NOW that the BBC is going to screen an eight-part television drama on Indian origin serial killer Charles Sobhraj, the writer Farrukh Dhondy has spoken to Eastern Eye about the man that he got to know.
It was not so much a friendship as an “acquaintanceship” during the years 1984 to 1997 when Dhondy was commissioning editor for multicultural programmes at Channel 4 and had to “sup” with all manners of people as part of his job.
Dhondy quite rightly spotted that Sobhraj’s life was made for television. The problem, then as now, was to sift fact from fiction. In the end, Dhondy fictionalised all the information he had collected into a novel, The Bikini Murders. There was a time when Sobhraj was called “the Bikini Killer” because of the attire of one of his many victims.
The BBC drama is called The Serpent after one of the nicknames Sobhraj was given to reflect his treacherous character and his ability to slip away.
Sobhraj, who was locked up in Tihar Jail in Delhi from 1976 to 1997, has been described variously as a thief, fraudster, psychopath, and as someone who was “devilishly handsome” with a “cunning and cultured personality” but who “used his attractiveness to his advantage in his criminal career”.
So, what was Sobhraj like? Was he really a serial killer?
“My acquaintance with him began after he was released,” recalled Dhondy. “My book, The Bikini Murders, is based on that period with flashbacks to his murderous past. There is a lot of interest in that period.”
Sobhraj, now 75 and in poor health, “is in jail for life in Kathmandu for, I believe, two murders in the 1970s,” he said.
As for being a serial killer, Dhondy pointed out that Sobhraj “was convicted of serial murders in Thailand so, yes, he is a convicted serial killer.”
Dhondy, who got to him as well as any journalist can, added: “He struck me as an existential character who did not distinguish between right and wrong and lived with a startling amount of selfishness and self-preservation. No one else mattered.”
Sobhraj was born Hatchand Bhaonani Gurumukh Charles Sobhraj on April 6, 1944 in Saigon to a Sindhi father, Sobhraj Hatchand Bhaonani, and a Vietnamese woman, Tran Loang Phun. But, after his parents split up, he was adopted by his mother’s new boyfriend, a French army lieutenant stationed in French Indochina, and brought up in Paris, where he began his life of crime at an early age.
The BBC, which has made the drama in a co-production with Netflix – as it did with Dracula – sums up: “Charles Sobhraj was the chief suspect in the unsolved murders of up to 20 young western travellers across India, Thailand and Nepal through 1975 and 1976. A master of disguise, having slipped repeatedly from the grasp of authorities worldwide, by 1976 Sobhraj was Interpol’s most wanted man and had arrest warrants on three different continents.”
“Inspired by real events, The Serpent tells the remarkable story of how Sobhraj was captured,” the BBC reveals.
Sobhraj will be played by the internationally renowned Tahar Rahim, who was cast in The Looming Tower, a drama about the Al Qaeda attack on the World Trade Centre, as Ali Soufan, a Muslim Lebanese-American FBI agent.
In 2010, Rahim attracted attention in Cannes in Jacques Audiard’s A Prophet in which he played a young French man of Algerian descent, sentenced to six years in prison for attacking police officers. “I am thrilled to play Charles Sobhraj in The Serpent, a role I have dreamed of portraying since I read a book about him when I was 17,” said Rahim, who has been made up to look uncannily like Sobhraj did during the latter’s court appearances in India over 40 years ago.
Jenna Coleman, best known in Britain for playing Queen Victoria and being an assistant to Dr Who, looks unrecognisable and chilling even playing the role of MarieAndrée Leclerc, Sobhraj’s partner in crime.
She said the story “intoxicated me into the dark, seductive world of Charles Sobhraj”, adding: “I’m looking forward to delving into hippie trail depths and bringing to life this unfathomable story.”
Sobhraj was tracked by Herman Knippenberg, a junior diplomat at the Dutch Embassy in Bangkok who is played by Billy Howle, while Ellie Bamber is cast as his wife.
The magazine GQ published an in-depth piece on Sobhraj, written by Andrew Anthony who interviewed the master criminal, first in Paris, after his release from Tihar in 1997 and then in prison in Kathmandu in 2014.
Anthony, a British journalist, described his quarry as “quite possibly the most disarming serial killer in criminal history” and “a narcissistic pedlar of fantasies”.
He said: “Back in the 1970s, Sobhraj murdered at least 10 people, mostly western travellers along the Asian hippie trail. Some estimates number his victims as high as 24.
“In those days, visitors entered and left countries like Thailand, Hong Kong and Nepal with minimum official processing. Young idealists, trusting backpackers and hash-smoking stoners were looking to get lost, and Sobhraj made sure some of them were never found.
“He was a charismatic figure, fluent in several languages, and finely tuned to what budget travellers wanted.
“He would befriend them, advise them on where to eat and how to buy gemstones, sometimes put them up at the Bangkok apartment he shared with his French-Canadian girlfriend, and then kill them. He killed them by first drugging their drinks and then stabbing or choking them. Sometimes he would complete the murder by setting the body on fire – in more than one case, investigators found that the victim was not dead when he or she was set alight. He became known as the ‘Bikini Killer’ after the swimsuit one of his victims was wearing when she was discovered.
“Afterwards, he would steal their belongings and identities, often travelling the world on their passports and money. Like some bizarre real-life combination of Patricia Highsmith’s Tom Ripley and Thomas Harris’s Hannibal Lecter, he was handsome, charming and utterly without scruple. And such was the richly implausible nature of his exploits that Sobhraj generated his own impressive literary testaments.
“Richard Neville, the celebrated chronicler of the 60s counterculture, drew an extended taped confession from Sobhraj in The Life and Crimes of CharlesSobhraj – later renamed The Shadow of the Cobra. The book was published in 1979.”
According to Dhondy, the BBC drama takes its line from the Neville book.
Mia Regan, Romeo Beckham, Cruz Beckham, Harper Beckham, David Beckham, Victoria Beckham, Brooklyn Peltz Beckham and Nicola Peltz Beckham attend the Netflix 'Beckham' UK Premiere
Brooklyn Beckham is unlikely to attend Harper’s 14th birthday amid ongoing family tensions.
He recently skipped David Beckham’s 50th celebration to attend Nicola Peltz’s father’s birthday in the US.
Insiders say Harper is especially hurt as she shares a close bond with Brooklyn.
Brooklyn reportedly feels distant from the Beckham family and more connected to Nicola’s side.
The Beckham family is preparing to mark Harper’s 14th birthday this week, but the occasion is expected to be bittersweet. Brooklyn Beckham is not expected to join the celebrations, sparking concerns about a deepening rift between him and the rest of his family.
Once a close-knit unit, tensions reportedly began brewing after Brooklyn married American heiress and actress Nicola Peltz in 2022. Since then, his growing bond with Nicola’s family and increasing distance from his own has been a source of strain, insiders claim.
An old Instagram story of Victoria BeckhamInstagram Screengrab
Harper Beckham affected by Brooklyn’s absence
Among those most affected by Brooklyn’s ongoing estrangement is his youngest sibling, Harper. According to a source close to the family, the two shared a special relationship growing up, with Harper often looking up to Brooklyn as more than just a big brother.
“Harper’s really felt the shift,” the insider said. “She’s always adored Brooklyn. The family hoped Nicola would naturally bond with Harper too, but it hasn’t worked out that way. Now, the thought of Brooklyn missing her birthday is genuinely upsetting for Harper.”
David Beckham, Victoria Beckham and Brooklyn Beckham attend the Louis Vuitton Menswear Fall/Winter 2018-2019 showGetty Images
Prioritising the Peltz family over Beckham milestones
Brooklyn’s decision to attend the 83rd birthday celebration of Nicola’s billionaire father, Nelson Peltz, instead of joining his father David’s 50th birthday bash in London raised eyebrows and stirred speculation. While Victoria and David celebrated with close friends like Tom Cruise, Eva Longoria, and Guy Ritchie, Brooklyn was thousands of miles away in New York, posing for photos with Nicola and her father.
Nicola posted a heartfelt tribute to her dad on Instagram, calling him “the most loving and supportive father,” in a post that made no mention of the Beckhams. That same month, Brooklyn also marked the fifth anniversary of his proposal to Nicola, again with no public nod to his own family.
Victoria and David still hopeful for reconciliation
While David and Victoria are reportedly hurt, they have not given up hope of a reunion. They are said to be especially saddened by the emotional toll the situation is taking on Harper. “For Victoria, it’s not even about the drama anymore, it’s about family,” the source added. “She’d love nothing more than for Brooklyn to be there for Harper. But it’s just not looking likely.”
Past efforts to bring the family back together have faltered. Brooklyn and Nicola have missed several key family gatherings, and his absence on social media during those occasions has not gone unnoticed.
Brooklyn feels he ‘doesn’t fit’ with the Beckhams anymore
Sources close to Brooklyn suggest his growing alignment with Nicola’s family is not just about proximity but emotional comfort. “He doesn’t feel his family ever truly accepted Nicola,” one insider said. “Now that he’s become so close with her parents, especially Nelson, it’s like he’s found a new place to belong.”
Brooklyn Beckham and Nicola Peltz attend the Mugler Womenswear Fall/Winter 2024-2025 show Getty Images
The source added that Brooklyn did not set out to distance himself, but that marriage changed his priorities. “He still loves his siblings, but he’s a husband now, and that comes first.”
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Cardi B poses with a live crow outside the Petit Palais in Paris
Cardi B appeared at Schiaparelli’s Autumn 2025 couture show in Paris holding a live crow on her arm.
Her dramatic black gown was designed by Daniel Roseberry, Schiaparelli’s creative director.
The surreal look paid tribute to Elsa Schiaparelli’s legacy of theatrical, boundary-pushing fashion.
The show marked a shift in Roseberry’s aesthetic, away from corsetry towards freer silhouettes.
Paris Couture Week opened on a dramatic note this year as Cardi B made a startling entrance at the Petit Palais wearing a black Schiaparelli gown, with a live crow perched on her arm. The rapper’s appearance outside the venue sent photographers scrambling as the bird flapped and squawked, setting the tone for a show rooted in tension, elegance, and surrealism.
The outfit, crafted by Daniel Roseberry for Schiaparelli’s Autumn 2025 collection, featured graphic fringe and a towering beaded neckline. But it was the crow, alive, glaring, and restless, that stole the spotlight, embodying the fashion house’s long-standing obsession with the unexpected.
The rapper wears a custom black Schiaparelli gown with graphic fringeInstagram Screengrab/lamodemagazine__
Schiaparelli’s black-and-white show channels wartime escape
Daniel Roseberry’s collection wasn’t just about visual shock; it was grounded in history. He revealed that the show’s core inspiration came from a pivotal moment in 1940 when founder Elsa Schiaparelli fled Nazi-occupied Paris for New York. Presented entirely in black and white, the designs rejected colour in favour of texture and silhouette. There were sweeping gowns, sharply tailored jackets, and kinetic details like fluttering antique ribbons.
Roseberry softens past silhouettes in evolution of couture
For several seasons, Schiaparelli had leaned heavily on exaggerated corsetry and hyper-stylised silhouettes. But this time, Roseberry stepped away from constrictive forms, embracing movement and elasticity instead. The change didn’t abandon the house’s legacy; it evolved it.
He explored sculptural tailoring and architectural draping without sacrificing comfort. Dresses curved like metallic sculptures, while others rippled with unexpected softness. It was a visual and conceptual shift that resonated with Schiaparelli’s ethos: fashion as fantasy, but not without feeling.
A decade after relaunch, Schiaparelli still thrives on surprise
Since its revival ten years ago, Schiaparelli has become a fixture on red carpets and carved out commercial space in a notoriously unstable couture market. But it remains a house driven by risk. The crow, flapping and unpredictable, wasn’t just a gimmick; it was a signal that Schiaparelli still knows how to stir conversation.
The show’s setting, the Petit Palais, also featured a timely exhibit on Charles Worth, the British designer widely credited with creating modern haute couture. That parallel between the origins of the craft and its avant-garde future gave the moment added weight.
Outside of fashion, Cardi B’s personal life remains a topic of fan speculation. While she recently went Instagram-official with NFL star Stefon Diggs, followers have noticed she’s deleted photos of them. Diggs also removed a recent post featuring Cardi, though older ones remain. Both still follow each other on Instagram, leaving fans to wonder if the relationship is over or simply on pause. Cardi hasn’t publicly addressed the status of the romance.
Cardi B and Stefon Diggs cozy up on a yacht during Memorial Day weekend in Miami Instagram/iamcardib
With her upcoming album Am I the Drama? set for release on 19 September, some believe she’s focusing on her music. Until then, moments like her crow-clad appearance ensure she stays at the centre of pop culture’s most unpredictable intersections.
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Kareena Kapoor joins growing criticism of Prada’s uncredited use of Indian design
Kareena Kapoor posted a cheeky Instagram Story flaunting Kolhapuri chappals, saying, “Sorry not Prada... but my OG Kolhapuri.”
Her post follows outrage over Prada’s ‘toe-ring sandals’ resembling the Indian Kolhapuri design.
A PIL has been filed in the Bombay High Court against Prada for unauthorised use of the Kolhapuri style without credit.
Prada acknowledged the inspiration and agreed to meet Indian artisans for dialogue.
Kareena Kapoor took a subtle yet sharp swipe at luxury fashion label Prada amid growing controversy around its recently launched ‘toe-ring sandals’, a design that closely mirrors India’s traditional Kolhapuri chappals. Without naming the brand, Kareena shared a photo of her feet in silver Kolhapuri slippers during her London vacation and captioned it: “Sorry not Prada... but my OG Kolhapuri ❤️.”
The actor’s post struck a chord with many online, surfacing just days after Prada came under fire for allegedly copying the Kolhapuri design without acknowledgment.
Kareena Kapoor’s Instagram story adds to outrage over copied Indian footwearGetty Images
Kareena Kapoor’s post adds star power to cultural debate
The Singham Again star’s Instagram Story went viral, especially because it appeared to be a quiet yet firm statement against cultural appropriation. In her photo, she kept her face out of the frame and focused entirely on the chappals, which had a metallic finish.
While Kareena didn’t directly name Prada, the timing and wording made her intent obvious. Her post came amid mounting anger over the Italian fashion house’s alleged failure to credit Indian artisans for the traditional design showcased at the Prada Men’s Spring/Summer 2026 show in Milan.
Kareena Kapoor flaunts her Kolhapuri chappals in a vacation photoInstagram screengrab/ kareenakapoorkhan
Public interest litigation filed in Bombay High Court
The controversy took a legal turn when a group of lawyers specialising in intellectual property filed a public interest litigation (PIL) in the Bombay High Court. Led by Advocate Ganesh S Hingmire, the petition accused Prada of unauthorised commercialisation of the GI-tagged Kolhapuri chappal design.
The plea demands that Prada and its Indian subsidiary issue a public apology, acknowledge the cultural origins of the design, and commit to avoiding uncredited use of any future GI-tagged products. The petition also seeks financial compensation for the artisan communities whose work was allegedly used without permission.
Kolhapuri chappals have been crafted for centuries and received GI tag in 2019 iStock
Prada admits ‘inspiration’ and plans dialogue with Indian artisans
Following the backlash, Prada issued a statement acknowledging that the sandals featured in their collection were “inspired by traditional Indian handcrafted footwear with a centuries-old heritage.” Lorenzo Bertelli, the group’s Head of Corporate Social Responsibility, said the brand would initiate dialogue with artisans through a virtual meeting set for 11 July.
The meeting will include members of the Maharashtra Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture (MACCIA), who are advocating on behalf of local artisans. There are discussions underway about a possible collaboration aimed at bringing the Kolhapuri craft to the global market with proper recognition and benefit to Indian creators.
Kareena isn’t the only celebrity calling out the fashion giant. Veteran actor Neena Gupta also weighed in with a video of her own cherished pair of Kolhapuri chappals, gifted by late actor Laxmikant Berde. In her caption, she quipped, “Real toh real hota hai,” reinforcing the sentiment that authenticity can’t be faked or rebranded.
All these posts reflect a growing call to credit Indian craftsmanship appropriately, especially as global brands often borrow from regional traditions without proper recognition or benefits to local communities.
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Garfield and Barbaro twin in Ralph Lauren for their most public appearance yet
Andrew Garfield and Monica Barbaro stepped out in matching Ralph Lauren looks at Wimbledon 2025.
The couple shared affectionate moments courtside, including hand-holding and a cheek kiss.
They were first linked romantically in February after being spotted at a London play.
The pair may reunite on screen in Luca Guadagnino’s upcoming film Artificial.
Andrew Garfield and Monica Barbaro made their most public appearance yet as a couple on Sunday, arriving hand-in-hand at Wimbledon 2025 in coordinated white ensembles and sharing subtle yet sweet moments of affection. The actors, who were first rumoured to be dating in February, looked completely in sync as they entered the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on 6 July. Dressed in matching Ralph Lauren outfits, the two smiled for cameras and appeared relaxed throughout the day.
Andrew Garfield and Monica Barbaro arrive hand in hand at Wimbledon in all whiteInstagram/voguemagazine
Stylish Wimbledon appearance draws attention
Garfield, known for The Amazing Spider-Man, and Top Gun: Maverick star Barbaro sat near Maude Apatow, Charithra Chandran, and Matthew Broome in the VIP area. Fans and onlookers caught glimpses of the pair laughing, chatting, and sharing a quiet kiss on the cheek, a rare public display from Garfield, who’s known for fiercely guarding his privacy.
While they’ve been spotted together multiple times since February, including Hollywood events and casual outings, Wimbledon marked the first time they appeared to fully embrace their couple status in front of the public eye.
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Romance rumours started earlier this year
The two were first linked after attending a theatre performance in London in February. A source later confirmed to People that they were indeed dating. Since then, they’ve kept their relationship largely under wraps, choosing not to comment publicly. In May, speculation intensified after both attended events in New York around the same time. While Barbaro walked the Met Gala red carpet solo, Garfield was reportedly waiting for her at The Mark Hotel nearby.
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Possible on-screen collaboration in Artificial
Adding to the buzz, Deadline recently reported that Garfield and Barbaro are in talks to star together in Artificial, a new film by Challengers director Luca Guadagnino. When asked about the project during the premiere of her Netflix action-comedy series FUBAR in June, Barbaro stayed tight-lipped but called Guadagnino “one of my favourite directors.”
Pressed specifically about working with Garfield, she laughed and added, “I’m excited to work with the whole cast. It’s going to be a great time.” The statement, while vague, only fuelled anticipation for a joint screen appearance.
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Garfield maintains stance on privacy
Despite the public display at Wimbledon, Garfield has consistently drawn boundaries around his personal life. In a 2024 interview, the Oscar-nominated actor reiterated his stance, saying, “I have never, and I won’t ever, speak about or confirm or deny anything about my personal life with anyone, ever.”
He echoed the same sentiment in a 2021 interview, where he spoke about protecting his “right to be ordinary… to get it wrong, to be stupid, to be a person.”
The Hollywood pair appear relaxed and close at Wimbledon 2025Instagram/voguemagazine
What’s next for the couple?
While the Wimbledon appearance suggests Garfield and Barbaro are growing more comfortable being seen together, they’re keeping things on their terms. Professionally, both have packed schedules. Garfield is set to return to the screen in After the Hunt, which hits cinemas on 10 October. Meanwhile, Barbaro will appear in the crime thriller Crime 101 alongside Chris Hemsworth and Mark Ruffalo, slated for release in February 2026.
Whether or not Artificial brings the real-life couple together on screen remains to be seen. But for now, Wimbledon has served as their soft launch, and fans are here for it.
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Rishab Shetty battles through flames in new Kantara Chapter 1 poster
Kantara: Chapter 1, the much-awaited prequel to the 2022 blockbuster, releases in cinemas on 2 October 2025.
Poster unveiled on Rishab Shetty’s 42nd birthday shows him in an intense warrior avatar.
The film explores the divine origins of Panjurli and Guliga, expanding the Kantara mythology.
Massive action sequences filmed with 3,000 participants over 50 days make it one of India’s biggest productions.
Rishab Shetty gave fans a fierce first glimpse into Kantara: Chapter 1 on his 42nd birthday, unveiling a new poster that shows him in full warrior mode. The upcoming prequel to the 2022 Kannada hit Kantara is now officially set to release on 2 October 2025. Directed and headlined once again by Shetty, the film is expected to dive deep into the spiritual and mythological roots of the original story.
Shetty returns to direct and lead the Kantara prequel
Following the resounding success of Kantara, Rishab Shetty returns to both direct and star in the film’s prequel. Titled Kantara: Chapter 1, the film will trace the origin story of the forest deity Panjurli and its protector Guliga, diving into the lore that shaped the mystical world introduced in the original. The new poster shows Shetty charging through fire, shield pierced with arrows, eyes blazing, and axe in hand, a visual that has already sparked frenzied reactions online.
Fans have flooded social media with praise and speculation, with hashtags like #KantaraChapter1 trending across platforms. Many described the poster as “goosebump-inducing,” while others celebrated Shetty’s birthday by calling him “the pride of Kannada cinema.”
Kantara poster (Image Source: X) Print-160
Massive battle sequence shot with 3,000 people
The makers have spared no effort in scaling up the cinematic experience. One of the biggest highlights of Kantara: Chapter 1 is an elaborate war sequence shot over 45–50 days on a 25-acre set. The sequence involved more than 500 trained fighters and over 3,000 participants, making it one of the most ambitious action scenes ever filmed in Indian cinema. Both Indian and international stunt experts collaborated on the project, ensuring the sequence lives up to the mythology it portrays.
Todor Lazarov, who choreographed action scenes in RRR, has been roped in to design the stunts. The crew, however, faced challenges during production, including accidents, floods, and even the tragic deaths of two cast members, Kalabhavan Niju and Rakesh Poojary, due to health issues earlier this year.
Hombale Films announces multilingual global release
Produced by Vijay Kiragandur under the Hombale Films banner, the studio behind hits like KGF and Salaar, Kantara: Chapter 1 will release in seven languages: Kannada, Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Bengali, and English. The team is aiming for a global reach, banking on the spiritual intensity and regional depth that made the first film a crossover success.
The original Kantara won multiple awards, including National Awards for Best Actor and Best Sound Design. It was praised for its storytelling rooted in coastal Karnataka’s Bhoota Kola tradition. The prequel promises to build on that legacy with even greater visual ambition and cultural depth.
While detailed plot points are under wraps, Kantara: Chapter 1 will focus on the spiritual foundations of the first film’s mythology. The teaser and trailer are expected to drop later this year, and with fans already counting down to the 2 October release, anticipation is sky-high.
The film’s music is composed by B. Ajaneesh Loknath, and cinematography is by Arvind S. Kashyap. Actor Jisshu Sengupta also joins the cast in a pivotal role. With its mix of mysticism, action, and cultural storytelling, Kantara: Chapter 1 is poised to be one of the most awaited films of 2025.