Eastern Eye Arts, Culture & Theatre Awards

We were proud to partner with and support the Eastern Eye Arts, Culture & Theatre Awards (ACTAs) once again, celebrating the incredible achievements of South Asian creatives across film, TV, theatre, music, literature, and more. Hosted by Nihal Arthanayake, the night was a true showcase of talent and cultural impact.
One of the evening’s most memorable moments was the Outstanding Contribution to the Creative Industry award, presented to legendary director Waris Hussein, whose trailblazing career includes directing the very first series of Doctor Who in 1963. Fast-forward to today, and Doctor Who continued its winning streak with breakout star Varada Sethu picking up Best Actress for her role as Belinda Chandra alongside Ncuti Gatwa’s Time Lord.
Other major winners included Staz Nair, who received the Trailblazer Award for his role in the BBC crime drama Virdee, with author and screenwriter A.A. Dhand also winning Best Screenwriter. We were especially delighted to present the Best Actor – Film, TV & Drama award to Rishi Nair for his standout performance as Alphy Kotteram in ITV’s Grantchester.
The iconic Meera Syal took home Best Actress – Theatre for her acclaimed performance in A Tupperware of Ashes at the National Theatre, while Saachi Music wowed with a live performance after winning Emerging Artist. Other winners included Reeta Chakrabarti (Best Presenter), and the Community Engagement Award, which went to Bradford City of Culture 2025 and Bradford Literary Festival.
It was an inspiring night, and we’re proud to have been part of celebrating such outstanding South Asian talent.