DESIblitz

DESIblitz discusses NHS Talking Therapies with NHS Therapist Emran Hussain to find out how this valuable NHS service can help UK based South Asian communities and their mental health.

The multi-talented Aditya Narayan is a notable singer in Bollywood, along with a successful TV host, presenting musical shows. Aditya was born in Mumbai, Maharashtra, India on August 6, 1987. This makes him a Leo in terms of the star sign. He grew up in a musical family, with his both parents, Udit Narayan Jha and Deepa Narayan Jha also being singers. His grandparents, Hari Krishna Jha and his grandmother Bhuvaneshwari Jha were also musically minded. He got his first big break in Bollywood, singing ‘Rangeeela Re’ with Asha Bhonsle from Rangeela (1995).

Siddhant Kumar AKA Sid K was born in New Delhi, India and has many talents including singing, songwriting, and composing music. He first started singing at the young age of 10 in school where he entered competitions for solo singing and won several awards and prizes. Over the years, he has shared the stage with some of the biggest names in the industry like Daler Mehandi, Guru Randhawa, Imran Khan, Zack Knight, and Sonu Nigam plus many more.

We explore and talk about the struggles of being Gay and Asian. Being gay and Asian or LGBTQIA+ and coming out can have severe consequences even in this day and age. We discuss how you can teach parents not to let homophobia get in the way of loving your child for the person they were born to be, and how to be proud of your identity whatever you choose it to be and much more!

Dev Patel and Anupam Kher star in the harrowing trailer for Hotel Mumbai (2019). The upcoming thriller is a dramatisation of the 26/11 Mumbai attacks. Iranian actress, Nazanin Boniadi, known for her work on television shows like Homeland (2013), Scandal (2014) and Counterpart, (2017-present) plays Armie’s wife. Their characters are David and Zahra, a couple with a newborn baby, who are guests at the hotel during the attack. This is a joint production of India, USA and Australia, the film is the direction of Anthony Maras. The film takes inspiration from the documentary, Surviving Mumbai (2009). The movie tells the story of the victims and survivors from the 26/11 Mumbai attacks. The film features British Indian actor, Dev Patel and Bollywood legend, Anupam Kher in main roles.

Mukhtar Sahota is a British music composer and producer, and he is well known for being in the band Sahotas. Mukhtar was born in Wolverhampton and as a talented musician, he plays multiple instruments and comes from a musical family. The DESIblitz team caught up with him and learned more about him and his life.

Pakistani actor Sheheryar Munawar continues to enjoy the immense success of his fame within the film industry. He is known for his roles in the likes of Ho Mann Jahaan and Meray Dard Ko Jo Zuban Miley is one of the brightest stars of Pakistani cinema right now. Despite his chocolate hero good looks and undisputed charm, Sheheryar has been outspoken about his desire to play roles that don’t stereotype him as a typical romantic hero. Watch this video to hear more about him and his role in Parey Hut Love.

We speak to Pakistani actress, model and video jockey Maya Ali about starring in her new film Parey Hut Love. Maya Ali who plays the lead role in Parey Hut Love has found working in this film as a “great experience.” She has learnt so much from Mahira Khan. Wishing to emulate Mahira, Maya said: “I wish I could copy her ada and her moves, which I have already seen in More Saiyan (song).” Maya also acknowledges that the comedy of Ahmed Ali Butt in the film is the best. Overtime Maya has had a shift in opinion about her co-star Sheheryar Munawar after working with him in PHL: “I’m very much blessed that I’m working with him. I did not know much about him before this film. But I’ve already done two-three shoots with him.” Maya admits that television is a big medium in Pakistan. Hence she will give preference to dramas. But as a film actress, she will continue to act, subject to the script

This programme of DESIblitz workshops aims to encourage more people from BAME backgrounds to explore creative writing through a series of eight workshops, curated by media journalists and established British Asian authors, including Tommy Sandhu, Sarfraz Manzoor, Bali Rai and AA Dhand.

Asim Raza directs, Parey Hut Love. He previously directed the urban style film Ho Mann Jahaan starring Mahira Khan, Adeel Husain and Sheheryar Munawar. Apparently, Mahira was the first choice for Parey Hut Love. But later Maya Ali came in to replace her. Besides Ali, Sheheryar Munawar is playing the lead hero role in this upcoming Pakistani film. Zara Noor Abbas aka Arsala from the popular serial Khamoshi (2017) makes her silver screen debut with this romantic modern age Pakistani movie. The seasoned Imran Aslam is the writer of this film, which promises to take the audience on a two-hour voyage filled with love, emotions and much more.

We interview international musicians Neel Kamrul, and Sheikh Dina together with Stephan Meier, Artistic Director of BCMG. Music in Dialogue links classical musicians from the UK with those from Bangladesh and Pakistan. Music in Dialogue is part of Transforming Narratives, a ground-breaking project to establish Birmingham as a leading international centre for contemporary Pakistani and Bangladeshi arts, for the mutual benefit of Birmingham and cities in Pakistan and Bangladesh.

DESIblitz exclusively chats to Navdeep Suri, the grandson of the famous Punjabi novelist Nanak Singh. Talking about his life, translations and in particular, Khooni Vaisakhi, a poem dedicated to the Jallianwala Bagh Massacre.

DESIblitz exclusively chats Prof. Madhavi Menon about Love, Sexuality and Desire in India at JLF 2019. Including LGBT, Indian values and rape.

Amrit Kaur Lohia is a London based singer-songwriter, vocalist and a very talented player of many instruments including the Indian Sarangi. She has represented UK Punjab Heritage before the Queen for her Diamond Jubilee at Lambeth Palace, and is a Sarangi student of Shri Surjeet Singh, senior student of legendary Sarangi maestro Pandit Ram Narayan. We interview Amrit about her musical career and her interests after her Anhad Nad (Sounds from the Sikhs) performance at the Jaipur Literature Festival.

DESIblitz exclusively chats to Bollywood star Manisha Koirala about her journey to survive cancer, her book 'HEALED' and film career, at the Jaipur Literature Festival 2019 in London.

Talented UK based Punjabi singer and musician Banger continues to grow a large fan base, with the release of his ninth track ‘Lalkareh Marda.’ Banger has many years of music behind him. From a young age, he learnt from the very best. Ever since then he has not looked back. Proud of his Punjabi heritage, Banger is famous for singing and Bhangra moves. DESIblitz caught up with Banger to discuss his musical background, ‘Lalkareh Marda,’ traditional versus digital approach and the music of the past to present.

The Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) brings the brilliant play Venice Preserved to Stratford-Upon-Avon. Originally written by Thomas Otway in 1682, director Prasanna Puwanarajah has revamped the original into a shorter and thrilling production. The audience is struck by an exciting modern theatre from the opening scene: enter techno music, digital screens, laser beams and 80’s costumes. In this video we interview Prasanna Puwanarajah, Les Dennis and Natalie Dew.

Aladdin (2019) is a recreated version of the 1992 animated classic. In this video we get access to exclusive behind the scenes footage and speak with actors Mena Massoud and Naomi Scott. Following the success of many live-action films such as Cinderella (2015), Jungle Book (2016) and Beauty and the Beast (2017), audiences will get to see the beloved Aladdin, which hits the theatres from May 24, 2019. Aladdin (2019) is a fantasy musical remake of the 1992 classic by Disney, with some live action. Mena Massoud who is a recurring star of Jack Ryan (2018- present) on Amazon Prime Video was picked for the iconic role of Aladdin. Naomi Scott was chosen to play the much-loved character of Princess Jasmine. Legendary actor Will Smith portrays the hilarious Genie. Marwan Karwan takes on the role of Jafar, with Navid Negahban playing the Sultan.

We are "Rockin' with the Best" in this video as we interview the hip-hop duo from Chandigarh, India Kru172.

In an exclusive gupshup, we interview 3 of India's finest rappers, Naezy, Black Zang and Dee MC. We talk to them about their struggles, lives, the rise of rap music and hip hop lifestyles in India and their musical influences.