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.
Vidya Balan debuts a bold new look for The Peacock Magazine’s July cover.
The actor's transformation has received both praise and criticism online.
Some fans hailed it as a refreshing style change; others questioned the shift from her past body positivity stance.
The shoot comes on the heels of Vidya’s recent film success in Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3.
Bollywood actor Vidya Balan has sparked a flurry of reactions online after her striking new avatar on the cover of The Peacock Magazine’s July 2025 edition. Known for championing traditional handloom saris and body positivity, the 46-year-old’s dramatic transformation, complete with a bold pink sequin dress and short, styled hair, has left the internet dazzled.
The look, part of a cover story titled A Force to Reckon With, was shared on 14 July by the magazine and Balan herself. It marks a significant departure from her signature earthy elegance and instead leans into high-fashion glamour.
Vidya Balan sets internet abuzz with glam makeover as few fans question her weight loss journeyInstagram/thepeacockmagazine
The Peacock cover that turned heads
Styled in a flamingo pink ombré gown covered in sequins, Balan paired the ensemble with a feather-trimmed stole and statement jewellery. Her newly cropped hair, styled in a sleek bob with soft waves and blonde highlights, added to the overall transformation. The makeup was equally polished: glossy mauve lips, shimmered eyelids, and highlighter-accented cheekbones.
While some fans celebrated the fresh styling, many were simply shocked by the actor’s appearance. “She looks stunning, finally styled the way she deserves,” read one popular comment. Another added, “This look gives serious movie star energy, we need more of this from her.”
Vidya Balan’s high-glam cover sparks praise and pushback over evolving beauty standardsInstagram/thepeacockmagazine
Praise and backlash over her weight loss
But it wasn’t all praise. A small section of social media questioned the actor’s visible weight loss, especially in light of her past interviews where she openly criticised the industry’s obsession with size and looks.
Comments poured in expressing concern. “Didn’t she once say women shouldn’t have to shrink themselves to be accepted? What happened to that?” one Reddit user asked. Others accused her of abandoning her earlier message of embracing natural bodies. “It’s her choice, but when you become a symbol of body positivity, the expectations change,” one tweet read.
The debate brings back conversations around the pressure on public figures, especially women, to constantly evolve, often in response to the industry’s narrow beauty standards.
Fans compare Vidya’s latest shoot to her past saree-clad appearancesGetty Images
How Vidya explained her weight transformation
In an earlier interview, Vidya Balan had spoken candidly about her weight journey. She clarified that her weight loss wasn’t the result of intense gym routines but rather due to treating an underlying inflammation through dietary changes. “I realised I wasn’t just carrying fat; it was inflammation,” she had said.
Still, the timing of the transformation, paired with the glam-heavy shoot, has prompted questions about whether public figures can maintain a consistent message on body image while navigating an industry known for its harsh scrutiny.
Vidya Balan’s glam transformation for Peacock Magazine sparks online debate over body imageGetty Images
A strong year on the professional front
While the online chatter continues, Balan’s professional graph remains strong. She was recently seen in Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3, alongside Kartik Aaryan and Madhuri Dixit, which grossed over £38 million (₹400 crore) at the box office. Her performance in the romantic comedy Do Aur Do Pyaar also earned critical acclaim.
As The Peacock Magazine features her as a cinematic force who continues to shape mainstream Bollywood, the larger question remains: can actors redefine their image without being held hostage by past narratives?
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SamaBhav UK 2025 film festival opens with urgent call for gender justice in South Asian communities
A unique travelling film festival focused on gender equity is set to tour the UK this month. SamaBhav UK 2025, curated by Harish Sadani, founder of India’s Men Against Violence and Abuse (MAVA), will run from 19 to 28 July across Leeds, London and Bristol. Through powerful films and open conversations, the event aims to spark dialogue on masculinity, care, and gender justice within South Asian communities.
Curated by Harish Sadani, founder of Men Against Violence and Abuse (MAVA), the festival invites audiences into dialogue on gender equity, homophobia, and toxic masculinity, all rooted in a South Asian context.
SamaBhav UK 2025 invites young people and queer voices to speak on gender equity
SamaBhav aims to reshape how masculinity is seen
Harish Sadani, who has worked with boys and men in India for over two decades, says engaging men in gender equity work is key. “Men have always been viewed as the problem,” he explains, “but we need to involve them in the solution-making process too.” Through SamaBhav, he hopes to challenge stereotypes and redefine masculinity in a more inclusive and peaceful direction.
SamaBhav UK 2025 film festival opens with urgent call for gender justice in South Asian communities www.easterneye.biz
Films spark meaningful conversations after every screening
This year’s line-up includes titles like Call Me Dancer and Riha (Unlocked), each selected to provoke reflection and honest discussion. After the screenings, attendees join reflection spaces and panels with filmmakers, youth speakers, queer voices and social workers. Sadani will personally facilitate every discussion.
Activist Chris Green OBE, a UK-based ally of the movement, lends his voice as a festival partner: “I want to live in a society free of homophobia and rigid gender rules that box in how a man should behave. That’s why I support this.”
Community-driven and part of South Asian Heritage Month
Backed by the South Asian Heritage Trust, UNESCO, SOAS and more, SamaBhav UK is part of this year’s South Asian Heritage Month programming. The Leeds leg begins this weekend (19–20 July), followed by screenings in London (23–24 July) and Bristol (28 July). Tickets are priced at £10 (₹1,050) and are available via Eventbrite.
Festival organisers are now calling on local communities, collectives and cultural workers to attend, share, and help amplify these much-needed conversations.
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Sanjay Dutt says he was wasted in Leo Lokesh Kanagaraj admits the role could have been better
Sanjay Dutt recently said he was “angry” at Lokesh Kanagaraj for underusing him in Leo.
Lokesh admitted he “probably made a mistake” and acknowledged flaws in his writing.
The director revealed Sanjay called him after the clip went viral and clarified it was a light-hearted comment.
Lokesh promised to give Sanjay “one of his best roles” in a future collaboration.
Filmmaker Lokesh Kanagaraj has addressed Sanjay Dutt’s recent statement about being underused in Leo, admitting he might have made a mistake while writing the veteran actor’s character. Dutt, who played the antagonist Antony Das in the Vijay-led film, had said during a promotional event that he felt the director “wasted” his talent by not giving him a stronger role.
The Leo clip, shared widely on social media, sparked discussions around casting big stars in brief parts. Lokesh has now responded with humility, acknowledging the criticism and calling it part of his learning curve as a filmmaker.
Lokesh Kanagaraj reacts to Sanjay Dutt’s Leo remark admits writing flaws in the filmX/Lokesh Kanagaraj
Sanjay Dutt’s ‘wasted’ comment was taken out of context, says Lokesh
In a recent interview, Lokesh said Dutt personally called him after the comment gained traction online. “He told me, ‘I made the comment very funnily, but people just cut it and shared it. It looks awkward, and I didn’t mean it like that, Loki." I said, ‘No problem, sir.’
Despite the light-hearted intent behind the remark, Lokesh didn’t shy away from taking accountability.
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Lokesh Kanagaraj says he’s still learning
The director admitted that Dutt’s character may not have been fully fleshed out, explaining, “Probably, I would’ve done better. I’m not a genius or the greatest filmmaker in the world who always gets it right. I’ve made many mistakes in my films. It’s a process of learning.”
He went on to suggest that he wants to work with Dutt again, this time with a more substantial role: “I’ll probably do one of the best roles with Sanjay Dutt, sir.”
Lokesh Kanagaraj responds to Sanjay Dutt’s criticism over Leo role with honest admissionInstagram/ lokesh.kanagaraj
Dutt says he enjoyed working with Vijay, but wanted a bigger role
At the press meet for his upcoming Kannada film KD – The Devil, where he appeared with Shilpa Shetty and Dhruva Sarja, Sanjay Dutt spoke about his experience on Leo. “I loved working with Thalapathy Vijay,” he said, “but I’m angry at Lokesh because he didn’t give me a big role. He wasted me.”
Dutt also praised southern cinema legends, saying, “I look up to Rajinikanth and Kamal Haasan. I’ve worked with Rajini sir multiple times; he’s one of the most humble people I’ve met.” He also called Ajith Kumar a close friend.
In Leo, Dutt’s character Antony Das was positioned as the father of Vijay’s protagonist. Despite being pitched as a key antagonist, many viewers felt his appearance was limited and lacked impact.
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Lokesh’s next film Coolie set for box office clash with War 2
Lokesh Kanagaraj is now focused on his upcoming action film Coolie, starring Rajinikanth. The ensemble cast includes Nagarjuna, Upendra, Shruti Haasan, Soubin Shahir, Sathyaraj, and Reba Monica John. A cameo by Aamir Khan and music by Anirudh Ravichander are also part of the film’s appeal.
Coolie is slated for release on 14 August 2025, where it will go head-to-head with Ayan Mukerji’s War 2, starring Hrithik Roshan and Jr NTR. Whether Lokesh redeems himself with a meatier role for Sanjay Dutt in the future remains to be seen, but for now, the filmmaker’s honest admission and promise of a better collaboration has struck a chord with fans.
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Beyoncé performing during her Cowboy Carter tour in Atlanta
Choreographer Christopher Grant and dancer Diandre Blue’s rental car was broken into on 8 July in Atlanta.
Five hard drives with Beyoncé’s unreleased music, show visuals, and setlists were among the stolen items.
Police tracked the location of missing devices and issued an arrest warrant, but no suspect has been publicly named.
The incident occurred two days before Beyoncé’s four-night tour stop at Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
Just two days before Beyoncé was set to take the stage in Atlanta for her Cowboy Carter tour, a major security breach rocked her team. Unreleased music, private show material, and luxury items were stolen from a rental vehicle used by her choreographer and dancer, police confirmed.
Atlanta authorities say the break-in happened on 8 July around 8 pm in a parking garage near Krog Street Market. The SUV, a black Jeep Wagoneer, was briefly left unattended by choreographer Christopher Grant and dancer Diandre Blue while they grabbed food. When they returned, the rear window had been smashed, and two suitcases containing sensitive material were missing.
Beyonce attend the Louis Vuitton's Menswear Ready-to-wear Spring-Summer 2026 collectionGetty Images
Jump drives contained unreleased Beyoncé music and show visuals
The stolen items included five hard drives loaded with unreleased, watermarked tracks by Beyoncé, as well as detailed visual plans and setlists for her ongoing Cowboy Carter tour. According to the official police report, the drives held both past and upcoming show footage, material Beyoncé typically keeps under tight wraps to avoid leaks.
Also taken were personal laptops, designer clothing, and Apple AirPods. A tracking ping from the AirPods helped police briefly locate a suspect vehicle, which moved across several zones in Atlanta. While fingerprints and CCTV footage were collected from the scene, it’s not yet clear if any of the stolen contents have been recovered.
Beyoncé continued her Cowboy Carter tour in Atlanta despite the setbackGetty Images
An arrest warrant has been issued, but no suspect named
Police have issued an arrest warrant, but the name of the individual involved has not been publicly disclosed. Officers reportedly stopped a "suspicious" individual near the pinged AirPods location, but no official confirmation of an arrest has followed.
The investigation is ongoing, with authorities relying on fingerprints, surveillance footage, and digital tracking from the stolen devices. Beyoncé’s team has not released any public statement so far.
Beyoncé’s choreographer and dancer reported sensitive materials missing from their rental carGetty Images
Beyoncé has a history of tight security around her unreleased music
Known for her secrecy around new projects, Beyoncé’s entire approach to album releases has revolved around maintaining complete control over when and how her music is heard. Her 2013 self-titled album dropped without warning, revolutionising the “surprise release” strategy.
In more recent years, fans even refused to leak her 2022 album Renaissance when it briefly appeared online early, a gesture Beyoncé acknowledged with gratitude. In that context, this Atlanta theft is particularly damaging, threatening to derail the rollout of potential future material.
Beyoncé’s team hit by major theft in Atlanta as unreleased music goes missingGetty Images
Cowboy Carter tour continues as planned despite setback
Despite the incident, Beyoncé carried on with her Atlanta residency at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium, performing across four nights from 10 to 15 July. Her husband Jay-Z made a surprise appearance during one of the shows, and the tour remains on track to conclude in Las Vegas on 26 July.
The Cowboy Carter album, released earlier this year, marked Beyoncé’s bold entry into country music while celebrating its Black roots and went on to win the Grammy for Album of the Year.
Christopher Grant and Diandre Blue, both longstanding collaborators, remain active members of the Cowboy Carter tour team. Grant has worked with artists like Shakira, while Blue featured prominently alongside Beyoncé in a Super Bowl ad earlier this year tied to the album’s release.
As the tour progresses, fans and industry insiders alike will be watching closely to see whether Beyoncé addresses the theft or modifies any show elements as a result of the stolen material.
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Producer Namit Malhotra reveals how AI will make Ramayana resonate globally with native-language realism
Ramayana, directed by Nitesh Tiwari, will be released in two parts on Diwali 2026 and 2027.
Producer Namit Malhotra confirmed the combined budget is over £375 million (₹4,000 crore).
The film stars Ranbir Kapoor, Sai Pallavi, Yash, and Sunny Deol, with music by Hans Zimmer and A.R. Rahman.
It will use AI dubbing and IMAX-scale VFX from Prime Focus for a global cinematic release.
Nitesh Tiwari’s Ramayana is officially the most expensive Indian film ever made, with a staggering production budget exceeding £375 million (₹4,000 crore). Confirmed by producer Namit Malhotra, the two-part epic is being developed at nearly £400 million, placing it alongside some of Hollywood’s biggest projects in terms of scale and ambition.
The project, backed entirely by Malhotra’s team without outside investment, is being hailed as a landmark cultural and cinematic moment for India. With its use of cutting-edge technology, an international musical collaboration, and a cast of some of the country's biggest names, Ramayana is being positioned as a visual retelling of India’s most revered epic for global audiences.
Fans await Ramayana teaser as early reviews spark buzz online Instagram/iamnamitmalhotra
VFX, AI dubbing and a grand IMAX vision
Malhotra, who is also the CEO of Prime Focus, the VFX house behind Inception, Dune, and Interstellar, is bringing the same scale of production to Ramayana. From AI-powered dubbing to ensure effortless multilingual release to custom-built IMAX-ready visuals, the film is expected to be a technological leap for Indian cinema.
The use of AI dubbing marks a first for India, with actors’ voices being translated seamlessly across languages without additional recording, potentially revolutionising how pan-India films are made.
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Star-studded cast to bring the epic to life
Leading the film is Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Ram, alongside Sai Pallavi as Sita and Kannada superstar Yash as Ravan. Sunny Deol plays Hanuman, with support from Ravi Dubey, Lara Dutta, and Vikrant Massey. Although Amitabh Bachchan’s name has been linked to the project, his role has not been officially confirmed.
The story will unfold across two instalments, with Part 1 slated for Diwali 2026 and Part 2 arriving in 2027. Sources suggest the first part may end with the pivotal ‘Sita Haran’ episode, though plot specifics remain tightly under wraps.
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Zimmer and Rahman to compose original soundtrack
Adding further weight to the project is its musical team, Academy Award winners Hans Zimmer and A.R. Rahman. Their collaboration for Ramayana is in fact a rare union of East and West and is expected to deliver a stirring, cinematic score that matches the film's scale.
A motion poster launched earlier this month gave fans the first animated glimpse of the characters and set the tone for the scale of storytelling. The visuals, backed by a teaser of the original score, have already begun building buzz among audiences.
AR Rahman and Hans Zimmer smile together in viral selfie Instagram/arrahman
A cultural milestone, not just a blockbuster
For Malhotra, this film goes beyond box office numbers. Speaking on Prakhar Gupta’s podcast, he said, “This isn’t just about money. It’s about telling the greatest story ever told, and doing it in a way the world has never seen.” He added that while the budget may seem large, it’s still more cost-effective than many comparable Hollywood tentpoles.
The producer also emphasised the deeply personal nature of the film, calling it a tribute to India's heritage. “This is a story that every Indian knows. Now it’s time the world sees it too,” he said.
With production fully underway, Ramayana is poised to become a milestone not only in Indian filmmaking but also in how ancient narratives are brought to screen with new-age tools.