Tate Modern, one of the world's largest art institutions located in London, inaugurated the exhibition titled Frida Kahlo: The Making of an Icon in June. This show offers a comprehensive analysis of the diverse facets of the Mexican artist, investigating how she established herself as a central figure in the imagination of art history.
Even before the official opening on June 25th, the exhibition reached a historical milestone for the museum, recording the sale of over 41 thousand tickets during the pre-sale. The curation was led by Tobias Ostrander, Estrellita B. Brodsky, and Beatriz García-Velasco, and the show will remain open to the public until January 3, 2027.
Located on the third floor of Tate Modern, the exhibition shares space with another prominent display, A Second Life, by Tracey Emin, which addresses related themes such as identity, pain, and the body.
Frida Kahlo was born on July 6, 1907, in Coyoacán, Mexico City. She grew up in the family residence, later known as Casa Azul, which is now one of the most emblematic places connected to the artist's journey.
A crucial event in her life occurred in September 1925 when Frida suffered a serious bus accident. During the long period of convalescence, she began painting as a way to pass time and cope with the pain. It was in this context that self-portraiture gained prominence in her work, echoing the artist's famous declaration: 'I paint myself because I am often alone and because I am the subject I know best.'
Throughout her career, the artist blended self-portraits with elements of Mexican artistic tradition, religious references, and various modernist currents, including Surrealism. Frida died in 1954 at the age of 47 in her Casa Azul, in Mexico.
Frida Kahlo: The Making of an Icon exhibits over 30 of the artist's works, complemented by clothing, jewelry, photographs, and other personal belongings, offering an expanded view of her life and work. Thus, the exhibition portrays Frida in her various identities: as a modern artist, intellectual, partner of Diego Rivera, a woman marked by physical pain, and a political activist.
At the entrance, visitors can see photographs taken by her father when she was approximately 18 years old. These images were taken just months after the bus accident that drastically changed her life and helped introduce a recurring theme throughout the show: the connection between body, trauma, and the creative process.
The exhibition also traces the stylistic evolution of Frida Kahlo's self-portraits. A notable example is 'Self-Portrait with Velvet Suit', created in 1926, where the influence of European art, specifically Italian Mannerism and Art Nouveau, is evident. In contrast, 'Self-Portrait with Loose Hair' from 1947 shows the artist with a more intense and disturbing presence. Other important pieces include 'The Two Fridas', 'The Heart', and 'The Broken Column.'
Another relevant aspect of the show is the intention to place Frida's work in dialogue with contemporary and modern Mexican painters who were deeply influenced by her, citing Olga Costa, María Izquierdo, and Manuel Rodríguez Lozano.
Tate Modern operates daily, from 10 am to 6 pm from Sunday to Thursday, and from 10 am to 9 pm on Fridays and Saturdays. Although general admission is free, the Frida Kahlo exhibition costs £25, and advance purchase is recommended.
In the film industry, heroes come and go, but some villains remain in the memory of viewers for many years due to their image and style. Pradip Rawat was one such actor. His imposing screen presence, intimidating face, and deep voice made him one of the most memorable villains in Indian cinema.
Today, Pradip Rawat has passed away. He died after a five-year battle with leukemia. However, his journey is not just a story of a successful villain, but an example of resilience, patience, and the indomitable spirit of an artist.
For Pradip Rawat, born in Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh, achieving success in the film industry was not easy. After moving to Mumbai, he constantly faced rejections. Due to his large build and energetic appearance, he was often offered similar roles, but the long-awaited major opportunity was delayed.
During this period, he caught the attention of the distinguished film director B. R. Chopra, which completely changed his life.
In 1988, Pradip Rawat received the role of Ashwatthama in B. R. Chopra's historical television show 'Mahabharat'. This was his first significant breakthrough. At that time, 'Mahabharat' was watched in almost every home in the country, and the role of Ashwatthama helped him gain fame, opening doors to the world of cinema.
He began his film career with the 1985 film 'Mary Jang'. After that, he acted in many big movies such as 'Koyla', 'Bagi', 'Mejar Sab', 'Sarfarosh', 'Agnipath', and 'Lagaan'. Nevertheless, in these films, he was often given small or supporting roles. Despite participating in projects of major studios, he did not receive the recognition he deserved, and sometimes had to agree to minor roles to sustain his career.
The most important turning point in Pradip Rawat's career was the Telugu film 'Sye' in 2004, directed by I. S. S. Rajamouli. In this film, he played the role of Bhikshu Yadav. His menacing smile, powerful dialogues, and majestic screen presence made such an impression on the audience that Bhikshu Yadav is still considered one of the most iconic figures in Telugu cinema.
After the success of the film, Pradip Rawat became one of the most sought-after villains in the South Indian industry. He then played unforgettable roles in hits such as 'Bhadra', 'Andrivadu', 'Chatrapati', and 'Lakshmi'. His role as Rasa Bihari in 'Chatrapati' is still loved by fans.
In 2005, Pradip Rawat played the main villain role in the Tamil film 'Ghazni', directed by A. R. Murugadoss. The film was so successful that an Indian remake was later made, starring Aamir Khan, and Pradip Rawat reprised the role of Ghazni. Interestingly, the film was named after his character—Ghazni.
The Indian version of 'Ghazni', released in 2008, became the first Bollywood film to gross 100 million rupees. Audiences highly appreciated both Aamir Khan's transformation and the sinister villain played by Pradip Rawat. Even today, mentioning 'Ghazni' brings his image to mind.
Most people remember him only as a dangerous villain, but Pradip Rawat demonstrated his talent for comedy in many films. In movies like 'Oye', 'Pularangadu', 'Nenu Sheelja', and 'Sarranodu', he proved that he could not only scare but also make the audience laugh.
The U.S. judicial system has set the start date for the proceedings regarding the merger of Paramount and Warner for March 2, 2027. This court hearing will determine whether the acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery by Paramount, valued at $111 billion (570.9 billion Brazilian reais), violates the country's antitrust laws. The decision could further delay the completion of one of the largest mergers in the history of the entertainment industry.
Judge Araceli Martínez-Olguín of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California ruled that the hearing will last 12 days, with scheduled breaks throughout March.
The new schedule is a victory for a coalition of 12 U.S. states that filed suit to block the deal. Last week, state attorneys general demanded that the hearings begin in April 2027. In turn, Paramount argued that the case should be heard as early as November of this year, characterizing the states' demand as a deliberate attempt to drag out the process.
The company stated in an official filing that it respects the Court's decision. Meanwhile, the office of Rob Bonta, California's Attorney General and one of the leaders of the lawsuit, expressed satisfaction with the 'attention the case is receiving from the court.'
The delay also increases financial costs for Paramount. Under the agreement terms, the company is obligated to pay Warner Bros. Discovery shareholders $650 million (3.3 billion Brazilian reais) for each quarter of delay in closing the merger, starting in October. Furthermore, Paramount agreed not to complete the acquisition until a court ruling is obtained and set June 2027 as the deadline for finalizing the transaction.
In a letter to investors, David Ellison, Paramount's controller, reported that the company continues to implement its plans while awaiting the completion of the purchase. He stated that the company expects to generate $3.9 billion (20 billion Brazilian reais) in net profit this year, aided by a large-scale cost-cutting program.
If the deal is approved, it will unite two of Hollywood's largest studios, along with streaming services HBO Max and Paramount+, and channels such as CBS and CNN. Paramount argues that the merger is necessary to strengthen its position against competition from streaming giants like Netflix and Amazon. In an article published in The New York Times, David Ellison noted that lawsuits against the deal 'imagine a Hollywood that no longer exists.'
The state attorneys general who initiated the lawsuit insist that the merger will give Paramount a dominant position in various market segments, including the production of major blockbusters and cable television channels. In addition to the state lawsuit, the Writers Guild of America, a union representing screenwriters in the United States, has also joined the court, stating that the deal could harm industry workers.
In Spain, the Guardia Civil seized over 115 thousand counterfeit jewelry items from a warehouse in San Castell, Palma de Mallorca. This confiscation is the largest of its kind conducted in the Balearic Islands.
An investigation was also launched against four individuals suspected of committing crimes against industrial property. The operation took place on July 14, according to a statement from the Port-Cristo Coast Guard and Customs Service (PAFIF).
According to PAFIF data, the warehouse was used for wholesale and retail distribution of a large quantity of costume jewelry that imitated the designs of famous international brands of luxury jewelry. The investigation, which lasted several months, was based on numerous checks conducted by the Guardia Civil in the island's commercial establishments.
Documentation seized during the inspections allowed investigators to discover the main logistics center that supplied various commercial enterprises in the Balearic Islands.
During this operation, 115,535 counterfeit jewelry items were seized, including: 38,493 bracelets; 35,994 pairs of earrings; 22,064 necklaces; 10,811 bangles; and 8,173 rings.
Brand experts who arrived from Madrid assessed the seized items. According to their evaluation, if these items were sold as originals, they would be worth hundreds of millions of euros, although at the time of sale they were offered at lower prices.
The operation remains open, and the Guardia Civil does not rule out further action within the scope of the investigation.
Over time, he gradually withdrew from public life. Once, Pradip Rawat was considered a near-guaranteed choice for major action films in Telugu cinema, but over time, he began to distance himself from Hindi and South Indian films. New actors emerged, the industry changed, and Pradip Rawat gradually disappeared from sight.
Nevertheless, fans always felt that he did not receive the respect and major roles commensurate with his talent.
Pradip Rawat never claimed the title of a superstar, but he proved that a strong artist can leave a mark on history even without being a hero. Characters like Ashwatthama, Bhikshu Yadav, Ghazni, and Rasa Bihari are not just cinematic roles, but an integral part of the legacy of Indian cinema.
His death left grief in his family. He left behind a widowed wife and two sons in sorrow. Although he is no longer among us, his name will always be mentioned with respect when discussing the most powerful villains in Indian cinema.
Farewell, Pradip Rawat... You proved that true glory comes not from becoming a hero, but from making your character immortal.
