Skip to content 
Search

Latest Stories

Truthful film bridges the British cultural divide

SCOTLAND SET MOVIE PORTRAYS THE IMMIGRANT EXPERIENCE

by ASJAD NAZIR


SCOTTISH politician turned producer Tasmina Ahmed-Sheikh OBE has made the leap from parliament to cinema with new movie Sacch, which goes on general release this week.

The ambitious film shot in Scotland aims to bring together British, Pakistani and Indian cultures. Born in London and brought up in Scotland, Tasmina has brought together new and established talent for the romantic drama, including Scottish debutant actress Elysee Sheikh. The romantic drama revolves around two men, unaware they are brothers, falling in love with the same woman, which leads to hidden family secrets coming out.

What led you to producing a film?

When I first heard the script, I felt it was a beautiful story that needed to be told to a larger audience. Movies and filmmaking is something I have always been passionate about. Once we had the right script, it felt right to go into producing the film.

How did you select the subject and why did you shoot in Scotland?

Sacch is the brainchild of my husband Zulfikar Sheikh, and the subject matter is a portrayal of his personal creative take on British culture and its adoption by his Asian community. Scotland is a historic destination with beautiful castles. No Pakistani film has been shot there, which made me want to do it. The stunning locations have added to the feel and character of the film. We also thought it would be a good way of integrating cultures through movies.

How did you decide on the cast?

The cast was the director’s choice. We have a good mix of debutants, as well as experienced actors such as Javed Sheikh and Uzma Gillani. We have the extremely talented Elysee Sheikh starring opposite the equally talented Asad Zaman Khan and Humayoun Ashraf. They bring a sense of youthfulness and hope into the film. There are also the wonderful Fazila Qazi, Ayesha Sana and Nauman Masood. The entire cast was so dedicated and hardworking, we couldn’t have asked for more.

What is your own favourite moment in the movie?

What I love about Sacch is that it is an honest portrayal of the dichotomies, trials and tribulations of the Asian community in the UK. Sacch covers a range of topics as they impact each character’s life and intertwine to bring together a picture of life for so many British Asian families in the UK. There are so many moments that are impactful and meaningful that it would be impossible to pick one.

Who are you hoping connects with the film?

Through Sacch, we aim to unify the Pakistani, Indian and British culture, and foster community respect, as well as dignity. We aim to connect with these audiences. Sacch for me epitomises diversity. I hope that, specifically, the Asian community responds to this film and appreciates British culture. I hope this brings us one step closer to bridging the cultural divide.

What is the plan going forward in terms of filmmaking?

Well, this is our first venture into this industry, and it’s a huge playing field with so many creative people sharing important messages. But we’ve seen how our passion for this project has fulfilled us in a way we’ve never experienced before. Hopefully, there will be many more projects to come because films are such a good way to address things that are often overlooked. I feel it is a great privilege to be able to convey your message through art and to be able to change or impact someone’s life even if it is in a small way.

Tell us more?

I really engaged with the process, and it made me want to do more projects like this in the future, seeing as there are so many things left that I feel need to be brought into popular discourse. Hopefully, there will be something new.

What is your own favourite movie?

My favourite movie is Casablanca. I love that era, and the intense

romance and sacrifice for the sake of true love.

What inspires you?

I feel the values of community, respect and dignity are all important. Making sure that there is some progress in the process of achieving these ideals acts as a motivating factor for me. I see all the talented women who worked on this film, and the strength and ability that they brought to the production process, as well as the overall project. It is the stories of others who struggle to get what they want, be it equality between gender, race, ethnicity, among others, that inspire me. It drives me to go out and use the resources I have to make a difference.

Why should we watch the film Sacch?

It is truly such a beautiful story, which is entertaining and thought provoking. It subtly brings to light the cross-cultural divide that still exists in Britain, as well as shows the audience what the immigrant experience is like. My husband feels it encapsulates British culture in the sense that it is the expected way of life of minorities, and it is a project that’s very close to his heart, so we’ve all put a lot of effort into it. The acting is phenomenal. They are all characters and issues that quite a few people will be able to relate to, and that makes it a very engaging film to watch.

Sacch is out in cinemas now

More For You

Annabel Croft

Former tennis player and current presenter Annabel Croft

Getty Images

Annabel Croft’s Wimbledon trainers prove white sneakers are a timeless smart-casual choice

Highlights:

  • Annabel Croft spotted courtside in statement Gucci trainers during Wimbledon
  • Paired the footwear with a pleated blue dress by Boss for a sporty yet polished look
  • The platform sole offered subtle height without compromising on comfort
  • White trainers remain a key smart-casual trend, suitable for a wide range of outfits

Annabel Croft embraces sporty style at Wimbledon

Former tennis player and current presenter Annabel Croft made a notable appearance at Wimbledon this weekend, combining elegance with comfort through a smart-casual ensemble. Dressed in a pale blue pleated dress by Boss, she completed the look with Gucci platform trainers, blending classic tennis aesthetics with modern fashion.

The knife-pleat design of the dress referenced traditional tennis skirts, while the fitted T-shirt silhouette gave the outfit a distinctly athletic feel. Her trainers featured Gucci’s red and green web stripe, offering a designer twist on the classic white trainer trend.

Keep ReadingShow less
Charithra Chandran Wimbledon

Chandran wore lambskin shorts and a green cashmere sweater for her Wimbledon appearance

Instagram/charithra17/Twitter/charithra files

Charithra Chandran brings ‘Bridgerton’ elegance to Wimbledon in timeless Ralph Lauren look

Highlights:

  • Charithra Chandran attended Wimbledon as a Ralph Lauren ambassador, turning heads in a vintage-inspired ensemble.
  • Her look echoed Bridgerton character Edwina Sharma, with soft curls and a classic summer palette.
  • Fans online praised her poise and outfit, with many saying she outshone stars like Andrew Garfield.
  • The actress wore a green cashmere sweater, tailored lambskin shorts and white Nappa pumps.

Charithra Chandran’s Wimbledon appearance might have been behind Hollywood stars Andrew Garfield and Monica Barbaro, but her crisp summer ensemble made sure all eyes found her. Dressed head-to-toe in Ralph Lauren, the British-Indian actress brought understated elegance and old-school charm to Centre Court, and social media took notice.

 Charithra Chandran Wimbledon Charithra Chandran styled her hair in soft curls for the Ralph Lauren outfitInstagram/charithra17/

Keep ReadingShow less
Amazon Prime Day 2025

Running from 8–11 July, the sale is exclusively available to Prime members

iStock

Prime Day 2025 brings huge discounts on electronics including Apple, Samsung, Sony and more

Highlights

  • Amazon Prime Day runs until 11 July, with major savings on electronics
  • Apple AirPods Pro 2, iPad 11th-gen, and MacBook Air M4 hit all-time low prices
  • Samsung Galaxy phones, Sony headphones and Fire TV devices also see deep cuts
  • Prime Day is exclusive to Amazon Prime members, but free trial users can also access deals

Biggest electronics sale of the year

Amazon’s four-day Prime Day 2025 event has delivered a flood of deals on popular electronics, including smartphones, laptops, tablets, headphones and more. Running from 8–11 July, the sale is exclusively available to Prime members, though new users can sign up for a 30-day free trial to access the discounts.

As part of this year’s event, several top-rated products from Apple, Samsung, Sony and Amazon itself have seen some of their lowest-ever prices. According to The Independent’s senior tech critic Alex Lee, “Apple discounts are notoriously rare — but this Prime Day is a clear exception.”

Keep ReadingShow less
Hermes Birkin handbag

The handbag is now the most valuable ever sold at auction

Reuters

Hermes Birkin handbag fetches record £7.4m at Paris auction

Highlights:

  • The original Hermes Birkin bag sold for £7.4m at Sotheby’s Paris.
  • It belonged to British actress and singer Jane Birkin.
  • The handbag is now the most valuable ever sold at auction.
  • It ranks as the second most expensive fashion item sold globally.

A record-breaking sale

The original Hermes Birkin handbag, once owned by British actress and singer Jane Birkin, has been sold for £7.4 million at a Sotheby’s auction in Paris, setting a new world record for the most valuable handbag ever sold at auction.

The sale, held on Thursday, saw the iconic fashion item exceed all expectations, with Sotheby’s calling it “a startling demonstration of the power of a legend.” The bag is now also the second most expensive fashion item ever sold at auction, following the £24 million paid for Judy Garland’s ruby red slippers from The Wizard of Oz in 2024.

Keep ReadingShow less
Barbie with type 1 diabetes

This is also part of Mattel’s mission to extend the boundaries of imaginative play

Mattel

Mattel introduces first Barbie doll with type 1 diabetes to promote inclusion

Highlights

  • Mattel launches new Barbie with type 1 diabetes
  • The doll features a glucose monitor, insulin pump and CGM app
  • Created in collaboration with type 1 diabetes charity Breakthrough T1D
  • Part of Mattel’s broader push for inclusivity and representation in toys

Barbie with type 1 diabetes joins inclusive fashionistas range

Mattel has launched its first diabetes Barbie doll, designed to represent children with type 1 diabetes and promote greater inclusivity in children’s toys.

The new addition to the Barbie Fashionistas line comes with realistic medical features including a continuous glucose monitor (CGM) on her arm, secured with heart-shaped medical tape, and an insulin pump to help manage her blood sugar levels. She also carries a smartphone with a CGM app to monitor glucose throughout the day, and a bag large enough to store snacks and other essentials.

Keep ReadingShow less