Pooja was born in Kochi and raised on a mix of newspapers, pop culture, and too many questions. She studied Communicative English and Journalism before earning her Master’s in Journalism from Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, and began her career interning at The Times of India and Channel I'M — where she later became a news anchor, scripting and presenting her own stories. Between deadlines, she’s worked across digital media platforms, covering politics, gender, pop culture, cinema, and everything in between. She has interviewed actors, creators, and changemakers, and occasionally edits her own video content — thanks to being certified in Photoshop and InDesign. In 2025, she joined the Asian Media Group in her first “official” newsroom gig, where she now covers entertainment, lifestyle, and the layered realities of South Asian identity. She believes storytelling should feel personal — even when it’s public — and likes to write not to please, but to provoke, question, and occasionally stir the pot.
Aamir Khan will appear in a 15-minute climax cameo in Coolie, opposite Rajinikanth.
The scene involves a high-stakes face-off with intense action and dialogue.
The climax was filmed over 10 days in Rajasthan.
Coolie is slated for release on 14 August 2025 and will be released as Majdoor in Hindi.
Aamir Khan is set to share screen space with Rajinikanth in the final 15 minutes of Coolie, and it’s shaping up to be one of the most talked-about moments in the upcoming Tamil action film. Though brief, Khan’s role is being described as more than a typical cameo, featuring a full-fledged action sequence and a powerful exchange between two of Indian cinema’s most respected stars.
Rajinikanth and Aamir Khan to lock horns in Coolie climax
According to sources close to the production, the climax of Coolie will revolve around a tense and dramatic confrontation between Rajinikanth and Aamir Khan. The face-off was filmed over ten days in Rajasthan and will reportedly be packed with emotionally charged dialogue and stylised action. The makers have called it a defining moment in the film’s narrative.
Khan, who recently spoke about the cameo, revealed he agreed to the role without hearing the full script. “I’m a huge fan of Rajini sir. The moment Lokesh told me it’s for his film, I said yes,” the actor shared in a recent interview. This will also be the first collaboration between Aamir Khan and director Lokesh Kanagaraj.
Coolie to release as Majdoor in Hindi; not part of LCU
While fans speculated if Coolie would connect to Lokesh Kanagaraj’s Cinematic Universe (LCU), the director has clarified that the film stands alone. With a budget of £33 million (₹350 crore), Coolie is expected to be one of the year’s biggest box office events when it releases on 14 August 2025, ahead of India’s Independence Day weekend.
Due to existing Bollywood films titled Coolie, the Hindi-dubbed version will release as Majdoor. The film’s music by Anirudh Ravichander is already gaining traction, particularly the catchy track Chikitu, which has struck a chord with fans online.
Isha Ambani Piramal led the host committee for the 2025 Serpentine Summer Party in London.
She wore a vintage Valentino dress first seen at Paris Fashion Week in 2019.
The event featured South Asian voices including architect Marina Tabassum and artist Subodh Gupta.
Celebrities like Cate Blanchett and Sonam Kapoor also attended the exclusive gathering.
Isha Ambani Piramal made history this week as she became the first Indian to chair the Serpentine Summer Party’s host committee. The event, held at Kensington Gardens in London on 24 June 2025, celebrated 25 years of the Serpentine Pavilion with a spotlight on South Asian artists and sustainable fashion.
South Asian artists take centre stage at Serpentine Pavilion 2025
This year’s Serpentine Pavilion was designed by award-winning Bangladeshi architect Marina Tabassum, whose installation A Capsule in Time explored space and memory using natural materials. Complementing it was Indian artist Subodh Gupta’s A Place in the Sun, a large-scale sculptural work built from everyday Indian household items like tiffin boxes and steel plates. The Pavilion’s 25th anniversary brought together international guests, artists, and designers, reflecting a shift toward broader cultural inclusion.
Serpentine Summer Party in LondonInstagram/vogueindia
Isha Ambani re-wears Valentino gown in quiet nod to sustainability
Isha Ambani turned heads in a champagne-grey Valentino couture dress she first wore at Paris Fashion Week in 2019. Styled with diamond drop earrings, a gold clutch, and strappy heels, her look stood out for its elegance and eco-conscious repeat.
Her co-hosts included Serpentine CEO Bettina Korek, artist Hans Ulrich Obrist, Hollywood actor Cate Blanchett, and philanthropist Michael R. Bloomberg. Bollywood actor Sonam Kapoor Ahuja also made an appearance in Dior. Isha’s role as chair is not only about her influence in global art circles but also her evolving fashion narrative, one that brings together luxury with responsibility.
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Rajkummar Rao will play Sourav Ganguly in upcoming cricket biopic
Rajkummar Rao confirms he will play Sourav Ganguly in the cricketer’s biopic.
Says he is “nervous” but excited to take on the role of the former India captain.
Ganguly has personally backed the casting, calling Rao “the right person” for the role.
Film to begin shooting in January 2026, with a planned December 2026 release.
Rajkummar Rao is set to portray Sourav Ganguly in the highly awaited biopic on the former Indian cricket captain. The actor confirmed the casting in a recent interview, officially putting to rest months of speculation.
“Now that Dada has already said it, let me also make it official, yes, I am playing him,” Rao shared. Admitting he feels “nervous” about doing justice to such a towering personality, he added, “It’s a huge responsibility, but it’s going to be a lot of fun.”
Rajkummar Rao and Sourav Ganguly pictured side by side as biopic casting is confirmedGetty Images
Rajkummar Rao on taking up the challenge of playing Ganguly
Rao, who recently starred in Mr. & Mrs. Mahi, is no stranger to biographical roles, having played figures like Shahid Azmi and Srikanth Bolla. Yet, stepping into the shoes of Sourav Ganguly, one of India’s most influential captains, is a different kind of pressure altogether.
The Stree actor shared that he has been learning Bengali over time, thanks to his wife Patralekhaa, and is confident about mastering the accent for the film. “Getting the nuances right is important when you're playing a living legend,” he said.
Rao prepares for the role of a lifetime as cricket legend Ganguly Getty Images
Sourav Ganguly backs Rao’s casting; filming begins in 2026
Sourav Ganguly, who led India from 2000 to 2005 and scored over 18,000 international runs, had already hinted at Rao’s involvement earlier this year. Speaking to PTI, he said, “Rajkummar has been locked for the film. I don’t think anyone else can play me better than him.”
Sourav Ganguly of India pictured during the 1999/2000 tour of AustraliaGetty Images
Directed by Vikramaditya Motwane and produced by Luv Films, the untitled biopic will begin shooting in January 2026, with a theatrical release planned for December that year. Ganguly is reportedly involved in the script and creative development as well.
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Diljit Dosanjh reveals Shakira helped him carry kirpan into Met Gala without security noticing
Diljit Dosanjh made his Met Gala debut in 2025 in a Maharaja-inspired look by Prabal Gurung.
The singer said he cried upon imagining the look, which paid tribute to Punjab and Sikh identity.
He revealed Shakira unintentionally helped him get past security with his kirpan.
Met Gala staff initially asked him to leave the ceremonial sword behind, calling it a “weapon.”
Diljit Dosanjh’s first appearance at the Met Gala wasn’t just about fashion; it was a deeply personal moment tied to his culture, identity, and an unexpected helping hand from Shakira. Speaking in an interview, the Punjabi singer and actor revealed how he managed to take his kirpan, a ceremonial sword, into the event despite strict rules, and how the Colombian pop icon unknowingly played a key role.
Diljit Dosanjh and Prabal Gurung attend the 2025 Met Gala Getty Images
Diljit Dosanjh’s Met Gala look was a tribute to Punjab
Diljit said he had a clear vision for his Met Gala debut: to represent Punjab and the Sikh community on one of fashion’s grandest stages. Styled by Prabal Gurung, his ivory sherwani and embroidered cape featured Gurmukhi script and a map of Punjab. He wore a turban and had originally planned to carry his kirpan only for backstage photos.
But the emotional weight of the look struck him while sitting in his vanity van, leading to tears. “It wasn’t about me going there; it was about Punjab going there,” he said. “That thought made me cry.”
He also mentioned how the outfit was incomplete without the kirpan, a symbolic and religious element, though Met Gala organisers initially told him he couldn’t take it on the carpet due to security restrictions.
As Diljit was preparing to enter the venue, he realised the kirpan was still with him in the car. “I thought, I’ll hand it over if someone asks,” he recalled. But then came a twist! Shakira was walking ahead of him in an elaborate outfit full of metal elements. Her presence caused the metal detector to beep, drawing attention to her rather than those around her.
Seizing the moment, Diljit walked in right behind her with the kirpan hidden under his cape. “If we get caught, we both will,” he joked. Thanks to the distraction, no one checked him, and the kirpan became part of the moment he had dreamt about.
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Call the Midwife to end with series 15 as BBC confirms film and prequel series
Call the Midwife series 15 to air in 2026, followed by a feature film finale.
BBC says the franchise will continue with a Second World War prequel and more episodes.
Cast reportedly emotional as they film the final main series.
Fans relieved after BBC confirmed “Call the Midwife isn’t going anywhere”.
After over a decade of gripping period drama, Call the Midwife is preparing to wrap up its 15th series in 2026, with a feature-length film planned as its big-screen conclusion. But while this chapter is closing, the BBC has confirmed that the beloved show is far from finished.
The long-running series, which began in 2012 and has become a Sunday night staple, is now filming its final regular season but will continue with a prequel series and additional specials, reassuring fans who feared it was being axed.
BBC confirms new prequel series exploring the origins of the midwives during WWIIInstagram screengrab/callthemidwife.official
BBC confirms Call the Midwife will continue beyond series 15
Despite widespread reports that the show is coming to a definitive end, the BBC released a statement denying the claims. “Call the Midwife will remain at the heart of the BBC for years to come,” the broadcaster said. In addition to the 15th series, fans can expect two Christmas specials, a film set in 1972, and a new prequel series set during the Second World War in Poplar.
The prequel will explore the early lives of the Nonnatus midwives, adding new characters while keeping the show’s historical roots. “There’s still a lot of baby business left,” the show’s Instagram account reassured viewers after the cancellation rumours went viral.
While Call the Midwife continues in new forms, the current cast has been filming their final episodes with a mix of pride and sadness. According to insiders, the actors have grown close over the years, making the goodbye feel personal.
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Filming began last month, kicking off with a two-part Christmas special that takes the senior staff on a mercy mission to Hong Kong. The eight-episode final season, written by Heidi Thomas, will air in early 2026. The concluding film will reunite fan-favourite characters overseas in 1972, making it a cinematic farewell to the original ensemble.
After making a memorable international debut in London earlier this year with his acclaimed solo show Despite Appearances, Indian stand-up sensation Shamik Chakrabarti is set to return to the UK this August for the Edinburgh Fringe. That highly anticipated debut at the world’s biggest arts festival will showcase his unique brand of observational humour, which connects effortlessly with cross-cultural audiences.
With more than 25 million (£250,000 / ₹2.5 crore) views on Instagram and over eight million (£80,000 / ₹80 lakh) on YouTube, the rising comedy star has won hearts online with his sharp insights and disarming delivery. Ahead of his biggest career milestone yet, he spoke to Eastern Eye about his comedy journey, inspirations and what audiences can expect from his Edinburgh show in August.What first connected you to comedy?
From as far back as I can remember, I have always tried to make people laugh, particularly myself. The reasons are not clear to me.
What drew you towards stand-up in particular?
I used to watch YouTube clips of stand-up comedians being hilarious on Conan O’Brien’s show a lot. I eventually attended a live show and decided I ought to try my hand at it. I never really stopped after that first open mic.
How do you reflect on your comedy journey so far?
I tend not to reflect. My mind is opaque. I am just happy to fight the good fight and be a human comedian in the age of cat humour. Long may it continue.
What was it like making your international debut in London?
Above all else, enjoyable. I am very thankful to all the people who came out to the shows. Their response made it clear to me that the show can work in most international settings and is quite universal.
How much are you looking forward to being part of this year’s Edinburgh Fringe?
I had heard about the Edinburgh Fringe before I even started doing comedy, and it was a dream of mine to one day experience it. The fact that I am going to be performing there feels a bit surreal when I really think about it – so I try not to. Super excited!
Shamik Chakrabartigetty images
What can audiences expect from your show at the Fringe?
To have their minds blown, or at the very least their hair ruffled by the placid tornado of my witticisms. There will be jokes, stories and plenty of oxygen for everyone to breathe in. The big three.
How much confidence does it give you that so many Indian stand-up comedians have been successful there in recent years? A decent, non-obscene amount.
Do you ever get nervous before going on stage?
For sure! During the first two years I was a nervous wreck before every performance. Over time, it has morphed into a more enjoyable (sometimes) kind of nervousness, but there are always nerves.
How much of your comedy is drawn from personal experiences?
A big part of this show is drawn from personal experience. That is not always true for all of my material – sometimes it is purely observational. But these are my subjective observations too, so I suppose it is all personal.
Do you ever feel like you are revealing too much about yourself on stage?
I tend not to do that in any way I would find uncomfortable. But it can happen when building new material in smaller rooms sometimes.
Has being funny ever got you out of trouble?
Not that I can recall, but it has helped break the tension in social situations – a tension that was probably created by me.
Who is your own comedy hero?
Norm Macdonald is one. I watched a lot of his work before I got into stand-up. He always had this twinkle in his eye and gave the impression that he was doing stand-up to amuse himself first. I try my best to approach it the same way.
What inspires you?
The effortless funniness of animals, particularly cats. And the work of Martin Scorsese. Amongst other things.
Why should we all come to your show at this year’s Edinburgh Fringe?
Because it is the right thing to do, and because the show works infinitely better when audiences are present. And because my show is for winners only, and I know a winner when I sense them reading my words. Come forth and experience some comedy – 100 per cent organic, farm-fed, preservative-free comedy.