Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

Sonu Sood crowned top global Asian celebrity for 2020

INDIAN actor Sonu Sood, who won praise for his charitable work helping migrant workers in India during the pandemic, has been named the number one Asian celebrity for 2020.

The talented Bollywood star beat off tough global competition to top the first ever 50 Asian Celebrities in the World list, published by Eastern Eye.


Sood was crowned the winner for his inspiring philanthropic work throughout the Covid-19 pandemic.

“Thank you, Eastern Eye, for recognising my efforts,” he said. “As the pandemic broke, I realised it was my duty to help my countrymen; it was an instinct that came from within.

“Eventually, this was something I came to Mumbai for, it was my responsibility as an Indian which I did. I won't stop till my last breath.”

The top 50 list recognises Asian stars who shone the brightest in 2020 and acknowledges those who did good work, made a positive impact, broke boundaries, shattered glass ceilings, inspired hope or carried out admirable philanthropic deeds.

Users of social media also nominated their favourite stars of the year.

Eastern Eye entertainment editor Asjad Nazir, who put together the list, said no other celebrity did more to help others during lockdown than Sood.

“What started off with the big-hearted Bollywood star helping impoverished migrant workers stranded by lockdown get back home evolved into a spectacularly philanthropic mission that made a difference to so many during the pandemic,” said Nazir.

“Whether it was paying for surgeries, donating food, setting up scholarships, campaigning for women’s rights, or buying a new tractor for a farmer, so his daughters could study and not plough a field, super Sonu helped in countless ways in 2020.”

Canadian YouTuber, social media star, comedian and TV personality Lilly Singh came in second for her pathbreaking journey, remarkable output and entertaining audiences most when they needed it.

British Indian pop superstar Charli XCX was ranked third for creating her masterpiece Mercury Music Prize nominated album How I Am Feeling Now, entirely during lockdown and British Asian actor Dev Patel was fourth for his glass-ceiling shattering, colour-blind lead roles in The Personal History of David Copperfield and The Green Knight.

Indian singer Armaan Malik was placed fifth for his musical output that included barrier breaking English language songs.

Sixth placed Priyanka Chopra Jonas continued being the most famous Indian star on the planet.

The rest of the top 10 are Indian actor Prabhas (7), Indian American writer, actress, director and mother of two Mindy Kaling (8), highest placed Indian TV star Surbhi Chandna (9) and Pakistan-born Hollywood heavyweight Kumail Nanjiani (10).

“Whether it was philanthropy, breaking boundaries, inspiring others, trending across social media, crossing new frontiers, creating really great work or inspiring a new generation, many south Asian stars shone brightly and became beacons of hope, during a crushing year when it was needed more than ever. They are celebrated in this list,” said Nazir.

The youngest in the list is 18-year-old Canadian newcomer Maitreyi Ramakrishnan (22), who starred in successful Netflix series Never Have I Ever.

The oldest is 78-year-old Bollywood legend Amitabh Bachchan (20), who once again did great work on film and TV, helped humanitarian causes, beat Covid-19 after contracting it and carried on destroying ageism. The highest placed author is the Booker Prize nominated Avni Doshi (31).

The highest placed Pakistani is Sarwat Gilani (21) and the highest ranked Bangladeshi is the country’s first comic icon and social media influencer Raba Khan (27).

Others in the list include Ayushmann Khurrana (11), Geraldine Viswanathan (13), Diljit Dosanjh (14), Shehnaaz Gill (16), Jameela Jamil (18), Pankaj Tripathi (23), Asim Riaz (25), Masaba Gupta (32), Saloni Gaur (36), Steel Banglez (37), Dhvani Bhanushali (42), Iman Vellani (44), Helly Shah (47) and Anoushka Shankar (50).

The full list is published in Eastern Eye newspaper on December 11.

More For You

Air India

The airline said the aircraft landed safely and was being inspected 'as a matter of abundant precaution'.

Getty

Delhi-bound Air India Dreamliner returns to Hong Kong mid-air due to technical issue

AN AIR INDIA Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner flying from Hong Kong to New Delhi returned to Hong Kong shortly after takeoff on Monday due to a suspected technical issue.

This incident comes days after an Air India flight to London, also a Boeing 787-8, crashed in Ahmedabad just after takeoff, killing 241 of the 242 people on board.

Keep ReadingShow less
Starmer-Getty

Starmer said earlier on Sunday that he had dropped his initial opposition to a national inquiry in favour of one being led by Louise Casey, a member of the parliament’s upper house. (Photo: Getty Images)

Getty Images

Police crackdown on grooming gangs following national inquiry announcement

AUTHORITIES have announced a nationwide police operation targeting grooming gangs suspected of sexually exploiting thousands of girls and young women over several decades.

The announcement came hours after prime minister Keir Starmer said a national inquiry would be launched into the scandal, which recently drew attention from Elon Musk.

Keep ReadingShow less
Siddhashram leads interfaith tribute to Ahmedabad plane crash victims

Gareth Thomas MP

Siddhashram leads interfaith tribute to Ahmedabad plane crash victims

Mahesh Liloriya

In the wake of the tragic plane crash in Ahmedabad on June 12, London came together in an emotional outpouring of grief and unity at the Siddhashram Shakti Centre in Harrow. Over two solemn days, the revered spiritual haven hosted a series of powerful ceremonies led by His Holiness Rajrajeshwar Guruji, drawing together faith leaders, public figures, and residents from across communities.

On the day of the tragedy, Guruji led a spiritually charged recitation of the Hanuman Chalisa 12 times, joined by a team of spiritual practitioners from India. The prayer created a deep atmosphere of collective mourning and healing.

Keep ReadingShow less
Iran-Israel-war

Smoke billows for the second day from the Shahran oil depot, northwest of Tehran, on June 16, 2025. (Photo: Getty Images)

Getty Images

India moves students to safety in Iran as Israel-Iran conflict escalates

INDIA has moved some of its citizens, including students, to safer locations in Iran following days of deadly Israeli strikes. The Indian embassy in Tehran is monitoring the situation and coordinating with local authorities to help Indian nationals amid the ongoing conflict between Iran and Israel.

"The Indian embassy in Tehran is continuously monitoring the security situation and engaging Indian students in Iran to ensure their safety," said a statement from the ministry of external affairs. "In some cases, students are being relocated with (the) embassy's facilitation to safer places within Iran."

Keep ReadingShow less