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.
Ranveer Singh and Deepika Padukone are getting ready to settle into their new home in Mumbai, a swanky sea-facing apartment located in the upscale Bandra Bandstand area. The four-level property, spread across the 16th to 19th floors, offers stunning views of the Arabian Sea and boasts over 11,000 square feet of living space, plus a 1,300 square foot terrace. The couple reportedly paid £9.5 million (₹100 crore) for the plush residence.
Recent visuals show that the building is nearly complete, with finishing touches underway. Once done, Ranveer, Deepika, and their daughter Dua will make this spacious apartment their new home. The neighbourhood is already star-studded, with Shah Rukh Khan’s Mannat and Salman Khan’s Galaxy Apartment just around the corner.
The couple welcomed their daughter Dua Padukone Singh on September 8, 2024, sharing the news with fans through an emotional social media post. “Dua” means prayer, and they described her as the answer to theirs. Alongside the announcement, they posted a heart-warming photo of her tiny feet.
This Bandra property isn’t their only real estate investment. In 2022, they bought a £2 million (₹21 crore) bungalow in Alibaug, adding to their list of lavish homes.
Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh’s stunning £9.5 million sea-facing apartment in Mumbai nears completionGetty Images
Professionally, Deepika was last seen playing a police officer in Singham Again. She’s also expected to play Suhana Khan’s on-screen mother in King, after previously portraying Shah Rukh Khan’s mother in Jawan. Industry buzz hints that she might return for Kalki 2, though nothing is confirmed yet.
Meanwhile, Ranveer is busy with Dhurandhar and has Don 3 lined up. Reports suggest that actor Sharvari is being considered to join the franchise, though casting decisions are still in progress.
As they prepare to move into their latest dream home, Ranveer and Deepika continue balancing family life with full-speed careers, now with little Dua in tow.
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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