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.
Ben Affleck has finally addressed his split from Jennifer Lopez, offering an insight into why their marriage ended after just two years. In a recent interview with GQ, the actor reflected on their relationship, emphasising that their differences played a major role in their separation.
Affleck and Lopez, who rekindled their romance in 2021 and married in 2022, filed for divorce in 2024, citing “irreconcilable differences.” Despite months of speculation about behind-the-scenes drama, Affleck dismissed any notion of a major fallout, stating that their breakup was not due to a single incident or controversy.
The former couple in happier times, before their marriage came to an endGetty Images
“We just had different approaches to life,” Affleck admitted. “I’m a private person, and she’s someone who thrives in the public eye. That’s not a bad thing, it’s just who we are.” He acknowledged that their contrasting personalities made it difficult to navigate a shared life, but he stressed that he has nothing but admiration for Lopez.
The Hollywood star also addressed Lopez’s 2024 documentary, The Greatest Love Story Never Told, which chronicled aspects of their relationship. While some assumed the project played a role in their divorce, Affleck clarified that it wasn’t the cause of their split. “I supported her on it. It was her vision, and I respected that,” he said. “But it also made me realise how differently we handle fame and personal matters.”
The former couple enjoying a red carpet moment before their eventual splitGetty Images
Affleck shared an analogy to explain his perspective: “It’s like marrying a ship captain and then realising you don’t like the ocean. You have to be honest about what you signed up for.” He acknowledged that navigating a high-profile relationship required compromise, but ultimately, their differences were too significant to overlook.
Despite the breakup, Affleck spoke highly of Lopez’s ability to handle life in the spotlight. “She’s managed fame better than I ever have. I admire that about her,” he said.
The duo looking happy together at a public event before the splitGetty Images
In addition to discussing his divorce, Affleck also reflected on his co-parenting relationship with his ex-wife, Jennifer Garner. The former couple, who share three children, have remained on good terms since their split in 2015. “I’m lucky to have a great co-parent in Jennifer,” he said. “We work well together, and that’s what matters most for our kids.”
Meanwhile, Lopez appears to be moving forward in a big way. The On The Floor hitmaker has reportedly purchased a sprawling new home for £14 million ($18 million) near Los Angeles. According to People, she had been house-hunting since last spring, around the time her marriage to Affleck began to fall apart.
A look back at Affleck and Lopez’s rekindled romance, which ultimately didn’t lastGetty Images
Despite the new purchase, Lopez’s £53 million ($68 million) Beverly Hills mansion, bought with Affleck in 2023 remains on the market. The couple had tied the knot in Las Vegas in 2022 before hosting a grand wedding in Georgia the following year.
News of Lopez’s real estate move comes just as Affleck insists their split was “drama-free.” The actor told GQ that fans would likely find the real story of their breakup underwhelming. “Your eyes would glaze over with boredom if you sat down and talked to me about it,” he said.
The Hollywood power couple attending a major event before their marriage crumbledGetty Images
Lopez’s latest move suggests she’s embracing this next chapter, settling into a new home while leaving her past with Affleck behind. As for Affleck, he appears focused on his work and family, proving that, sometimes, relationships end not because of scandal but because two people are simply on different paths.
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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