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.
Ram Gopal Varma has once again found himself in hot water, this time for a tweet that many felt crossed the line. Shortly after the War 2 teaser dropped online, the filmmaker shared a still of Kiara Advani in a bikini, pairing it with a suggestive caption that sparked outrage across social media. The tweet did not last long since it was quietly taken down after users slammed him for being disrespectful and objectifying the actress.
The teaser, released on Jr NTR’s birthday, introduced fans to a high-stakes face-off between Hrithik Roshan and Jr NTR, with Kiara Advani stepping in as the leading lady. While the internet had plenty to say about the slick action sequences and overuse of CGI, Kiara’s bikini scene grabbed its own share of attention, some celebratory, some critical.
But Varma’s take was not just a fan reaction. His remark, which implied the female character was a prize to be won by the male leads, was seen as distasteful and reductive. Screenshots of the post began circulating even after the tweet was deleted, sparking intense discussions online. On Reddit and X, users called him out, some even pointing to his past behaviour. Comments ranged from “OG tharki” to “Can you imagine what he says in private if this is what he’s tweeting publicly?”
This is not the first time Varma has drawn criticism for his online conduct. But many now feel he has veered from being provocative to being downright inappropriate.
Meanwhile, Kiara took a far more upbeat approach to the teaser. On Instagram, she listed the many “firsts” that War 2 represents for her: first YRF project, first action film, first time working with Ayan Mukerji, and her first bikini shot. Her excitement, in fact, stood in stark contrast to the backlash around Varma’s post.
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War 2, set for release on 14 August 2025, is the latest in YRF’s spy universe. Directed by Ayan Mukerji, it stars Hrithik Roshan reprising his role as Kabir, with Jr NTR making his Bollywood debut. Kiara’s presence has already made waves, but not in the way Varma chose to highlight.
Sonakshi Sinha wore a green and white printed short kurta with pyjama and covered her head with a green dupatta.
The actor visited the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi with husband Zaheer Iqbal and shared videos on Instagram.
The post received positive reactions, coming days after Deepika Padukone faced criticism for wearing a hijab in a tourism advertisement.
Traditional attire for a spiritual visit
Sonakshi Sinha and Zaheer Iqbal shared a video of themselves walking through the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi for a new advertisement. Sonakshi wore a green and white printed short kurta with pyjama, covering her head with a matching green dupatta. Zaheer opted for a black shirt with green trousers.
Sharing the video on Instagram, Sonakshi wrote, “Found a little sukoon (peace), right here in Abu Dhabi! ✨🕌 @visitabudhabi #InAbuDhabi #ad.” The couple also posed for photos inside the mosque, reflecting a respectful approach to the site’s cultural and religious significance.
Fans responded positively to Sonakshi’s post, praising both her outfit and the respectful visit. One comment read, “So it's normal for Sonakshi but not for Deepika?? Both visited the same mosque, and both looked wonderfully amazing with their husbands. Can we stop trolling people and let them live peacefully?”
Others highlighted the spiritual aspect of covering one’s head in sacred spaces, regardless of religion. Comments included, “Your dress totally matches the aesthetic” and “Beautiful.”
The post comes shortly after Deepika Padukone was criticised for wearing a hijab while promoting Abu Dhabi tourism, sparking online debate about celebrity dress choices in religious settings.
Sonakshi Sinha and Zaheer Iqbal shared a video of themselves walking through the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi Instagram/ aslisona
About Sonakshi and Zaheer
Sonakshi Sinha married Zaheer Iqbal on 23 June last year in a private ceremony in Mumbai, followed by a wedding celebration at Bastian attended by several Bollywood personalities.
On the professional front, Sonakshi was last seen in Nikita Roy, released on 18 July. She has an upcoming Telugu film, Jatadhara, set to release on 7 November, alongside actors Sudheer Babu, Divya Khossla, and others.
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