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.
Samantha Ruth Prabhu seems to be in a celebratory mood, both professionally and personally. As her maiden production Subham hits the screens, the actress has been sharing a string of heartfelt posts, many of which feature filmmaker Raj Nidimoru.
While neither of them has publicly addressed the dating rumours, Samantha’s recent Instagram uploads have only added to the speculation. In one of the standout photos, she is seen resting her head on Raj’s shoulder mid-flight, while another shows the duo smiling beside a poster of Subham. Raj, who is credited as the creative producer on the film, appears to be a steady presence in Samantha’s life both on and off the set.
In the caption accompanying the post, Samantha thanked fans for embracing Subham, calling it “the very first step” of their journey at Tralala Moving Pictures. “Fuelled by heart, madness, and the belief that new, fresh stories matter,” she wrote. She also shared a short video of her mother, Ninette Prabhu, enthusiastically complimenting her brief cameo in the film. “Your acting was so nice… the whole theatre was full, maa,” her mother said, as Samantha playfully reminded her she had just one scene.
Fans, as expected, jumped into the comments section. Some found Ninette’s reaction adorable, while others focused on the growing closeness between Samantha and Raj. “That eighth slide, Sam! Everyone’s talking about your love story now,” one follower wrote.
This isn’t the first time the two have been spotted together. They were seen visiting the Tirupati temple before the release of Subham, and they previously worked on Citadel: Honey Bunny and The Family Man Season 2. Samantha is also set to appear in Rakt Brahmand: The Bloody Kingdom, another collaboration with Raj and his partner DK.
Subham, directed by Cinema Bandi’s Praveen Kandregula and written by Vasanth Mariganti, features six new faces in prominent roles. It is Samantha’s first step as a producer, and fans are clearly taking interest in both the stories she wants to tell and the one she may be living.
Whether it’s work, companionship, or something more, Samantha’s next chapter is unfolding in full view, and her fans are watching closely.
Stephen Fry is playing Lady Bracknell. Yes, that is correct.
It completely sold out at the National Theatre.
Olly Alexander and Nathan Stewart-Jarrett are the two young men lying about their names.
It is directed by Max Webster, the man behind the Life of Pi play.
You can see it at the Noël Coward Theatre until 10th January.
This new production of The Importance of Being Earnest is the one everyone is talking about. It has moved from the National Theatre to the West End after tickets for the first run were completely unavailable. The whole production has a massive buzz, and, honestly, most of it is about Stephen Fry’s decision to take on the role of Lady Bracknell. It is a proper talking point.
Stephen Fry delivers a commanding performance as Lady Bracknell in the West End transfer Marc Brenner
What is the deal with Stephen Fry playing Lady Bracknell?
Look, it is genius casting. The role is usually played by a formidable older woman, but Fry completely owns it. He has the height, the voice, and the sheer presence. You truly believe he could silence a room just by walking into it. That famous "A handbag?" line? With him, it is not a shriek. It is slower, deeper, and somehow much more devastating. It is the kind of performance people will definitely remember.
Stephen Fry takes on Lady Bracknell in the West End run of 'The Importance of Being Earnest'Marc Brenner
Who else is in this production?
He is not up there by himself. Olly Alexander from Years & Years is playing Algernon, bringing a truly playful charm to the part. Nathan Stewart-Jarrett is Jack, the character with the fake country brother. The supporting cast is rock solid. Hugh Dennis is the Reverend Chasuble, and Shobna Gulati is a wonderfully flustered Miss Prism. It is a proper ensemble; there are no weak links.
Jessica Whitehurst and Kitty Hawthorne in West End transfer of The Importance of Being EarnestMarc Brenner
How do I actually get tickets to see it?
Right, pay attention. The production is at the Noël Coward Theatre and the run ends on 10 January 2026. That is not very far away. Tickets start at £25 (around ₹2,990). Given its history of selling out, you would be smart not to wait around. Check the theatre's official website.
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Behind-the-scenes moments from Aryan Khan’s Netflix series set
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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Cillian Murphy joins as executive producer for the highly anticipated BBC One revival
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.
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.
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Kantara Chapter 1 opens to record £6 million day as UK and Indian audiences respond
Cinema halls across India see fans reeling from the film’s intense spiritual sequences.
A UK premiere audience gave the film a rousing standing ovation, stunning the team.
The prequel dives into the origins of the Bhuta Kola ritual from the first film.
Social media flooded with clips of viewers appearing possessed after screenings.
The film smashed box office records with an opening day haul of over £6 million (₹65 crore).
Looks like Rishab Shetty hasn't just made a film; he's bottled some kind of lightning because Kantara Chapter 1 is hitting people right in the gut. You've got viewers stumbling out of theatres looking shell-shocked, a few even copying those wild possession scenes right there in the cinema. And it's not just an Indian thing. The film’s recent UK premiere was met with a thunderous standing ovation, showing this story's pull extends far beyond its home turf. Then the numbers landed, a whopping £6.2 million (₹65 crore) on day one. Seems like the figures are backing up the frenzy.
Kantara Chapter 1 opens to record £6 million day as UK and Indian audiences respond Instagram/kantarafilm
What is driving the extreme audience reactions?
You might have seen the videos all over now. A woman shaking in her seat, people around her trying to help. Then another clip from Bengaluru where a man in a dhoti is spinning on the floor, chanting just like Rishab Shetty's character. It's like the movie doesn't end when the credits roll. For some people, it just keeps going. The film pulls you in that completely.
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How did the UK premiere audience react to Kantara Chapter 1?
And this isn't just happening in Karnataka. That UK premiere? The place went crazy in London when the credits rolled. The whole crowd was up in seconds for a proper, roaring standing ovation that just didn't let up. You could see the team were a bit blown away by it, honestly.
It shows the story’s core themes of faith, tradition, and man’s connection to nature are cutting across cultural lines, giving the diaspora a powerful piece of home and introducing others to something entirely new.
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What is the box office story for Kantara Chapter 1?
Let’s talk numbers, because they are just as crazy as the fan videos. The film opened on October 2nd and immediately set the box office alight, bulldozing past the opening day collections of other major releases this year.
From struggling to get screen space for his earlier work, Rishab Shetty now commands over 5000 houseful shows, a journey he calls "nothing but your love, support, and God’s grace."