Pooja was born in Kochi and raised on a mix of newspapers, pop culture, and too many questions. She studied Communicative English and Journalism before earning her Master’s in Journalism from Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, and began her career interning at The Times of India and Channel I'M — where she later became a news anchor, scripting and presenting her own stories. Between deadlines, she’s worked across digital media platforms, covering politics, gender, pop culture, cinema, and everything in between. She has interviewed actors, creators, and changemakers, and occasionally edits her own video content — thanks to being certified in Photoshop and InDesign. In 2025, she joined the Asian Media Group in her first “official” newsroom gig, where she now covers entertainment, lifestyle, and the layered realities of South Asian identity. She believes storytelling should feel personal — even when it’s public — and likes to write not to please, but to provoke, question, and occasionally stir the pot.
Bollywood friendships often lead to some hilarious behind-the-scenes moments, and one such incident involved Priyanka Chopra, Abhishek Bachchan, and Rani Mukerji. During the filming of Bluffmaster in 2005, Priyanka decided to get back at Abhishek for a prank he played on her, leading to a fun mix-up with Rani Mukerji.
Abhishek Bachchan, known for his playful nature and pranks on set, had hidden Priyanka’s phone by sitting on it, leaving her searching for it everywhere. When he finally had to stand up, she discovered what had happened. To get even, Priyanka found the perfect opportunity when Abhishek left his phone unattended. She, along with actor Riteish Deshmukh, planned to strike back.
Priyanka grabbed Abhishek’s phone and, without thinking twice, sent a message to Rani Mukerji. The text read, “I miss you. Where have you been? You wanna?” It was a playful but unexpected message that left everyone wondering how Rani would react.
As soon as Priyanka sent the message, panic set in. Unsure of how Rani would respond, she quickly turned off Abhishek’s phone and hid it. It was not until hours later that Abhishek realised his phone was missing. When he finally got it back and switched it on, he discovered Rani’s response. The actress had replied, “Hi AB, what is wrong with you?” It was clear she was taken aback by the message, not expecting such a text from Abhishek. During an appearance on Rendezvous with Simi Garewal in 2006, Priyanka recounted the prank, laughing at the memory. She admitted that she never faced Rani afterwards to explain the joke.
Behind-the-scenes fun from Bluffmaster: Priyanka Chopra’s hilarious prank on Abhishek Bachchan left Rani Mukerji confusedGetty Images
Abhishek and Rani Mukerji shared screen space in several successful films, including Bunty Aur Babli and Yuva. On the other hand, Abhishek and Priyanka worked together in Bluffmaster, Dostana, and Drona. Their off-screen camaraderie translated into fun moments like this prank, making the sets a place for not just work but also fun and mischief.
Rani Mukerji delivers a speech after winning the Westpac Best Actress AwardGetty Images
Even years later, this playful moment remains a fun memory of the friendships and light-hearted fun that actors shared behind the camera.
South Park creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone sign a new five-year deal with Paramount Global.
The deal, worth £1.1 billion (₹11,600 crore), includes 50 new episodes and exclusive streaming rights.
All 26 past seasons will move from HBO Max to Paramount+.
Season 27 premieres 23 July on Comedy Central, followed by streaming on Paramount+.
After months of negotiations and behind-the-scenes legal tension, South Park will now officially stream on Paramount+. Creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone have signed a massive £1.1 billion (₹11,600 crore) deal with Paramount Global, ensuring the future of the long-running adult animation for another five years.
The agreement includes 50 brand-new episodes, with all 26 previous seasons moving to Paramount+ globally. The show's 27th season, which was delayed due to contractual disagreements, premieres on Comedy Central this week, followed by streaming availability the next day.
South Park fans call out Paramount Plus for pulling the show worldwide Variety
Why is South Park moving to Paramount+?
The shift from HBO Max to Paramount+ marks a significant win for the latter in the streaming wars. With HBO Max previously holding domestic streaming rights in a £385 million (₹4,000 crore) deal, Paramount’s move regains control of one of its most valuable franchises.
The company now has both the back catalogue and future episodes, giving it exclusive streaming control worldwide. According to industry insiders, the deal’s high valuation also acts as an advance against streaming revenue, making it a strategic long-term investment for Paramount and its global platform.
Under the terms of the agreement, Comedy Central will remain the first broadcaster of new South Park episodes. Each episode will then stream on Paramount+ in the US and globally the following day.
In total, the deal guarantees 50 new episodes across five seasons. Parker and Stone’s studio, Park County, also retains a unique clause entitling it to about 50% of streaming revenue, one of the main reasons why the duo continue to secure record-breaking deals.
Despite previous legal threats and public frustration over delays, the new contract aligns the show’s creative future with Paramount+ as the central hub.
South Park creators ink a multi-billion deal following delayed Season 27 premiere Amazon
What caused the delay in South Park season 27?
Season 27 was originally slated for 9 July but was pushed to 23 July due to delays in finalising the contract. A major source of friction was the involvement of incoming Paramount president Jeff Shell and the influence of Skydance Media, which is in the process of acquiring the company.
Park County accused Shell of interfering with negotiations involving Warner Bros Discovery and Netflix. The creators even brought in high-profile attorney Bryan Freedman during the dispute, showing the seriousness of the standoff.
Paramount reportedly settled for a shorter, five-year term at £1.1 billion (₹11,600 crore) after shelving a larger, 10-year proposal due to Skydance’s reservations about long-term streaming investments.
Fans can expect new weekly episodes starting 23 July on Comedy Central. This deal also paves the way for more South Park content to live exclusively on Paramount+, potentially including new specials or spinoffs.
In a joint statement, Parker and Stone said they were “grateful for the trust placed in us” and promised to “build something special” with the extended deal. Chris McCarthy, Paramount’s co-CEO, hailed them as “creative forces” who continue to push boundaries and deliver global hits.
With this agreement in place, Paramount+ strengthens its library and stakes a major claim in the adult animation space, while South Park remains one of the most profitable and culturally resonant TV shows of its generation.
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Sydney Sweeney stuns with unrecognisable look as boxer Christy Martin
Sydney Sweeney debuts first look as legendary boxer Christy Martin
Biopic Christy to premiere at Toronto International Film Festival in September 2025
Sweeney gained 30 pounds and trained intensely for the role
Directed by David Michôd, film explores Christy Martin’s rise and survival story
Hollywood star Sydney Sweeney looks completely unrecognisable in the first official still from her upcoming film Christy, a biopic about American boxing icon Christy Martin. Known for her roles in Euphoria and The White Lotus, Sweeney steps into the ring with a dramatic physical and emotional transformation that has already sparked intense buzz ahead of its September premiere at the 2025 Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF).
Sydney Sweeney stuns with unrecognisable look as boxer Christy Martin Instagram/sydney_sweeney
What is Christy about?
The film follows the remarkable life of Christy Martin, one of the most influential figures in women’s boxing. Rising from a small town in West Virginia to national fame in the 1990s, Christy helped put women’s boxing on the map. She recorded 49 professional wins, 32 by knockout, and became the first woman signed by boxing promoter Don King.
But Martin’s career wasn’t the only part of her life that made headlines. Behind the scenes, she endured years of abuse from her trainer and husband, James Martin, who later tried to kill her. She survived a violent attack in 2010 in which he stabbed and shot her. The film not only charts her sporting achievements but also her fight for survival and her identity as a gay woman in a hyper-masculine sport.
Boxer Christy Martin from the United States bleeds from the nose during the WBC Championship Boxing Lightweight fight against Deirdre Gogarty of Ireland on 16th March 1996Getty Images
How did Sydney Sweeney prepare for the role?
In a June 2025 interview, Sweeney revealed she underwent an intense body transformation, gaining over 30 pounds and committing to a gruelling fitness routine. “I weight-trained in the morning, did two hours of kickboxing midday, and another session at night,” she said. “My body changed completely. I felt powerful.”
Fans first caught a glimpse of her transformation in October 2024 when she shared behind-the-scenes images from her training sessions. But the newly released official photo from Black Bear Pictures shows the full extent of her commitment. Gone are her signature blonde waves, replaced with Christy’s dark curls, boxing gloves, and a steely focus in the ring.
Fans react to Sydney Sweeney’s intense new look in boxing dramaGetty Images
Why this role is different for Sweeney?
Sweeney is known for playing emotionally vulnerable, glamorised characters. With Christy, she takes on a more grounded and gritty role, one that trades red carpets for leather gloves and blood-stained boxing rings.
Director David Michôd (The King) praised her dedication, saying he was stunned when he saw her again on the set of Euphoria season 3. “She was happiest when she was in the ring, getting hit and hitting back,” he said. “Seeing her switch back to Cassie, all glam and soft, was like witnessing two different people.”
From red carpets to boxing rings Sydney Sweeney sheds her glam image Getty Images
What has Christy Martin said about the biopic?
Martin, now 56 and a boxing promoter, has voiced her full support for the film and Sweeney’s casting. “I think she’s young, talented, and hot,” Martin said. “This movie is one fathers will watch with their daughters to talk about domestic violence.”
— (@)
Martin now lives with her wife, Lisa Holewyne, and continues to work in boxing. She sees the film as more than just a tribute to her past—it’s a message of survival, identity, and strength.
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Kim Kardashian poses in corset-style bodysuit drawing attention to her waistline
Kim Kardashian’s corset selfie sparks concerns over ‘unrealistic’ beauty standards
Fans ask “Can you breathe?” after seeing her extreme waistline in latest photos
SKIMS under fire for promoting a new thong some call “an eyepatch”
Social media erupts with debate on body expectations and inclusivity
Kim Kardashian has stirred up fresh controversy after sharing a photo showing off her tiny waist in a revealing black corset bodysuit, triggering widespread criticism online. The 44-year-old reality star and entrepreneur was called out by fans for promoting what many see as damaging and unrealistic beauty ideals.
In the Instagram post, Kim posed in front of a mirror wearing a high-fashion bodysuit with mesh detailing and matching suspenders. With her hair tied up and minimal makeup, she captioned the post simply: “Mugler Magic.” While some followers praised the aesthetic, others were quick to express concern over her body proportions, especially her dramatically cinched waist.
Fans question Kim Kardashian’s visibly altered figure in new selfieInstagram/kimkardashian
Why are fans upset over Kim Kardashian’s latest waist-revealing photo?
The focal point of the backlash is Kim’s exaggerated hourglass figure, which some commenters said looked digitally altered or the result of extreme body modification.
One user wrote, “That waist is terrifying, can you even breathe?” while another added, “This is not just unrealistic, it’s unhealthy.” Several users referenced past instances where Kim’s waistline sparked similar debates, such as when she wore Marilyn Monroe’s dress to the Met Gala or a metallic silver gown that led fans to joke about how many ribs she might have had removed.
Although Kim has previously addressed rumours about cosmetic surgery and waist training, the latest round of backlash reflects a growing fatigue among fans who feel she continues to set harmful beauty standards, especially for young women.
Kardashian’s latest post sparks backlash over harmful beauty idealsInstagram/kimkardashian
What happened with the new SKIMS thong launch?
Just hours before the corset photo went viral, Kardashian was already facing online criticism for a different reason, her brand SKIMS.
The company released a new micro-thong as part of its “Fits Everybody” line, featuring a sheer design with a small, embroidered rose on the front. The piece, which barely covered the model’s body, was immediately ridiculed across social platforms.
“Who exactly is this supposed to fit?” one Reddit user asked, while another sarcastically dubbed it the “SKIMS Eyepatch.” Multiple commenters questioned the practicality of the design and the inclusive claim that the product “fits everybody.”
This isn’t the first time SKIMS has been accused of pushing extreme or exclusionary designs. Critics argue that the brand often fails to accommodate a true range of body types, despite its marketing suggesting otherwise.
Kim’s ‘Mugler Magic’ look triggers fresh wave of body image discussionsInstagram/kimkardashian
Are Kim Kardashian’s posts contributing to unhealthy beauty ideals?
The backlash touches on a broader concern frequently raised in discussions about celebrity influence: the pressure to achieve body shapes that may not be natural or attainable for most people. Kim Kardashian, with over 300 million Instagram followers, is one of the most visible beauty influencers in the world, and her aesthetic choices have long had ripple effects in fashion and cosmetic industries.
Many health professionals and activists have criticised the use of photo editing, waist trainers, and body-altering shapewear promoted by celebrities, saying it fuels body dysmorphia and lowers self-esteem, especially among teens and young adults.
Kim Kardashian criticised for ‘unreal’ body standardsInstagram/kimkardashian
How is the public responding to Kim Kardashian’s recent controversies?
While Kim still commands a loyal fanbase who see her as a fashion-forward icon, the growing chorus of dissent suggests a shift in how audiences are reacting to curated celebrity images.
A mix of concern and satire has filled comment sections, with users increasingly calling for greater responsibility from high-profile figures when it comes to body representation. As one commenter summed it up: “It’s 2025, we should be past this by now.”
Whether Kim or her team respond to the criticism remains to be seen, but it’s clear the conversation about beauty standards and body positivity is far from over.
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Chinese singer Zhang Yiyang executed for murdering teenage girlfriend, public backlash grows over film released after death
Chinese singer-actor Zhang Yiyang was executed by firing squad in December 2024.
He was convicted of murdering his 16-year-old girlfriend in 2022.
Authorities confirmed he lured her to a remote forest and fatally stabbed her.
Public anger continues over the release of his posthumous film in March 2025.
Zhang Yiyang, a 33-year-old Chinese singer and television actor, was executed by firing squad in December 2024 after being convicted of the brutal murder of his 16-year-old girlfriend. The Xianyang Intermediate People’s Court in Shaanxi province confirmed the execution, making Zhang the first known figure from China’s entertainment industry to receive the death penalty.
The crime, which occurred in February 2022, involved a premeditated attack that left the nation stunned. The court found Zhang guilty of luring the teenager, identified only by her surname Zhang, to a secluded forest in Xingping City under the pretext of celebrating his birthday. There, following an argument, he fatally stabbed her in the neck with a folding knife.
Chinese singer Zhang Yiyang executed for murdering teenage girlfriend, public backlash grows over film released after death Screengrab/K-Sélection
Why was Zhang Yiyang sentenced to death?
According to court documents and multiple Chinese media reports, Zhang reacted violently when the teenage girl tried to end their relationship. He had reportedly displayed signs of emotional instability, including threatening suicide to manipulate her into staying with him. On the day of the murder, after stabbing her, Zhang attempted to disguise the crime as a suicide.
Authorities later discovered that he returned home, disposed of her mobile phone and his bloodstained clothes in a nearby reservoir, and checked into a hotel. There, he attempted to end his own life but was found by hotel staff and taken to hospital. His arrest soon followed.
The autopsy confirmed that the victim died from mechanical asphyxiation caused by deep neck wounds. The severity and planning behind the act led prosecutors to pursue a charge of intentional homicide, which carries the maximum penalty under Chinese law.
What made Zhang’s case stand out in China?
Zhang’s execution has been viewed as unprecedented in the context of China’s entertainment industry. While capital punishment is still enforced in China for violent crimes, it is rare for a public figure to receive such a sentence.
At the time of his arrest, Zhang had a modest but growing presence in Chinese pop culture. He had appeared in web dramas and music shows and was seen as an emerging talent. The trial became a subject of intense public debate, not only for its gruesome details but also for what it revealed about toxic relationships, mental health, and manipulation.
Chinese singer Zhang Yiyang executed for murdering teenage girlfriend, public backlash grows over film released after death Screengrab/KBIZoom
Why are people upset about Zhang Yiyang’s posthumous film?
The controversy intensified in March 2025 when Jieyou Sound Hall (also referred to as The Sound of Music), a film starring Zhang, was released after his execution. Critics have questioned the decision to distribute the film despite his criminal conviction and public outrage. Social media users expressed anger that Zhang was still being “memorialised” on screen, while the victim's identity and memory remained largely protected due to Chinese legal protocols around underage victims.
Calls have grown for stricter industry regulations and moral vetting of performers, particularly in the wake of criminal charges. Some argue that streaming platforms and production companies must be held accountable for promoting or releasing work involving convicted individuals, regardless of their status.
What does this mean for the Chinese entertainment industry?
The case has triggered a wider conversation about celebrity conduct, justice, and the limits of forgiveness in public life. Legal analysts note that Zhang’s execution reinforces China's zero-tolerance approach to crimes involving minors and premeditated violence. The case may also influence how the entertainment industry handles posthumous releases and addresses the mental wellbeing of its artists.
As the debate continues, Zhang Yiyang’s name remains a grim reminder of the dangers of unchecked aggression and manipulation, and the ultimate consequences under Chinese law.
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10 iconic Ozzy Osbourne songs that prove legends never really die
Ozzy Osbourne didn’t come into music to chase fame or play safe. He arrived like a storm, scraping his voice against the sky, dragging darkness and vulnerability into sound, and setting fire to what rock thought it was. He was messy, wild, broken, brilliant, and in that chaos, he changed everything.
With Ozzy, it wasn’t just the bat bite or the reality show or the outrageous headlines. It was the sound, the howl in your chest when War Pigs starts. The goosebumps from the first haunted notes of Mr. Crowley. The punch of recognition when Crazy Train hits the chorus. His songs crawled into your head, grabbed your guts, and shook you. It was the sound of being lost, pissed off, scared, high, in love, and staring into the damn void, sometimes all at once. He gave misfits an anthem, outcasts a home, and music a pulse that refused to die.
This isn’t just a list of songs. It’s a map of what made Ozzy Ozzy. Here are 10 recordings that turned a Birmingham dropout into a goddamn legend.
1.Black Sabbath (1970)
The day metal was born.
That first unholy riff. Church bells. Thunder. And Ozzy’s voice, terrified and terrifying. “What is this that stands before me?” he asked, and no one had heard anything like it before. This was heavy metal being born, screaming into the Birmingham gloom. And it marked the start of something new and unstoppable.
Forget subtlety. Ozzy spat venom at the suits sending kids to die: "Politicians hide themselves away! They only started the war!". It was a scream against war, greed, and lies. Every time this plays at a protest or blares through headphones, it reminds us that metal could tear down empires.
Kids who never listened to Sabbath still know that riff. The story of a time-travelling metal outcast? Bizarre. Genius. Ozzy narrated it like a tragic ghost story. But underneath it all is Ozzy, telling the story of someone broken by time and turned into steel. It crawled out of the metal dungeon and infected everything. Pop culture never stood a chance. Sad, scary, unforgettable.
He got kicked out of Sabbath. He could’ve disappeared. Instead, he teamed up with Randy Rhoads and came back louder, faster, and fully unhinged. Ozzy’s "All Aboard!" wasn't an invitation; it was a threat. "I'm going off the rails!" Cold War dread met a chorus that punched you in the chest. His solo roar back. The sound of a madman finding his power.
That creepy organ. Ozzy whispering about dead talk and dark arts. Then Randy Rhoads… oh, man, RANDY. That first solo was pure mournful beauty. Then the second one? Like demons shredding through the ceiling. Pure dark magic. He’s not mocking the dark; in fact, he’s inviting it in for tea.
This is Ozzy at his most raw. A drug song that doesn’t glamorise anything. It’s bleak, slow, and numb. When he says, “I feel the snowflakes freezing me,” it’s not poetry; it’s what addiction felt like. Ozzy admitted the drug didn’t set him free; it froze him. That honesty hit hard then and still does now. You’re not dancing to this; you’re sinking with it.
He was the Prince of Darkness, sure. But this ballad, co-written with Lemmy, stripped away the theatrics. Ozzy got personal. A soft acoustic start leads into a powerful, aching ballad about love, loss, and coming back. When Ozzy sang it in Birmingham weeks before he died, seated and fragile, there wasn’t a dry eye in the crowd. Hits harder now, doesn't it?
Before Slayer or Metallica, there was this. Raw speed, wild drumming, and Ozzy pushing every boundary. He wasn’t trying to invent a genre. He just did. Ozzy’s voice is chaos controlled, shouting about cosmic love while the band races like it’s chasing the end of the world.
The original version was about divorce. The re-recorded one, done with his daughter, was about something bigger. Time. Ageing. Loss. This wasn’t just a duet; it was a father and daughter grappling with growing up and letting go. The original was sad. The re-recording was devastating. And it gave Ozzy his only UK #1. Ozzy’s voice cracks, Kelly tries to hold it together, and the result is oddly pure. It’s not perfect. And maybe that’s why it works.
10.Take What You Want (Post Malone feat. Ozzy, 2019)
The voice that wouldn’t quit.
At 70, Ozzy landed on the rap charts. Ozzy jumped on a trap-metal track and made it his own. He sounded ghostly, powerful, and weirdly perfect: "I’m the nightmare you won’t forget!". Teenagers who’d never heard Paranoid suddenly wanted more Ozzy. That says everything.
Ozzy didn’t leave this world quietly. He left it the way he lived: loud, raw, and unforgettable. His music was the sound of someone staring into darkness, chaos, and the terrifying beauty of life and screaming back with everything he had.
When Ozzy sang Mama, I’m Coming Home one last time in Birmingham, he wasn’t just saying goodbye to a crowd; he was saying goodbye to his own story.
Ozzy Osbourne, the godfather of heavy metal, redefined rock with his haunting vocals, wild persona, and anthems that shaped generations.Getty Images
The thing is, he didn’t play by this world’s rules. But for 50 years, he gave us everything he had.