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.
In an exclusive interview with Eastern Eye, Kajol pulls back the curtain on her most daring role yet. Forget the dimples and that signature bindi for a moment. Kajol, the powerhouse we know for fiery roles and infectious energy, is stepping into chilling new territory. Her upcoming film, Maa, which hits screens on 27 June, isn’t built around cheap jump scares. It’s a raw look at the everyday fears that haunt parents, especially mothers. Chatting with her felt less like a fluff piece and more like an honest heart-to-heart.
Kajol wastes no time explaining what makes Maa stand out. “We’re tackling things mainstream cinema tiptoes around,” she says. “Child safety. The constant pressure of raising kids. The unspoken worries when you have a daughter. Even menstruation.” She lets each topic hang in the air before adding, “That’s exactly what drew me to it. It’s a gripping horror story, yes, but it’s also a chance to sneak in conversations most of us avoid.” Her hope however is simple: people might not dissect every theme consciously, but they’ll walk away questioning what we accept as “normal.”
Stills from the trailer of MaaInstagram/devgnfilms
A horror newcomer finds her groove
Fans know Kajol for her loud performances, energy and fiery roles. In Maa, though, her character radiates a quiet, simmering intensity. Did she have to unlearn her signature style? "Not unlearn," Kajol clarified, "but I was a total horror newbie!" She confessed she rarely watches the genre. "I walked in blind. I had no idea how emotionally and physically draining it would be." The biggest surprise? Finding the right pitch. "Horror has its own frequency. My director, Vishal Furia, kept gently nudging me, 'Ma’am, this is horror. You need to sync with the audience's fear, there are things happening behind."
Stills from the trailer of MaaInstagram/devgnfilms
Three decades in: Embracing freedom
With almost thirty years on screen and sky-high expectations, taking on something so different might sound daunting. Not to Kajol. “Daunting? Nah. I feel free. Freer than most, honestly." She dismissed the idea of proving anything. "I’ve never been in the rat race. I don’t have that 'chase, chase, chase' ambition. I’m perfectly happy chilling at home for a year or two, waiting for something that truly sparks my interest." Ironically, her 33rd year is her busiest in two decades. "But it’s because I want to work, not because I have to. Work is part of my life, not my whole life. That balance is very important to me."
Stills from the trailer of MaaInstagram/devgnfilms
Behind the scenes: Producer’s hat
Wearing a producer's hat this time, was there a hill she was willing to die on creatively? Kajol quickly deflected praise. "Honestly, huge credit goes to Ajay Devgn. He was the driving force ensuring 'Maa' looks and feels premium. Ajay made sure Maa looks and sounds top notch,” she admits. “In today’s world, a movie must hit a certain visual and technical bar just to get noticed.” From VFX and music to the film’s overall vibe and marketing push, they poured everything into creating a polished experience. “We can’t wait to see how audiences react on the 27th.”
Stills from the trailer of MaaInstagram/devgnfilms
The Real Takeaway? Just Enjoy Yourself
So, what big truth does Maa hold up for viewers? Kajol cut through expectations: “It’s not a preachy film. You won’t leave thinking, ‘Oh, that was the lesson!’” Instead, she insists, “You might have more fun than you expect. This one sneaks up on you.” For her and Ajay, that’s the point: “We make films to be felt and savoured, not overanalysed. So, relax and feel it and just have a lot of fun.”
Playing a mother pushed beyond reason in Maa. So, how did Kajol the real-life mom handle that? “Protecting your child is primal,” she says without hesitation. What shook her most was her character’s unyielding grit. “In reality, most of us would crumble under that kind of pressure. But she keeps going, even when all hope seems lost. That drive like that ‘I have to do something’ energy, that’s what I want everyone to take away.”
Kajol’s journey with Maa is all about confronting societal shadows and embracing genre challenges she never saw coming. This is a film that confronts real fears head on, guided by a performer unafraid to strip away artifice. Ready to see Kajol like never before? Maa arrives 27 June.
NK 370 to depict the journey of India’s first Formula One driver, Narain Karthikeyan
Directed by Mahesh Narayanan and written by Shalini Usha Devi
Produced by Blue Marble Films with a focus on global appeal
The story explores racing, resilience, racism, and redemption
Cast yet to be announced; film currently in development
A biopic titled NK 370 is in the works, centred around Narain Karthikeyan — India’s first Formula One driver. Directed by acclaimed filmmaker Mahesh Narayanan and written by Soorarai Pottru screenwriter Shalini Usha Devi, the Tamil-language film is being produced by Faraz Ahsan, Vivek Rangachari, and Pratik Maitra under Blue Marble Films. The feature will trace Karthikeyan’s personal and professional journey, from a young boy in Coimbatore to his historic debut in Formula One.
Mahesh Narayanan takes the wheel
Director Mahesh Narayanan, known for Take Off, Malik, and Ariyippu, brings his grounded, emotional storytelling to NK 370. “Narain’s journey isn’t just about racing. It’s about belief — in yourself, your country, and a dream no one else can see,” Narayanan said in a statement. The film aims to go beyond motorsport, touching on identity, perseverance, and overcoming systemic barriers.
A tale of grit, speed and struggle
The film charts Karthikeyan’s rise from a curious child fascinated by rally cars to a determined young man navigating the domestic racing circuits of India. From driving a homemade go-kart at age five to entering his first Formula Maruti race at 15, his trajectory is marked by defiance of odds and fierce dedication. A turning point came when he attended the Winfield Racing School in France, where he overcame racial bias to prove his talent on a global stage.
From heartbreak in Macau to redemption
Among the pivotal moments the film captures is Karthikeyan’s devastating crash at the Macau Grand Prix — a loss that cost him sponsorship and strained friendships. This setback led to a temporary return to India and a period of soul-searching. His eventual comeback, which included a symbolic victory at Macau, forms the emotional core of the story.
Personal and professional milestones
The biopic will also delve into Karthikeyan’s personal life, including his meeting with his future wife, a woman unfamiliar with the world of motorsport but deeply supportive. The film culminates in his historic 2005 debut with Jordan F1, where he out-qualified Michael Schumacher in Melbourne and went on to score championship points at the United States Grand Prix.
A global story rooted in Indian soil
Producer Faraz Ahsan described the project as a universal underdog tale: “What fascinated me was how someone like NK went from surviving Indian traffic to racing at speeds faster than a commercial aircraft.” The team spent years securing rights and aligning on creative direction before Karthikeyan agreed.
The production aims to resonate with a global audience, blending high-octane drama with deeply human themes of resilience and ambition.
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The film is planned to be shot in multiple locations across India and Europe
Shah Rukh Khan sustained a minor muscular injury while filming in Mumbai
He has flown to the US for precautionary medical treatment
Doctors have advised him a one-month rest period
Filming schedules at multiple studios have been postponed
'King' will resume shooting in September or October
Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan has suffered an injury while filming his upcoming action project, King, in Mumbai. The incident took place at the Golden Tobacco studio during a high-octane sequence. Although the injury is said to be minor, Khan has travelled to the United States for medical attention and has been advised to rest for a month. Production on the film has been temporarily paused.
Production temporarily halted as Khan recovers
The 60-year-old actor was in the midst of shooting demanding action scenes when the incident occurred. According to sources, the injury is not considered serious but relates to a recurring muscular strain, likely due to years of performing stunts.
“He has travelled to the US with his team for urgent but precautionary medical attention. It’s more of a muscular issue than a grave injury,” a source informed Bollywood Hungama.
Next filming schedule deferred to autumn
Following a minor surgical procedure, Shah Rukh Khan has been advised a one-month break to ensure complete recovery. The next schedule of King is now expected to resume between September and October. “He’ll be back on set in full form once cleared by doctors,” the source added.
Shoot cancellations across Mumbai studios
As a result of the unexpected break, bookings for filming across various Mumbai locations — including Film City, Golden Tobacco and Yash Raj Studios — have been cancelled until further notice. The film is planned to be shot in multiple locations across India and Europe. More information on the revised shooting schedule is expected soon.
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Urooj Ashfaq is quickly becoming one of the most exciting voices in stand-up comedy
Urooj Ashfaq is quickly becoming one of the most exciting voices in stand-up comedy – not just in India, but on the international stage. After years of building a loyal following with her sharp, playful humour and refreshingly honest storytelling, she made a major mark at the 2023 Edinburgh Fringe, winning the prestigious Best Newcomer Award. It was a breakthrough moment that catapulted her from popular Indian comic to a global name to watch.
Since then, she’s been touring internationally, selling out shows in India, the UK and beyond, and earning rave reviews for her mix of relatable comedy, bold observations and joyful absurdity. Now, she’s returning to London and Edinburgh with her latest show How To Be A Baddie, previewing at Soho Theatre in July before another much-anticipated run at the Fringe.
Ahead of her 2025 summer UK shows, Urooj shares her Top 10 Comedy Moments – from viral sketches and food deliveries to unexpected dance parties, shoutouts from comedy legends and her hopes for the Fringe this year.
Urooj shares her Top 10 Comedy MomentsInstagram/uroojashfaq
Participating in Queens of Comedy:
It was India’s first all-female comedy competition! We did formats of comedy in every round. It pushed me to create well on a timeline, and it taught me a lot about being on sets and shoots. More importantly, all the girls had a great time just giggling and crying through the whole thing together. It is lovely to have made the friendships I did on the show.
The Ahmedabad audience having a dance party at the end of my show in February 2025:
I was touring with my new show How To Be A Baddie in February, which I am previewing at Soho Theatre in London in July and bringing to the Fringe Festival in August. I was on my period that day and was lying face down in the green room in pain before the show. I have a section in my show where I read One Direction erotica – and a song by One Direction plays at the very end of my show! I think the audience that day was lovely. The show went so well – there was so much joy in the room, the audience had a giant dance party at the end and I couldn’t feel my cramps anymore.
Meeting Phoebe Waller-Bridge:
In 2023 at the Fringe Festival, I met Phoebe Waller-Bridge. She came to watch my show and hung out with us later. It was so kind of her, and we had the best time chatting with her. It’s a core Fringe memory for me forever.
Daniel Sloss gave me a shoutout after watching my show:
Another memory from the 2023 festival was when Daniel Sloss came to watch my show and liked it enough to recommend it to people to come watch, it was surreal! I was overjoyed by his warmth – and it helped my sales so much. Phew!
Winning Best Newcomer at the Fringe in 2023:
That was a very big year for me.
Doing food deliveries after starring in a viral comedy sketch by the comedy group AIB:
I starred in a sketch called If Apps Were People by AIB, a legendary Indian comedy group, back in 2016. The video did really well and I was a delivery girl for my sister’s breakfast and brunch service Eggcetra at the time. I would show up outside their rooms with the breakfast for students at a nearby fashion institute and they would open the door at 8 am bleary-eyed, looking like they had seen me before and they just couldn’t tell where. One time, a man recognised me and asked me, “Do you still take tips?” I said, “Yes sir, I’m pursuing a career in comedy, please tip me!”
Releasing my first YouTube video:
It is a big day in the life of an Indian comedian when we release our first YouTube video. It is our debut into the online world of comedy, and it really helps build our audience. My first video really helped me build that and be able to tour. It was a very important moment for me.
Playing Tara on Pushpavalli:
Pushpavalli is an iconic Indian comedy‐drama series on Amazon Prime created by Sumukhi Suresh. I played Tara in the duo Tara and Srishti, who are the Siamese twins of evil. Srishti was played (both were largely written) by the hilarious Sumaira Shaikh, who is my college mate and we started doing stand-up comedy together. It was so fun to be on set and shoot this series. The characters were so mean and evil and funny, we had the best time playing them.
Being a question on the Indian version of Who Wants To Be A Millionaire hosted by Bollywood legend Amitabh Bachchan:
On Season 15, Episode 31 (I’m really casual about it), this specific question was asked: “Which Indian comic won the Best Newcomer award at the prestigious performing arts festival, Edinburgh Fringe?” The guest on the show that day was a legend in the Indian comedy scene, Zakir Khan. My entire family watches this show and they were stoked to see my name pop up, everybody called my parents and they expressed some pride about me. It was really sweet.
I’m saving this spot for something magical at Fringe 2025:
Maybe One Direction will come to my show and applaud my erotica reading, maybe I will be the first person in history to receive a 15-star review – “We had to increase the number of stars for her! She was just so good!!” Or maybe, just maybe, I will have a Fringe with zero cries in the meadows.
Urooj Ashfaq: How To Be A Baddie At Soho Theatre in central London from July 21-26. Then Monkey Barrel 4 at Monkey Barrel Comedy, 9-12 Blair Street, Edinburgh EH1 1QR from July 30 – August 24.
Netflix confirms first use of generative AI in visual effects for Argentine sci-fi series The Eternaut.
AI helped complete a key building collapse scene 10 times faster than traditional methods.
Co-CEO Ted Sarandos says AI is a tool to enhance creativity, not replace artists.
Move comes amid ongoing debate in the industry over AI’s role and job implications.
Netflix has confirmed using artificial intelligence to generate final visual effects footage for the first time in one of its original shows. The streaming giant revealed that generative AI was used to create a dramatic building collapse in the upcoming Argentine sci-fi series The Eternaut, enabling the scene to be completed significantly faster and more cost-effectively than with traditional VFX tools.
The Eternaut brings Argentina’s legendary sci-fi comic to life using new AI toolsInstagram/theeternaut.netflix
Why did Netflix use AI for The Eternaut?
Netflix turned to generative AI to tackle budget limitations while producing the ambitious sci-fi series The Eternaut, which follows survivors of a toxic snowfall in Buenos Aires. According to Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos, the AI-powered tools enabled the VFX team to complete a complex building collapse sequence at a fraction of the usual time and cost.
Speaking during the company’s second-quarter earnings call, Sarandos said the scene was finished “10 times faster than it could have been completed with traditional workflows.” He added, “The cost just wouldn’t have been feasible for a show in that budget.” Netflix collaborated with Eyeline Studios, its in-house production team, to deliver the final footage.
The use of AI in The Eternaut marks a pivotal shift in how streaming platforms may approach content creation. While AI has already been used in pre-visualisation and shot planning, this is the first instance where Netflix deployed it for final VFX output in a show.
Sarandos described the AI tools as an “incredible opportunity to help creators make films and series better, not just cheaper.” He emphasised that real people were still behind the work, using AI to enhance, not replace their craft. “This is real people doing real work with better tools,” he said.
The successful integration of generative AI could open doors for smaller productions to achieve high-end visuals without blockbuster budgets, levelling the playing field in an increasingly competitive market.
Netflix’s announcement comes amid ongoing industry concerns about the role of AI in filmmaking. In 2023, both Hollywood writers and actors went on strike, with AI being a central issue. Unions demanded protections to ensure that AI would not be used to replace human talent or exploit existing creative works without consent.
While Netflix presents its use of AI as a creative aid, many in the industry remain sceptical. Critics argue that relying on AI could devalue craftsmanship and threaten jobs in areas like screenwriting, visual effects, and animation.
The backlash has already had real-world effects. Filmmaker Tyler Perry famously paused a £634 million (₹6,700 crore) studio expansion due to uncertainty over AI’s long-term impact on jobs and creative processes.
Beyond production, Netflix is exploring how AI can improve the user experience. Co-CEO Greg Peters hinted at future developments, suggesting that AI could enhance content discovery through more natural, conversational search queries. For instance, users could soon find shows by describing mood, genre, or era.
Additionally, Peters mentioned that generative AI could be used to streamline ad creation, potentially reducing costs for advertisers while maintaining relevance for viewers.
Netflix’s decision to embrace AI in production, particularly in a high-visibility series like The Eternaut, signals that the technology is here to stay. But as the platform moves forward, it faces growing pressure to balance innovation with ethical responsibility.
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Kate Beckinsale shared a heartfelt tribute to her late mother Judy Loe on Instagram
British actress Kate Beckinsale confirmed the death of her mother Judy Loe, aged 78, on 15 July.
Judy Loe had been diagnosed with stage 4 cancer in July 2024.
Beckinsale shared an emotional tribute on Instagram, revealing her mother passed away in her arms.
Judy Loe was a well-known British television actress with roles in General Hospital, Edward the Seventh, and Monty Python’s The Meaning of Life.
Kate Beckinsale has announced the death of her mother, British actress Judy Loe, who passed away on the night of 15 July after a year-long struggle with stage 4 cancer. The Underworld star confirmed the heartbreaking news through an emotional Instagram post on 17 July, revealing that her 78-year-old mother died in her arms.
In the deeply personal post, Beckinsale explained that she had to register her mother’s death certificate, prompting her to share the news publicly. She described Loe as her “guiding star” and “soulmate,” and expressed the devastation of losing both her parents—her father, actor Richard Beckinsale, died when she was just five.
Judy Loe passed away at 78 after a year-long battle with stage 4 cancerInstagram/katebeckinsale
What did Kate Beckinsale say in her tribute to Judy Loe?
Beckinsale’s Instagram post included several photos and videos of her late mother, though she admitted she couldn’t bring herself to go through her full camera roll yet. She apologised to Loe’s friends who might have learned the news through the press, saying she was “paralysed” with grief and unable to go through her mother’s phone to inform people personally.
“Jude was the compass of my life, the love of my life, and my dearest friend,” she wrote. “She died after immeasurable suffering. This has been my greatest fear since finding my father dead at five, and now I’m here. Oh my mum… I’m so sorry.”
Her tribute highlighted Judy’s kindness, strength, and unshakable belief in the good in others. Kate also thanked her mother’s lifelong friends for their love and support, revealing that Judy remained deeply connected to her childhood friendships throughout her life.
Judy Loe had a distinguished career in British television that spanned decades. She starred as Dr Helen Sanders in the final two series of General Hospital and played Princess May in Edward the Seventh. She also made memorable guest appearances in several TV series, including The Chief and Singles.
Loe also had roles in films like Monty Python’s The Meaning of Life and appeared in the cult-favourite series Ace of Wands. Despite her fame, she lived a relatively private life and was especially known for her deep bond with her daughter Kate.
Kate Beckinsale mourns death of mother Judy Loe after stage 4 cancer battleGetty Images
What support did Kate Beckinsale receive during her mother’s illness?
In February 2025, Kate made a rare appearance on Instagram after deleting all her posts, asking fans to send “prayers, magic or miracles” for her mother. Earlier this month, she posted a heartfelt video singing Bye Bye Love to Judy in hospital, a song that held nostalgic value from a group they were part of during Kate’s teenage years.
Through it all, Kate credited her mother’s friends and fans for their unwavering support. She also acknowledged the hospital staff, jokingly apologising for subjecting them to her singing.
The death of Judy Loe marks another devastating personal loss for Beckinsale, who has often spoken about the trauma of losing her father as a child. She described this recent loss as “nearly impossible to bear,” saying the world feels “so dim” without her mum.
The mother-daughter duo shared a lifelong bond both on and off screenInstagram/katebeckinsale
Kate’s post has prompted an outpouring of support from fans and fellow celebrities alike, many offering condolences and sharing memories of Loe’s warmth and grace.