Blog Style - Asian Sunday & Style

RECIPE: Talbina (Barley Porridge)

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February 24, 2026

Talbina is a traditional, nutritious, and soothing porridge made from barley flour, milk, and honey. The name derives from the Arabic word laban (milk) due to its soft, white, and yogurt-like consistency.

INGREDIENTS

3 tbsp Supreme Barley Flour

1 cup milk

Sweetener of your choice

Topping (optional):

Granola

Berries

Fruit

Peanut butter

Sweetener of your choice

Chia seeds

METHOD

Add milk and barley flour to a small pot over medium-low heat. Whisk well and simmer for 5 minutes whisking throughout until thick. Remove from heat and stir in desired sweetener. Add toppings (optional) and serve.

RECIPE: Peri Peri Chicken Rice Bowl

Rahil Jamil

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February 23, 2026

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A chicken and spicy rice dish that rivals your favourite peri-peri chicken takeaway and you can make it at home in no time.

Ingredients:
Peri peri chicken:
1 kg boneless skinless chicken thighs
¼ cup oil
⅓ cup Supreme Peri Peri Seasoning
Juice of 1 lemon
⅓ cup ketchup
¼ cup peri peri sauce
2 tbsp Supreme Garlic paste
Salt- if needed

Rice:
2 ½ cups Lubna Sella Basmati Rice- washed
2 tbsp butter
½ cup red onion- finely chopped
½ cup mixed coloured peppers- finely chopped
½ cup sweetcorn
¼ cup pepper/ tomato paste
2 tbsp Supreme Smoked Paprika
4 cup chicken stock
Salt to taste

Other ingredients:
300 ml double cream
Salad of your choice
Chopped coriander

Method

Chicken:

In a bowl add oil, peri peri seasoning, lemon juice, ketchup, peri peri sauce, garlic paste and salt. Mix together until well combined.

Add chicken thighs and mix evenly. Cover and marinate in the fridge for at least 1 hour or overnight. Preheat the oven at 200° and line a baking tray. Place the marinated chicken thighs into the tray and bake in the oven for 30- 35 minutes or until the chicken is fully cooked.

Remove from the oven and spoon the juices over the chicken and allow to rest for 5-7 minutes. Then cut the chicken into slices. Keep the remaining juices from the tray to make a creamy sauce.

Rice:

Heat a pot over medium-high heat. Add butter and once melted add red onions, peppers and sweetcorn.

Saute for a few minutes or until the veggies start to soften. Add pepper/ tomato paste, stir well and cook for a few minutes. Then add smoked paprika, mix well and cook for a minute. Now add washed rice, stir well then add chicken stock. Stir well and check seasoning.

Bring to a boil then reduce heat to low and cover. Continue to cook until stock reaches the surface level of the rice. Uncover and give it a gentle stir. Cover again and continue to cook until all of the stock has been absorbed and the rice is fully cooked.

Remove from heat and rest the rice for 5 minutes. Then uncover and gently fluffy up the rice.

Creamy sauce: Add the juices from the cooked chicken thighs into a saucepan. Add double cream and mix well to combine. Bring to a boil over medium heat then remove from heat.

Assemble the rice bowl: Add rice to a serving bowl. Then add chicken over a part of the rice. Now add salad over another part of the rice. Garish with coriander then lastly pour the sauce over the chicken and serve.

Historic win: ‘Boong’ achieves India’s first BAFTA award

Rahil Jamil

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February 23, 2026

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Historic win: ‘Boong’ achieves India’s first BAFTA award

The Manipuri film Boong has made history by winning Best Children’s and Family Film at the 2026 EE BAFTA Film Awards, becoming the first Indian film to claim the honour in the category. Directed by Lakshmipriya Devi and backed by Farhan Akhtar, the film’s victory marks a significant milestone for Indian regional cinema on the global stage.

The award was presented during the ceremony by the fictional character Paddington Bear, who joked in his monologue, “I am the first-ever bear to present an award, and also the first presenter to get marmalade over a BAFTA.”

Boong was nominated alongside international titles including Arco, the live-action hybrid Lilo & Stitch, and Zootropolis 2 (also known as Zootopia 2 in some markets). Its win follows a strong festival run that began with its world premiere at the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival.

Set in a Manipuri village, the film follows a young boy living with his single mother after the unexplained disappearance of his father, Joykumar. Determined to give his mother “the best gift ever”, the child sets out with a friend to search for his missing father. The emotional quest forms the core of the narrative, which has been widely praised for its sensitivity and cultural specificity.

In her acceptance speech, Devi reflected on the journey behind the film, saying, “To walk up till here felt like the last few steps to reach a summit of a mountain we never knew we were climbing in the first place.” She used the platform to highlight the ongoing unrest in Manipur, adding, “I just want to use this opportunity to say that we pray for peace to return to Manipur. We pray that all the internally displaced children, including the child actors in the film, regain their joy, their innocence, and their dream once again.”

Calling the film “a homage to my homeland,” she noted that Manipur remains “very much ignored and very unrepresented in India.”

South Asian talent celebrated at special gala during BAFTA Film Awards weekend

Showbiz

Rahil Jamil

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February 23, 2026

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South Asian talent celebrated at special gala during BAFTA Film Awards weekend

As anticipation built ahead of the EE BAFTA Film Awards weekend, a new kind of gathering quietly made history.

Society O and Product of Culture hosted a first-of-its-kind industry event spotlighting the achievements of South Asian creatives across film and television, not as a side conversation to awards season, but at its very centre.

Held on 20 February 2026, the gathering brought together nominees, filmmakers, executives and industry leaders at a pivotal moment in the global awards calendar. Designed as a dedicated space within BAFTA weekend, the evening reflected the expanding international presence of South Asian storytelling across this year’s nominations, from internationally distributed documentaries and award-winning British shorts to bold regional cinema reaching new global audiences.

The room was filled with a cross-generational mix of talent and influence. Among the guests were Aziz Ansari, Meera Syal, Sanjeev Bhaskar, Nina Wadia, Kulvinder Ghir, Daniel Francis, Adeel Akhtar, Varada Sethu, and Gurinder Chadha, each representing different chapters of a shared creative journey.

One of the evening’s most talked-about moments was a reunion more than a decade in the making. The legendary cast of Goodness Gracious Me, Sanjeev Bhaskar, Meera Syal, Kulvinder Ghir and Nina Wadia stood together once again, sparking nostalgia and underscoring just how far British South Asian representation has come since the show first reshaped mainstream comedy.

The event was spearheaded by Society O, a new British events platform dedicated to amplifying Asian voices, founded by filmmakers Sukki Menon and Parvinder Shergill, in partnership with U.S.-based Product of Culture, led by Archana Misra Jain and Monika Sharma Abbas. Known for marketing-first strategy, awards-season campaigns and industry convenings, Product of Culture has played a key role in elevating South Asian entertainment on the global stage.

Together, the founders described the evening as more than a celebration but a statement of intent.

“This awards BAFTA weekend represents a moment where global storytelling converges,” they shared. “This year’s nominations highlight the breadth and impact of South Asian creatives across the industry, from internationally distributed documentaries and award-winning British shorts to groundbreaking regional cinema reaching new audiences worldwide. By bringing together nominees, collaborators and industry leaders, we aim to create a meaningful space that celebrates artistic excellence while strengthening the connections shaping the future of the screen industries.”

As BAFTA weekend unfolded across London, this gathering signalled a clear shift: South Asian storytelling is no longer emerging, it is embedded, expansive and influencing the global screen landscape. And now, it has a dedicated space at the awards season table.

Bobby Deol ‘Bandar’ release date set for May 2026

Rahil Jamil

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February 23, 2026

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Bobby Deol ‘Bandar’ release date set for May 2026

Actor Bobby Deol-starrer ‘Bandar’, which received critical acclaim at international film festivals, has finally locked its theatrical release date.

The film is scheduled to hit cinemas on 22 May, 2026. It has been directed by filmmaker Anurag Kashyap.

Taking to his Instagram handle on Friday, Bobby Deol shared the release date announcement of the Anurag Kashyap directorial with fans and followers. The post confirmed that the much-awaited project will arrive in cinemas in May this year.

‘Bandar’ earlier premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival in 2025, where it garnered attention from critics and audiences alike. The film is inspired by true events.

Bobby Deol was last seen in the film ‘Hari Hara Veera Mallu’ written and directed by A M Jyothi Krishna alongside Krish Jagarlamudi. The film starred Pawan Kalyan in the lead role.

With a career spanning over three decades, Bobby Deol began his journey as a romantic hero in the 1990s and gradually evolved into a versatile performer.

He made his debut as a lead actor with ‘Barsaat’ and went on to feature in several successful films, including ‘Gupt: The Hidden Truth’, ‘Soldier’, ‘Kareeb’, ‘Badal’, ‘Bichhoo’, ‘Ajnabee’ and ‘Humraaz.’

Though he faced a career slump for some years, he found his footing again with films like ‘Apne,’ ‘Yamla Pagla Deewana,’ and ‘Housefull 4.’

In 2023, he made a remarkable comeback with ‘Animal’ alongside Ranbir Kapoor. Soon after, the actor was seen giving back-to-back powerful performances in ‘Aashram,’ ‘Animal,’ and ‘The Ba***ds of Bollywood, which hit Netflix recently.

Up next, Bobby Deol will be seen in ‘Jana Nayagan’ starring Vijay. As per the trailer, Bobby appears to play the main antagonist and vows to eliminate Vijay’s character within 30 days.

Amid the ongoing controversies surrounding its certification, ‘Jana Nayagan’ is yet to receive an official release date.

RECIPE: Chicken Kiev Balls

Rahil Jamil

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February 22, 2026

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These ground Chicken Kiev Balls are perfectly crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. Stuffed with flavourful fillings, they make a delicious appetiser that’s sure to be a standout on any table.

INGREDIENTS

750g chicken thighs mince
1 tsp salt
1 tsp Supreme Coarse Black Pepper
1 tsp Supreme White Pepper Powder
2 tbsp Supreme Garlic Powder
2 tbsp Supreme Onion Powder
200g grated mozzarella cheese
3 tbsp garden mint sauce
Plain Flour
Whisked eggs
Supreme Breadcrumbs

METHOD

In a bowl, mix together chicken thigh mince, salt, coarse black pepper, white pepper powder, garlic powder and onion powder.

In another bowl mix together grated mozzarella and mint sauce. Now, use a tablespoon to scoop out even amounts of mince.

Using wet hands, flatten each one and place 1 tsp of cheese mix in the middle then, fold in the edges to enclose the cheese and roll into a ball. Repeat with remaining mince and cheese mix.

Chill the kiev balls in the fridge for 1 hour, then coat in flour, egg and breadcrumbs. At this point you can freeze the kiev balls.

To cook, deep fry in hot oil until golden brown & cooked through.

Recipe: Dhai Waras/Taras

Rahil Jamil

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February 21, 2026

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Dhai Waras (also known as Dhai Taras) are sweet cousins to Middle Eastern lokma, pillowy and sweetened with a simple sugar syrup, that makes for a perfect little treat.

INGREDIENTS

1 ½ cups Supreme All Purpose Flour & extra for dusting
½ cup yogurt
1 tsp baking powder
¼ tsp Supreme Green Cardamom Powder
¼ cup melted ghee
Pinch of salt
Oil to shallow fry

Garnish:
Supreme Dessicated Coconut
Edible rose petals
For syrup:
1 cup sugar
½ cup water
5 Supreme Cardamom pods
Pinch of Supreme Saffron
Slice of lemon

METHOD

In a bowl, mix together flour, yogurt, baking powder, green cardamom powder, melted ghee and salt. Knead until you have a soft dough. Cover the dough and rest for 1 hour.

Prepare syrup: add sugar, saffron, cardamom pods and water to a saucepan and boil until the syrup thickens. Remove from heat and let syrup cool to room temperature.

Divide the dough into 4 portions. Lightly dust with flour and roll out to about the thickness of a pound coin. Use a small cookie cutter to cut out shapes of the dough. Repeat with remaining dough.

Heat enough oil over medium-high to shallow fry. Gently add pieces of dough into the oil and fry until puffed and golden on both sides. Fry in batches and don’t overcrowd the pan. Drain onto kitchen paper then dip into the syrup. Garnish with rose petals & dessicated coconut. Serve immediately or at room temperature.

RECIPE: Farmaas

Rahil Jamil

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February 20, 2026

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Farmaas is a popular South African savory snack, often enjoyed during Ramadan, featuring a layered, rolled pastry filled with spiced meat. It is characterised by its pinwheel shape, crispy texture, and savory, spiced filling.

INGREDIENTS

350g chicken breast, cut into small pieces
20g butter
1 tsp Supreme Ginger Garlic Paste
Salt to taste
⅓ tsp Supreme Coarse Black Pepper
1 tsp minced green chillies
2 tbsp Supreme Onion Powder
1 tbsp Supreme Garlic Powder
½ tsp Supreme White Pepper Powder
1 kg potatoes, peeled & boiled
50g butter
100g grated cheddar
1 cup sliced spring onions
6 spring roll sheets

Eggs
1-2 green chillies
Small handful of coriander leaves

Flour Paste, mix together:
½ cup plain flour
¼ cup water

METHOD

Heat a frying pan over medium heat. Add butter, chicken, ginger garlic paste, salt to taste, coarse black pepper and minced green chillies.

Stir well and cook until excess water has evaporated. Then stir in onion powder, garlic powder and white pepper powder.

Cook for 1-2 minutes then remove from heat. Once the potatoes are boiled, drain well and return back to the pot.

Add butter and mash until smooth. Add cooked chicken, grated cheese and spring onions. Mix everything together, check seasoning then set aside to cool completely.

To fill, lay 2 spring roll sheets (on top of each other) and evenly spread 1 ½ cups of the mixture leaving 1 inch gap at the top of the sheet. Brush the top with flour paste, then roll tightly towards the top and seal the end.

Repeat with remaining spring roll sheets and filling. Freeze the rolls for 1 hour to firm up then cut into 1 cm thick slices (approximately 20 slices per roll). At this point you can freeze them until needed.

To cook, blend eggs, green chillies and coriander together. Dip the slices in the egg mix and shallow fry until golden brown and cooked through. For a kid-friendly version omit the chillies and coriander and simply dip in whisked egg and shallow fry.

Welcomed by the British Fashion Council, His Majesty The King attended the opening show of London Fashion Week 2026

Rahil Jamil

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February 20, 2026

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Welcomed by the British Fashion Council, His Majesty The King attended the opening show of London Fashion Week 2026

At 180 Strand, home to London Fashion Week, The King toured an exhibition celebrating craftsmanship, innovation and sustainability within British fashion.

Curated to spotlight the strength and future of the industry, the exhibition brought together British makers and apprentices dedicated to preserving heritage skills while advancing sustainable practice. His Majesty also met students currently studying on The King’s Foundation programmes, who demonstrated traditional techniques including draping and embroidery.

Central to the occasion was the work of the British Fashion Council (BFC). Formed in 1983, the not-for-profit organisation champions innovation, responsible growth and the amplification of British fashion at home and abroad. Through world-class initiatives, including The Fashion Awards and London Fashion Week, the BFC seeks to unlock and elevate British creative talent on the global stage.

In addition to the main exhibition, The King viewed a showcase by Brand63Africa and met designers involved in its creation. The new social enterprise connects fashion designers of African heritage with global fashion markets, promoting small-batch production and traditional craftsmanship. Its first collection, launching later this year, will support established designers committed to sustainability and community empowerment — values aligned with The King’s longstanding advocacy of sustainability and a circular fashion economy.

His Majesty also visited an exhibition by Stella McCartney, focused on celebrating sustainable British innovation. A longstanding supporter and newly appointed Ambassador of The King’s Sustainable Markets Initiative, McCartney presented a showcase featuring sustainable materials, including plant-based feather alternatives and plastic-free sequins, highlighting practical and scalable solutions already entering the fashion industry.

After touring the exhibitions, The King was invited to join the front row for the opening show of London Fashion Week 2026. Alongside guests from across the industry, His Majesty watched a presentation by British-Nigerian designer Tolu Coker.

Based in London, Tolu Coker is a British-Nigerian fashion and textiles designer, illustrator and multidisciplinary artist. Since launching her label in 2018 following her graduation from Central Saint Martins, Coker has merged artisan craftsmanship with innovative technology. Her predominantly unisex designs explore identity, social climates and sustainability, earning international recognition.

Manoj Taylor unveils Enti Hayati, a global fusion born from London’s multicultural sound

Showbiz

Rahil Jamil

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February 20, 2026

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Manoj Taylor unveils Enti Hayati, a global fusion born from London’s multicultural sound

London-born artist Manoj Taylor steps into a new chapter with the release of his latest single, Enti Hayati, a track written, sung and produced entirely by the artist himself. Shaped by a lifetime of musical and cultural influence, the song reflects both his personal journey and the diverse soundscape of the city he calls home.

Raised in one of the world’s most multicultural capitals, Manoj Taylor has developed a musical identity that blends styles and traditions with natural ease. Enti Hayati captures this spirit, fusing contemporary Hindi pop with Middle Eastern textures and reggaeton rhythms to create a sound that feels both global and unmistakably modern.

At the heart of Manoj Taylor’s music is authenticity. His seamless fusion of cultures is not a calculated attempt to cross genres, but an honest expression of lived experience and artistic identity.

The release of Enti Hayati marks a confident step forward in Manoj Taylor’s evolving catalogue. With four additional singles scheduled for release later this year, he is positioning himself as an emerging artist to watch in 2026.