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.
Pierce Brosnan has shared his thoughts on potentially returning as James Bond, saying he would be "interested" if the opportunity came up. However, the 71-year-old actor, who played 007 in four films between 1995 and 2002, also hinted that it might be time for someone else to take on the role.
Hollywood was shaken earlier this year when Amazon took control of the James Bond franchise through a deal with long-time producers Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli. While the producers remain involved, Amazon now has the final say in the creative direction of the series. Since Daniel Craig’s final Bond film, No Time to Die, speculation has been going on about who will be the next 007. Although names like Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Idris Elba, and Tom Hardy have been heard, no official announcement has been made.
American actor Pierce Brosnan attends a photocall on a beach promoting the latest James Bond film "Die Another Day" at the 55th Cannes film festivalGetty Images
When asked in an interview with GQ about the idea of reprising his role, Brosnan responded, "How could I not be interested?" However, he quickly downplayed the possibility, calling it a "romantic notion" and suggesting that it was "best left to another man."
Meanwhile, former Bond actor Daniel Craig has expressed his support for Broccoli and Wilson following the Amazon deal, stating his "respect, admiration, and love" for the long-time producers. He also wished Wilson a happy retirement and hoped to collaborate with Broccoli in the future.
Pierce Brosnan was asked about possibly reprising his role as Bond. He called the idea a “romantic notion” but admitted it’s best left to the next generation.Getty Images
Not everyone is thrilled with Amazon's involvement in Bond’s future. Filmmaker Osgood Perkins bluntly dismissed any interest in directing a Bond movie under Amazon’s control, expressing his disdain for Jeff Bezos. Similarly, actress Valerie Leon, known for her appearances in The Spy Who Loved Me and Never Say Never Again, voiced concerns that Bond films might lose their British essence under Amazon’s leadership. She noted that streaming dominance could mean fewer Bond movies making it to theatres.
While Brosnan’s comments have fuelled discussions, the future of Bond remains uncertain. Fans are still waiting to see who will carry on the legacy of the world’s most iconic spy.
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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