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.
Priyanka Chopra hosted a private NYC screening of her film Heads of State.
She wore a white Jacquemus dress with side cut-outs and a high slit.
The look was completed with The Row’s £940 (₹99,000) Vika sandals and minimal jewellery.
Heads of State, co-starring John Cena and Idris Elba, is set for release on Prime Video.
Priyanka Chopra turned heads at a private screening of Heads of State in New York, stepping out in a sleek white cut-out dress that balanced elegance with a bold edge. The event was an intimate affair ahead of the film’s global release on Prime Video, with close friends and family in attendance.
Looking confident and poised, Chopra arrived at the venue and greeted photographers with folded hands before heading inside. Videos circulating online also captured her warmly hugging her longtime manager Anjula Acharia, making it a personal, heartfelt moment for fans watching online.
Priyanka Chopra waves to paparazzi while arriving in a floor-length white gownInstagram/jerryxmimi
Priyanka Chopra's white Jacquemus dress draws attention
For the evening, the actor opted for the Jacquemus ‘Peplo Longue’ dress, a floor-length number with a boat neckline, structured side cut-out detailing that revealed her waist, and a thigh-high slit that added just the right amount of drama.
She styled the look with The Row’s Vika sandals, made from soft black lambskin and featuring delicate ankle straps. The luxury heels, which retail at £940 (₹99,000), added contrast and sophistication to the all-white ensemble. Chopra completed the outfit with understated gold hoop earrings, a tennis bracelet, and diamond rings. Her hair was worn loose in side-parted waves, and she kept her makeup bronzed and glowing with berry lips, feathered brows, and soft eyeliner.
Heads of State sees Chopra join John Cena and Idris Elba
Directed by Ilya Naishuller, Heads of State is an action-comedy that pairs Chopra with Hollywood heavyweights John Cena and Idris Elba. She plays Noel Bisset, an MI6 agent navigating a political and high-stakes mission involving the US President and UK Prime Minister.
The film also stars Paddy Considine, Carla Gugino, Jack Quaid, and Sarah Niles. While the full release date is yet to be confirmed, Chopra’s stylish promotional appearances are already building major buzz for the Prime Video project.
Aryan Khan breaks his silence following the global success of his Netflix series.
He reveals a specific character's dialogue became a personal mantra for him.
The filmmaker openly discusses the intense pressure and sleepless nights of production.
His debut show has dominated Netflix charts in numerous countries.
Khan shared his emotional reaction to the audience's positive response.
Aryan Khan is finally talking about the whirlwind success of his new Netflix series, The Ba**ds of Bollywood. While the show rockets up the global charts, the new director is pulling back the curtain on his own challenging journey to make it. He has shared how a philosophical line from his own character, Jaraj Saxena, became a crucial source of strength for him, especially when exhaustion and pressure mounted during the demanding production process.
Aryan Khan admits Netflix fame brought him to breaking point and a line from his own show saved him Getty Images
What did Aryan Khan say about his struggles?
Let's be honest, everyone expected a big debut, but nobody predicted this level of pressure. For the first time, Aryan admits how difficult things got. He stated that throughout the most challenging moments, a line from Rajat Bedi's character, Jaraj, would repeat in his head: "Haarne mein aur haar maanne mein bohot farak hota hai," which means "there's a huge difference between losing and giving up."
It's a heavy thought, isn't it? The difference between losing and actually accepting that you're defeated. He joked that at first he put it down to a serious lack of sleep, just fatigue messing with his head. But the idea stuck anyway. It was enough to keep him pushing forward, day after day.
Aryan Khan reflecting on the global success of The Ba**ds of BollywoodGetty Images
How successful is The Ba**ds of Bollywood?
You've seen the memes, you've heard the music. The numbers now confirm it's a proper hit. We're talking Top Five Most-Watched non-English shows on Netflix worldwide. It hit the number one spot in nine different countries. That's not just good, it's huge. The fan theories and reels flooding social media feeds prove the show has connected far beyond just viewership. It's sparked conversations and controversies, which is exactly what any creator wants.
Seeing all this love from a global audience has hit him hard. He called it "deeply emotional." The truth is, you spend years on something, fuelled by little more than your own belief and a few character voices in your head. To then see it bring happiness to so many people? That's the entire point, he says. That feeling is what pulled him into storytelling in the first place.
He acknowledged that the story he started with now feels like it belongs to everyone watching. It's not just his anymore. And he gives a quiet nod to his character again, ending with Jaraj's humble question to the audience: "Ab pehechana?" meaning, 'now you recognise me'?
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Akshay Kumar revealed his daughter’s encounter with an online predator
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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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.
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Alia Bhatt reveals the real reason she said yes to Ranbir Kapoor and it will surprise you
Alia describes her bond with Ranbir as a natural, best-friend dynamic from the start.
She admits they love trolling each other more than anyone else.
The actress reveals becoming parents to Raha has fundamentally changed their relationship.
She predicts Ranbir will be an intensely overprotective father as Raha grows up.
Their intimate home wedding was chosen because they are self-confessed homebodies.
Let's be honest, everyone wanted to know what finally convinced Alia Bhatt to marry Ranbir Kapoor and she just spelled it out. During a recent talk show appearance, she didn't bother with vague, poetic answers. She got straight to the point and the answer had nothing to do with a grand fairytale. It was far more basic than that, and honestly, it makes complete sense.
Alia Bhatt reveals the real reason she said yes to Ranbir Kapoor and it will surprise you Getty Images
What is Alia and Ranbir's relationship really like?
Alia basically said what she and Ranbir have is far more real. "Ranbir and I have a natural friendship," she said. That's the bedrock of it all. "I married him because he is wonderful to me and also as a human being." And then she mentioned the trolling. "One hundred per cent the person I love trolling the most is him and the person he loves trolling the most is me."
Alia Bhatt shares rare insights about her marriage to Ranbir KapoorGetty Images
Why did Alia Bhatt and Ranbir Kapoor have a home wedding?
Everyone expected a massive Bollywood wedding for them, at a palace somewhere. But they did the complete opposite. Alia explained their thought process behind the decision. "We are homebodies, very socially awkward. We just wanted the closest people in our lives with us. I did not want to be attending to people at our wedding." They considered other venues, but ultimately decided to keep it personal. "We said we'll go on holiday to those places instead."
Parenthood has deepened Alia and Ranbir’s connectionGetty Images
How has becoming parents changed them?
The arrival of their daughter, Raha, has fundamentally shifted their dynamic. Alia stated plainly that things are totally different now. Where they were a couple before, they have solidified into a proper unit. It’s a deeper, more entrenched kind of partnership. And looking ahead, Alia can already foresee the comedy. She joked that she can easily imagine a future where Ranbir, the doting dad, is literally kicking out any boy who dares to come to their house to see Raha. The overprotective father role seems to be his next big performance.