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.