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.
• Oasis begin their global reunion tour in Cardiff on 4 and 5 July. • Liam and Noel Gallagher perform together for the first time since 2009. • More than 14 million fans tried to buy tickets for the UK shows. • Fans travelled from Chile, Colombia, and the US to attend the Cardiff gig.
For the first time in 16 years, Liam and Noel Gallagher shared a stage on Friday night, kicking off Oasis’s long-awaited reunion tour at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff. With fans flying in from across the globe and massive demand crashing ticketing sites, the atmosphere was electric as one of Britain’s biggest rock bands returned to the spotlight.
Noel Gallagher and Liam Gallagher at "Che Tempo Che Fa" Italian TV ShowGetty Images
Thousands descend on Cardiff for historic Oasis concert
Cardiff turned into a sea of bucket hats, parkas, and Mancunian pride this weekend as Oasis fans poured into the city ahead of the band’s reunion shows. The Principality Stadium welcomed 62,000 fans each night, with supporters camping outside since Wednesday to secure a prime spot.
Some had travelled vast distances, like 38-year-old Janneth Dueñas from Bogotá, Colombia, and Matt Pope from California, while others, such as Manchester student Jasmine Griffins-Jones, had queued for days. The excitement wasn’t just about the music, but the moment: the return of Liam and Noel Gallagher, who hadn’t shared a stage since their explosive split in 2009.
Global demand crashes sites and sends prices soaring
Demand for tickets was nothing short of astronomical. Over 14 million people attempted to secure one of just 1.5 million available UK spots, with Cardiff’s dates selling out within minutes. Frustrations followed as many fans encountered crashed websites and inflated prices due to dynamic pricing. Some standard tickets jumped from £148 (₹15,600) to £355 (₹37,500), sparking public outcry and drawing the attention of the UK’s competition watchdog.
Despite the chaos, excitement has remained sky-high, with stadium staff describing the gig as “possibly the most hyped event” in the venue’s history.
For many, attending the gig was deeply personal. Diana Vesely, who first saw Oasis in Mexico in 1998, flew in from Chicago to be at the first reunion show. Meanwhile, journalist Orlando Silva Vargas from Chile arrived in Cardiff without accommodation, hoping to trade traditional spices for a place to sleep. “It might not be smart financially, but I’d regret missing this forever,” he said.
From reunions to first concerts, fans from all generations were united by one thing: a lifelong connection to Oasis’s music.
Following the Cardiff shows, Oasis will perform across the UK, including Manchester’s Heaton Park, Wembley Stadium, and Dublin’s Croke Park, before heading to Asia, South America, and the US. The tour will also tie in with a new film by Peaky Blinders creator Steven Knight.
Liam and Noel Gallagher formed Oasis in 1991, quickly rising to fame with albums like Definitely Maybe and (What’s the Story) Morning Glory?. Hits like Wonderwall and Live Forever became anthems of a generation. Their last album, Dig Out Your Soul, came in 2008, just before the infamous backstage fight in Paris that ended it all.
Michael Madsen was known for blending menace with vulnerability across a 200-film career.
His breakout role as Mr Blonde in Reservoir Dogs remains one of the most iconic villains in cinema.
Roles in Kill Bill and Donnie Brasco cemented his status as a cult favourite and Tarantino regular.
He also surprised audiences with emotional performances in Free Willy and Thelma & Louise.
Some actors chase stardom. Michael Madsen wasn’t one of them. He didn’t charm you with a smile; he unnerved you with a stare. His voice wasn’t smooth; it was gravel scraped over concrete. He played men who lived in the shadows, spoke in grunts or chillingly calm threats, and carried violence like a familiar tool. But damn, when he was on screen, you couldn’t look away.
Madsen didn’t act tough; he was tough, and not in the movie-star sense. In a real, broken, beautiful way. These 10 roles aren’t just career highlights. They’re pieces of a man who gave us something rare: the truth, hidden in hard men with soft edges.
10 iconic Michael Madsen roles that made him Hollywood’s ultimate tough guy Getty Images
1. Mr Blonde / Vic Vega – Reservoir Dogs (1992)
This was the performance that made people remember his name, and wince at the sound of “Stuck in the Middle With You.” Sadistic but eerily calm, Mr Blonde was cinema’s most unsettling psychopath. Madsen’s slow dance with madness in the torture scene became legend. You couldn’t look away. Iconic doesn’t cover it. This is scripture!
He used to be a deadly assassin. Now he lives in a trailer, sweeping floors at a strip club. Budd is bitter, broke, and tired. But in Madsen’s hands, he wasn’t pathetic, just human. When he tells Beatrix he’s going to bury her alive, you believe it. But you also sense the pain in him, too. This was Madsen showing the flip side of the killer coin, the burnout, the regret, and the dark humour clinging to survival. His reunion with Tarantino after the Pulp Fiction miss was pure magic.
Michael Madsen as Budd aka SidewinderIMDB
3. Jimmy Lennox – Thelma & Louise (1991)
A rare crack in the tough-guy armour. As Louise’s boyfriend, Jimmy was tender and vulnerable. The way he proposed, quietly and without ego, gave the film its emotional anchor. It shattered the typecast before it even fully formed. He could do tenderness and do it damn well. Again, it proved Madsen didn’t need blood or guns to break your heart. Just honesty.
Thelma & LouiseIMDB
4. Glen – Free Willy (1993)
Nobody expected Michael Madsen in a family movie. But he surprised everyone as the gruff but caring foster father who supports a troubled kid and a whale. It was his gentlest role. It was a massive hit, proving his face could sell popcorn to kids, not just nightmares to adults. For a whole generation, this was the first time they saw a different side of him.
Free WillyIMDB
5. Sonny Black’s crew – Donnie Brasco (1997)
Thrown in with Pacino and Depp? No sweat. He wasn’t centre stage in this one, but his presence mattered. Playing a low-key mobster in Al Pacino’s crew, Madsen added quiet threat to every scene. His chemistry with Johnny Depp added tension, always teetering between trust and suspicion. He held his own effortlessly, proving his power wasn’t just in volume, but in chilling authenticity.
Donnie BrascoAlex on Film
6. Detective Bob – Sin City (2005)
Brief, but slick. In Robert Rodriguez’s grim, graphic world, Madsen slipped in perfectly as a shady cop who clearly had seen too much. His dialogue was sharp, his smirk even sharper. He felt like he belonged in that black-and-white world of revenge and ruin. Honestly, we bought it!
Sin CityIMDB
7. Joe Gage – The Hateful Eight (2015)
Stuck in a snowy cabin with strangers, Madsen’s Joe Gage claimed to be writing a memoir. But you never bought it. He was too quiet, too calculating. His stillness screamed suspicion. Tarantino knew what he was doing when he brought Madsen back into the fold. Classic Madsen menace, refined like aged whisky.
The Hateful Eight IMDB
8. Detective Eddie Hall – Mulholland Falls (1996)
Old-school noir suited him. In this 1950s crime story, he played a no-nonsense cop with a worn-out charm. The suits, the cigarettes, the world-weariness, it let him lean hard into that trademark cool. He wasn’t the star, but he owned every scene with brute force and exhausted cynicism that felt lived-in. Pure noir cool.
Mulholland FallsVirtual History
9. Vince – Kill Me Again (1989)
Before Tarantino, there was Kill Me Again. This early role showed flashes of what would become his signature: ice-cold menace and unpredictable rage. This is where the “lethal quiet man” persona truly crystallised. Vince was brutal but controlled, always one bad moment away from exploding. You saw the blueprint of what Tarantino would later amplify into legend.
Kill Me Again
10. Sheriff Hackett – Once Upon a Time in Hollywood (2019)
A tiny, meta cameo, but oh so perfect. Playing a laconic TV sheriff in Tarantino’s ode to old Hollywood? In Tarantino’s nostalgic love letter to old Hollywood, Madsen turned up as a TV cowboy: raspy, rugged, and perfectly cast. It felt like a quiet goodbye, or maybe a wink to all the dusty sheriffs he could’ve played.
Michael Madsen attends the Closing Ceremony and Fistful of Dollars Screening Getty Images
More than a tough guy
Madsen never chased the spotlight. He just did the work and let the work speak. He gave us characters we didn’t always like but couldn’t forget. He was the terrifying villain you couldn’t forget (Blonde), the weary killer you almost pitied (Budd), and the tough guy who could surprisingly break your heart (Jimmy, Glen).
In a world full of actors trying to be cool, Michael Madsen was cool, because he didn’t try. He just was. That’s why he mattered. And why he always will.
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Katy Perry Orlando Bloom Choose Co Parenting Future After Nine Years
Katy Perry and Orlando Bloom have ended their nine-year on-off relationship, confirmed via reps.
The couple says the focus has now shifted to co-parenting their daughter, Daisy.
Perry got emotional on stage during the Australian leg of her tour amid split rumours.
Bloom posted cryptic quotes about loneliness and new beginnings.
After weeks of speculation, Katy Perry and Orlando Bloom have officially confirmed they are no longer together. The singer and actor, who have been in a high-profile relationship since 2016, released a joint statement through their representatives, saying they’ve “shifted” their relationship to focus on co-parenting their daughter. The pair, who got engaged in 2019 and welcomed daughter Daisy Dove Bloom in 2020, had reportedly been living increasingly separate lives in recent months.
Katy Perry Orlando Bloom Choose Co Parenting Future After Nine YearsGetty Images
Couple to continue as co-parents
In the statement released via their representatives, the couple acknowledged the growing media interest in their relationship, clarifying that they’ve been navigating a transition “over the past many months.” They added that their priority remains raising Daisy in a stable and loving environment. “They will continue to be seen together as a family,” the statement read, emphasising their commitment to respectful co-parenting.
Katy Perry and Orlando Bloom focus on raising their daughter with love and respect Getty Images
Signs of distance: Solo appearances and emotional moments
Bloom recently attended Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez’s wedding in Venice without Perry, fuelling breakup rumours. Meanwhile, Perry was wrapping up the Australian leg of her Lifetimes world tour. On stage in Adelaide, fans captured footage of the singer holding back tears as she thanked the audience, saying, “Thank you for always being there for me, Australia. It means the world,” before launching into Firework.
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Cryptic social media posts spark rumours
Adding to the speculation, Bloom shared a series of introspective posts on Instagram. One included a Buddha quote: “Each day is a new beginning. What we do today is what matters most.” Others included Carl Jung’s reflections on loneliness and human connection, which fans interpreted as hints at personal turmoil.
Katy Perry and Orlando Bloom end their long running romance and plan to raise their daughter together as a family
Long road with no wedding in sight
Perry and Bloom first met at a Golden Globes after-party in 2016, got engaged three years later, and welcomed their child in 2020. A wedding had been planned in Japan but was postponed due to the pandemic and never rescheduled. Both have been married before: Perry to comedian Russell Brand and Bloom to model Miranda Kerr. This marks another high-profile chapter closed in both their personal lives.
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SSMB29 brings Priyanka Chopra back to Bollywood in high-stakes Rajamouli film
Priyanka Chopra Jonas confirms return to Indian cinema with SS Rajamouli’s SSMB29.
She calls the film not a comeback, but a “homecoming” to India and Bollywood.
SSMB29 stars Mahesh Babu, with Prithviraj Sukumaran rumoured to play the antagonist.
The film’s next shooting schedule will take place in Kenya; budget reportedly over £94 million (₹1,000 crore).
Priyanka Chopra Jonas is officially back on Indian screens after several years of focusing on international projects. But for the actor, who has spent the last decade working in Hollywood, this is more than just a comeback. In fact, it is a return to where it all began.
Priyanka Chopra calls 'SSMB29' her homecoming as she reunites with Indian cinemaGetty Images
She misses Hindi films, says filming in India feels like ‘home’
While promoting her Hollywood action-comedy Heads of State, Chopra opened up about her deep connection to Indian cinema. In a recent interview, she said, “I miss Hindi movies, and I miss India so much. I’m working in India this year, and I’m really excited about that.”
The actor, last seen in a Hindi film with The Sky Is Pink (2019), has since taken on major roles in international productions such as The White Tiger and Citadel. But SSMB29 will be her first major Indian theatrical release in years.
Priyanka Chopra teams up with SS Rajamouli and Mahesh Babu for mega film SSMB29Getty Images
SSMB29 to feature Mahesh Babu and Prithviraj Sukumaran
Directed by Baahubali and RRR filmmaker SS Rajamouli, SSMB29 is being made on an estimated budget of £94 million (₹1,000 crore), making it one of India’s costliest productions to date. The film stars Telugu superstar Mahesh Babu in the lead, and Malayalam actor Prithviraj Sukumaran is expected to play the antagonist. Rajamouli confirmed that casting is still underway, with only Mahesh Babu officially signed on at the time of the last public update.
Mahesh Babu’s dramatic new look for SSMB 29 sparks a social media frenzy as fans compare him to Mufasa and a Hollywood action hero Getty Images/ Twitter
A globe-trotting adventure with massive scale
The next phase of filming is scheduled in Kenya, with earlier shoots already completed in Hyderabad, including a Holi sequence. Priyanka shared behind-the-scenes moments on Instagram with a caption that read, “With the blessings of Shri Balaji, a new chapter begins.” According to sources, the film will bring together mythology with action and is being likened to an Indian take on Indiana Jones. Sets resembling Varanasi are being built in Ramoji Film City to bring the film’s narrative to life.
SS Rajamouli recreates Varanasi at Ramoji Film City for a key action sequence in SSMB29 Getty Images
Heads of State release and Priyanka’s busy international schedule
While fans await more details about SSMB29, Priyanka’s latest Hollywood project Heads of State premiered on 2 July on Prime Video. The film features her alongside Idris Elba and John Cena in a spy-action comedy set across multiple continents. For now, though, her Indian fans are thrilled to see her return to home turf, with SSMB29 already among the most anticipated releases in Indian cinema.
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Aamir Khan as Dahaa in Coolie revealed in striking black and white poster
Aamir Khan will be seen in a special cameo as Dahaa in Coolie, starring Rajinikanth.
First look dropped on 3 July, showing Aamir in a rugged, pipe-smoking avatar.
Khan said he agreed to the cameo instantly because he’s a longtime Rajinikanth fan.
Coolie releases in IMAX on 14 August and will clash with War 2 at the box office.
Bollywood star Aamir Khan has joined the cast of Rajinikanth’s highly anticipated action film Coolie for a special cameo. The makers revealed Aamir’s first look on 3 July, and fans have been buzzing ever since.
In the poster, Aamir appears as ‘Dahaa’, a gritty, sharp-looking man in a sleeveless vest, glasses, and pipe in hand. The black-and-white image, released by Sun Pictures, presents a darker, edgier version of the actor not seen in recent years. The caption on the post read: “Introducing #AamirKhan as Dahaa, from the world of #Coolie. #Coolie is all set to dominate IMAX screens worldwide from 14 August.”
Aamir Khan sports a rugged look with pipe and vest in Coolie cameoInstagram/cooliemovieofficial
Aamir Khan plays Dahaa in Coolie
Although it’s just a cameo, Aamir’s intense look has left fans expecting a memorable twist. Speaking in an interview, the actor revealed he didn’t even ask for the script before saying yes. “I really enjoyed doing it. I’m a huge fan of Rajini sir. When Lokesh told me he wanted me for a cameo in Rajini sir’s film, I said, ‘Done. I’m doing it,’” he said.
This marks Aamir’s second on-screen appearance post his comeback film Sitaare Zameen Par, which is currently running successfully at the box office.
— (@)
Rajinikanth and Lokesh team up for a pan-India action drama
Directed by Kaithi and Vikram maker Lokesh Kanagaraj, Coolie stars Rajinikanth in the lead, alongside Nagarjuna, Upendra, Shruti Haasan, and Soubin Shahir.
The film is said to revolve around high-stakes action with a strong emotional core, typical of Lokesh’s filmmaking style. It has reportedly been made on a massive budget of £35 million (₹375 crore), making it one of the most expensive Indian films this year.
Coolie is set to hit cinemas on 14 August, right before India’s Independence Day, which is a prime release window. But the film will face stiff competition from YRF’s War 2, starring Hrithik Roshan, Jr NTR, and Kiara Advani.
Both films are releasing in multiple languages and aiming for a pan-Indian audience, setting the stage for one of 2025’s biggest box office battles.
Aamir’s latest appearance as Dahaa follows his return to films after a three-year hiatus. His last full-fledged role was in Sitaare Zameen Par, which co-stars Genelia Deshmukh and ten newcomers. The film has earned over £12.6 million (₹135 crore) in India and continues to draw audiences with its emotional storyline.
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Hrithik Roshan and Jr NTR will not appear together for promotions as YRF keeps them apart
Hrithik Roshan and Jr NTR will promote War 2 separately ahead of its 14 August 2025 release.
Yash Raj Films is keeping the actors apart to preserve the film’s on-screen conflict.
Directed by Ayan Mukerji, the film is part of YRF’s growing Spy Universe.
Fans have expressed disappointment over missing out on the stars’ joint promotional appearances.
With just weeks to go before War 2 hits theatres, Yash Raj Films has decided that Hrithik Roshan and Jr NTR will not appear together during the film’s promotional run. The production house is deliberately keeping them apart to heighten anticipation around their on-screen showdown. While some fans see this as a bold marketing move, others are left disappointed by the lack of camaraderie in the lead-up to the film.
Hrithik Roshan and Jr NTR starrer War 2 to hit IMAX screens worldwide Instagram/yrf
YRF aims to preserve on-screen rivalry
War 2 is the first collaboration between Hrithik Roshan and Jr NTR, and the studio is banking on their intense face-off to draw audiences. According to trade sources, the actors won’t share a stage, give joint interviews, or appear in promotional videos together before the release. The idea is to prevent any early display of off-screen rapport and let viewers experience their confrontation fresh in cinemas.
A senior source explained, “The clash between Hrithik and NTR is the film’s biggest hook. YRF wants audiences to witness that tension first in theatres, not diluted by pre-release friendliness.”
This isn’t the first time YRF has opted for unconventional marketing. When Pathaan released, Shah Rukh Khan avoided all pre-release interviews. Similarly, War (2019) saw limited media presence from its stars before release, and these moves have paid off in the past.
A source close to the studio added, “The YRF Spy Universe thrives on suspense. Avoiding early disclosures helps protect plot twists and character dynamics.”
Despite the silence around joint promotions, the individual campaigns have started. Hrithik recently shared a new poster of his character, Major Kabir, on Instagram, showing him bloodied and battle-ready. He captioned it: “This time he is ruthless, merciless, relentless, and ready for War! Are you? The countdown begins now. 50 days to War 2.”
While the strategy may work for maintaining mystery, fan response online has been mixed. Many had hoped to see Jr NTR and Hrithik together in interviews or promotional content, especially as this is their first collaboration. Some expressed disappointment on social media, calling the plan unnecessary in the age of fan-driven marketing.
Still, the buzz around War 2 remains strong. Directed by Ayan Mukerji and also starring Kiara Advani, the film is set for a theatrical release in Hindi, Tamil, and Telugu on 14 August 2025, just ahead of India’s Independence Day holiday.