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.
Mrunal Thakur clarifies she is not dating Tamil actor Dhanush, calling him a “good friend.”
Says Dhanush attended Son of Sardaar 2 screening at Ajay Devgn’s invitation, not hers.
Rumours began after the duo were spotted together at multiple events.
Dhanush divorced Aishwarya Rajinikanth in 2022 after 18 years of marriage.
Mrunal Thakur has directly addressed the growing speculation linking her to Tamil superstar Dhanush. In recent weeks, social media buzzed with rumours of a romance between the Bollywood and South cinema actors after they were spotted together on multiple occasions. Speaking in an interview cited by Only Kollywood, the Son of Sardaar 2 actress dismissed the claims, stressing that their relationship is purely platonic.
“Dhanush is just a good friend to me. I’m aware that a lot of news has been circulating about the two of us recently, and I found it funny,” she said. Mrunal added that she understood why the gossip took off but insisted there was no truth to it.
Mrunal smiles with Dhanush at a private wrap party for Tere Ishk Mein Instagram/kanika.d
Why was Dhanush at the Son of Sardaar 2 screening?
One of the biggest talking points fuelling the rumours was Dhanush’s appearance at the Mumbai screening of Son of Sardaar 2. Many assumed his presence meant a personal connection with Mrunal. However, the actress made it clear that it was veteran actor Ajay Devgn who extended the invitation.
“Dhanush attended the Son of Sardaar 2 event. No one should misunderstand that. It was Ajay Devgn who invited him,” she clarified.
The dating chatter had already started weeks earlier, when Mrunal was seen at the wrap-up party for Tere Ishq Mein, an upcoming Aanand L Rai directorial starring Dhanush. Videos from the event, showing the pair interacting closely, spread widely on social media and were picked apart by fans looking for signs of a budding romance.
The speculation didn’t just stem from public appearances. Mrunal’s decision to follow Dhanush’s sisters on Instagram also caught the attention of fans and entertainment portals, leading many to believe they shared a deeper connection.
A report from News18 quoted an unnamed source claiming the two were indeed dating but preferred to keep their relationship private. “It’s too new and they have no plans to make it official publicly. But friends are rooting for them as they’re quite similar in values and choices,” the source said.
Despite this, Mrunal’s latest remarks appear aimed at putting the matter to rest.
— (@)
Dhanush’s personal life after divorce from Aishwarya Rajinikanth
Dhanush was married to filmmaker Aishwarya Rajinikanth, daughter of legendary actor Rajinikanth, for 18 years before they announced their separation in January 2022. The couple share two sons, Yatra and Linga.
In a joint statement at the time, they described their journey together as one of “growth, understanding, adjusting and adapting” but said they had decided to part ways to focus on themselves as individuals. Despite the split, the two maintain an amicable relationship and recently reunited for their elder son’s school graduation.
Dhanush and Aishwarya during a promotional event for 'VIP 2' Getty Images
Upcoming projects for both actors
Dhanush has a busy slate ahead, including Idli Kadai, Aanand L Rai’s Tere Ishq Mein, the tentatively titled D54 with Mamitha Baiju, and Kalam: The Missile Man of India, a biopic on former Indian President APJ Abdul Kalam.
Mrunal Thakur is also balancing multiple big-ticket projects. She will star in Dacoit: A Love Story and the tentatively titled AA22xA6 alongside Allu Arjun, as well as Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai with Varun Dhawan.
While fans may continue to speculate about their chemistry, Mrunal Thakur’s clear stance suggests the Dhanush romance rumours may not have much ground, at least for now.
Two new series confirmed, set in post-war 1950s Birmingham.
Story shifts focus to a new generation of the Shelby family.
Filming will happen at Digbeth Loc. Studios in the city.
Cillian Murphy is on board as an executive producer.
The show will air on BBC One and iPlayer, then Netflix globally.
Guess the Peaky Blinders saga got a proper, extended run. Just when you thought the Shelbys were done, the BBC has gone and confirmed two brand new series. But this time, they are shaking things up, jumping forward in time to follow a completely new generation of the family. Imagine the same surname, but a whole new set of faces causing trouble in a city desperately trying to rebuild itself.
Cillian Murphy joins as executive producer for the highly anticipated BBC One revival Instagram/peakyblindersofficial
What is the deal with this new storyline?
They are leaving the flapper dresses and the Great Depression behind. We are landing right in the middle of 1953. Birmingham's landscape is just a collection of cranes and concrete skeletons, still shattered from the Blitz. And you know what all that rebuilding means, right? Contracts. Money. Power. A massive, brutal scrap for control of the city's future. It is actually a genius move. The setting is a character in itself: all cranes, concrete, and chaos. The Shelbys, of course, are right in the middle of it. Their surname might be different, but their methods probably are not.
Steven Knight remains the driving force, writing and creating this new iteration. That is a relief for fans worried it might continue without its original voice. The production is a joint effort between Kudos, known for SAS Rogue Heroes, and Garrison Drama, the team behind the original six series. Here is a juicy bit: Cillian Murphy has signed on as an executive producer. Will his character Tommy's shadow loom large over the new kids? Will we even get a cameo? They are not saying. But filming in Digbeth again means they are keeping it real, sticking to the city that made the show.
The 66-year-old, best known for creating Peaky Blinders and A Thousand Blows Getty Images
When can we expect the new Peaky Blinders?
A specific release date has not been announced. What we know is that each of the two new series will consist of six hour-long episodes. The plan is for it to run on BBC One and iPlayer here in the UK first. After that, it will pop up on Netflix for the rest of the world to binge. This new show is actually coming after that Peaky Blinders film, The Immortal Man, which is set in the war. Think of that movie as the bridge. So there is a whole lot of Shelby drama coming down the pipeline. Guess we better get ready.
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Kantara Chapter 1 opens to record £6 million day as UK and Indian audiences respond
Cinema halls across India see fans reeling from the film’s intense spiritual sequences.
A UK premiere audience gave the film a rousing standing ovation, stunning the team.
The prequel dives into the origins of the Bhuta Kola ritual from the first film.
Social media flooded with clips of viewers appearing possessed after screenings.
The film smashed box office records with an opening day haul of over £6 million (₹65 crore).
Looks like Rishab Shetty hasn't just made a film; he's bottled some kind of lightning because Kantara Chapter 1 is hitting people right in the gut. You've got viewers stumbling out of theatres looking shell-shocked, a few even copying those wild possession scenes right there in the cinema. And it's not just an Indian thing. The film’s recent UK premiere was met with a thunderous standing ovation, showing this story's pull extends far beyond its home turf. Then the numbers landed, a whopping £6.2 million (₹65 crore) on day one. Seems like the figures are backing up the frenzy.
Kantara Chapter 1 opens to record £6 million day as UK and Indian audiences respond Instagram/kantarafilm
What is driving the extreme audience reactions?
You might have seen the videos all over now. A woman shaking in her seat, people around her trying to help. Then another clip from Bengaluru where a man in a dhoti is spinning on the floor, chanting just like Rishab Shetty's character. It's like the movie doesn't end when the credits roll. For some people, it just keeps going. The film pulls you in that completely.
— (@)
How did the UK premiere audience react to Kantara Chapter 1?
And this isn't just happening in Karnataka. That UK premiere? The place went crazy in London when the credits rolled. The whole crowd was up in seconds for a proper, roaring standing ovation that just didn't let up. You could see the team were a bit blown away by it, honestly.
It shows the story’s core themes of faith, tradition, and man’s connection to nature are cutting across cultural lines, giving the diaspora a powerful piece of home and introducing others to something entirely new.
— (@)
What is the box office story for Kantara Chapter 1?
Let’s talk numbers, because they are just as crazy as the fan videos. The film opened on October 2nd and immediately set the box office alight, bulldozing past the opening day collections of other major releases this year.
From struggling to get screen space for his earlier work, Rishab Shetty now commands over 5000 houseful shows, a journey he calls "nothing but your love, support, and God’s grace."
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Taylor Swift exposes the hidden toll of fame with 'The Life of a Showgirl' and shocking new single
Swift’s twelfth studio album, The Life of a Showgirl, released on 3 October 2025
Lead single “The Fate of Ophelia” unveiled alongside a global cinema event
Sabrina Carpenter features on the shimmering title track
Visual campaign drenched in orange, nodding to cabaret history
Photographers Mert and Marcus shot the album’s flamboyant artwork
Taylor Swift’s The Life of a Showgirl is finally here, and it feels less like a simple album drop and more like a deliberately staged spectacle. This new record, landing today, completely abandons the muted tones of The Tortured Poets Department for something far more theatrical. The whole project, conceived during the European tour dates, dives headfirst into the manic energy of performance, using the showgirl motif to ask what it costs to live under stadium lights. It’s a theme echoed in the ambitious, limited-run cinematic event accompanying its release.
Taylor Swift exposes the hidden toll of fame with 'The Life of a Showgirl' and shocking new single Instagram/taylorswift
What is the real story behind The Life of a Showgirl?
Okay, so it’s not actually about being a showgirl in the literal sense. That’s just the metaphor she’s clinging to. Swift has talked about the songs coming to her in bits and pieces between shows last year. Think about it: one night you’re screaming on stage in front of 70,000 people; the next you’re on a silent tour bus staring at a wall.
That whiplash is the album’s core. It’s about the duality, the person versus the persona. The tracklist alone hints at it with songs like Elizabeth Taylor and Father Figure, suggesting she’s playing with icons and archetypes, maybe seeing her own life reflected in theirs.
Right, the sound. This is a hard pivot. Where Poets was often sparse and lyrically dense, this one is loud. It’s pop, but with dramatic, soft-rock layers. Bringing Max Martin and Shellback back into the fold says everything you need to know; she’s going for big hooks and that polished sheen, clearly making a conscious return to a grander production style. “The Fate of Ophelia” kicks the door in with a driving beat and a chorus that feels designed for stadium chant-alongs, like a world away from the muted synthscape of “Fortnight.”
This is key. It’s not another Eras Tour film. From 3 to 5 October, fans are gathering in cinemas worldwide for Taylor Swift: The Official Release Party of a Showgirl. It isn’t a concert film. You get the premiere of the “Fate of Ophelia” video, sure. But also, lyric videos for all the new songs, along with behind-the-scenes footage and audio of Swift talking about the tracks.
It feels like a controlled, immersive unboxing of the album’s world. And then it’s gone. Perhaps, that scarcity is the whole point, making the album release itself a fleeting, must-see event.
You’ve definitely noticed the orange. It’s everywhere. The photoshoots by Mert and Marcus, the promotional materials, even city landmarks got lit up in orange. It’s not an accident; in fact, it’s the entire branding.
Orange is intense, it’s warm, it’s attention-grabbing. It perfectly sells the showgirl aesthetic, think old Vegas, cabaret feathers, the glow of the stage lights vibe. But it’s also a complete departure from the moody blues and grays of Poets. This colour choice seems like the first and loudest signal that this is a new, defiantly un-sad era.
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Priyanka Chopra shuts down global tag and doubles down on Indian actor pride
She shot down the 'global actor' tag with a definitive, almost weary, clarity.
Her first major jewellery purchase was a self-funded diamond from an early film pay cheque.
She's deep in the trenches of her pirate film The Bluff and the Citadel sequel.
The Bulgari partnership works because it, unlike many, shouts out Indian craftsmanship.
Despite the Hollywood slate, the SS Rajamouli film in India is absolutely confirmed.
Look, Priyanka Chopra is done explaining herself. On a quick stop in Mumbai, sandwiched between Hollywood schedules and a glittering Bulgari event, someone dared to ask the question again. You know the one. Global or Indian? Her answer wasn't just sharp; it was a sigh of finality. For an Indian actor in Hollywood, the constant need to define her identity is just noise. And she's done listening to it.
Priyanka Chopra shuts down global tag and doubles down on Indian actor pride Instagram/bvlgari
What’s her deal with Bulgari?
This isn’t some random cheque for her. You can tell it actually means something. She gets a real kick from how Bulgari gives India its due, shouting out the craftsmanship and the gemstones. Then she hit us with a classic story. Her first serious jewellery buy was a two-carat diamond, funded entirely by the signing amount from one of her earliest films. Her mum called it her "becoming a woman" moment. Try finding that level of meaning in a standard brand partnership.
This is where she doesn’t mess about. When the whole "global actor" thing came up, her answer was a verbal mic drop. "I’m Indian, and I’m an actor. That makes me an Indian actor," she stated. No fluff, no diplomatic answers. She talked about loving her job and following the work, but the core of it all never budges. It’s a refusal to have her identity rewritten by a map.
Priyanka Chopra embraces Indian actor title while juggling Hollywood and SS Rajamouli projectsGetty Images
So what’s next for Priyanka Chopra?
The woman isn't resting. She's fresh off a boat, literally, having wrapped The Bluff, this pirate flick with the Russo Brothers. "Exceptional" is the word she uses, and with her, that's not just PR talk. Then, no rest, she's straight back into the messy, big world of Citadel for another season. Oh, and the globetrotting SS Rajamouli’s film? It’s confirmed. She's in. So yeah, she's operating on a different plane of existence altogether.
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Strictly Come Dancing brings back Cynthia Erivo to guide celebrities in Wicked-inspired Movie Week performances
Erivo returns to the BBC dance show in a new role.
She will advise contestants during Movie Week.
The professional dancers are doing a Wicked performance.
She previously served as a guest judge.
The move ties in with her new film release.
Strictly Come Dancing has called in Cynthia Erivo for special duties. The award-winning performer will act as a guest mentor when the show holds its Movie Week. This marks a fresh job for Erivo on the programme after she previously served as a judge. She is expected to guide the celebrities through their big screen themed routines.
Strictly Come Dancing brings back Cynthia Erivo to guide celebrities in Wicked-inspired Movie Week performances Getty Images
What does a guest mentor do?
This is a new position created for the series. Erivo will visit the couples during their practice sessions. She will give them tips on how to sell a performance. Her job is to help them look more like film stars on the dance floor. When the live show happens, she will also join the judging panel to watch the results.
Cynthia Erivo takes over mentoring on Strictly Come Dancing to boost celebrities for high-stakes Movie Week Getty Images
Why choose Cynthia Erivo?
She knows her way around the Strictly ballroom. Producers brought her in to cover for judges before. People still talk about how she spoke to Rose Ayling-Ellis using sign language. That moment showed she understands how to connect with performers. She also has a new Wicked film in cinemas right now, which makes the timing work well.
Yes, the professional dancers have prepared something special. They will perform to As Long As You're Mine from the musical. Erivo sings that song in the movie version. The number will likely feature costumes and sets from the production. It should serve as a major moment during the broadcast.
The Movie Week episode airs this Saturday evening on BBC One. The competition is starting to get serious now. Some couples are already struggling to impress the judges. Having Erivo there might give someone the boost they need to avoid elimination this weekend.