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Sheena Chohan to Star in Tamil Folk Drama ‘Arjunanin Allirani,’ Lilith Tale ‘Bhaayava’ (EXCLUSIVE)

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Sheena Chohan to Star in Tamil Folk Drama ‘Arjunanin Allirani,’ Lilith Tale ‘Bhaayava’ (EXCLUSIVE)

Indian actor Sheena Chohan, who made her Hindi-language feature film debut in the biopic “Sant Tukaram” earlier this year, has been cast as the lead in “Arjunanin Allirani,” a Tamil-language drama centered on folk artists and caste discrimination.

The film, written by acclaimed Tamil author B. Jeyamohan and directed by Vino Vikraman Pillai (“Kafir”), will feature music by legendary composer Ilaiyaraaja. The project marks Chohan’s entry into Tamil cinema after acting across Malayalam, Hindi and international productions.

“Arjunanin Allirani” follows two impoverished artists — a folk dance performer and a Dalit singer — whose relationship forms the heart of the narrative. The story traces the female lead’s journey through family tragedy and her eventual pursuit of justice through her art.

In the film, produced by Irfan Khan for EBG Films, Chohan will portray Rani, a character whose arc spans from her teenage years to middle age across four distinct life phases. The role requires extensive martial arts training, including Chilambattam, a traditional Tamil stick-fighting technique.

“Rani is a young woman who spends her formative years immersed in devotion, singing hymns to God in temples,” Pillai tells Variety. “Beginning with the vibrancy and innocence of her twenties, her life unfolds across four distinct phases, tracing her journey from youth to middle age. To authentically portray this evolution, the actress taking on the role must master martial arts, including Chilambattam. As the narrative moves through different eras, the character undergoes significant physical and emotional transformations, requiring the actress to adapt her appearance and presence accordingly.”

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The director says that casting Chohan was “entirely serendipitous.” “From our very first conversation, I was struck by her deep passion and dedication to her craft,” he says. “When I shared the story of Allirani, she showed a genuine and immediate interest. The character of Rani is a powerful and resilient woman, whose journey spans from her teenage years to middle age. The role also demands extensive martial arts sequences, a challenge Sheena is exceptionally well suited for, given her many years of training and experience in martial arts.”

For Chohan, the role aligns with her longstanding commitment to socially grounded material. “I did so much theatre and acting training, that it’s a waste to do a flat character,” she tells Variety. “Also, if you have your acting skills sharpened, you can, and should, give what appears to be a one-note character more depth – of course the most important thing is to be a blank page for your director and give them what they want for the story, but no real people are shallow and morally simple, so I don’t like any of my characters to be.”

Chohan, who serves as United for Human Rights South Asia Ambassador, adds that her human rights advocacy has directly influenced her project choices. “I turn down so many films because of derogatory or degrading roles,” she says. “But the good news is that the industry is changing – with all of the good work of women like the Women’s Collective in Kerala, and women and men across the country and world pushing against discrimination – new characters and stories are being written which show women as equal citizens – real-life, breathing, thinking humans, not just pretty Christmas tree decorations.”

Chohan’s recent work includes Aditya Om’s “Sant Tukaram,” in which she portrayed Avali Jijabai opposite the title character in the Hindi biopic. The film was widely described as showcasing her quiet power and emotional depth. She describes her performance approach as rooted in thorough character research and technique developed during intensive training at The Acting Center in Los Angeles while working on the Hollywood film “Nomad.”

“What I learned was how to develop a character in terms of understanding their inner thoughts and motivations overall and in each scene,” she says. “So, while I read and watched everything connected to Avali Jijabai, including having the original 17th century historical texts read to me and working and eating with the village women who still work the fields Avali worked in, I then used all of that gathered information to truly understand and fit into her character, so that my reactions were natural.”

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Reflecting on her Hindi debut, Chohan notes the significance of seeing the film play across theaters in Mumbai, where she is based. “After doing five years of theater, training in my craft, martial arts and dance in Kolkata, I shifted to Mumbai keeping it as a base but working pan India in different languages with legendary directors nationally and internationally,” she says. “But living in Mumbai, it was deeply special to see ‘Sant Tukaram’ playing across theatres here and release nationwide. Having friends and colleagues join me at the Mumbai – national premiere did feel like an arrival. But creatively, it was never a reset – it was a continuation.”

The actor has also completed J.D. Chakravarthy’s pan-India thriller “Jatasya Maranam Dhruvam,” in which she plays a police officer. “I literally followed a policewoman around into her dangerous job, in her home life – I did so much to get into the head-space of that character, and that too in such a dark, complex thriller, that I can only feel what I brought to the character gave the director an insight that he was desperate for,” she says.

Her upcoming slate includes the VFX-heavy streaming series “Bhaayava,” in which she portrays Lilith. The platform has not yet been locked as the production team completes extensive visual effects work. “I went from playing the wife of a saint, to a devil, and perhaps that’s what made me take the role – it was so different – I went from the most simple scenes in fields where we’ve worked in saris for a thousand years, to being flung out of a car in a harness for a flying scene after five hours of prosthetics in front of one of the biggest green screens in Mumbai,” she says. “However, again, the character was so rich – Lilith was Adam’s first wife in the bible – she was banished from Eden for refusing to be dominated by and obey every word from Adam – so that was a character I had to sink my teeth into.”

Chohan’s international credits include “Ant Story” (2013) directed by Mostofa Sarwar Farooki, which played at the Shanghai and Dubai International Film Festivals. She has also appeared alongside Madhuri Dixit in Netflix series “The Fame Game” (2022) and Kajol in JioHotstar show “The Trial” (2023).

Her career began with a debut opposite Mammootty in the Malayalam-language film “The Train” (2011), directed by Jayaraj. Reflecting on her work with renowned actors including Mammootty, Dixit and Kajol, Chohan notes how different directors have shaped her approach. “Acting in India has changed a lot since I was launched by Mammootty – what my director Jayaraj wanted in terms of restraint on the set of ‘The Train’ was quite opposite to what Suparn Varma wanted on the set of ‘The Trial,’” she says. “For Jayaraj I was much more expressive but for Suparn I had to keep it subtle and do so much character research to get into her mind and be my character, without ‘acting.’ What I learned from these legends in terms of command and screen presence in many ways tie in with professionalism – they are really there, doing what they’re doing while they’re doing it.”

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On balancing wider reach through big platforms versus roles that leave a lasting cultural impact, Chohan says, “What I care most about is character and story, so that’s what matters most, but of course, a rich, nuanced character in a well-told, original, larger-than-life, rooted story, that reaches the whole world – that’s the dream – and I want to live the dream.”

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‘Brunello: The Gracious Visionary’ Trailer: Giuseppe Tornatore’s Documentary Shows the Rise of the King of Cashmere

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‘Brunello: The Gracious Visionary’ Trailer: Giuseppe Tornatore’s Documentary Shows the Rise of the King of Cashmere

“Brunello: The Gracious Visionary,” a documentary on fashion mogul Brunello Cucinelli from Oscar winner Giuseppe Tornatore, has released an official trailer ahead of its U.S. release.

The film, which combines interviews and archival footage with reenacted stories from Cucinelli’s life, documents the rise of the King of Cashmere. Starting out as the son of a farmer in Umbria, Italy, Cucinelli worked his way up in the fashion and business world to start a billion-dollar luxury clothing brand built on high-quality cashmere sweaters. Now beloved by celebrities and tech CEOs, Brunello Cucinelli has also come to represent something bigger: the philosophy of humanistic capitalism, which Cucinelli has embodied by placing the company’s headquarters in Solomeo, Italy and employing many of the town’s inhabitants.

“Blending documentary and fiction, ‘Brunello: The Gracious Visionary’ retraces the places and key moments of Brunello Cucinelli’s existential journey: from his childhood in the countryside to the village of Solomeo, which he transformed into a symbol of humanistic capitalism,” the film’s official synopsis reads. “Testimonies, archival footage and personal memories reveal a man who, from humble beginnings, built a world-renowned company while staying true to the values of dignity, beauty and social justice. The story concludes with the realization that dreams, when pursued with courage, are the true force guiding one’s destiny.”

In the reenactment portions of the documentary, Cucinelli is portrayed by “Love & Gelato” breakout Saul Nanni, who is also joined by Francesco Cannevale, Francesco Ferroni, Emma Fatone and Beatrice Carlani. Cucinelli produced the doc alongside Massimiliano Di Lodovico, and Blue Fox Entertainment will release the film in the U.S. and Canada on July 24.

Earlier this year, Variety took a trip to Solomeo to meet with Cucinelli and visit his headquarters, where employees are treated like family and overtime is forbidden. Much of his outlook on work came from his father’s experience working in factories after moving their family to Perugia.

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“He would never complain about his wages or the fact that it was cold in the factory; what he did complain about was that he was being belittled,” Cucinelli said. “That really killed me … You see, human beings need dignity even more than they need bread.”

Watch the trailer below.

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Bystanders hailed as ‘heroic’ after intervening in brutal knife attack by Sudanese migrant in UK

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Bystanders hailed as ‘heroic’ after intervening in brutal knife attack by Sudanese migrant in UK

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A man in his 40s was hospitalized with serious injuries after a brutal knife attack in Northern Ireland, as police arrested a Sudanese migrant on suspicion of attempted murder. 

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The attack happened shortly after 10:30 p.m. Monday in north Belfast, according to the Police Service of Northern Ireland. The victim suffered serious injuries to his face, neck, back and eyes, while police said they recovered what they believe was a kitchen knife at the scene.

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Video circulating online appeared to show members of the public confronting the attacker, including one person wielding a hurling stick. PSNI Assistant Chief Constable Ryan Henderson praised the bystanders as “heroic,” saying their intervention helped save the victim’s life, according to the BBC.

A Glider bus, set fire by protesters, on the Newtownards Road in east Belfast, as disorder flared during an anti-immigration demonstration organised in response to Monday night’s stabbing attack in the city. (PA via Reuters)

Police initially said the suspect was Somali but later corrected that he is believed to be Sudanese, describing the change as part of a “fast-time investigation.” Henderson said police understand the suspect came into Northern Ireland from Dublin, Ireland and had been granted leave to remain, though he said the Home Office would provide further clarity on his status.

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On Monday evening, protesters burned down a bus as tensions rose in Belfast following the gruesome stabbing, despite earlier calls from authorities for calm.

BELFAST, NORTHERN IRELAND – JUNE 09: Police attend the scene following a stabbing attack in North Belfast on June 09, 2026 in Belfast, Northern Ireland. A knifeman has been arrested after a man was taken to hospital with serious injuries following a stabbing in north Belfast leaving the local community fearful. The incident has been condemned across the political parties offering praise to locals who intervened to stop the attack. (Charles McQuillan/Getty Images)

“At this stage, we have no information to suggest that this was a terrorist-related incident,” Henderson said, while stressing that the investigation remains in its early stages. “However, I must stress, we are still at the early stages of our investigation,” he said, according to The Sun.

Alan Mendoza, executive director of the Henry Jackson Society, told Fox News Digital that the attack exposed what he described as failures in Britain’s immigration system.

“Britain’s broken border and migration system has been put into stark relief once more with this tragic — and entirely avoidable — case,” Mendoza said. “This man should never ever have been in the U.K., let alone been granted ‘leave to remain.’ The Irish border is the soft underbelly for a process the British public has long since lost confidence in, as well as in those administering it politically. Nothing short of a revolution in who we allow into the U.K. and how will satisfy a people fed up with false promises about immigration change.”

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ILLEGAL ALIEN MURDER SUSPECT AVOIDED SYSTEM AS ICE PUSHES DEM GOVERNOR TO KEEP HIM LOCKED UP

Police work at the scene of a stabbing on Kinnaird Avenue in north Belfast, Northern Ireland, on June 9, 2026. Northern Ireland police said Tuesday they had arrested a man following a “stabbing incident” in Belfast, with graphic online video prompting widespread condemnation and protest calls from UK far-right figures. The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) said the arrested man was in his 30s, believed to be Somali, and had been detained on suspicion of attempted murder following the “serious assault involving a knife”. (Photo by Paul Faith / AFP via Getty Images)

The swift response from Prime Minister Keir Starmer marked a notable contrast with the case of Henry Nowak, an 18-year-old who was stabbed and then handcuffed by police after his attacker accused him of making racist remarks. Starmer faced criticism from some conservatives over his response to that case.

Keir Starmer, UK prime minister, during a news conference providing an update on the situation in the Middle East, at Downing Street in London, UK, on Thursday, March 5, 2026.  (Tolga Akmen/EPA/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

Starmer quickly posted on X that the attack was “sickening,” adding: “I have absolutely no tolerance for abhorrent scenes of violence like this on our streets.” He said his thoughts were with the victim and thanked first responders, including members of the public who intervened.

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The attack prompted political reaction across the U.K. Reform UK leader Nigel Farage called on authorities to reveal the suspect’s identity and immigration status.

“What happened in Belfast last night is horrific. The authorities must reveal the identity and status of the attacker immediately. The public are entitled to the truth,” Farage wrote on X.

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Reform UK leader Nigel Farage speaks during a press conference in Westminster, United Kingdom on June 10, 2025.  ( Thomas Krych/Anadolu via Getty Images)

Robert Jenrick also wrote on X: “We’ve woken up to truly barbaric footage on a street in Belfast. Of a kind you’d think you’d never see in this country. For years now I’ve urged the police to spell out the basic, sober facts, as they have them, when there are horrors like this.”

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Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch said people would ask whether there had been “failings around our borders,” according to GB News.

Northern Ireland’s main political parties issued a joint statement condemning the violence and urging the public not to share graphic footage of the attack.

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“There is no place in our society for this kind of brutality. Our immediate thoughts are with the victim and his family, and we hope he makes a full and complete recovery,” the parties said, according to GB News.

Police said they had declared a critical incident and would increase their presence across Northern Ireland amid calls for protests. Officials urged calm and asked the public to allow the investigation to proceed.

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Canada confirms opening of Gordie Howe Bridge, despite Trump’s threats

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Canada confirms opening of Gordie Howe Bridge, despite Trump’s threats

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has confirmed that the Gordie Howe International Bridge — a new six-lane thoroughfare that will connect Detroit, Michigan, with Windsor, Ontario — will open by the end of the week.

The announcement comes despite threats to the contrary from United States President Donald Trump, who promised earlier this year that the bridge would not open without concessions from Canada.

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Speaking briefly to reporters on Parliament Hill in Ottawa, Carney dodged questions about any behind-the-scenes negotiations with Trump. Instead, he focused on praising the bridge as a feat of cross-border collaboration.

“It’s positive news. Obviously, the bridge will be open at the end of the week,” Carney said, calling the bridge a “symbol but also a fact of cooperation between” the US and Canada.

“It’s great for Canadians going across the border, Americans coming across the border, and for commerce. And  I just want to salute those who constructed it on both sides, and looking forward to getting it done.”

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But the bridge’s fate was thrown into doubt in February, after Trump published a social media message framing the construction as a means of exploiting the US.

His remarks echoed criticisms raised by the Moroun family, who own the nearby Ambassador Bridge, another artery connecting the US and Canada.

The family has denounced the Gordie Howe Bridge as unfair competition, and it has sued to stop the project.

It also led an advertising campaign during Trump’s first term to kill the bridge, framing the structure as un-American.

The Gordie Howe Bridge will connect Windsor, Ontario and Detroit, Michigan [File: Paul Sancya/AP Photo]

Unlike the Ambassador Bridge, which is privately held, the Gordie Howe Bridge is slated to be co-owned by the governments of Canada and Michigan.

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In February’s social media post, however, Trump falsely depicted the construction project as a Canadian-only enterprise.

“Imagine, Canada is building a massive bridge between Ontario and Michigan. They own both the Canada and the United States side,” Trump wrote.

“Now, the Canadian Government expects me, as President of the United States, to PERMIT them to just ‘take advantage of America!’ What does the United States of America get — Absolutely NOTHING!”

Trump proceeded to threaten to block the completion of the bridge, which was in its final stages. He added that Canada should give the US government “at least one half of this asset”.

“I will not allow this bridge to open until the United States is fully compensated for everything we have given them, and also, importantly, Canada treats the United States with the Fairness and Respect that we deserve,” Trump said.

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The threat caused yet another spike in US-Canada tensions. Since taking office for a second term, Trump has repeatedly berated Canada for what he calls unfair trade practices, and he has pressured the country to cede its sovereignty to the US.

That pressure continued into this month, with Trump reiterating his call for Canada to become the US’s “51st state” in a June 1 post on Truth Social.

FILE PHOTO: Canada's Prime Minister Mark Carney gestures during a visit to the Ambassador Bridge linking Ontario with Michigan, as part of his Liberal Party election campaign tour, in Windsor, Ontario, Canada March 26, 2025. REUTERS/Blair Gable/File Photo
Canada’s Prime Minister Mark Carney campaigns in front of the Ambassador Bridge in Windsor, Ontario, on March 26, 2025 [File: Blair Gable/Reuters]

Traditionally, Canada and the US have had close relations, and their two economies are bound tightly together.

As of 2024, Canada was the largest destination for US exports. Trade between the two countries that year was estimated to top $909.1bn, according to the US government. And nearly half of Canada’s goods reportedly came from its southern neighbour.

But shortly after his second inauguration, Trump ignited a trade war by imposing steep tariffs on Canada, which he criticised for allegedly having a lax border policy. Canada responded with retaliatory tariffs, some of which have since been repealed — but others remain.

Trump’s far-reaching global tariff campaign has hit multiple setbacks in US courts, but his administration has continued to forge ahead, looking for different legal arguments to justify the import taxes.

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Most recently, the Trump administration has proposed using the Trade Act of 1974 to impose tariffs on 60 countries it accuses of relying on forced labour. Canada is among that number.

Carney has responded to the fraying relations between the US and Canada by calling for a coalition of “middle powers” to stand up to the “great powers” of the world.

Canada, Mexico and the US are currently in the middle of renegotiating a free trade agreement struck during Trump’s first term in 2020.

Before it became a political football, the Gordie Howe Bridge had been held up as a symbol of cross-border partnership.

The agreement to start the project was reached in 2012, and in 2017, Trump issued a joint statement with then-Prime Minister Justin Trudeau saying he looked forward to its “expeditious completion”.

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The project has cost roughly $6.4bn, and the construction, which began in 2018, took roughly seven years.

Named for a celebrated Canadian hockey player who spent many years playing for the professional team in Detroit, the Gordie Howe Bridge is designed to ease supply chains, reduce traffic and increase trade between the US and Canada.

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