samantha only believes in competing with herself and regularly praises fellow stars when they do good performances.
Six appeal
Six super performances of Samantha Akkineni:
Neethaane En Ponvasantham (2012): The Tamil language romantic drama saw her play one half of a couple at different stages of their lives. She played the same role equally well in Telugu romance Yeto Vellipoyindhi Manasu opposite a different leading man.
Eega (2012): One of the most unique films made in India saw Samantha deliver an award-winning performance of a heartbroken woman who teams up with a lost love reincarnated as a housefly, to take revenge on the man who murdered him.
A Aa (2016): The actress won further accolades for her performance in a film that was both a relatable romance and family drama.
Super Deluxe (2019): The multi-layered Tamil drama sees the actress deliver a stand-out performance in an ensemble cast as a cheating wife stuck with a dead body.
Oh, Baby (2019): The hit comedy saw her play a 70-year-old woman who magically turns into a fun-loving 24-year-old.
Jaanu (2020): The Telugu romance is one of the best movies of 2020 and sees Samantha play a woman reunited with a former flame after many years.
A rare display of the aurora borealis was expected over Hertfordshire after a red alert was issued on Friday, 13 June, by space weather experts. The phenomenon, also known as the Northern Lights, is expected to be seen across large parts of the UK if conditions remain clear.
Red alert signals strong aurora activity
AuroraWatch UK, a monitoring service run by Lancaster University’s Space and Planetary Physics group, issued a red alert on Friday morning. According to the service, this means: “It is likely that aurora will be visible by eye and camera from anywhere in the UK.”
— (@)
The alert is based on elevated geomagnetic activity levels, which are often triggered by solar storms interacting with Earth’s magnetic field.
Best time and places to watch
While the exact time of visibility has not been confirmed, previous sightings of the aurora borealis have typically occurred between 11 pm and the early hours of the morning. Experts recommend heading to dark, open spaces away from streetlights for the best chance of witnessing the lights.
What causes the aurora borealis?
The aurora borealis occurs when charged particles from the sun collide with gases in Earth’s atmosphere. Oxygen creates green light, while nitrogen can produce shades of purple, pink, or blue.
Skywatchers are advised to monitor AuroraWatch UK for real-time updates.
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His movements are monitored through a satellite tagging system
The largest adult male great white shark ever recorded in the Atlantic Ocean has been tracked near the coast of North Carolina, according to the marine research group OCEARCH.
The shark, named Contender, measures nearly 14 feet (4.3 metres) in length and weighs an estimated 1,653 pounds (750 kilograms). He is the largest male great white shark tagged by OCEARCH in the Atlantic to date.
Tracking a giant predator
Contender was tagged in January 2025 off the Florida–Georgia coast by OCEARCH, a non-profit organisation that studies marine life such as great white sharks, whales, and sea turtles.
His movements are monitored through a satellite tagging system. A “ping” is recorded whenever Contender’s dorsal fin breaks the surface and a nearby Argos satellite detects the signal.
His most recent ping was on Saturday, 7 JuneOCEARCH
Since being tagged, Contender has been swimming up and down the eastern coastline of the United States. In March, he was detected moving north from Florida. By April, he was pinged near the North and South Carolina border.
His most recent ping was on Saturday, 7 June, approximately 22 miles (35 kilometres) off Cape Hatteras, North Carolina – a region known for its popularity among tourists and as a hotspot for shark activity.
Seasonal migration and shark research
OCEARCH scientists estimate Contender to be about 32 years old, making him a rare specimen among male great white sharks, which typically do not grow as large as females.
He is the largest male great white shark tagged by OCEARCH in the Atlantic to dateOCEARCH
According to the researchers, great white sharks often migrate during spring and early summer in search of cooler waters and more abundant prey.
Contender’s movements and those of other sharks can be followed using the free OCEARCH Global Shark Tracker app, which allows the public to engage with ongoing shark research and marine conservation.
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Chef Sultan Al-Mahmood from the Grande Restaurant in London
It may be an essential life skill, but for many, cooking at home can feel intimidating – especially for beginners.
With the cost-of-living crisis, more people are choosing to prepare their own meals and experiment with dishes in their kitchens. Others, inspired by restaurant dishes, social media trends and the rise in home cooking during Covid-19, are now looking to improve their own culinary skills.
The master chef offers simple, easy tips for making tasty and healthy meals at homeInstagram/ thegrande_stratford
Eastern Eye joined this spicy trend by inviting acclaimed chef Sultan Al-Mahmood from the Grande Restaurant in London to share his expert cooking advice for all abilities.
With more than 30 years of experience – including cooking for celebrities, politicians and the Bangladesh national cricket team, as well as running multiple restaurants – the master chef offers simple, easy tips for making tasty and healthy meals at home.
Basics: Before diving into complex recipes, start by learning fundamental skills like chopping vegetables, boiling food such as pasta, and making simple dishes like omelettes. Also understand what different ingredients – especially spices – do. A solid foundation in the basics will set you up for success with more advanced cooking.
Recipes: One of the most common mistakes is not reading a recipe properly. Always read the full recipe before you begin to ensure you have all the ingredients and tools you need. Then follow the instructions carefully – including timings, portion sizes and temperatures.
Always prioritise safety in the kitchenInstagram/ thegrande_stratford
Plan and prepare: A little planning goes a long way. Have all ingredients ready before you start – this includes cutting, peeling and chopping anything in advance. It will make the cooking process smoother and less stressful.
Organisation: A calm, clean and organised kitchen is far more efficient than a cluttered one. Keep your essential tools within reach, and clean as you go. A tidy workspace not only makes cooking more enjoyable but also means less cleaning up afterwards.
Safety: Always prioritise safety in the kitchen. Use oven mitts for hot dishes, turn pot handles inward, store knives properly and take care when handling hot oil or boiling water. Be mindful of flames and keep children away from potential hazards.
Ingredients: Use fresh, high-quality ingredients whenever possible. Fresh herbs, seasonal produce and good-quality protein-rich foods will elevate the flavour of your dishes and are usually healthier too.
Tools: A workman is only as good as his tools – and the same applies in the kitchen. Invest in good-quality knives, pots and pans. Many people continue using old or worn-out equipment, which can make cooking more difficult. Keep knives sharp for better and safer results.
Spices: Indian cuisine offers a wide variety of spices, yet many people use only a handful. Start learning about the different spices available and how they affect flavour. Gradually incorporate more into your cooking for better depth and variety.
Perfect pans: Avoid overcrowding the pan, as it can affect cooking time, temperature and taste. Always preheat your pan before adding ingredients – it helps prevent sticking and improves results. Heat: Understanding temperature is essential. Know the difference between low, medium and high heat, and learn how to control your oven or hob settings. Heat affects everything from texture to taste.
Avoid overcrowding the panInstagram/ thegrande_stratford
Embrace mistakes: Cooking is a lifelong learning process – even for professionals. Mistakes will happen. Use them as opportunities to improve your skills and confidence in the kitchen.
Get inspired: Social media platforms like Instagram, TikTok and YouTube are full of expert guidance in all cuisines. Use them to expand your knowledge and techniques. Recipe websites and blogs are also helpful learning tools.
Cooking classes: Join a cooking class to learn from experts. The sessions provide hands-on experience, build confidence and are often fun, social environments. There are more classes available now than ever before, including many that are focused on Indian cuisine.
Learn from elders: If classes are not an option, learn from older family members. There is a reason so many people say their parents cook the tastiest food – they have experience and are usually happy to pass it on.
Storage: Proper storage extends the life of both raw ingredients and cooked food. Invest in airtight containers and learn what belongs in each compartment of the fridge or freezer. Good storage habits reduce waste and keep food fresh.
Taste: One of your best cooking tools is your own palate. Taste your food as you cook – it helps you adjust seasoning and prevents surprises when serving. Also get feedback from family and friends to help improve your dishes.
Experiment: Once you are comfortable with the basics, do not be afraid to experiment. Try new flavours, cuisines and techniques. Most importantly, enjoy the process. The more you cook, the more confident you will become.
We often talk about diabetes and menopause as two separate issues. But for many South Asian women in midlife, they collide quietly, invisibly, and with lasting impact.
As we mark Diabetes Awareness Week (10–16 June), it’s time to shine a light on this hidden overlap - and how it disproportionately affects women in our community.
At The Sattva Collective CIC, I work with South Asian women who are often battling low energy, mood changes, increased abdominal fat, and disrupted sleep. These aren’t just symptoms of a busy life - they’re red flags. Often, they’re signs of both perimenopause and early-stage Type 2 diabetes. And unless we start having this conversation more openly, too many women will fall through the cracks.
Why is this happening?
During menopause, oestrogen levels decline. This has a knock-on effect on metabolism, insulin sensitivity, and fat storage - all key players in diabetes risk. Meanwhile, cultural expectations of South Asian women - to keep giving, keep cooking, keep showing up - don’t leave much space for self-care or rest.
Add to this our traditional diets, which often lean heavily on carbs and fried foods, and it’s no surprise that South Asian women are particularly vulnerable.
But many don’t seek help until their health is seriously compromised. Why? Because in our culture, suffering quietly is often seen as strength.
We need to redefine what strength looks like.
True strength is recognising when your body is whispering for help - and responding before it starts screaming.
It’s choosing yourself, even when the world expects you to choose everyone else first.
It’s booking that health check. Asking the difficult questions. Saying no. Resting. Eating for nourishment, not just tradition. And surrounding yourself with women who are also reclaiming their health and their voice.
The South Asian Midlife Reality
Midlife for many of us is a crossroads. Culturally, we’ve been taught to keep going - no matter the cost. But the cost is becoming too high. Type 2 diabetes is preventable. And menopause is manageable. But only if we’re willing to challenge the silence and prioritise our wellbeing.
What you can do today
Don’t ignore symptoms. Tiredness, cravings, or foggy thinking could be more than hormones or stress.
Get screened. Especially if diabetes runs in your family or if you had gestational diabetes.
Eat mindfully. Incorporate fibre-rich vegetables, lentils, and whole grains while reducing sugary and processed foods.
Rebuild rituals. Turn meals, movement and rest into acts of self-respect, not duty.
Join a community. Being with others who understand your journey can be deeply healing.
As South Asian women, we deserve to thrive, not just survive. Let Diabetes Awareness Week be the turning point where we begin to see our health, our hormones, and our future through a lens of compassion and care.
(Kiran Singh is a lifestyle coach and menopause wellness coach. For more information about her work, you can visit kiransinghuk.com)
The Food Standards Agency (FSA) has issued a warning over the safety of certain pistachio-filled chocolate bars known as “Dubai chocolate”, amid growing popularity in the UK. The agency says some rogue imports could pose health risks, especially to those with allergies.
Allergen risk from mislabelled imports
Although many of the products being sold are safe, the FSA has found several chocolate bars that lack proper ingredient labelling or include potentially dangerous additives. The agency said some of these products do not comply with UK food safety standards and may not clearly highlight allergens, which is a legal requirement.
Professor Robin May, the FSA’s chief scientific adviser, said: “The vast majority of food in the UK is safe, but some imported Dubai-style chocolate products don’t meet our standards and could be a food safety risk, especially for consumers with allergies.”
He advised shoppers to stick with “trusted retailers”, such as supermarkets or well-established online sellers, where products are more likely to be made with UK consumers in mind and labelled correctly.
What is Dubai chocolate?
The treat first gained popularity in 2021, when it was created by British-Egyptian entrepreneur Sarah Hamouda in Dubai. The chocolate bar features a filling of pistachio cream, tahini, and knafeh — a traditional Arab dessert made from shredded filo pastry soaked in syrup.
Its rise to fame was fuelled by social media. One video of a food influencer trying the bar went viral on TikTok, gaining more than 100 million views. Since then, the product has become highly sought after across the UK.
Growing demand and pistachio shortage
Dubai chocolate has become so popular that it has been blamed in part for a global shortage of pistachios. The soaring demand has led major brands, including Lindt, and supermarket chains such as Lidl and Waitrose, to release their own versions of the snack.
However, the FSA warns that some bars sold through unverified sellers may be illegal imports, containing unauthorised colourings or ingredients. UK law requires all food sold to include English-language labelling, a full ingredient list, highlighted allergens, and the contact details of the responsible UK or EU-based business.
Ongoing investigation
The FSA is working with local authorities to remove any unsafe products from shelves and is continuing its investigation to understand the scale of the issue. In the meantime, consumers with food allergies or intolerances are urged to only purchase bars clearly intended for UK sale.