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.
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.
The Bollywood star revealed a stranger asked his daughter for nude pictures during an online game.
His quick-thinking daughter immediately shut off the device and told her mother.
Kumar described this as a common entry point for more serious online crimes.
He made a direct appeal to the state's Chief Minister for immediate action.
The actor called for mandatory weekly cyber safety classes for students in grades 7 to 10.
You think you have a handle on what your children are up to online, and then a story like this hits. Akshay Kumar just dropped a bombshell about a scare involving his own family, the kind that makes every parent's blood run cold. His daughter was gaming, something millions of children do every day, when a random player slid into her direct messages with a demand for nude pictures. It is this exact horror that has him demanding a "cyber period" be incorporated into the school curriculum, and frankly, who can argue?
Akshay Kumar revealed his daughter’s encounter with an online predator Getty Images/Instagram/akshaykumar
What exactly went down with his daughter?
So, here is the scene. A few months ago, his daughter was deep into one of those video games where you play with strangers from who knows where. Everything seemed normal until a private message popped up. The first question was creepy but simple: "Are you male or female?" She answered, probably without a second thought. Then came the next message. No pleasantries, no warning. Just a straight-up ask for her nude pictures.
The sheer audacity of it is staggering. Thankfully, the child has a good head on her shoulders. She did not engage, nor did she panic. She just switched the whole thing off and went and found her mother, Twinkle Khanna. This is a lesson right there in why children need to feel they can tell you anything.
Is online crime really bigger than street crime now?
Kumar might be onto something. Think about it. That first creepy message? It is never just a one-off. It is a test. They are seeing what they can get away with. If a child even hesitates, the situation changes completely. Then what? Blackmail? Threats? It is a short hop from a nasty direct message to something far worse. The whole thing gets really dark, really fast.
Kumar's argument is that you would not send a child out onto a busy motorway without teaching them the Green Cross Code. So, why are we sending them into the digital wild west with zero training?
Concerned parents are backing the actor’s call for cyber awareness in classrooms iStock
What would this proposed 'cyber period' actually do?
He is not being vague about it. He stood there at a police event and made a direct plea to the state's top minister. His idea is a dedicated lesson every single week for children in standards 7 through 10. This would cover practical, necessary stuff, such as how to spot a scam, what a predator's grooming messages look like, why you never share that kind of personal information, and crucially, what to do the second you feel uncomfortable. It is about building a reflex, like his daughter had. Switch it off. Tell an adult. Do not be a victim. It seems so obvious, but apparently it has to be taught. And after a story like this, good luck finding a parent who would say no.
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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.
Lahore-based alt-jazz band fuses South Asian classical, jazz, and hip-hop.
Sarangi virtuoso Zohaib brings centuries-old tradition into modern grooves.
UK debut at Union Chapel won over South Asian diaspora audiences.
Barbican show promises richer textures, extended improvisation, and cinematic moments.
Collaboration with legends like Ustad Noor Bakhsh bridges generations and heritage.
Let's get one thing straight: you can't pin Jaubi's sound down. It's a mash-up, sure: Hindustani classical rhythms, the freefall of jazz, hip-hop's grounding beat. But for them, it's never about genre. It's all gut feeling. Speaking exclusively to Eastern Eye ahead of their Barbican show on 3 October, the Lahore-based band opened up about their philosophy, their roots, and why improvisation feels like a conversation, not a performance.
Why “whatever” is more than a name, it’s their musical philosophy
It all starts with the name: Jaubi. It's Urdu for "whatever." Or "whoever."
"It's a philosophy," they say. "It means that when we sit down to create, we're not thinking, this has to be jazz, or this needs to sound like traditional South Asian classical music. We're just expressing what feels true in that moment." In an industry that feeds on neat boxes, that's not just a name; it's a rebellion.
This philosophy manifests in a sound that connects cosmic dots. It's the yearning of John Coltrane crashing into the beat science of J Dilla and the narrative flow of Nas. At its heart is the soulful cry of the sarangi, played by Zohaib, a seventh-generation carrier of that rare lineage.
So how do you honour centuries of tradition while plugging it into a modern context?
"We're conscious of honouring the tradition," they explain. The goal isn't forced modernisation. "The goal isn't to modernise the sarangi, but to create a dialogue between past and present, showing it can exist alongside a bassline or drum loop without losing its soul. In that way, the tradition is protected by being kept alive and relevant, not locked away."
Jaubi brings centuries-old sarangi to modern beats
The intimate, human centre of Nafs at Peace
This dialogue is captured perfectly on their album Nafs at Peace. The album cover, a photo of Ali Riaz Baqar's mother praying, is its intimate, human centre. The title track sonically maps an inner journey. "It begins sparse and unsettled—loose rhythms, open spaces, almost like a mind in turmoil... By the end, everything locks together in harmony. It's not triumphant, but a calm and quiet resolution."
This raw, honest sound wasn't lab-grown. Their seminal session with UK jazz figure Tenderlonious and pianist Marek Pędziwiatr was a one-day, improvised gamble.
Jaubi: the band proving South Asian music can break every rule
"We weren't sure how these worlds would meet: Marek's piano, Tenderlonious' sax, our tabla, guitar, and sarangi." The initial anxiety was palpable. But then, the first notes. A response. An instinctive conversation began. "About halfway through the day, we hit a deep groove, a moment where everyone locked in and that's when we knew it was working. From there, the sessions flowed effortlessly."
For Jaubi, the path of a song is never pre-destined. "The melody always leads for us and everything else builds around it," they say of their writing process. "When I write, I usually start with a melodic idea... From there, the vibe naturally takes shape. We never force it into a category but we just follow where the melody wants to go."
Lahore’s sound goes global with Jaubi’s improvisation
Finding a sense of pride in heritage
This 'whatever' philosophy is resonating powerfully far from home. Nobody knew how their UK debut at Union Chapel would go over. But the reaction? It cracked the place open. "The response was overwhelming, particularly from the South Asian diaspora. Many people came up after the show saying it felt like hearing the sounds of their childhood reimagined in a new way." One conversation crystallised their mission: "Someone who said they'd never seen the sarangi on a stage like that before. They felt proud and emotional, like their heritage was being celebrated rather than just preserved."
Now, they're preparing for the Barbican. "We are expanding the live setup with richer textures, more percussion, deeper bass, and space for extended improvisation. It will feel bigger and more immersive, almost cinematic at times." The moment they want to etch into memory? "If there is one moment I hope people carry with them, it is A Sound Heart. When we play it live, there is a point where everything aligns, and you can feel the whole room breathing with the music."
Sharing the bill with legends like Ustad Noor Bakhsh and Amrit Kaur is a lesson in itself. "Playing alongside them feels like being part of a living tradition… What we take away most is their sense of presence. They do not rush, they let the music breathe. It reminds us to listen closely and to focus on expression rather than complexity."
Jaubi: redefining South Asian music, one note at a time
Looking to the future
This entire journey is rooted in Lahore, a city they describe as "alive with sound right now," pointing to a vibrant underground scene and artists like Maanu, Natasha Noorani, and the Mekaal Hasan Band.
Looking ahead, the legacy they want, true to their name is about opening doors. "In the next decade, we hope Jaubi's legacy is about possibility." It always comes back to doors left unlocked. A way for traditions to breathe new air, for jazz maps to include Lahore, and for some kid somewhere to think, "I can do that too."
Their final word on it? "We want younger musicians to feel free to experiment, whether they pick up a centuries-old instrument or make beats on a laptop. If our journey inspires even a few people to take risks and create something honest, then we have done our job."
Catch them on 3 October at the Barbican. Listen for the point where it all clicks into place. It's the sound of "whatever" finding its perfect, unforgettable voice.