Tigmanshu Dhulia’s political drama Garmi on SonyLIV has turned out to be a great success. In addition to delft direction and taut writing, what stands out most in the 9-episode series is splendid performances from the entire cast, especially debutant Vyom Yadav, who has won raves for his intense act as a student who aspires to become a civil servant but ends up getting caught in the whirlpool of college politics.
Weeks after the release of Garmi, Eastern Eye spoke to Vyom Yadav to know more about his preparations for the role, how he notched up the part, and how it all began for him in showbiz. Keep on reading…
Your SonyLIV show Garmi received tremendous response from critics as well as the audience. How does it make you feel?
I am so happy. I am so glad that it has been received the way that we all wanted it to be. The series has been pretty nice. The producers, the people, the crew, the actors, the directors, everyone is so happy, and yes, the love is pouring in for the series, for the actors, for the cast. So, it’s amazing to be on this road.
How did you end up bagging the lead part?
I auditioned with Mukesh Chhabra’s team. Actually, there was this person Bheem who used to stay in Delhi for a while and he used to work for another casting house in Delhi. So, he spotted me in Delhi. I was residing in Delhi at that time. So, even if he sent me an audition for a simple ad for 15 seconds, I used to put in everything that I could. He would see I was putting it even in those 15-20 seconds videos. He was like, ‘If I get a chance to cast for a big series, I would definitely cast you. I would definitely audition you for that.’
You know, it’s crazy how things work out sometimes. Eventually, in a year or so he moved to Mumbai and soon enough he got a chance to cast for Garmi. I auditioned with Mukesh Chhabra and eventually, I got the part.
It was a long process. It took a couple of months. I gave multiple rounds of auditions, went through all those different, different levels of their tests, and then eventually, I got the role in 2021 December.
Tell us something about your background. How did it all begin for you?
So basically, I am an engineer. I come from Delhi, but I was born in Banaras. I was 2-3 months old when we moved to Delhi and since then I was brought up and studied in the city. I started learning acting and I had this flair for sports and craft. So, I was too much into sports, like football, swimming, table tennis, basketball, etc. I used to play every sport but for me personally, my favourite sport was football. I have even played decent interstate-level football and then after that around 6th or 7th standard, obviously I had this stage fear and I wanted to open myself up. So, a few of my friends suggested that you should go and opt for street plays, nukkad nataks. That is when my acting zone started. I did it for a couple of years, three or four years in my school life and because of 10th standard, the boards, I had to drop it down, and then when I got back into college, I started with the acting part again.
The show is basically based in UP, but since I have always been in Delhi, I am not very familiar with that side of the state. My family comes from UP, like my grandma, grandpa, uncles my aunts. They are still living in UP and I do visit them once in a while. So basically, I am connected to the roots is what I am saying. What people are and what people talk about there, is somewhere deep down within me. It’s buried inside me. So, for me to bring that up – the body language, the accent, etc. – was not tough.
Please continue…
So, when I first read the script, I figured that there were a few things that were overlapping with the character Arvind Shukla, and Vyom in real life also. I used to watch a lot of videos as to how things work out in UP and what is student politics and how does the leader of student politics look like. Imagine a politician you think of a big-tummy guy, like an old guy, right? I researched all these and a whole lot of things. So, I used to sit and write down, take down notes and the body language and what are the lingos of UP, and how they say a certain thing. So, it was like a long process and then I handpicked all these things, I did research, put everything down, and then I handpicked a thing I want to add to the character. So, it was like you make your own Subway salad, right? You make your own sauces, pick your own veggies and everything, you pick your own bread. So, you create your own customised salad, it’s just like customising your own character.
Rumours are swirling that Shah Rukh Khan may soon headline India’s most expensive film yet, with a whopping £28.5 million (₹300 crore) offer reportedly on the table. The production house behind the buzz? Mythri Movie Makers, the banner that backed Pushpa and Rangasthalam. If true, this would be SRK’s biggest payday ever.
Mythri Movie Makers eye massive collaboration with SRK for their next big ventureGetty Images
A historic pay packet or just industry chatter?
Multiple outlets suggest that Mythri is in talks with SRK for a £28.5 million (₹300 crore) deal, a figure unprecedented in Indian cinema. The film is also said to be directed by Sukumar, whose skill in bringing together commercial appeal with deep storytelling made Pushpa a national sensation.
Early reports estimate the film’s overall budget could touch £95 million (₹1,000 crore), factoring in Khan’s fee, large-scale production elements, and a full-blown pan-India marketing campaign. If accurate, this would make it the most expensive Indian film ever made, surpassing RRR, Ramayana, and Adipurush in terms of scale and ambition.
But there’s a twist: according to sources, no meeting has yet taken place between Shah Rukh and Mythri. Sources close to the actor claim he is entirely focused on King, his upcoming action film with daughter Suhana Khan and director Siddharth Anand. As per this report, SRK will only start exploring new projects towards the end of 2025.
Shah Rukh Khan may become India’s highest-paid actor with this upcoming filmGetty Images
Sukumar’s direction, Mythri’s ambition, but what’s next for SRK?
If the project with Mythri Movie Makers does move forward, it could redefine how pan-India films are conceived, taking advantage of Bollywood’s reach with South India’s storytelling prowess. Sukumar’s directorial vision paired with SRK’s stardom might be the crossover moment Indian cinema has long awaited.
However, it’s important to note that nothing has been officially announced. The speculation may be premature, especially since SRK is currently tied up with King, expected to start production in early 2026. Until he wraps that, other projects remain on hold.
Pan-India film with ₹1000 crore budget reportedly being planned with Shah Rukh KhanGetty Images
For now, fans are watching closely. Whether or not this massive collaboration materialises, the very idea that Indian cinema is inching toward £95 million (₹1,000 crore) productions, with actors commanding £28.5 million (₹300 crore) fees, is itself proof that the stakes have never been higher.
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Elizabeth Hurley poses nude in a field to mark her 60th birthday
Elizabeth Hurley isn’t holding back as she steps into her sixties. On 10 June, the Bedazzled star celebrated her milestone birthday by posting a nude photo taken in a field, using nothing but her pose and a necklace. In the caption, she reflected on an emotional and eventful year, describing it as a “wild ride” and revealing she’s “in love” with country star Billy Ray Cyrus.
Alongside the image, Hurley highlighted three major personal landmarks: 30 years working with Estée Lauder, 20 years of her swimwear label Elizabeth Hurley Beach, and her new romance. “Feeling very blessed and grateful for having the best friends and family in the world,” she wrote.
Hurley and Cyrus find love after reconnecting post-divorce
Hurley and Cyrus met on the set of the 2022 holiday film Christmas in Paradise. Although there was some sparks at the time, they lost touch and reconnected in 2024, after Cyrus ended his short-lived marriage to singer Firerose. It was Hurley who reportedly reached out during his divorce, a message that led to a deeper connection.
By April 2025, the pair made their relationship public on Instagram. The singer later posted a birthday message calling Hurley “the love of my life.”
Hurley confirms her relationship with country singer Billy Ray CyrusCosmopolitan
The couple also made a red carpet appearance together in Rome on 24 May, further confirming the romance. While Cyrus has faced strained relationships with some of his children, particularly daughter Miley, reports suggest he’s trying to rebuild those ties. Miley, who cut off contact with her father in 2023, has softened her stance, recently saying that while it was difficult at first, “everyone deserves to be happy.”
Family support and healing amid past drama
Hurley’s son, 23-year-old Damian, commented warmly on her birthday post, calling her his “best friend forever.” Friends and celebrities, including Heidi Klum and Sarah Michelle Gellar, also sent their love. Meanwhile, insiders say Cyrus is now prioritising family time and hopes his relationship with Hurley marks a new chapter, both personally and publicly.
Damian Hurley calls his mother his best friend in a birthday tributeGetty Images
As Hurley embraces 60 with confidence, she seems set on making this decade her boldest one yet.
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Enrique Iglesias returns to India with a massive concert planned in Mumbai
After more than a decade, Enrique Iglesias is finally returning to India. The Spanish superstar, best known for global hits like Hero, Bailamos, and Rhythm Divine, is scheduled to perform in Mumbai on 30 October 2025 at the MMRDA Grounds, BKC. This will be his first show in India since 2012, when he toured Pune, Gurugram, and Bengaluru as part of his Euphoria world tour. The upcoming concert is part of Iglesias’s current global run and will take place just before his Abu Dhabi stop.
Organised by EVA Live and BEW Live, the Mumbai gig promises a packed venue with over 30,000 fans expected. According to organisers, Iglesias will perform a setlist spanning his three-decade-long career, mixing early 2000s classics with recent hits. EVA Live’s founder Deepak Chaudhary called the show a “historic moment,” highlighting India’s growing appetite for iconic international acts. “The enthusiasm among fans is real. This show is about celebrating that global connection through music,” he said in a statement.
Indian fans gear up for Enrique Iglesias’ comeback performance after 13 yearsGetty Images
The production team has hinted at a full-scale arena experience, with elaborate visuals, lights, and staging tailored for a large-scale outdoor show. The concert will also offer special curated experiences for Mastercard users, including backstage access and artist interactions.
Tickets, presale access and how to register
Registrations are now open on the District App, with tickets to be released in phases. The first phase of Mastercard-exclusive presale starts on Friday, 20 June at 12 pm IST via Priceless.com, and ends on Sunday, 22 June at 12 pm IST.
A second Mastercard-only window will open on 22 June (12 pm IST) and close by 27 June (12 pm IST), this time on the District App. General sales will go live on 27 June at 5 pm IST.
Enrique Iglesias confirms Mumbai concert with career-spanning setlistGetty Images
Fans have been thrilled about the announcement online. “A dream come true,” one user posted. “No Delhi show but I’m booking tickets to Mumbai anyway,” wrote another. Following a string of recent high-profile international shows in India, from Coldplay and Ed Sheeran to Maroon 5, Enrique’s return is another big win for Indian concertgoers.
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Katy Perry and Orlando Bloom spark split rumours as insiders cite album stress and wedding delays
Katy Perry and Orlando Bloom, engaged since 2019 and parents to four-year-old Daisy Dove, are facing intense scrutiny as reports swirl about significant strain in their relationship. Insiders suggest the couple may be heading for a split once Perry’s massive Lifetimes tour concludes in December.
Album stress spills over to home life?
Sources point directly to the tough reception of Perry’s September album, *143*, as a major pressure point. Designed as a “bold, exuberant” celebration of love, the project landed with a thud for many critics. “Katy was deeply frustrated following the reception of her new album,” a source told PEOPLE. “It made her very stressed. Orlando was understanding, but it did cause some tension.”
Disappointing early tour reviews added further strain. Despite the critical noise, Perry’s tour was a success, selling out shows globally, including multiple nights in Mexico and Australia, before hitting the US in July. Perry has historically brushed off critics, famously advised by her therapist that “what anybody thinks about you is none of your business.”
This isn’t the couple’s first major hurdle; they famously split for nearly a year in 2017. Perry recently reflected on that initial breakup, revealing Bloom was more committed early on while she felt she needed to “swim in a different pond.” Their engagement five years ago sparked dreams of a destination wedding, but the pandemic derailed plans. Sources now claim the lack of progress on marriage is a sore point, with Bloom reportedly “over” the delay.
Five years after engagement Perry and Bloom remain unmarriedGetty Images
While they’ve credited couples’ therapy in the past for helping them stay “in tune” amidst busy lives and parenting, recent months reportedly saw them spending significant time apart, with Bloom spotted in Miami last month. Both have acknowledged the inherent challenges of merging their vastly different worlds: Perry’s pop “universe” and Bloom’s acting career.
Representatives for the couple have not commented on the split rumours. For now, Perry focuses on her tour, while the future of one of Hollywood’s most watched relationships hangs in the balance.
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Moose Wala’s father Balkaur Singh objects to release of BBC documentary
The BBC World Service has released a two-part documentary on Sidhu Moose Wala, the late Punjabi singer who was shot dead in 2022, despite his father's legal attempts to halt the release. Titled The Killing Call, the documentary went live on YouTube on 11 June, Moose Wala’s birth anniversary, just a day before a scheduled court hearing in Punjab on the matter.
Balkaur Singh, the singer’s father, had approached a Mansa court seeking a stay on the screening. He claimed that the BBC’s release was done without the family’s consent and that the documentary could interfere with the ongoing investigation into his son’s murder. His petition is set to be heard on 12 June. Despite the ongoing legal challenge, the broadcaster proceeded with the online release.
BBC documentary The Killing Call explores the life and death of Sidhu Moose WalaYoutube Screengrab
Family’s legal concerns and BBC’s original plan
According to Singh’s legal team, the documentary features people who are directly mentioned in the FIR related to the killing, including an audio interview with gangster Goldy Brar, the alleged mastermind behind Moose Wala’s assassination. Singh argued that airing such content without court clearance might disrupt the judicial process and violate the family’s right to privacy.
Originally, the BBC had planned to host a private screening of the documentary in a Mumbai cinema on 11 June. However, following the controversy and complaints filed with Maharashtra’s Director General of Police and the Juhu Police Station, the event was cancelled. Instead, the film was uploaded to YouTube for public viewing.
The BBC reportedly sent out invitations for the original screening, claiming the film contained never-before-revealed facts. Singh alleged that the release could damage his son’s legacy and misrepresent events. The family also intended to release their own tribute EP of Moose Wala’s unreleased music around the same time.
The Killing Call traces Moose Wala’s life from his roots in rural Punjab to international music success, while exploring the complex web of fame, politics, and crime that followed him. The first episode highlights his journey and controversies, while the second delves into the events surrounding his murder on 29 May 2022.
Moose Wala was killed while travelling in Punjab without police protection. Over 30 rounds were fired at his vehicle. Brar later claimed responsibility for the murder and remains a fugitive. Nearly three years later, no one has been convicted in the case, which continues to dominate headlines across India and the Punjabi diaspora.