Rapidly rising star Ashi Singh has delivered winning turns on the television and in the process gained herself a fast growing legion of fans. This includes a die-hard admirer, who runs a fan club and who just wants to be known as an Ashiholic.
What first connected you to the celebrity you love?
Ashi has a beautiful screen presence, where she’s able to make us connect to each and every emotion that her character is feeling. This is the first thing that attracted us, as well as her talent.
What made you become a super fan?
After becoming a fan of her talent, we were able to get to know her better and soon realised how incredibly humble, down-to-earth, sweet and simple she was. Also, her ability to make us feel like we’re her family.
What has been your most memorable moment?
Recently, a fan was able to meet Ashi and they mentioned our name to her to which she responded saying she knows us, and even sent her love to us through an autograph.
Tell us about something super you have done for Ashi?
We planned a birthday surprise for Ashi in 2018. With the help of fellow fans, we were able to pull it all off for Ashi on her set. We also helped fans send cakes and messages to Ashi. We also compiled fan messages to send to Ashi, so she’s aware of all the love she’s getting.
What is the thing you most love about Ashi?
Her simplicity, honesty and humbleness, despite having achieved so much at such a young age. Also, how she finds happiness in small things, her positive attitude to life, and her friendly nature towards her fans.
Which quality in Ashi do you most relate to?
It would have to be her simplicity because it makes us realise she’s just like any one of us. Every interview of her makes us feel like we are listening to a friend.
What is your favourite work of hers?
Definitely Yeh Un Dinon Ki Baat Hai, but more specifically, her stunning dance performances in it as well as the grace with which she performs intense and emotional scenes.
Why do you love being a super fan?
Because, it allows us to pamper Ashi and bring a smile to her face, which is the most rewarding thing we can do for her. Also, it allows us to help other fans, which once again is rewarding and gives us joy seeing Ashi’s fan family happy.
Forum brings UK and Chinese film professionals together to explore collaborations.
Emerging British-Asian talent gain mentorship and international exposure.
Small-scale dramas, kids’ shows, and adapting popular formats were the projects everyone was talking about.
Telling stories that feel real to their culture, yet can connect with anyone, is what makes them work worldwide.
Meeting three times a year keeps the UK and China talking, creating opportunities that last beyond one event.
The theatre was packed for the Third Shanghai–London Screen Industry Forum. Between panels and workshops, filmmakers, producers and executives discussed ideas and business cards and it felt more than just a summit. British-Asian filmmakers were meeting and greeting the Chinese industry in an attempt to explore genuine possibilities of working in China’s film market.
UK China film collaborations take off as Third Shanghai London Forum connects British Asian filmmakers with Chinese studios Instagram/ukchinafilm
What makes the forum important for British-Asian filmmakers?
For filmmakers whose films explore identity and belonging, this is a chance to show their work on an international stage, meet Chinese directors, talk co-productions and break cultural walls that normally feel unscalable. “It’s invaluable,” Abid Khan said after a panel, “because you can’t create globally if you don’t talk globally.”
And it’s not just established names. Young filmmakers were all around, pitching ideas and learning on the go. The forum gave them a chance to get noticed with mentoring, workshops, and live pitch sessions.
Which projects are catching international attention?
Micro-dramas are trending. Roy Lu of Linmon International says vertical content for apps is “where it’s at.” They’ve done US, Canada, Australia and next stop, Europe. YouTube is back in focus too, thanks to Rosemary Reed of POW TV Studios. Short attention spans and three-minute hits, she’s ready.
Children’s and sports shows are another hotspot. Jiella Esmat of 8Lions is developing Touch Grass, a football-themed children’s show. The logic is simple: sports and kids content unite families, like global glue.
Then there’s format adaptation. Lu also talked about Nothing But 30, a Chinese series with 7 billion streams. The plan is for an english version in London. Not a straight translation, but a cultural transformation. “‘30’ in London isn’t just words,” Lu says. “It’s a new story.”
Jason Zhang of Stellar Pictures says international audiences respond when culture isn’t just a background prop. Lanterns, flowers, rituals, they’re part of the plot. Cedric Behrel from Trinity CineAsia adds: you need context. Western audiences don’t know Journey to the West, so co-production helps them understand without diluting the story.
Economic sense matters too. Roy Lu stresses: pick your market, make it financially viable. Esmat likens ideal co-productions to a marriage: “Multicultural teams naturally think about what works globally and what doesn’t.”
The UK-China Film Collab’s Future Talent Programme is taking on eight students or recent grads this year. They’re getting the backstage access to international filmmaking that few ever see, including mentorship, festival organising and hands-on experience. Alumni are landing real jobs: accredited festival journalists, Beijing producers, curators at The National Gallery.
Adrian Wootton OBE reminded everyone: “We exist through partnerships, networks, and collaboration.” Yin Xin from Shanghai Media Group noted that tri-annual gathering: London, Shanghai, Hong Kong create an “intensive concentration” of ideas.
Actor-director Zhang Luyi said it best: cultural exchange isn’t telling your story to someone, it’s creating stories together.
The Shanghai-London Screen Industry Forum is no longer just a talking shop. It’s a launchpad, a bridge. And for British-Asian filmmakers and emerging talent, it’s a chance to turn ideas into reality.
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