Pooja Pillai is an entertainment journalist with Asian Media Group, where she covers cinema, pop culture, internet trends, and the politics of representation. Her work spans interviews, cultural features, and social commentary across digital platforms.
She began her reporting career as a news anchor, scripting and presenting stories for a regional newsroom. With a background in journalism and media studies, she has since built a body of work exploring how entertainment intersects with social and cultural shifts, particularly through a South Indian lens.
She brings both newsroom rigour and narrative curiosity to her work, and believes the best stories don’t just inform — they reveal what we didn’t know we needed to hear.
Aamir Khan has confirmed he’s in a serious relationship with his old friend, Gauri Spratt. The actor, who turns 60 on March 14, shared the news during an informal media interaction in Mumbai. Gauri isn’t new in his life, they first met over two decades ago. But now, he says, they are life partners.
The two have been together for about a year and a half. Aamir revealed that they currently live together, and that Gauri is the mother of a six-year-old boy. She’s also part of his professional world, working with his production company. Despite knowing Aamir for 25 years, she’s only watched a handful of his films like Lagaan and Dangal. Aamir smiled as he recalled Gauri telling him she doesn’t quite understand the "superstar" image attached to him.
Aamir Khan, who turns 60 soon, opens up about his personal life like never beforeGetty Images
At the media event, Aamir said he had introduced Gauri to his close friends Shah Rukh Khan and Salman Khan just the day before, at a dinner at his home. He mentioned that his family, including his children, are supportive and happy about his new relationship.
“She’s half Tamilian, half Irish, and her grandfather was a freedom fighter,” Aamir shared, adding a personal detail about her background. He also spoke about singing to her every day and joked about whether marriage at 60 would suit him or not.
Aamir was previously married to Reena Dutta, with whom he has two children, Ira and Junaid.
Aamir Khan with ex-wife Reena Dutta and daughter Ira Khan during Ira’s wedding celebrationsGetty Images
His second marriage to filmmaker Kiran Rao ended in 2021, though they continue to co-parent their son Azad.
Aamir Khan with ex-wife Kiran Rao—maintaining a strong friendship and working relationship after their separationGetty Images
Reflecting on his new chapter, Aamir made a playful reference to his iconic Lagaan role. “Bhuvan finally found his Gauri,” he said, drawing a connection between his real life and his famous character.
This candid moment with the media has revealed a personal side of Aamir rarely seen and fans seem eager to know more.
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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