EVERY year amazing new stars appear in the music sky and one of the brightest to emerge in 2020 is Zainab Haya Pasha.
The talented Pakistani singer, songwriter and composer released her debut single Baarish earlier this month to critical acclaim and early indications are she is one to look out for in the future. The young artist is focused on making great music and has more songs on the way.
Eastern Eye continues its long tradition of featuring exciting new music talents by catching up with Zainab Haya Pasha to talk about her stunning debut single, influences, future plans and inspirations.
What was it that first connected you to music?
Growing up, my parents (and other family members) used to listen to a lot of music and sing all the time. My sisters and I would fall asleep listening to lullabies and songs that my mother, and aunt would sing for us. I think music has always just been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. I don't think there's one particular moment I can point out and say, ‘oh that's when I connected with music’. I think it's just always been a part of my soul.
Who were your big musical influences growing up?
I had very diverse musical experiences growing up, from Elvis Presley and John Denver to Strings and Nazia Hassan, to the Disney channel stars, to Kishore Kumar. When you have a family that's obsessed with music, not all of them will have the same taste. So I grew up with a little bit from every possible genre.
You have written and performed Baarish and had a great team working on the song. What inspired it?
I've had quite a journey with it, honestly. When I was told I needed to send out an original demo, I was actually really nervous because I had never written anything in Urdu before. The rain is something I love, maybe even a tad bit more than music. There was a beat playing in a loop and all I could think about was the rain, and how it makes me feel. So I wrote it all down and created Baarish. It was the first time I wrote something and did it in almost three hours. The song shows the world how much the rain means to me and what it makes me feel.
How did you feel when the song was released?
I was nervous and excited. For me, the new chapter in my life started the second I heard the final version of the song. It's never been about whether the song will become popular or whether people would like it. Before it came out, I was pretty confident that whoever it does reach, it will touch their hearts, even if just 10 people were listening to it. The nervousness was more about how my voice would sound out there in the world for people to hear. It was the good kind of nervousness.
Tell us about the video and the inspiration behind it?
The video was about me being in my own little world. I wanted to be on my own, do my own thing, and show that to everyone. As Marya (Javed), who was the director, said while shooting, ‘We're taking you on a date with yourself’. I wanted the video to be highly stylised and I wanted to have fun and be myself. Marya and her team did a great job and captured everything so beautifully. The video for this song was a dream come true, thanks to Studio M, and my uncle and aunt.
Who are you hoping will connect with this song?
I feel like anyone who listens to the song will connect to it. The lyrics will mean different things to different people. Of course, those with a love for rain or anything remotely close to rainy weather will connect to it, but I think the song means more than that. My uncle said to me that this is a song that everyone will connect to. He didn't just say that because he's my uncle, but because it's true. I genuinely believe people will love it if they listen and connect to it.
What is your musical master plan going forward?
I don't think there's any master plan. I think I'm just going to keep working on music and try and put out songs regularly. I'm just going to stay focused. My musical master plan is motivated by the constant love and support I get from my family and friends. It pushes me to stay focused and I want to keep at it. It's only the beginning.
Which artists would you love to collaborate with?
Strings – hands down, they are my first choice. My love for this band and respect for their music is just beyond anything you can imagine. My second choice would be Aarish. I genuinely love their music and I'm possibly their number one fan.
What kind of music dominates your personal collection?
Like I said, I have very diverse tastes. Good music for me isn't one particular genre. To me, good music is anything that sounds good, brings a smile to my face and makes me dance. So I have a pretty diverse playlist.
What inspires you as an artist?
The people around me, the vibe I surround myself with, and the hard-working and talented artists and musicians I know. Not just them, but the creative people I know. Creativity is a beautiful gift. I keep myself around people who are creative. I'm blessed with a creatively inclined family as well, so I guess all these things inspire me.
Finally, why do you love music?
You don't need a reason to love music. Music is a universal language and it helps tell stories, express feelings, spread love and helps people get through things every single day. Music is a way of life.
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.
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Zayn Malik shares a moody preview of his upcoming song Fuchsia Sea
Zayn Malik previewed a new track, Fuchsia Sea, on Instagram, touching on racism he experienced during his One Direction years.
“They still laughed at the Asian,” he raps, alluding to feeling othered despite success.
Malik was the only South Asian member of the band, which included Harry Styles, Louis Tomlinson, Niall Horan, and the late Liam Payne.
The track marks a rare public reflection on the racial dynamics behind his 2015 departure from the group.
Zayn Malik is turning to music to process the discrimination he says he experienced during his time with One Direction. On Saturday, 5 July, the 32-year-old singer previewed a raw and emotional rap song titled Fuchsia Sea, sharing a clip and lyrics on Instagram that many fans believe directly address racism he faced as the only South Asian member of the global boy band.
In the verse, Malik raps: “I worked hard in a White band, and they still laughed at the Asian.” The line immediately sparked intense conversation online, with listeners pointing out how it echoed long-suspected tensions about racial identity and representation during his tenure in One Direction.
Zayn Malik attends the Off-White fashion show during the September 2024 Getty Images
Zayn Malik lyrics reference race and exclusion
The lyrics Malik shared are among his most direct yet, touching on themes of alienation, generational struggle, and identity. In Fuchsia Sea, he paints a picture of emotional burden and resilience, rapping:
“Got my back against the wall so much they think I got a brick fascination... I’m a convert to the concert, and I did that for inflation… Left a blue mark on a white flag, then used blood for their painting.”
While Malik has previously opened up about mental health and needing space from fame, this is one of the first times he has publicly linked his departure from One Direction to experiences of racism and marginalisation. The lyrics suggest that while he contributed to the band’s global rise, he often felt side-lined because of his ethnicity.
Zayn Malik on InstagramInstagram screengrab
Fans rally around Malik’s message
The track preview struck a chord particularly with South Asian fans, many of whom have long felt that Malik’s race was glossed over during One Direction’s peak. Online reactions ranged from gratitude to reflection, with many calling the lyrics “long overdue” and “painfully relatable.”
For British Asian listeners, Malik’s words were especially significant, as representation in mainstream Western pop music remains rare. “He said what we’ve been feeling for years,” one user wrote on X. “Zayn’s experience mirrors what so many of us go through in workplaces that were never built for us.”
Fans react to Zayn Malik's song Twitter Screengrab
Reflecting on One Direction and Liam Payne’s passing
Malik’s musical revelation arrives just months after he revisited his boy band roots. During a March concert in Mexico City, he performed Night Changes, a One Direction song, for the first time in a decade. The performance was emotionally charged, with Malik telling the crowd: “I almost cried.”
Later that year, Malik reunited with Styles, Tomlinson, and Horan at Liam Payne’s funeral in November 2024, their first public appearance as a group since he left in 2015. Payne passed away unexpectedly at 31. Malik had previously honoured Payne at a show by dedicating his solo ballad It’s You to his late bandmate.
Former One Direction band member Zayn Malik leaves following the funeral of singer Liam PayneGetty Images
Fuchsia Sea marks a turning point for Zayn Malik
Though the full track is yet to be released, Fuchsia Sea signals a more personal and unfiltered direction in Malik’s music. It’s a clear departure from his earlier solo work, which leaned heavily into R&B and pop.
This time, the focus isn’t fame or relationships, but identity. And by addressing his past with unflinching honesty, Malik seems ready to reclaim his voice on his own terms.
One Direction Band members Getty Images
Whether Fuchsia Sea becomes a viral hit or not, it has already succeeded in sparking long-overdue conversations about race, fame, and belonging in the pop world.