Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

Sanjeev Bhaskar: "All groups have a right to be represented" on TV

Sanjeev Bhaskar, who starred in Goodness Gracious Me with his wife Meera Syal, has enjoyed a varied career as a stage and screen actor, writer and producer.

He was awarded an OBE in the 2006 Queen’s New Year’s Honours List for his services to drama.


Bhaskar began writing monologues and sketches as a hobby while working as a marketing manager, before he started performing routines in comedy clubs.

With this year being the 70th anniversary of India’s independence, how significant has the Indian and Pakistani contribution to the arts in Britain been?

It has contributed hugely to the British identity. The most obvious contribution has been in food but there are many people from the subcontinent who have been involved behind the scenes in music, in particular. I don’t think Goodness Gracious Me could have come out of any Asian expat community other than in the UK.

Are we going to see Goodness Gracious Me return any time soon?

I’m not sure about soon but hopefully we will all get together again to do something.

Do you have any projects planned with Meera (Syal) in the near future?

Not in the near future, though we are always looking out for ideas.

You recently made the transition from comedy to drama. What was the biggest challenge with that?

The biggest challenge was other people’s perceptions of what I could do. I don’t approach drama and comedy any differently. One starts with a character and then either funny things or serious things happen to him or her. Comedy is strangely more technical.

Do you think diversity drives by broadcasters to make TV more reflective of society are a good idea?

Not only do I think that it is a good idea, it is the right idea. Diversity in terms of race, gender, age, social background, regions within the UK, etc all reflect the society we live in and all (groups) have a right to be represented.

What is your favourite show on television at the moment?

I’m always slightly behind everyone else, so at the moment I’m enjoying Line of Duty.

What are you reading?

I’ve just listened to the audiobook for Life of Pi, which was great to reacquaint myself with. Also I’m reading How to Stop Time by Matt Haig.

What do you look for in a script?

To be good enough for me to forget I might be in it and to get absorbed like I would in a

book. And then it must have the appearance of a short, middle aged Asian man.

What are you working on next?

I’ve got to complete filming on Paddington 2, in which I have a small role.

There has been a lot of anti-immigrant rhetoric over the past few years. What effect, if any, has this had on you and your family?

To be honest, I grew up with anti-immigrant rhetoric. It’s depressing to realise that it never really went away but I think it’s better to know what the state of play is and deal with that, rather than what might be hidden.

We dealt with it before and we can deal with it again. What got us through it in the past was unity. We have to keep that in mind and not allow other forces to divide us.

More For You

Priyanka Chopra walks brother Siddharth down the aisle, steals the show with dance & big sister energy

Priyanka Chopra brings star power and sisterly love to Siddharth Chopra’s wedding, making it a night of unforgettable celebrations

Getty Images

Priyanka Chopra walks brother Siddharth down the aisle, steals the show with dance & big sister energy

Mumbai was alive with celebration as Priyanka Chopra turned her brother Siddharth Chopra’s wedding into a full-blown star spectacle. The global star didn’t just attend but owned the moment, hyping up the crowd, dancing her heart out, and making sure the festivities were as grand as they were unforgettable.

Dressed in a stunning baby blue lehenga, Priyanka walked her brother down the aisle, turning the emotional moment into a celebration. She hyped up the crowd, encouraging them to cheer louder as she accompanied Siddharth to his bride, Neelam Upadhaya. She was every bit the doting sister, soaking in the joy of the moment. But we know Priyanka isn’t just a responsible sister—she was the life of the party. Earlier, she danced with abandon at Siddharth’s baraat, grooving to Gallan Goodiyan from her 2015 film Dil Dhadakne Do. Her infectious energy truly set the tone for the festivities, showing us that no one throws a celebration quite like the Chopras.

Keep ReadingShow less
Naga Chaitanya reacts to a fan saying he can’t act – Here’s what he had to say!

Naga Chaitanya and Sai Pallavi share a fun moment during their Thandel promotions, leaving fans entertained with their candid interactions

Instagram/chayakkineni

Naga Chaitanya reacts to a fan saying he can’t act – Here’s what he had to say!

Naga Chaitanya, known for his charm and candidness, recently found himself in the spotlight during a fun Q&A session with his Thandel co-star Sai Pallavi. The actor, who is gearing up for the release of his upcoming film, faced a cheeky question from a fan that left everyone laughing.

When Sai Pallavi read out a fan’s question, “Acting epudu nerchukuntav? (When will you learn acting?)” Chaitanya appeared stunned for a brief moment, staring blankly at the camera as if processing the unexpected question. He then responded with a mix of surprise and humour, Epudu nerchukuntav enti? (What do you mean, when will I learn?)”


Instead of getting defensive, the Thandelstar took it in stride and responded with a smile: "Honestly, acting is a continuous process. You never fully learn it; you keep growing with every project. If you think you’ve mastered it, that’s when you stop progressing. So, I’m still learning every single day."

While some appreciated his humility, others found the moment hilarious. Social media was soon buzzing with reactions, with many praising Chaitanya for handling the question with grace rather than taking offence. Some fans even tagged the person who originally asked the question, letting them know their comment had made its way to the actor.

This isn’t the first time Chaitanya has addressed criticism. In a recent interview, he opened up about dealing with trolls, admitting that while it bothered him early in his career, he has learnt to ignore the noise. “Clarifying things only leads to more drama. It’s a vicious cycle,” he said, adding that he now focuses on his work rather than responding to negativity.

Chaitanya’s upcoming film, Thandel, marks his third collaboration with director Chandoo Mondeti and his second pairing with Sai Pallavi after their hit film Love story. The survival drama, set to release on February 7, has already generated buzz, with fans eagerly waiting to see the duo’s chemistry on screen once again.

Having faced a mixed bag of box office results in recent years, Thandel is a crucial release for Chaitanya. Fans are eager to see if this film will mark a new chapter in his career and whether his continuous learning process pays off on the big screen.

'Buffy the Vampire Slayer' revival confirmed: Sarah Michelle Gellar returns for a new era

Sarah Michelle Gellar returns to the Buffyverse as a mentor in the upcoming revival of Buffy the Vampire Slayer

Getty Images

'Buffy the Vampire Slayer' revival confirmed: Sarah Michelle Gellar returns for a new era

Sarah Michelle Gellar has finally answered the call of Buffy the Vampire Slayer fans and it’s about time. After years of “will they, won’t they” rumours, she’s confirmed that a revival is officially happening. “I’ve always heard the fans,” she said, making it clear she wouldn’t come back unless it felt right. Now, with a fresh twist on the Slayer story and a killer creative team, the project is moving forward, and fans are already dusting off their stakes in excitement.

The idea for the revival started three years ago when producer Gail Berman set up what was supposed to be a quick coffee chat between Gellar and Oscar-winning director Chloé Zhao. What was meant to be 20 minutes turned into a four-hour conversation about Buffy’s legacy and why it still matters. At first, Gellar wasn’t sold on the idea, but as talks continued with Zhao and writers Nora and Lilla Zuckerman, she started to see the potential.

Keep ReadingShow less
Netflix raises UK subscription prices

Netflix raises UK subscription prices, leaving many users questioning its value

iStock

Netflix prices are rising again – Why it’s happening and the best budget-friendly alternatives!

Netflix subscribers in the UK will once again pay more as the streaming giant quietly rolls out its latest price hike. The updated pricing structure affects both new and existing users, following similar increases in the US and other countries. While Netflix continues to dominate the streaming market, the rising costs leave many wondering if the service still offers the best value for money.

New Netflix Prices in the UK

  • Standard Plan : Now costs £12.99 per month, an increase of £2.
  • Premium Plan : Increased by £1, now priced at £18.99 per month.
  • Ad-Supported Plan : Now costs £5.99, up by £1.
  • Extra Member Add-on : Increased from £4.99 to £5.99.
  • Ad-Supported Extra Member : Increased from £3.99 to £4.99.
The changes are already in effect for new users, while existing subscribers will see the higher fees in their next billing cycle. Netflix has assured that customers will receive an email notification before the price increase takes effect.



Why is Netflix Raising Prices Again?
Netflix says the price hike is necessary to invest in high-quality content. A spokesperson for the company stated, "As we continue to invest in programming and deliver more value for our members, we will occasionally ask them to pay a little more so that we can reinvest to further improve Netflix."

Keep ReadingShow less
After Squid Game S2, these K-dramas are set to take over the world

K-dramas continue to dominate global entertainment, with new hits on the horizon after the success of Squid Game

Instagram

After Squid Game S2, these K-dramas are set to take over the world

In a world where entertainment often feels like a revolving door of reboots and remakes, Korean dramas aka K-dramas have emerged as a breath of fresh air, in fact, irresistibly addictive air. What started as a regional fascination has now exploded into a global phenomenon, with shows like Squid Game and The Glory not just breaking records but boundaries as well. And now, in 2025, the highly anticipated Squid Game Season 3 is set to conclude the saga, with creator Hwang Dong-hyuk teasing a “crazy, crazy, crazy” finale.

But while Squid Game may have kicked open the doors, K-dramas have certainly wasted no time in breaking genre moulds, with new releases just proving the industry’s ability to just evolve and dominate.

Keep ReadingShow less