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.
Parineeti Chopra and Raghav Chadha confirm they are expecting their first child.
The couple shared a joint Instagram post with a sweet video and cake image.
Bollywood and political circles sent warm wishes following the announcement.
Their pregnancy news comes less than a year after their Udaipur wedding.
Actor Parineeti Chopra and her husband, politician Raghav Chadha, have officially announced their first pregnancy with a heartfelt post on Instagram. The couple, who tied the knot in September 2023, shared a video and a symbolic cake image to mark the moment, delighting fans across Bollywood and political circles. The announcement follows recent hints dropped on The Great Indian Kapil Show, where they playfully teased “good news soon.”
Raghav Chadha’s on air promise comes true as Parineeti Chopra confirms pregnancy with heartfelt post Getty Images
How did Parineeti Chopra and Raghav Chadha announce their pregnancy?
On 25 August, the pair uploaded a joint Instagram post featuring a beautifully decorated round cake with the golden imprint of baby feet and “1 + 1 = 3.” Alongside the photo, they shared a video of themselves strolling hand-in-hand through a park, writing in the caption: “Our little universe on its way. Blessed beyond measure.”
The post was immediately flooded with congratulatory messages. Sonam Kapoor commented, “Congratulations darling,” while Bhumi Pednekar, Huma Qureshi, and Neha Dhupia also extended their wishes. Fans expressed excitement and joy, with many describing the announcement as one of the happiest surprises of the year.
What did they say earlier about starting a family?
The announcement comes just weeks after the couple appeared together on The Great Indian Kapil Show. During the episode, host Kapil Sharma jokingly asked them about family plans. Raghav Chadha smiled and responded, “Good news jaldi denge (We’ll share good news soon),” catching Parineeti by surprise.
The exchange, which went viral at the time, now appears to have been a subtle nod to their actual plans. Their light-hearted remarks sparked speculation, but this is the first time they have officially confirmed that they are expecting a child.
Parineeti Chopra confirms pregnancy with Raghav Chadha after months of speculationGetty Images
When did Parineeti Chopra and Raghav Chadha get married?
Parineeti and Raghav married on 24 September 2023 at the Leela Palace Hotel in Udaipur, Rajasthan. The ceremony had both cinematic glamour and political prominence, with attendees including Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, and several Bollywood personalities.
The couple had earlier exchanged rings at a grand engagement ceremony in May 2023 at Delhi’s Kapurthala House. Since then, they have frequently shared glimpses of their life together on social media, from festive celebrations to candid travel moments.
While preparing for motherhood, Parineeti Chopra continues her acting journey. She recently wrapped up shooting for an upcoming Netflix series, co-starring Tahir Raj Bhasin, Jennifer Winget, Harleen Sethi, Sumeet Vyas, Anup Soni, and Chaitannya Choudhry. The project, which is yet to be titled, marks another step in her digital career after her recent film outings.
Raghav Chadha, meanwhile, remains active in his political role as a Member of Parliament for the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP). Their announcement reflects a new chapter for the couple as they balance professional responsibilities with their personal life.
The actress defended her claim that acting demands more than desk jobs in a recent interview.
She said office workers can "chill out" during work hours, unlike film stars.
Fans and working professionals called her comments privileged and out of touch.
The backlash started after her appearance on Amazon Prime's Two Much with Kajol & Twinkle.
Critics pointed out the financial gap and support systems actors have compared to regular employees.
Kajol probably didn't expect this reaction when she sat down with Twinkle Khanna on Two Much. But her comments about actors working harder than people with 9-to-5 jobs have blown up, and not in a good way.
Fans slam Kajol after she says actors work harder than regular employees sparking online outrage Getty Images
The comments that started it all
Kajol was speaking out about her earlier comments on Two Much with Kajol & Twinkle on Amazon Prime, where she said actors work harder than most people. This time she was explaining why she thinks that.
She told The Hollywood Reporter India that her days are full of shoots, events, and very early flights. One day involved waking at 5 AM to catch a flight to Jaipur for a 3 PM event.
But it was her take on regular jobs that got people talking. She claimed desk workers don't need to be "100% present" and can take breaks, "chill out," and relax while working. She kept coming back to the unending scrutiny actors face like the feeling of always being watched or something as simple as how you cross your legs or who's snapping a picture in the background becomes a constant calculation. You have to be switched on, she insisted, all the time.
The internet, frankly, was having none of it. YouTube and Reddit exploded with responses. "For the kind of remuneration actors are paid, they shouldn't have a problem working 12 hours a day for 4 days a week," one user wrote. Another pointed out that films typically take 3-4 months to shoot, while regular jobs run year-round.
The responses got more pointed. "Vanity mein naps or massages bhi toh hum lete hain," a Reddit user commented, referencing the comfort of vanity vans. Someone else joked: "If you work poorly, you get fired. If you act poorly, you get a Filmfare award."
The bluntest response yet? "Respectfully, Kajol, shut up."
Nobody denies acting is demanding. Long hours, public pressure, and constant judgement are very real. But comparing it to regular employment ignores some major differences.
Most people work 12 months a year with two weeks' holiday if they're lucky. They don't have spot boys fetching drinks or vanity vans for rest breaks. One netizen nailed it: "A working parent's schedule is continuous, every single day, with no wrap-up party or off-season."
Online erupts as Kajol defends claim that acting demands more than everyday 9-to-5 workGetty Images
There's also the money. While her fee for a single film is probably more than most people earn in a year, she says that doesn’t make the work easy. Still, it does provide a comfort that regular employees don’t have. Kajol has not yet replied to the backlash.
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