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.
Deepika Padukone turned heads at the Cartier High Jewellery event in Dubai, making a striking statement with an extraordinary necklace from the luxury brand’s latest collection. The Bollywood star, who has been Cartier’s High Jewellery Global Ambassador since 2022, attended the grand celebration marking Cartier’s 25th anniversary in the UAE. The event, held at the Al Shindagha Museum, also introduced the 'A Journey of Wonders' exhibition, which showcases some of the brand’s finest creations.
For the occasion, Deepika adorned the Chryseis necklace from Cartier’s Nature Sauvage collection, an exquisite masterpiece that redefines elegance. This unique piece draws inspiration from butterfly wings, featuring intricate black-and-white detailing that mirrors nature’s delicate patterns. The contrast between these fine details and the soft chalcedony beads enhances the necklace’s sophisticated charm. At its heart lies a breath-taking 63.76-carat rubellite stone, an exceptional gem that embodies Cartier’s signature colour palette of red, green, and black. The rubellite’s rich hue and impressive size make it a true showstopper, elevating the necklace’s opulence to another level.
Cartier’s Chryseis necklace stuns with its intricate butterfly-inspired design and a breath-taking 63.76-carat rubellite centrepieceInstagram/cartier
Styled by Shaleena Nathani, Deepika complemented the necklace with a custom black gown designed by Jade by Monica and Karishma. The off-shoulder silhouette with voluminous puff sleeves provided the perfect dramatic effect to highlight the statement jewellery. Her beauty look, created by makeup artist Anil C and hairstylist Gabriel Georgiou, featured a classic smoky eye, a sun-kissed complexion, and a sleek bun accessorised with a black ribbon.
The evening was nothing short of regal, with Deepika making an entrance accompanied by two models dressed in Cartier’s signature red bellboy uniforms. Photographed by Vaishnav Praveen against the dramatic backdrop of Dubai’s skyline, her presence at the event was truly captivating.
Sharing moments from the evening on social media, Deepika expressed her joy, calling it "an exquisite evening with my friends at Cartier." Her association with the brand continues to cement her position as a global fashion icon bringing a blend of elegance with contemporary luxury.
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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