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.
The complete line-up for the 2025 Parklife Festival has been unveiled, with rap icon 50 Cent and British pop star Charli XCX set to headline the event. Taking place on June 14-15 at Manchester’s Heaton Park, this year marks the 15th anniversary of the festival, which has grown into one of the UK’s biggest weekend events.
Joining the headliners are over 100 artists, including R&B sensation Jorja Smith, electronic duo Bicep with their Chroma AV DJ set, and globally renowned DJ Peggy Gou. Other highlights include chart-topper Lola Young, Rudimental, Andy C, Armand Van Helden, FLO, and Skream & Benga. Fans can also expect performances from Confidence Man, DJ Heartstring, and Interplanetary Criminal, all announced during the first wave of acts last November.
The 80,000-capacity festival will also feature exciting new additions, such as the Matinée stage with a 360° DJ booth and upgraded VIP and backstage areas in a more central location.
50 Cent’s headline slot marks his return to Parklife after his last appearance in 2022. Known for hits like “In Da Club” and “Candy Shop,” the rapper’s performance promises to be a highlight of the weekend. Meanwhile, Jorja Smith will take to the stage fresh off her UK and Ireland tour celebrating her latest album, Falling Or Flying.
Tickets go back on sale on Friday, January 31, at 10 a.m. (GMT), following a sold-out first release last year. Weekend tickets start at £135 plus booking fees, while day tickets are priced from £85 plus fees. A series of presales will begin on January 29 for customers of Three and those signed up to Parklife’s mailing list.
Since its debut in Manchester’s Platt Fields Park in 2010, Parklife has become a staple in the UK festival calendar, hosting global stars like Doja Cat, The 1975, Megan Thee Stallion, and Tyler, The Creator. This year’s edition certainly promises another unforgettable experience for all festivalgoers.
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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