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.
Beyoncé brought her Cowboy Carter tour to London this week, kicking off the European leg with a wild and unforgettable night at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Despite steady rain and grey skies, fans showed up in full force, dressed in cowboy boots, denim, fringe, and rhinestones, turning the downpour into what many cheekily called a "rain-aissance."
Beyoncé, wearing a sparkling American flag, inspired jumpsuit, did not miss a beat. “The rain feels so good!” she shouted, flashing a grin, as cheers erupted from the crowd.
Some fans had flown in from as far as Mexico and Israel, proving Beyoncé’s global pull. For many, it was not just a concert. In fact, it was a chance to witness a once-in-a-lifetime tour.
Fans in fringe and cowboy boots dance in the downpour outside Tottenham Hotspur StadiumInstagram/beyonce
Big moments and an even bigger meaning
The nearly three-hour show delivered one jaw-dropping moment after another. Beyoncé rode a golden mechanical bull during Tyrant and later glided above the audience in a floating horseshoe while performing Jolene. The production was slick and true to Beyoncé’s unmatched sense of showmanship.
But beyond the dazzling visuals, the performance had a strong emotional core. One of the most touching highlights came when Beyoncé brought her daughters, Blue Ivy and Rumi, on stage during Protector.
Beyoncé during her Cowboy Carter performance in LondonInstagram/beyonce
A tribute to heritage and legacy
The Cowboy Carter tour goes beyond glitz. With this album, Beyoncé reclaims the often-overlooked legacy of Black musicians in country music. Throughout the show, she acknowledged these roots, weaving in powerful tributes and subtle nods to history and resilience.
A sea of denim and rhinestones lights up London as Beyoncé reclaims country with joyInstagram/beyonce
Some ticket drama but no regrets
Some fans grumbled about ticket prices, especially after seeing last-minute price cuts. Tickets initially sold for up to £950 (₹99,500) but later dropped to £141 (₹14,800) for similar seats.
But as the final notes of 16 Carriages rang out, none of that seemed to matter. Beyoncé had given them something unforgettable: a stormy, sparkling night with a star who still knows how to surprise.
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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