Pooja was born in Kochi and raised on a mix of newspapers, pop culture, and too many questions. She studied Communicative English and Journalism before earning her Master’s in Journalism from Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, and began her career interning at The Times of India and Channel I'M — where she later became a news anchor, scripting and presenting her own stories. Between deadlines, she’s worked across digital media platforms, covering politics, gender, pop culture, cinema, and everything in between. She has interviewed actors, creators, and changemakers, and occasionally edits her own video content — thanks to being certified in Photoshop and InDesign. In 2025, she joined the Asian Media Group in her first “official” newsroom gig, where she now covers entertainment, lifestyle, and the layered realities of South Asian identity. She believes storytelling should feel personal — even when it’s public — and likes to write not to please, but to provoke, question, and occasionally stir the pot.
Remember when people sneered, "TikTokers? Making movies?" Yeah, toss that script. This isn’t about going viral anymore; it’s about building empires. What started as 15-second clips is now turning into major movie deals, studio projects, and executive producing credits. These creators have crossed over into film and television, landed record deals, voiced animation characters, and in some cases, even produced their own films.
Studios aren’t casting these creators for clout; they’re handing them keys. Why? Because they walk in with what Hollywood’s starving for: armies of fans who actually give a damn!
Here are 10 TikTok stars who didn’t stop at going viral. Instead, they turned their popularity into serious Hollywood power.
1. Charli D’Amelio (157M followers)
From TikTok to Apple TV+ and Disney+
She went from dancing in her room to being the face of a new generation. Charli’s three-season run on The D’Amelio Show gave her fans a closer look at her life, and it worked. More than 70% of her audience followed her to new projects. Now, she’s leading Apple TV+’s The Studio and producing dance films for Disney+. She’s not just performing; she’s making decisions behind the camera too.
Addison broke into acting with He’s All That, which went #1 in 78 countries on Netflix. She followed it up with a role in Eli Roth’s Thanksgiving, showing she can go from high-school cute to slasher scream. With a seven-figure, multipicture deal with Netflix and an upcoming movie with Ryan Reynolds (Animal Friends), she’s clearly not here for just a cameo.
Bella’s journey is proof that one viral video can indeed start a new life. Her hit single Build a Btch crossed 500 million streams, but she didn’t stop at music. She voiced a character in DC League of Super-Pets and is now creating her own anime series for Crunchyroll, involved in every creative decision. It’s not just about fame for her; it’s about building a whole world.
Bryce has always been polarising, and that hasn’t changed in Hollywood. He’s co-starring in Skillhouse, a horror film produced by 50 Cent, but the drama hasn’t stayed on screen. A legal fight over creative control made headlines, and yet, his name keeps getting bigger. Like it or not, people are watching.
Hannah made her name on Vine and YouTube before TikTok, and now she’s turning all that into big-screen moments. She joins Bryce in Skillhouse and even voiced a version of herself on The Simpsons. She’s not trying to go viral anymore; she’s building a career that stretches far beyond short clips.
Rudy didn’t wait for someone to give him a role; he made his own. His Amazon Prime film Música is based on his life, and he wrote, directed, and starred in it. His next two films focus on immigrant stories, and he’s changing how stories are made: TikTok polls helped decide the movie ending, which saved 60% of marketing spend. He’s reinventing indie film, with Gen Z in the front row.
Often living in the shadow of her sister, Dixie’s making her own lane. Her song Be Happy made it to the Billboard charts, and she voiced a lead in StarDog and TurboCat. Alongside Charli, she co-led The D’Amelio Show. She might not be loud online, but she’s working, and it clearly shows.
Loren was once TikTok’s most-followed creator. Now, she’s starring in Netflix’s After Ever Happy and has over 1 billion music streams under her belt. Signed to Virgin Records, she’s one of the few to find real success in both music and acting, without ever losing her online edge.
Noah was a Division I soccer player before TikTok, and now he’s acting in indie movies like The Influence and appearing in an HBO Max reality series. He’s not chasing roles for fame; he’s choosing ones that let him grow, and it’s showing in the way his audience sticks around.
She made her mark with makeup and dance, but Avani’s acting résumé is growing fast. She starred in Bixler High Private Eye on Hulu and voiced a role in Netflix’s Marmaduke. She also won the 2019 Streamy for “Dance Creator of the Year.” She’s quietly becoming a reliable face in teen films, and producers are taking notice.
This isn’t about influencers "breaking into" Hollywood. It’s about Hollywood breaking open. These creators aren’t guests anymore; they’re building their own tables. Horror films. Rom-coms. Animation. Music. Production deals. They keep it real, know their fans like family, and won’t apologise for taking space.
It’s easy to dismiss viral fame as a trend. But these ten prove otherwise. They didn’t just ride a wave; they built boats. And now they’re steering them straight into Hollywood.
A unique travelling film festival focused on gender equity is set to tour the UK this month. SamaBhav UK 2025, curated by Harish Sadani, founder of India’s Men Against Violence and Abuse (MAVA), will run from 19 to 28 July across Leeds, London and Bristol. Through powerful films and open conversations, the event aims to spark dialogue on masculinity, care, and gender justice within South Asian communities.
Curated by Harish Sadani, founder of Men Against Violence and Abuse (MAVA), the festival invites audiences into dialogue on gender equity, homophobia, and toxic masculinity, all rooted in a South Asian context.
SamaBhav UK 2025 invites young people and queer voices to speak on gender equity
SamaBhav aims to reshape how masculinity is seen
Harish Sadani, who has worked with boys and men in India for over two decades, says engaging men in gender equity work is key. “Men have always been viewed as the problem,” he explains, “but we need to involve them in the solution-making process too.” Through SamaBhav, he hopes to challenge stereotypes and redefine masculinity in a more inclusive and peaceful direction.
SamaBhav UK 2025 film festival opens with urgent call for gender justice in South Asian communities www.easterneye.biz
Films spark meaningful conversations after every screening
This year’s line-up includes titles like Call Me Dancer and Riha (Unlocked), each selected to provoke reflection and honest discussion. After the screenings, attendees join reflection spaces and panels with filmmakers, youth speakers, queer voices and social workers. Sadani will personally facilitate every discussion.
Activist Chris Green OBE, a UK-based ally of the movement, lends his voice as a festival partner: “I want to live in a society free of homophobia and rigid gender rules that box in how a man should behave. That’s why I support this.”
Community-driven and part of South Asian Heritage Month
Backed by the South Asian Heritage Trust, UNESCO, SOAS and more, SamaBhav UK is part of this year’s South Asian Heritage Month programming. The Leeds leg begins this weekend (19–20 July), followed by screenings in London (23–24 July) and Bristol (28 July). Tickets are priced at £10 (₹1,050) and are available via Eventbrite.
Festival organisers are now calling on local communities, collectives and cultural workers to attend, share, and help amplify these much-needed conversations.
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Sanjay Dutt says he was wasted in Leo Lokesh Kanagaraj admits the role could have been better
Sanjay Dutt recently said he was “angry” at Lokesh Kanagaraj for underusing him in Leo.
Lokesh admitted he “probably made a mistake” and acknowledged flaws in his writing.
The director revealed Sanjay called him after the clip went viral and clarified it was a light-hearted comment.
Lokesh promised to give Sanjay “one of his best roles” in a future collaboration.
Filmmaker Lokesh Kanagaraj has addressed Sanjay Dutt’s recent statement about being underused in Leo, admitting he might have made a mistake while writing the veteran actor’s character. Dutt, who played the antagonist Antony Das in the Vijay-led film, had said during a promotional event that he felt the director “wasted” his talent by not giving him a stronger role.
The Leo clip, shared widely on social media, sparked discussions around casting big stars in brief parts. Lokesh has now responded with humility, acknowledging the criticism and calling it part of his learning curve as a filmmaker.
Lokesh Kanagaraj reacts to Sanjay Dutt’s Leo remark admits writing flaws in the filmX/Lokesh Kanagaraj
Sanjay Dutt’s ‘wasted’ comment was taken out of context, says Lokesh
In a recent interview, Lokesh said Dutt personally called him after the comment gained traction online. “He told me, ‘I made the comment very funnily, but people just cut it and shared it. It looks awkward, and I didn’t mean it like that, Loki." I said, ‘No problem, sir.’
Despite the light-hearted intent behind the remark, Lokesh didn’t shy away from taking accountability.
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Lokesh Kanagaraj says he’s still learning
The director admitted that Dutt’s character may not have been fully fleshed out, explaining, “Probably, I would’ve done better. I’m not a genius or the greatest filmmaker in the world who always gets it right. I’ve made many mistakes in my films. It’s a process of learning.”
He went on to suggest that he wants to work with Dutt again, this time with a more substantial role: “I’ll probably do one of the best roles with Sanjay Dutt, sir.”
Lokesh Kanagaraj responds to Sanjay Dutt’s criticism over Leo role with honest admissionInstagram/ lokesh.kanagaraj
Dutt says he enjoyed working with Vijay, but wanted a bigger role
At the press meet for his upcoming Kannada film KD – The Devil, where he appeared with Shilpa Shetty and Dhruva Sarja, Sanjay Dutt spoke about his experience on Leo. “I loved working with Thalapathy Vijay,” he said, “but I’m angry at Lokesh because he didn’t give me a big role. He wasted me.”
Dutt also praised southern cinema legends, saying, “I look up to Rajinikanth and Kamal Haasan. I’ve worked with Rajini sir multiple times; he’s one of the most humble people I’ve met.” He also called Ajith Kumar a close friend.
In Leo, Dutt’s character Antony Das was positioned as the father of Vijay’s protagonist. Despite being pitched as a key antagonist, many viewers felt his appearance was limited and lacked impact.
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Lokesh’s next film Coolie set for box office clash with War 2
Lokesh Kanagaraj is now focused on his upcoming action film Coolie, starring Rajinikanth. The ensemble cast includes Nagarjuna, Upendra, Shruti Haasan, Soubin Shahir, Sathyaraj, and Reba Monica John. A cameo by Aamir Khan and music by Anirudh Ravichander are also part of the film’s appeal.
Coolie is slated for release on 14 August 2025, where it will go head-to-head with Ayan Mukerji’s War 2, starring Hrithik Roshan and Jr NTR. Whether Lokesh redeems himself with a meatier role for Sanjay Dutt in the future remains to be seen, but for now, the filmmaker’s honest admission and promise of a better collaboration has struck a chord with fans.
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Beyoncé performing during her Cowboy Carter tour in Atlanta
Choreographer Christopher Grant and dancer Diandre Blue’s rental car was broken into on 8 July in Atlanta.
Five hard drives with Beyoncé’s unreleased music, show visuals, and setlists were among the stolen items.
Police tracked the location of missing devices and issued an arrest warrant, but no suspect has been publicly named.
The incident occurred two days before Beyoncé’s four-night tour stop at Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
Just two days before Beyoncé was set to take the stage in Atlanta for her Cowboy Carter tour, a major security breach rocked her team. Unreleased music, private show material, and luxury items were stolen from a rental vehicle used by her choreographer and dancer, police confirmed.
Atlanta authorities say the break-in happened on 8 July around 8 pm in a parking garage near Krog Street Market. The SUV, a black Jeep Wagoneer, was briefly left unattended by choreographer Christopher Grant and dancer Diandre Blue while they grabbed food. When they returned, the rear window had been smashed, and two suitcases containing sensitive material were missing.
Beyonce attend the Louis Vuitton's Menswear Ready-to-wear Spring-Summer 2026 collectionGetty Images
Jump drives contained unreleased Beyoncé music and show visuals
The stolen items included five hard drives loaded with unreleased, watermarked tracks by Beyoncé, as well as detailed visual plans and setlists for her ongoing Cowboy Carter tour. According to the official police report, the drives held both past and upcoming show footage, material Beyoncé typically keeps under tight wraps to avoid leaks.
Also taken were personal laptops, designer clothing, and Apple AirPods. A tracking ping from the AirPods helped police briefly locate a suspect vehicle, which moved across several zones in Atlanta. While fingerprints and CCTV footage were collected from the scene, it’s not yet clear if any of the stolen contents have been recovered.
Beyoncé continued her Cowboy Carter tour in Atlanta despite the setbackGetty Images
An arrest warrant has been issued, but no suspect named
Police have issued an arrest warrant, but the name of the individual involved has not been publicly disclosed. Officers reportedly stopped a "suspicious" individual near the pinged AirPods location, but no official confirmation of an arrest has followed.
The investigation is ongoing, with authorities relying on fingerprints, surveillance footage, and digital tracking from the stolen devices. Beyoncé’s team has not released any public statement so far.
Beyoncé’s choreographer and dancer reported sensitive materials missing from their rental carGetty Images
Beyoncé has a history of tight security around her unreleased music
Known for her secrecy around new projects, Beyoncé’s entire approach to album releases has revolved around maintaining complete control over when and how her music is heard. Her 2013 self-titled album dropped without warning, revolutionising the “surprise release” strategy.
In more recent years, fans even refused to leak her 2022 album Renaissance when it briefly appeared online early, a gesture Beyoncé acknowledged with gratitude. In that context, this Atlanta theft is particularly damaging, threatening to derail the rollout of potential future material.
Beyoncé’s team hit by major theft in Atlanta as unreleased music goes missingGetty Images
Cowboy Carter tour continues as planned despite setback
Despite the incident, Beyoncé carried on with her Atlanta residency at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium, performing across four nights from 10 to 15 July. Her husband Jay-Z made a surprise appearance during one of the shows, and the tour remains on track to conclude in Las Vegas on 26 July.
The Cowboy Carter album, released earlier this year, marked Beyoncé’s bold entry into country music while celebrating its Black roots and went on to win the Grammy for Album of the Year.
Christopher Grant and Diandre Blue, both longstanding collaborators, remain active members of the Cowboy Carter tour team. Grant has worked with artists like Shakira, while Blue featured prominently alongside Beyoncé in a Super Bowl ad earlier this year tied to the album’s release.
As the tour progresses, fans and industry insiders alike will be watching closely to see whether Beyoncé addresses the theft or modifies any show elements as a result of the stolen material.
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Producer Namit Malhotra reveals how AI will make Ramayana resonate globally with native-language realism
Ramayana, directed by Nitesh Tiwari, will be released in two parts on Diwali 2026 and 2027.
Producer Namit Malhotra confirmed the combined budget is over £375 million (₹4,000 crore).
The film stars Ranbir Kapoor, Sai Pallavi, Yash, and Sunny Deol, with music by Hans Zimmer and A.R. Rahman.
It will use AI dubbing and IMAX-scale VFX from Prime Focus for a global cinematic release.
Nitesh Tiwari’s Ramayana is officially the most expensive Indian film ever made, with a staggering production budget exceeding £375 million (₹4,000 crore). Confirmed by producer Namit Malhotra, the two-part epic is being developed at nearly £400 million, placing it alongside some of Hollywood’s biggest projects in terms of scale and ambition.
The project, backed entirely by Malhotra’s team without outside investment, is being hailed as a landmark cultural and cinematic moment for India. With its use of cutting-edge technology, an international musical collaboration, and a cast of some of the country's biggest names, Ramayana is being positioned as a visual retelling of India’s most revered epic for global audiences.
Fans await Ramayana teaser as early reviews spark buzz online Instagram/iamnamitmalhotra
VFX, AI dubbing and a grand IMAX vision
Malhotra, who is also the CEO of Prime Focus, the VFX house behind Inception, Dune, and Interstellar, is bringing the same scale of production to Ramayana. From AI-powered dubbing to ensure effortless multilingual release to custom-built IMAX-ready visuals, the film is expected to be a technological leap for Indian cinema.
The use of AI dubbing marks a first for India, with actors’ voices being translated seamlessly across languages without additional recording, potentially revolutionising how pan-India films are made.
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Star-studded cast to bring the epic to life
Leading the film is Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Ram, alongside Sai Pallavi as Sita and Kannada superstar Yash as Ravan. Sunny Deol plays Hanuman, with support from Ravi Dubey, Lara Dutta, and Vikrant Massey. Although Amitabh Bachchan’s name has been linked to the project, his role has not been officially confirmed.
The story will unfold across two instalments, with Part 1 slated for Diwali 2026 and Part 2 arriving in 2027. Sources suggest the first part may end with the pivotal ‘Sita Haran’ episode, though plot specifics remain tightly under wraps.
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Zimmer and Rahman to compose original soundtrack
Adding further weight to the project is its musical team, Academy Award winners Hans Zimmer and A.R. Rahman. Their collaboration for Ramayana is in fact a rare union of East and West and is expected to deliver a stirring, cinematic score that matches the film's scale.
A motion poster launched earlier this month gave fans the first animated glimpse of the characters and set the tone for the scale of storytelling. The visuals, backed by a teaser of the original score, have already begun building buzz among audiences.
AR Rahman and Hans Zimmer smile together in viral selfie Instagram/arrahman
A cultural milestone, not just a blockbuster
For Malhotra, this film goes beyond box office numbers. Speaking on Prakhar Gupta’s podcast, he said, “This isn’t just about money. It’s about telling the greatest story ever told, and doing it in a way the world has never seen.” He added that while the budget may seem large, it’s still more cost-effective than many comparable Hollywood tentpoles.
The producer also emphasised the deeply personal nature of the film, calling it a tribute to India's heritage. “This is a story that every Indian knows. Now it’s time the world sees it too,” he said.
With production fully underway, Ramayana is poised to become a milestone not only in Indian filmmaking but also in how ancient narratives are brought to screen with new-age tools.
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Dominic McLaughlin spotted in full Hogwarts costume as filming begins in the UK
Dominic McLaughlin unveiled as the new Harry Potter as HBO’s TV reboot begins filming.
Arabella Stanton and Alastair Stout confirmed as Hermione and Ron.
Series to release in 2027, one season per book over a decade-long plan.
John Lithgow, Paapa Essiedu, and Katherine Parkinson join the ensemble cast.
Production is officially underway for HBO’s long-awaited Harry Potter series, with the first image of 11-year-old Dominic McLaughlin in costume as the Boy Who Lived. The reboot marks a return to Hogwarts nearly 14 years after the final film in the original movie franchise wrapped, and it promises to revisit each of J.K. Rowling’s seven novels, with one season dedicated to each book.
The new trio cast as Harry, Hermione and Ron step into a world where childhood and fame rarely mix well Instagram/harrypotter/Getty Images
New Harry Potter cast includes young British actors and seasoned stars
The lead trio, McLaughlin as Harry Potter, Alastair Stout as Ron Weasley, and Arabella Stanton as Hermione Granger, were chosen from a pool of tens of thousands of children in an extensive casting process. HBO revealed the three in May, and now a wider ensemble has been confirmed.
Among the new faces joining the world of wizards are Rory Wilmot as Neville Longbottom, Amos Kitson as Dudley Dursley, Louise Brealey as Madam Hooch, and Anton Lesser as wandmaker Ollivander. Other key characters have been recast with prominent British actors, including John Lithgow as Dumbledore, Paapa Essiedu as Snape, and Katherine Parkinson as Molly Weasley.
Series to be “faithful adaptation” with new creative vision
The reboot is being described by HBO as a “faithful” retelling of Rowling’s original books but with more space and time to explore the stories in detail. Francesca Gardiner, best known for her work on Succession and Killing Eve, serves as the showrunner and writer. Longtime HBO collaborator Mark Mylod is on board as director for multiple episodes and will also serve as executive producer.
The series is being filmed at Warner Bros. Studios in Leavesden, the same location used for the original film series. Costume designer Holly Waddington, who recently won an Academy Award for Poor Things, has joined the production, while Killing Eve’s Laura Neal is part of the writers’ room.
While HBO has confirmed the first season will cover The Philosopher’s Stone, the network has not revealed whether subsequent seasons will continue yearly. However, executives have hinted at a decade-long rollout, aligning roughly with the timeline of the books’ original publication. The series will stream on HBO and HBO Max (or Max where available) and is expected to debut sometime in 2027, thirty years after the first Harry Potter book was released.
The reboot arrives at a time when the franchise’s popularity remains strong, thanks to its films, video games, and stage production The Cursed Child. The new series is being positioned as a way to introduce Hogwarts to a new generation while offering long-time fans a deeper, more expansive adaptation.
The Harry Potter reboot becomes the most expensive TV show ever Amazon
What else is known about the production?
In addition to familiar characters, the new series will introduce younger versions of beloved Hogwarts students, such as Draco Malfoy (played by Lox Pratt), Parvati Patil (Alessia Leoni), Seamus Finnigan (Leo Earley), and Lavender Brown (Sienna Moosah). Lucius Malfoy will be played by Johnny Flynn, while Daniel Rigby and Bel Powley step in as Vernon and Petunia Dursley.
HBO has also reportedly brought back Framestore, the VFX company behind the original movies, to recreate the magical world for television.
Despite the controversy surrounding Rowling’s recent public views, HBO has reaffirmed her involvement as an executive producer, suggesting that the show will still be grounded in the spirit of her original world-building, even as it brings in a diverse and updated cast.