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 wore a custom Manish Malhotra outfit for her Paris concert on 19 June as part of the Cowboy Carter tour.
The black ensemble was embellished with thousands of crystals and styled with matching heels.
Jay-Z joined her on stage for a rare live duet of Crazy in Love.
Malhotra shared clips on Instagram, calling the collaboration a proud moment for Indian fashion.
Beyoncé turned heads at her Paris concert this week by stepping out in a custom outfit designed by Indian couturier Manish Malhotra, putting South Asian fashion in the global spotlight. The concert, held at the Stade de France on 19 June, was part of her ongoing Cowboy Carter tour.
The look was both theatrical and refined, perfectly suited to the energy of the show and Beyoncé’s larger-than-life stage persona.
Manish Malhotra’s design lights up Beyoncé’s Paris performance
Beyoncé’s stage presence is always powerful, but this time, her outfit drew just as much attention. The all-black ensemble, a bodysuit layered with boots and encrusted with Swarovski crystals, was designed exclusively by Malhotra for the Paris concert on 19 June.
Jay-Z made a surprise appearance for Crazy in Love, keeping it low-key in streetwear while Beyoncé’s shimmering outfit took centre stage. Malhotra, known for dressing Bollywood’s biggest stars, called the collaboration a "historic milestone" in a brief post on Instagram. He shared a clip from the Paris concert showing Beyoncé performing alongside her husband, Jay-Z. This is one of his most high-profile international features to date, as he is best known for dressing Bollywood stars.
Cultural crossover in Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter tour wardrobe
This is not the first time Beyoncé has embraced global fashion, but her choice to wear an Indian designer at a major tour stop sends a powerful message about representation. It reflects a growing trend of cultural crossover and deeper appreciation for South Asian craftsmanship in mainstream Western entertainment.
Fans and fashion watchers were quick to praise the ensemble, calling it bold, glamorous, and refreshingly different. With tour dates continuing through July, it remains to be seen if Beyoncé will showcase more international designers. But for now, Malhotra’s moment in Paris stands out.
Romesh admits he’s aware of possible overexposure but says he chooses work based on gut feeling and quality.
He makes his West End debut opposite Sheridan Smith in Alan Ayckbourn’s Woman in Mind.
The play runs at the Duke of York’s Theatre from 9 December to 28 February, then in Sunderland and Glasgow in March.
Romesh will play Bill, the doctor who links Susan’s real and imagined worlds.
He balances television, radio, and stage work by turning down offers he doesn’t think he can do well.
Romesh Ranganathan says he knows the word “overexposure” follows him around and he’s decided it’s a risk worth taking. The comedian, who is making his West End debut, told the BBC he deliberately turns down roles at times but will say yes when a job feels right, putting “overexposure” and the play’s pull, plus the chance to work with Sheridan Smith, at the centre of his decision. This new stage turn comes as Romesh juggles television presenting, radio, and touring stand-up, and it is also his first proper stage role since primary school.
Romesh Ranganathan makes his first West End appearance in Woman in Mind alongside Sheridan Smith Getty Images
What does Romesh mean by overexposure?
He’s not talking theory. He’s talking experience. Romesh openly acknowledges people tell him “you’re on everything,” a phrase he quotes, not hides from. His defence, though, is practical. He asks whether the project is something he’d watch, whether he can do it justice, and yes, whether there’s a fee. That’s his filter. Plain as that.
Romesh portrays Bill the doctor linking Susan’s real and imagined worlds on stage Getty Images
Why take the West End risk with Sheridan Smith?
Because the role felt right. Romesh will play Bill, the doctor connecting Susan’s two worlds, in Alan Ayckbourn’s Woman in Mind. Sheridan Smith leads as Susan, and Romesh says working opposite her is “exciting and intimidating.” He’s honest about nerves; that’s part of the point. He wants the challenge, even if it raises his profile further.
The production runs at the Duke of York’s Theatre in London from 9 December until 28 February, followed by dates at Sunderland Empire and a run at Theatre Royal, Glasgow, in March 2026 (Glasgow 10–14 March; Sunderland 4–7 March). The revival is directed by Michael Longhurst and keeps close to Ayckbourn’s original while offering a fresh staging.
How Romesh is balancing television, radio, and theatre
Romesh fronts shows including Parents Evening and hosts a BBC Radio 2 slot, plus podcasts and tours. He’s selective, he says. He’ll keep doing varied work, including television, radio, and stage, but only when he feels it’s the right fit. If the public tires of him? He joked he might go and work in a café. For now, he’s stepping on stage.
By clicking the 'Subscribe’, you agree to receive our newsletter, marketing communications and industry
partners/sponsors sharing promotional product information via email and print communication from Garavi Gujarat
Publications Ltd and subsidiaries. You have the right to withdraw your consent at any time by clicking the
unsubscribe link in our emails. We will use your email address to personalize our communications and send you
relevant offers. Your data will be stored up to 30 days after unsubscribing.
Contact us at data@amg.biz to see how we manage and store your data.