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.
AbRam Khan turned 12 on 27 May, and the occasion was celebrated in a quiet, close-knit gathering at Mumbai’s NMACC Arts Café. Hosted by his mother Gauri Khan and sister Suhana, the celebration was simple, personal, and full of warmth. Though the Khan family is often seen together during major public moments, this time, Shah Rukh Khan and eldest son Aryan were noticeably absent, a detail that didn’t go unnoticed by fans online.
The celebration video, shared by the NMACC’s official Instagram account, opened with AbRam walking in alongside Suhana, both looking casual and cheerful. Suhana chose a breezy printed dress, while AbRam wore a relaxed blue tee. Gauri, who designed the café, appeared in a chic white blazer and trousers.
Inside, the café buzzed with a low-key birthday mood: pizzas, sweet bites, and a rich chocolate cake took centre stage. Also spotted were family friends like Pooja Dadlani and Kajal Anand, along with Gauri’s mother and other close relatives.
The caption from NMACC read, “Such a joy to welcome back Mrs Gauri Khan – designer of the NMACC Arts Café – along with Suhana Khan and family for AbRam’s birthday celebrations. Another evening full of sweet moments and big smiles.”
Social media reactions quickly picked up on the absence of Shah Rukh and Aryan. “Where’s King Khan?” asked one user. Another chimed in, “Why is the elder brother and dad missing?”
Fans wonder about Shah Rukh Khan and Aryan’s absence from the birthday celebrationGetty Images
While the reasons for their absence remain unclear, the bond between AbRam, Gauri, and Suhana stood out in the video full of smiles, quiet hugs, and a genuine sense of comfort. Born via surrogacy in 2013, AbRam is the youngest of the Khan siblings and has been a familiar face next to SRK during Eid and birthday waves to fans from Mannat.
Interestingly, the 12-year-old has already dipped his toes into voice acting. He recently dubbed for young Mufasa in the Hindi version of Mufasa: The Lion King, while Aryan voiced Simba. The film, a prequel to the beloved The Lion King, is directed by Barry Jenkins.
AbRam spotted with Shahrukh Khan Getty Images
Despite SRK and Aryan being missing in action, the gathering was a regular modern family celebration, laid-back, loving, and shared with those who matter most.
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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