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.
Composer Anirudh Ravichander says he hopes Coolie’s success will pave the way for Coolie 2.
Nagarjuna reveals Rajinikanth helped him with Tamil dialogues and praises his charisma on set.
Shruti Haasan teases that her character brings more than just the “feminine quotient” to the story.
Lokesh Kanagaraj’s film boasts an ensemble cast including Rajinikanth, Nagarjuna, Aamir Khan, and Soubin Shahir.
Anirudh Ravichander believes the action-packed Rajinikanth starrer Coolie could set the stage for a sequel, but only if the film is a roaring success. Speaking at Spotify’s special Hindi album launch event for the movie in Mumbai, the celebrated composer said, “I hope there’s a Coolie 2. The past one and a half years we’ve spent on this film have been magical, with such positive vibes from everyone, including the legends on set. If the film does great, I’d love for us to reunite for Coolie 2.”
Anirudh admitted that finishing the final mix just the night before had left him emotional. “Lokesh and I posted a picture, and we both felt the weight of this journey. As a fan, I can’t wait to watch the first day, first show.”
Anirudh Ravichander says Rajinikanth helped Nagarjuna with Tamil dialogues on Coolie set Getty Images
Could Coolie end with a sequel tease?
With filmmaker Lokesh Kanagaraj already open to making sequels to his previous hits Vikram, Leo, and Master, Anirudh’s remarks hint that Coolie’s ending might contain a twist that leaves the door open for future instalments. In Coolie, Rajinikanth returns to full-blown action as Deva, with a supporting cast that adds considerable star power.
The composer described the project as a thrilling experience despite the sleepless nights leading up to its completion. “Every minute has been enjoyable, and the adrenaline has kept us going. Working with legends is always my dream, and Nag sir’s presence on screen was phenomenal.”
Nagarjuna on Rajinikanth’s guidance and his villainous role
Telugu superstar Nagarjuna, who plays the menacing Simon in Coolie, revealed that Anirudh had composed a special track for him titled I Am The Danger. “I’ve wanted to work with Anirudh for a long time, and this was the perfect opportunity,” he said.
Nagarjuna also praised Rajinikanth for helping him deliver Tamil dialogues convincingly. “He would say, ‘Nag, try it like this,’ or suggest small changes that made a big difference. I had the most negative role ever, but the experience was incredibly positive,” he shared, adding that Rajinikanth’s charisma created a unique energy on set.
Shruti Haasan, who plays Preethi in the film, said Coolie was one of the most dynamic sets she has been part of. “Apart from Rajinikanth and Nag sir, once Soubin Shahir, Aamir Khan, Upendra sir, and others joined us, the energy was unmatched,” she recalled.
While many might assume her role is just the “feminine quotient” of the film, Shruti hinted that her character has more depth. “You’ll have to watch to understand. One of my favourite moments is when Rajinikanth sir delivers the line from the trailer: ‘He might be your father, but to me… he is my friend.’ It’s powerful.”
Anirudh also spoke about the Mobsta (Alela Polema) song from the film’s soundtrack, revealing that its now-viral hook came from an impromptu humming session. “I just sang random gibberish for the tune, and Lokesh loved it. Later, I learned that ‘Alela Polema’ actually means ‘I am ready to fight!’ in Greek,” he laughed.
On the identity of “Heisenberg,” the lyricist behind a couple of tracks, Anirudh kept the mystery alive. “He’s very talented. People think it’s me, but I’m not confirming anything.”
With its star-studded cast, action, and Anirudh’s soundtrack, Coolie is already generating buzz ahead of release. If the audience response matches the anticipation, Anirudh’s dream of Coolie 2 might just become reality.
Erivo returns to the BBC dance show in a new role.
She will advise contestants during Movie Week.
The professional dancers are doing a Wicked performance.
She previously served as a guest judge.
The move ties in with her new film release.
Strictly Come Dancing has called in Cynthia Erivo for special duties. The award-winning performer will act as a guest mentor when the show holds its Movie Week. This marks a fresh job for Erivo on the programme after she previously served as a judge. She is expected to guide the celebrities through their big screen themed routines.
Strictly Come Dancing brings back Cynthia Erivo to guide celebrities in Wicked-inspired Movie Week performances Getty Images
What does a guest mentor do?
This is a new position created for the series. Erivo will visit the couples during their practice sessions. She will give them tips on how to sell a performance. Her job is to help them look more like film stars on the dance floor. When the live show happens, she will also join the judging panel to watch the results.
Cynthia Erivo takes over mentoring on Strictly Come Dancing to boost celebrities for high-stakes Movie Week Getty Images
Why choose Cynthia Erivo?
She knows her way around the Strictly ballroom. Producers brought her in to cover for judges before. People still talk about how she spoke to Rose Ayling-Ellis using sign language. That moment showed she understands how to connect with performers. She also has a new Wicked film in cinemas right now, which makes the timing work well.
Yes, the professional dancers have prepared something special. They will perform to As Long As You're Mine from the musical. Erivo sings that song in the movie version. The number will likely feature costumes and sets from the production. It should serve as a major moment during the broadcast.
The Movie Week episode airs this Saturday evening on BBC One. The competition is starting to get serious now. Some couples are already struggling to impress the judges. Having Erivo there might give someone the boost they need to avoid elimination this weekend.
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Alia Bhatt reveals the real reason she said yes to Ranbir Kapoor and it will surprise you
Alia describes her bond with Ranbir as a natural, best-friend dynamic from the start.
She admits they love trolling each other more than anyone else.
The actress reveals becoming parents to Raha has fundamentally changed their relationship.
She predicts Ranbir will be an intensely overprotective father as Raha grows up.
Their intimate home wedding was chosen because they are self-confessed homebodies.
Let's be honest, everyone wanted to know what finally convinced Alia Bhatt to marry Ranbir Kapoor and she just spelled it out. During a recent talk show appearance, she didn't bother with vague, poetic answers. She got straight to the point and the answer had nothing to do with a grand fairytale. It was far more basic than that, and honestly, it makes complete sense.
Alia Bhatt reveals the real reason she said yes to Ranbir Kapoor and it will surprise you Getty Images
What is Alia and Ranbir's relationship really like?
Alia basically said what she and Ranbir have is far more real. "Ranbir and I have a natural friendship," she said. That's the bedrock of it all. "I married him because he is wonderful to me and also as a human being." And then she mentioned the trolling. "One hundred per cent the person I love trolling the most is him and the person he loves trolling the most is me."
Alia Bhatt shares rare insights about her marriage to Ranbir KapoorGetty Images
Why did Alia Bhatt and Ranbir Kapoor have a home wedding?
Everyone expected a massive Bollywood wedding for them, at a palace somewhere. But they did the complete opposite. Alia explained their thought process behind the decision. "We are homebodies, very socially awkward. We just wanted the closest people in our lives with us. I did not want to be attending to people at our wedding." They considered other venues, but ultimately decided to keep it personal. "We said we'll go on holiday to those places instead."
Parenthood has deepened Alia and Ranbir’s connectionGetty Images
How has becoming parents changed them?
The arrival of their daughter, Raha, has fundamentally shifted their dynamic. Alia stated plainly that things are totally different now. Where they were a couple before, they have solidified into a proper unit. It’s a deeper, more entrenched kind of partnership. And looking ahead, Alia can already foresee the comedy. She joked that she can easily imagine a future where Ranbir, the doting dad, is literally kicking out any boy who dares to come to their house to see Raha. The overprotective father role seems to be his next big performance.
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Eric Dane battles ALS with courage for the sake of his daughters
The Euphoria actor is leaning on family and friends for support during this difficult chapter.
Dane recently travelled to Washington DC to fight for more government funding for ALS research.
He spoke openly about his personal motivation, which centres on his two young daughters.
He is determined to keep working, having returned to filming after his diagnosis went public.
His condition has presented clear physical challenges, including a decline in muscle function.
These days, you’re more likely to find Eric Dane in a government building than on a film set. The Euphoria and Grey’s Anatomy star was just spotted in Washington D.C., but he wasn't there for a shoot. Turns out he was there for something far more critical, diving headfirst into the fight for ALS awareness after his own diagnosis. This new mission is intensely personal, a push for policy changes that might finally make a difference for people living with this progressive neurological disease.
Eric Dane battles ALS with courage for the sake of his daughters Getty Images
What is the latest on Eric Dane's health?
Friends of the actor say the diagnosis has been devastating, frankly. You can see it. Recent photos from a Washington DC airport showed him using a wheelchair and he reportedly struggled with his speech when approached, his voice gruff as he told a photographer to "keep the faith." It’s a tough update for fans who’ve followed his career. He’d already mentioned in June that he was down to one functioning arm, so this seems part of a difficult progression.
— (@)
Why did Eric Dane go to Washington DC?
He wasn't there for a premiere. Dane met with California congressman Eric Swalwell, teaming up with the organisation I AM ALS to lobby for the Act for ALS, a piece of legislation that broadens patient access to clinical trials. He argued that doctors are often slow to give an ALS diagnosis, which then blocks patients from joining these vital trials.
Euphoria star Eric Dane faces ALS with determination and strength Getty Images
What is driving Eric Dane in his ALS battle?
Ask him what keeps him going and the answer is immediate: his daughters. In a TikTok clip that’s been making the rounds, his voice is clear. "I wanna ring every bell." He’s talking about his daughters, Billie and Georgia, who he shares with Rebecca Gayheart. He told Swalwell point-blank "he needs to see them finish college, walk down the aisle, all of it so I’m gonna fight until the last breath on this one." That’s the fuel right there.
Lahore-based alt-jazz band fuses South Asian classical, jazz, and hip-hop.
Sarangi virtuoso Zohaib brings centuries-old tradition into modern grooves.
UK debut at Union Chapel won over South Asian diaspora audiences.
Barbican show promises richer textures, extended improvisation, and cinematic moments.
Collaboration with legends like Ustad Noor Bakhsh bridges generations and heritage.
Let's get one thing straight: you can't pin Jaubi's sound down. It's a mash-up, sure: Hindustani classical rhythms, the freefall of jazz, hip-hop's grounding beat. But for them, it's never about genre. It's all gut feeling. Speaking exclusively to Eastern Eye ahead of their Barbican show on 3 October, the Lahore-based band opened up about their philosophy, their roots, and why improvisation feels like a conversation, not a performance.
Why “whatever” is more than a name, it’s their musical philosophy
It all starts with the name: Jaubi. It's Urdu for "whatever." Or "whoever."
"It's a philosophy," they say. "It means that when we sit down to create, we're not thinking, this has to be jazz, or this needs to sound like traditional South Asian classical music. We're just expressing what feels true in that moment." In an industry that feeds on neat boxes, that's not just a name; it's a rebellion.
This philosophy manifests in a sound that connects cosmic dots. It's the yearning of John Coltrane crashing into the beat science of J Dilla and the narrative flow of Nas. At its heart is the soulful cry of the sarangi, played by Zohaib, a seventh-generation carrier of that rare lineage.
So how do you honour centuries of tradition while plugging it into a modern context?
"We're conscious of honouring the tradition," they explain. The goal isn't forced modernisation. "The goal isn't to modernise the sarangi, but to create a dialogue between past and present, showing it can exist alongside a bassline or drum loop without losing its soul. In that way, the tradition is protected by being kept alive and relevant, not locked away."
Jaubi brings centuries-old sarangi to modern beats
The intimate, human centre of Nafs at Peace
This dialogue is captured perfectly on their album Nafs at Peace. The album cover, a photo of Ali Riaz Baqar's mother praying, is its intimate, human centre. The title track sonically maps an inner journey. "It begins sparse and unsettled—loose rhythms, open spaces, almost like a mind in turmoil... By the end, everything locks together in harmony. It's not triumphant, but a calm and quiet resolution."
This raw, honest sound wasn't lab-grown. Their seminal session with UK jazz figure Tenderlonious and pianist Marek Pędziwiatr was a one-day, improvised gamble.
Jaubi: the band proving South Asian music can break every rule
"We weren't sure how these worlds would meet: Marek's piano, Tenderlonious' sax, our tabla, guitar, and sarangi." The initial anxiety was palpable. But then, the first notes. A response. An instinctive conversation began. "About halfway through the day, we hit a deep groove, a moment where everyone locked in and that's when we knew it was working. From there, the sessions flowed effortlessly."
For Jaubi, the path of a song is never pre-destined. "The melody always leads for us and everything else builds around it," they say of their writing process. "When I write, I usually start with a melodic idea... From there, the vibe naturally takes shape. We never force it into a category but we just follow where the melody wants to go."
Lahore’s sound goes global with Jaubi’s improvisation
Finding a sense of pride in heritage
This 'whatever' philosophy is resonating powerfully far from home. Nobody knew how their UK debut at Union Chapel would go over. But the reaction? It cracked the place open. "The response was overwhelming, particularly from the South Asian diaspora. Many people came up after the show saying it felt like hearing the sounds of their childhood reimagined in a new way." One conversation crystallised their mission: "Someone who said they'd never seen the sarangi on a stage like that before. They felt proud and emotional, like their heritage was being celebrated rather than just preserved."
Now, they're preparing for the Barbican. "We are expanding the live setup with richer textures, more percussion, deeper bass, and space for extended improvisation. It will feel bigger and more immersive, almost cinematic at times." The moment they want to etch into memory? "If there is one moment I hope people carry with them, it is A Sound Heart. When we play it live, there is a point where everything aligns, and you can feel the whole room breathing with the music."
Sharing the bill with legends like Ustad Noor Bakhsh and Amrit Kaur is a lesson in itself. "Playing alongside them feels like being part of a living tradition… What we take away most is their sense of presence. They do not rush, they let the music breathe. It reminds us to listen closely and to focus on expression rather than complexity."
Jaubi: redefining South Asian music, one note at a time
Looking to the future
This entire journey is rooted in Lahore, a city they describe as "alive with sound right now," pointing to a vibrant underground scene and artists like Maanu, Natasha Noorani, and the Mekaal Hasan Band.
Looking ahead, the legacy they want, true to their name is about opening doors. "In the next decade, we hope Jaubi's legacy is about possibility." It always comes back to doors left unlocked. A way for traditions to breathe new air, for jazz maps to include Lahore, and for some kid somewhere to think, "I can do that too."
Their final word on it? "We want younger musicians to feel free to experiment, whether they pick up a centuries-old instrument or make beats on a laptop. If our journey inspires even a few people to take risks and create something honest, then we have done our job."
Catch them on 3 October at the Barbican. Listen for the point where it all clicks into place. It's the sound of "whatever" finding its perfect, unforgettable voice.
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His status not only as a cinematic icon but also as a successful entrepreneur
Shah Rukh Khan’s net worth reaches approximately £1.04 billion, marking his entry into the billionaire club.
Tops the Hurun India Rich List for Bollywood stars.
Wealth primarily driven by Red Chillies Entertainment and IPL franchise ownership.
Global real estate holdings and luxury lifestyle complement his business ventures.
From actor to billionaire
Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan has officially joined the billionaire club for the first time, according to the Hurun India Rich List 2025. With a net worth of approximately £1.04 billion, Khan now holds the top spot among Bollywood actors, cementing his status not only as a cinematic icon but also as a successful entrepreneur.
Khan’s journey from modest beginnings in Delhi to international superstardom is well documented, but it is his business acumen that has pushed him into billionaire territory. Over the years, he has leveraged his fame into multiple ventures, spanning production, sports, and luxury lifestyle investments, making him a notable figure in both the entertainment and business worlds.
Red Chillies Entertainment: The backbone of wealth
A significant portion of Khan’s fortune stems from Red Chillies Entertainment, the production company he co-founded in 2002. The company has produced numerous critically acclaimed and commercially successful films while expanding into visual effects, animation, and digital media. Today, Red Chillies employs over 500 people and is considered one of India’s leading production houses.
“The company was always about creating quality cinema while embracing technology,” industry insiders say. “Khan’s vision and persistence have made it a business as well as a creative hub.”
Sports ventures and global assets
Khan’s wealth is also supplemented by his ownership of the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the Indian Premier League, which has become one of the league’s most successful and valuable franchises. The team’s success has provided both financial gains and a strong cultural presence.
In addition to cinema and sports, Khan owns luxury properties around the world. His Mumbai residence, Mannat, is valued at approximately £16.7 million. He also owns homes in London, Beverly Hills, Dubai, and a farmhouse in Alibaug. His luxury car collection includes a Bugatti Veyron (£1 million), Rolls-Royce Phantom (£790,000), and Bentley Continental GT (£273,000). These assets reflect his global lifestyle while complementing his business portfolio.
Bollywood’s wealth landscape
The Hurun India Rich List 2025 shows a growing trend of actors transforming their fame into substantial financial empires. Following Khan are Juhi Chawla and family (£649 million), primarily from Knight Riders Sports; Hrithik Roshan (£180 million), through his fitness brand HRX; Karan Johar (£156 million) of Dharma Productions; and Amitabh Bachchan and family (£136 million) from various investments.
A personal perspective
Despite his immense wealth, Khan remains grounded. Close collaborators note that his happiness is derived from family and the joy of creating stories that connect with people, rather than from material possessions. His rise to billionaire status underscores how creativity, perseverance, and business acumen can intersect, inspiring both aspiring actors and entrepreneurs alike.
Shah Rukh Khan’s inclusion in the billionaire club marks a landmark in his illustrious career, illustrating the evolution of a film star into a global business icon, while highlighting the potential for success beyond the silver screen.