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.
Anita Rani, the popular TV presenter, has always felt like she’s on the outside looking in. Growing up in Bradford during the 1980s, just a few miles from the Brontë sisters’ hometown of Haworth, she couldn’t help but feel a personal connection to these iconic literary figures. Rani’s new Sky Arts documentary, The Brontës by Anita Rani: Sisters of Disruption, isn’t just a historical retelling but a journey that intertwines her own story with that of the famous sisters.
Anita Rani's Sky Arts documentary highlights the rebellious spirit of the Brontë sistersGetty Images
From a young age, Rani was surrounded by the Brontës’ legacy. At her all-girls’ school, the portrait of the Brontë sisters by Branwell Brontë was a familiar sight, and their stories felt personal, especially since she grew up walking the same windswept moors they once did. The documentary takes Rani back to those roots, exploring the spirit of rebellion that connected her with the Brontës from a young age. To her, they weren’t just quiet, knitting women. They were fierce disruptors who challenged norms and made their voices heard. It’s this strength that resonated with Rani, who always longed to break out of traditional expectations.
Rani’s upbringing was shaped by her parents’ struggles as Punjabi immigrants who set up a textile factory in Bradford. Despite the hardships, her father encouraged her to break stereotypes. Unlike many traditional Indian fathers, he took her to the pub at 15 and taught her to play pool, something Rani credits for her ability to navigate the TV industry today.
Anita Rani shares how her upbringing shaped her connection with the BrontësGetty Images
The Brontë sisters, like Rani, were outsiders in their own way. Rani’s documentary highlights how their stories are more than just gothic romances; they are tales of women pushing against the world’s constraints. The film also touches on modern issues, like using Anne Brontë’s The Tenant of Wildfell Hall to support domestic abuse survivors. Rani’s own sense of disruption is echoed in the Brontës’ fight for female autonomy and identity.
Reflecting on her journey, Rani admits that her teenage self never realised how much the Brontës’ spirit matched her own. It wasn’t just about loving Wuthering Heights or identifying with Heathcliff. It was about finding a voice and taking ownership of her story.
Today, Rani continues to challenge stereotypes, inspired by the Brontës’ rebellious legacy. As she considers getting a tattoo that reads ‘Sister of Disruption,’ it’s clear that she’s not just telling their story but living it.
Ranveer Singh’s rugged new look anchors the high-energy music video.
Rapper Hanumankind makes his official Bollywood début with a fierce verse.
Modern take on the classic Punjabi folk tune 'Jogi'.
Glimpses of Sanjay Dutt and Arjun Rampal in the mix.
The full trailer lands next month.
The Dhurandhar title track just hit the internet, and the noise around this spy thriller just went up a few notches. This is the track that pulls rapper Hanumankind into his first proper Bollywood playback moment. They have taken the old folk number 'Jogi' and built a power-packed version around it, a mix of earthy roots and straight-up aggressive energy that hits like a truck. It fits, honestly. It mirrors the film's whole gritty vibe and Ranveer Singh's battle-hardened look with that wild beard.
Hanumankind brings raw rap fire while Ranveer Singh owns 'Dhurandhar' music video Getty Images/ Youtube Screengrab/Saregama Music
What is the Dhurandhar title track about?
You get a proper blast of the film’s atmosphere from this track. The music video cuts fast between shots of a heavily bearded and muscular Ranveer Singh, looking every bit the part of a hardened operative. The video cuts to the other big names in the cast as well. Sanjay Dutt, Arjun Rampal are all there in what appears to be a tense, dark situation. The music includes traditional Punjabi folk with a stronger, cinematic rhythm.
How did Hanumankind get involved in the Dhurandhar song?
It turns out his involvement was a pretty organic, almost spontaneous thing. Music composer Shashwat Sachdev opened up about how the rap section came together. Apparently, it happened during a late-night studio session with director Aditya Dhar and Hanumankind himself. They captured an impromptu performance that just clicked, bringing what Sachdev called a "raw, instinctive fire" to the whole track. For an artist known for his independent work, this Dhurandhar feature is a major step into the mainstream film scene.
All this build-up is heading towards a definite date. The makers confirmed it right at the end of the title track video. Dhurandhar is locked in for a worldwide theatrical release on 5 December of this year. For those who need more than a song to tide them over, the official trailer is promised for 12 November.
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