Skip to content 
Search

Latest Stories

My Top Ten Reasons to be a magician By Magic Romil

Thinking Differently: There’s thinking outside the box, then there’s thinking as if there is no box, and magicians fall in the latter category. Creating new illusions start by dreaming up the most incredible final effects possible, and solving dozens of problems to turn this dream final effect into a reality. This way of thinking not only aided in creating new magic, but improved my ambitions and even helped me get into Oxford University.

Amazing events: Whether they’re intimate gatherings for the host’s close friends or grand galas where hundreds attend, performing magic has allowed me to enter different worlds and experience unforgettable moments and events. Favourites include the Shane Warne Foundation gala dinner, music awards shows, balls for Prince Charles’ charities and Indian cricket team dinners.


Spectacular venues: From plush hotels to grand castles, palaces, beaches, stadiums, museums, transformed warehouses, deserts, mountains and galleries, performing at events around the world allows you to visit some incredible places. Whether it’s the amazing architecture, astounding technology, exquisite pieces of art, or wonderful scenery, there have been several occasions where before performing I’ve had to step back for a few moments just to admire the setting.

Celebrity shows: I’ve been fortunate to perform for royalty, sports stars, ex-prime ministers, reality TV stars, actors and musicians. Magic has this ability to bring everyone to the same level. It acts as its own language and affects everyone differently. Prince Charles reacted with delight, Samuel Eto’o jumped back in surprise, and Sachin Tendulkar thought intensely for a second before proclaiming: ‘You’re always five steps ahead.’ Ed Sheeran thought about prior experiences of magic before responding: ‘That’s the best magic I’ve ever seen’. What’s not to love!

Joining The Magic Circle: Its headquarters are in central London. To join you need to pass an audition and take the oath that you’ll never expose magic in a public forum. We meet regularly on Monday evenings to discuss crazy ideas and come up with new creative presentations. Oh, and after every meeting there’s an unofficial after event where we discuss even cooler magic at the local Nandos.

Endless opportunities: Performance magic takes several forms. Mind reading, stage illusion, close-up tricks, technology magic, psychological illusion and more allows magicians to develop their own style over time. Whether it’s pure entertainment during a wedding or party, something meaningful at a corporate training day or magic to increase belief and resilience in an elite sports team, there is always a place for magic. As long as it is themed and presented well, the opportunities are endless.

Expression: Every time I perform I get to meet new people, and for the brief period I’m with them I get to tell them a story and give a tiny insight into my life. The clothes I wear, the way I introduce myself and magic I perform, all allow me to express myself. Then hopefully leave an impression, however small, on everyone.

Happiness: When people have fallen on bad times or got dealt a tough hand in life, magic provides a happy moment for them, whether it’s for a minute, hour, day, or just a split second. In that moment they forget everything else and return to a childlike state of bliss. The real gift of magic is to be able to give this feeling to all who take a second to watch.

Learning experience: Magic gives you social skills that are hard to come by in a world of social media. It gives you the confidence to feel comfortable in your skin wherever you are and whoever you’re speaking to. Everyone when they first perform magic fails miserably at some point, but the traits of resilience and determination you build through performing feeds in to all other parts of life.

Transformation: People who start out as sceptics get transformed by the end of my set! There’s something wonderful about blitzing people’s preconceptions of magic and showing them it is not all pulling rabbits out of hats. When magic is brought into the modern era with phones, ice, fire or watches, suddenly their perception of magic changes. This is the greatest service I can give to the art.

More For You

Aaradhya Bachchan

Abhishek Bachchan says Aishwarya Rai is fully responsible for Aaradhya’s upbringing

Getty Images

Abhishek Bachchan praises Aishwarya Rai for raising Aaradhya without phone or social media

Quick highlights:

  • Abhishek Bachchan credits Aishwarya Rai for taking the lead in daughter Aaradhya’s upbringing.
  • Says Aaradhya, now 13, has no phone and stays away from social media.
  • Calls Aishwarya “selfless” for prioritising parenting over everything else.
  • Slams online gossip surrounding their marriage as baseless and insensitive.

Actor Abhishek Bachchan has dismissed recent speculation around his marriage with Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, instead shining a light on her unwavering dedication as a mother. In a recent chat, he spoke warmly about their 13-year-old daughter Aaradhya, revealing that she neither owns a mobile phone nor uses social media, something he attributes to Aishwarya’s hands-on parenting.

 Aaradhya Bachchan  Aaradhya Bachchan has no access to social media or a personal phoneGetty Images

Keep ReadingShow less
Ranveer Singh

Ranveer Singh in a still from Lootera that captured his most restrained performance

Twelve years of 'Lootera': 5 reasons Ranveer Singh’s most understated role still holds up

Quick highlights:

  • Ranveer’s subtle performance in Lootera marked a major shift from his usual high-energy roles.
  • The 1950s-set romantic drama became a career milestone for the actor.
  • His restrained, emotionally complex portrayal earned long-term critical acclaim.
  • The film showcased a successful collaboration with director Vikramaditya Motwane.
  • As Dhurandhar builds buzz, Lootera reminds us of Ranveer’s range.

Twelve years ago, Ranveer Singh surprised audiences with Lootera, a period romance that asked him to do something unfamiliar: stay still. Set in 1950s Bengal and directed by Vikramaditya Motwane, the film gave Ranveer the space to deliver one of his most subdued and mature performances. No outbursts. No spectacle. Just quiet heartbreak.

  Lootera released in 2013 and marked a stylistic shift for Ranveer Singh Prime Video  

Keep ReadingShow less
AR Rahman shares selfie with Hans Zimmer

AR Rahman and Hans Zimmer smile together in viral selfie

Instagram/arrahman

AR Rahman shares selfie with Hans Zimmer as 'Ramayana' music collaboration excites fans

Quick highlights:

  • AR Rahman and Hans Zimmer will collaborate on the soundtrack for Ramayana: Part One, directed by Nitesh Tiwari.
  • Rahman shared a selfie with Zimmer on Instagram, captioned “With @hanszimmer #ramayanamovie”.
  • The photo sparked a wave of excitement online, with fans and celebrities calling it a “historic moment”.
  • Ramayana: Part One stars Ranbir Kapoor, Yash, and Sai Pallavi, and is set for a Diwali 2026 release.

AR Rahman’s latest Instagram post has set the tone for what might be one of the most ambitious film music projects in recent Indian cinema. The Oscar-winning composer shared a selfie with legendary Hollywood music producer Hans Zimmer, confirming their collaboration on Nitesh Tiwari’s Ramayana: Part One. The picture quickly went viral, as fans celebrated the rare coming together of two globally acclaimed composers for a single Indian film.

  AR Rahman confirms collaboration with Hans Zimmer on InstagramInstagram/arrahman

Keep ReadingShow less
Ozzy Osbourne returns to Birmingham

Birmingham celebrates its heavy metal roots with Back to the Beginning show

Getty Images

Ozzy Osbourne returns to Birmingham for final Black Sabbath concert after 20 years

Quick highlights:

  • Ozzy Osbourne to perform one final time in Birmingham on 5 July, reuniting with Black Sabbath’s original line-up.
  • Villa Park will host a 10-hour metal concert titled Back to the Beginning, curated by Tom Morello.
  • The line-up includes Metallica, Slayer, Pantera, and others; proceeds go to three Birmingham-based charities.
  • The reunion marks the first time Ozzy, Iommi, Butler, and Ward will play together in 20 years.

After a lifetime of chaotic stage antics, searing vocals, and defining an entire music genre, Ozzy Osbourne is officially calling time on his career. On Saturday, the 76-year-old rock legend will headline his final concert in Birmingham, his birthplace, alongside the original members of Black Sabbath, the band that started it all.

Billed as Back to the Beginning, the sold-out event will not only mark Osbourne’s last performance but also a rare reunion with Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, and Bill Ward. Their last appearance as a full group was two decades ago.

Keep ReadingShow less
Priyanka Chopra

Priyanka Chopra says she wants strong roles not just ornamental characters

Getty Images

Priyanka Chopra says she is just getting started in Hollywood with 'Heads of State' on Prime Video

Quick highlights:

  • Priyanka Chopra Jonas says she’s just getting started in Hollywood.
  • Stars as a fierce MI6 agent alongside Idris Elba and John Cena.
  • Gets into serious action mode with explosions, helicopters, and hand-to-hand combat.
  • Says her journey is still evolving, with much more to explore in the West.

Priyanka Chopra Jonas may have ruled Bollywood for over two decades, but the global star believes she’s still “nascent” in her Hollywood journey, and that’s what makes it exciting.

The Quantico and Citadel actor stars in the new Amazon Prime Video film Heads of State, playing a sharp MI6 agent named Noel Bisset. Her character has a complicated history with British Prime Minister Sam Clarke (played by Idris Elba) and is tasked with protecting him and the newly elected US President Will Derringer (John Cena) when they're attacked before a major NATO conference.

Keep ReadingShow less