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.
Kareena Kapoor once shared that she loved feeling “normal” in her Shahid Kapoor relationship.
The actress said ordinary moments with Shahid mattered more than grand gestures.
Kareena admitted she never rode his bike due to fear of heights and speed.
Their chemistry in Jab We Met remains one of Bollywood’s most iconic pairings.
Kareena Kapoor Khan has opened up in the past about her Shahid Kapoor relationship, and a resurfaced throwback interview is once again catching attention. The actress, who dated Shahid in the mid-2000s before marrying Saif Ali Khan, reflected on the simplicity she valued most in their bond. Speaking to Cosmopolitan, Kareena admitted that despite being one of Bollywood’s most high-profile couples, what she cherished most was the ability to live an ordinary life away from the spotlight.
Kareena Kapoor once shared she felt “normal” in her relationship with Shahid Kapoor Getty Images
What did Kareena Kapoor say about her Shahid Kapoor relationship?
In the candid conversation, Kareena revealed that the best part of her Shahid Kapoor relationship was the sense of normalcy it brought to her otherwise hectic life. She explained, “I get to be normal and do normal things,” highlighting how meaningful it was to experience everyday moments with the Kabir Singh star.
At the time of the interview, the couple were still in the early stages of dating. Kareena admitted they were protective of their romance and preferred to keep it private due to their demanding schedules. Despite the pressures of fame, the actress said the simplicity of being able to enjoy little things together stood out the most in her memory.
Kareena Kapoor admitted she never joined Shahid on his bike due to fear of speedGetty Images
Why did Kareena avoid Shahid Kapoor’s bike rides?
During the same interview, Kareena also confessed that she never rode with Shahid on his motorbike. She explained that she has always had a fear of heights and speed, which kept her away from the adventurous side of her then-boyfriend. While Shahid was often seen zipping around on two wheels, Kareena admitted that she preferred to keep both feet on the ground.
The revelation offered fans a glimpse into their real-life dynamic, showing that beyond the glamorous image, the couple had everyday quirks just like anyone else.
Kareena Kapoor reveals what she cherished most about Shahid Kapoor relationship in resurfaced interviewInstagram/shah.idkareena
When did Kareena and Shahid Kapoor break up?
Kareena Kapoor and Shahid Kapoor’s relationship came to an end in 2007, the same year they delivered their career-defining hit, Imtiaz Ali’s Jab We Met. Their on-screen chemistry as Geet and Aditya is still considered one of Bollywood’s most beloved romantic pairings.
After the split, the former couple reunited professionally in Milenge Milenge (2010), a remake of Hollywood’s Serendipity. However, unlike Jab We Met, the film failed to make an impact at the box office.
Both stars eventually moved on in their personal lives. Kareena married actor Saif Ali Khan in 2012, and the couple now have two sons. Shahid tied the knot with Mira Rajput in 2015, and they also have two children.
Kareena Kapoor says everyday moments with Shahid Kapoor mattered more than glamour in resurfaced interviewGetty Images
What are Kareena Kapoor and Shahid Kapoor working on now?
On the work front, Kareena Kapoor was recently seen in Rohit Shetty’s Singham Again. She is now set to collaborate with filmmaker Meghna Gulzar for her upcoming drama Daayra, which also stars Malayalam superstar Prithviraj Sukumaran. Shahid Kapoor, meanwhile, was last seen in Deva and has now reunited with his mentor Vishal Bhardwaj for an untitled action-thriller.
Even years after their breakup, Kareena’s throwback remarks on her Shahid Kapoor relationship continue to intrigue fans, showing the lasting impact of their romance.
Swift’s new album secures the UK’s biggest opening week of 2025 with 304,000 copies sold.
US sales hit 2.7 million on release day, second only to Adele’s 25.
Vinyl collectors snap up 1.2 million copies; eight variants released.
Concert film tops box office with £34 million (₹404.76 crore) in ticket sales.
The album, created during the Eras Tour, captures her romance and music industry tales.
Taylor Swift is back at the top. The Life of a Showgirl flew off the shelves in the UK, selling 304,000 copies in just a week. Across the pond, 2.7 million fans grabbed it on day one in the US, proving again she’s still in a league of her own. The album, written on the road during her Eras Tour, also gives fans a glimpse into her romance with Travis Kelce and the messy side of the music business.
Taylor Swift breaks UK sales record with 'The Life of a Showgirl' as she says marriage isn’t a reason to stop working Instagram/taylorswift
How big is Taylor Swift’s UK success
Three days in, and The Life of a Showgirl has already overtaken the first-week sales of Swift’s last two albums combined. Ed Sheeran’s Divide (2017) sold 672,000 in its début week, but Swift’s speed is still impressive in an era when album sales are generally shrinking. Only Sam Fender’s People Watching crossed 100,000 this year in the UK.
Vinyl fans went wild. Swift released eight collectible versions of Showgirl, selling 1.2 million copies in the US alone. Her previous vinyl record was 859,000 for The Tortured Poets Department in 2024, so this is a jump. Even in a shrinking market, collectors clearly aren’t holding back.
The film screenings weren't just about watching, since fans saw new music videos, sneaked behind the scenes of the album, and caught Swift talking about the songs herself. For the 'Swifties,' it felt like being at a live show without leaving the cinema. The 89-minute The Official Release Party of a Showgirl brought in £34 million (₹404.76 crore) at the box office across North America and international screens.
Critics are split. Variety called the album “contagiously joyful,” while the Financial Times said it “lacked sparkle.” Swift, however, laughed off rumours this could be her last album, telling BBC Radio 2: “It’s not why people get married, so that they can quit their job.”
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David Beckham preparing for his first major fashion line
Looks like DB Ventures Ltd has just filed paperwork to trademark a new clothing brand on both sides of the Atlantic.
The proposed logo is a set of seven lines, a number that's always meant the world to Beckham.
This is his big solo push into clothing, moving into the same space as his wife Victoria's successful label.
The UK rights are already locked in, giving him ten years of protection against fakes.
It's the latest piece of his growing business portfolio, which has been landing some hefty deals lately.
Looks like David Beckham is making moves into his own fashion line, following the path his wife Victoria carved out years ago. Paperwork filed by the football icon's company reveals plans for a new label, and the proposed logo points straight to a family passion. It’s a clear sign he’s seriously expanding his brand beyond the pitch.
David Beckham preparing for his first major fashion line Getty Images
What is the story behind David Beckham's new brand?
Right, the full picture isn't out yet, but the legal bits are getting sorted. Through his holding firm, DB Ventures Ltd, Beckham has filed trade mark applications both in the UK and over in the States. The filings protect a specific logo: a set of seven vertical lines, with the last one kicking off at a slight angle.
Now, the number seven is, obviously, the big story here. That number seven? It's everywhere with him. His famous shirt at Manchester United, of course. Then he goes and makes it Harper’s middle name, and let's not forget the tattoo. When she was born, the sevens just stacked up, her weight, the time she arrived, all of it. Seems like a David Beckham thing.
Trademarked seven-line logo reflects Beckham’s iconic number and daughter HarperGetty Images
What will the David Beckham fashion brand sell?
The paperwork gives us a decent look at the potential product range. In the UK, it’s all pretty broad, covering clothing, footwear, and headgear and the application has already been given the green light. But the US filing gets more specific, listing everything from tops and bottoms to dresses, jumpsuits, and even swimwear and undergarments. That one is still pending, last anyone checked. It’s a full wardrobe play, by the looks of it.
Beckham steps into fashion following Victoria’s successful brandGetty Images
How does this fit into the wider Beckham business empire?
Let's not act like Beckham is some newcomer to this game. He stopped playing football ages ago and has been assembling a proper business machine since then. His company, DB Ventures, continues to pull in millions through partnerships with giants like Boss and Stella Artois. So, a fashion line feels like a natural, if bold, next step. It places him right alongside his wife Victoria, whose own label hit a massive £112.7m in sales last year. Talk about a power couple.
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Johar credited Apoorva Mehta for Dharma’s disciplined financial management
Karan Johar sold 50% of Dharma Productions to billionaire Adar Poonawalla in a deal worth £100 million.
Creative decisions will now be weighed against profitability.
Johar credits coo Apoorva Mehta for steering the company’s business operations.
A strategic partnership for growth
Filmmaker Karan Johar spoke about selling 50% of Dharma Productions to businessman Adar Poonawalla, a move aimed at expanding the studio’s creative and commercial reach. The deal, valued at ₹1,000 crore (around £100 million), was executed through Poonawalla’s serene productions. Johar retains the remaining 50% stake, while Apoorva Mehta continues as executive chairman and ceo.
Speaking to Komal Nahta on his YouTube series Game Changers, Johar said: “I had many dreams that weren’t fulfilled due to funding constraints. I was very clear that I was okay selling 50% of equity because I wanted to expand and leave legacies within the company.”
The role of friendship and trust
Johar revealed that his personal connection with Poonawalla and his wife, Natasha, influenced the partnership. “Adar picked up the phone one day and said he was interested. I initially told him this isn’t your business, but he also wanted to expand,” he said.
He emphasised that the deal did not compromise his creative control: “We haven’t lost any creative freedom. There are checks and balances because having a partner makes you more accountable. Aadar is compassionate and sharp in business. We lean on him for advice when exploring bigger deals.”
Business oversight and profitability
Johar credited Apoorva Mehta for Dharma’s disciplined financial management. “Apoorva is the most correct human. Our accounts are perfect down to the last rupee. He runs Dharma like a well-oiled machine. Without him, I would have fallen apart. I am creative, not business-minded, and he has been the backbone,” Johar said.
For the first time, Johar said, he is making creative decisions with profitability in mind. “Before this, there was no accountability. Now, Apoorva keeps me on my toes. He says, ‘not profitable, don’t do it,’ which sometimes feels upsetting, but growth comes from profit. I want to remain artistic, but I also need to be commercial.”
He cited his film Homebound, critically acclaimed worldwide, as an example of projects he might now reconsider: “I can’t say if I’ll make such films in the future. I will feel upset, but this deal is about growth.”
From boutique studio to expanding enterprise
Johar stressed that dharma was already profitable before the deal. “It’s not like our company was in jeopardy. We were a zero-debt, boutique studio. We did this deal to unlock growth potential that would have otherwise been limited,” he said.
With the new partnership, Dharma has launched a distribution arm, and discussions are ongoing to expand the music division. Johar said the move allows the studio to pursue larger-scale projects while balancing commercial and artistic goals.
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Skinner praises professional partner Amy Dowden for her support
Former Apprentice star Thomas Skinner exits after first dance-off
Judges save former England rugby captain Chris Robshaw
Skinner praises professional partner Amy Dowden for her support
Dowden reflects on her return after breast cancer and previous injury
Dance-off decides first exit
The first results of Strictly Come Dancing 2025 saw two couples face the dance-off on Sunday night. Thomas Skinner, 34, was the first celebrity eliminated after the judges voted to save former England rugby captain Chris Robshaw.
Both couples reprised their Saturday routines: Skinner and his partner Amy Dowden performed a salsa to Bonkers by Dizzee Rascal and Armand van Helden, while Robshaw and his partner Nadiya Bychkova performed a Viennese waltz to Die With a Smile by Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars.
Skinner pays tribute to Dowden
Reflecting on his time on the show, Skinner thanked Dowden, saying: "Thank you, Amy. Sorry that we haven’t done too well, because you’re a different class."
He admitted he had never danced before and described the experience as fun despite the early exit: "I’ve never danced before and my stay was short, but Amy’s amazing. It’s been great fun and I’ve enjoyed it. I can’t really dance that well but I’ve had fun."
Dowden returns to the floor
Amy Dowden, who returned to Strictly following a breast cancer diagnosis and an injury that forced her to pull out midway through 2024, praised Skinner for his enthusiasm and positivity: "I’ve got to know the real Tom, and he is adorable. We’ve laughed so much and he looked after me."
She added that winning the glitterball would have been "amazing" but said: "Happiness, health and being alive is more important than anything."
Performance and scores
During the live show, Skinner lifted Dowden several times, prompting judge Craig Revel Horwood to joke that the routine resembled a weightlifting contest. They scored 13 points, placing them at the bottom of this week’s leaderboard. Combined with the public vote, this led to their appearance in the first dance-off.
Skinner’s career beyond strictly
Skinner first appeared on The Apprentice in 2019 and has since featured on 8 Out of 10 Cats, The Wheel, Michael McIntyre’s Big Show, Good Morning Britain, Faking It, and Celebrity MasterChef. He is also a social media creator, runs several businesses including a gym, and appears regularly on TalkSport Radio.
The remaining 14 couples will perform in next week’s Movie Week. With Strictly 2025 underway, fans can expect more celebrity surprises and show-stopping routines as the competition progresses.
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Stephen Fry delivers a commanding performance as Lady Bracknell in the West End transfer
Stephen Fry is playing Lady Bracknell. Yes, that is correct.
It completely sold out at the National Theatre.
Olly Alexander and Nathan Stewart-Jarrett are the two young men lying about their names.
It is directed by Max Webster, the man behind the Life of Pi play.
You can see it at the Noël Coward Theatre until 10th January.
The highly anticipated production of The Importance of Being Earnest returns with Shobna Gulati joining Nathan Stewart-Jarrett and a bold Max Webster vision that previously sold out at the National Theatre.
Shobna Gulati takes a prominent turn as Miss Prism in the West End transfer of The Importance of Being Earnest, joining a cast that also features Olly Alexander and Stephen Fry. The production, directed by Max Webster, has moved from the National Theatre to the Noël Coward Theatre in London after selling out its initial run, and much of the chatter since the transfer has centred on the casting choices, not least Fry’s decision to play Lady Bracknell.
Stephen Fry delivers a commanding performance as Lady Bracknell in the West End transfer Marc Brenner
What is the deal with Stephen Fry playing Lady Bracknell?
Look, it is genius casting. The role is usually played by a formidable older woman, but Fry completely owns it. He has the height, the voice, and the sheer presence. You truly believe he could silence a room just by walking into it. That famous "A handbag?" line? With him, it is not a shriek. It is slower, deeper, and somehow much more devastating. It is the kind of performance people will definitely remember.
Stephen Fry takes on Lady Bracknell in the West End run of 'The Importance of Being Earnest'Marc Brenner
Who else is in this production?
He is not up there by himself. Olly Alexander from Years & Years is playing Algernon, bringing a truly playful charm to the part. Nathan Stewart-Jarrett is Jack, the character with the fake country brother. The supporting cast is rock solid. Hugh Dennis is the Reverend Chasuble, and Shobna Gulati is a wonderfully flustered Miss Prism. It is a proper ensemble; there are no weak links.
Jessica Whitehurst and Kitty Hawthorne in West End transfer of The Importance of Being EarnestMarc Brenner
How do I actually get tickets to see it?
Right, pay attention. The production is at the Noël Coward Theatre and the run ends on 10 January 2026. That is not very far away. Tickets start at £25 (around ₹2,990). Given its history of selling out, you would be smart not to wait around. Check the theatre's official website.