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.
Selena Gomez shared photos and videos from her bachelorette celebrations in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico
The star wore a series of bridal-inspired white outfits, from pearl minidresses to crochet cover-ups
Blanco marked his bachelor party in Las Vegas with friends and fine dining
The couple, engaged since December 2024, are expected to tie the knot this autumn
Selena Gomez has given fans a behind-the-scenes look at her bachelorette party in Cabo San Lucas, where she gathered her closest friends for a sun-soaked celebration ahead of her upcoming wedding to music producer Benny Blanco. The 33-year-old singer, who announced her engagement in December 2024, posted a carousel of photos and videos on Instagram that captured the group’s seaside getaway, featuring themed decorations, yacht rides, and candlelit dinners.
Selena Gomez poses in Cabo wearing a pearl-embellished minidress during her bachelorette celebrations. Instagram/selenagomez
What happened at Selena Gomez’s bachelorette party in Cabo?
Gomez embraced her role as bride-to-be with a parade of all-white outfits. She wore a pearl-adorned Retrofête halterneck minidress, a white bikini under a crochet cover-up, and several short white sundresses. A veil embroidered with “bride to be” and rose-gold balloons spelling out “Mrs Levin”, referencing Blanco’s real surname, completed the bridal theme.
Photos showed Gomez surrounded by her friends, including cousin Priscilla DeLeon and long-time pal Raquelle Stevens, as they posed on a yacht and dined together on the beach. A video featured a mariachi band serenading the group, as well as clips of the women watching Wedding Crashers projected on the sand, dancing around their villa, and wearing customised “S+B” merchandise.
How did Benny Blanco celebrate his bachelor party?
While Gomez was enjoying Mexico, Blanco celebrated his bachelor weekend in Las Vegas. The 37-year-old producer shared highlights from the trip on Instagram Stories, including a lavish meal with a panoramic view of the Strip. He described a spa visit as “the most healing place on earth” and posted photos of himself enjoying caviar and bagels. Blanco was also joined by friends including The Bear actor Matty Matheson, who appeared holding a large stack of cash during the celebrations.
Benny Blanco marked his bachelor weekend in Las Vegas with friends, food and a spa visit. Instagram Screengrab/itsbennyblanco
When did Selena Gomez and Benny Blanco get engaged?
The couple confirmed their engagement in December 2024 after more than a year of dating. Blanco later revealed that Gomez helped design her engagement ring, which features a marquise diamond inspired by her 2015 single Good For You. The pair have since been candid about their wedding planning journey, though the ceremony date has not been officially confirmed. Reports suggest the nuptials are expected to take place this autumn in Montecito, California, with A-list guests including Taylor Swift and Ed Sheeran.
What do we know about Selena Gomez’s wedding plans?
In a recent interview, Gomez expressed her excitement about marrying Blanco, saying: “I just have never really felt so sure about something.” The couple, who also collaborated on a joint album I Said I Love You First, are said to be finalising details for a two-day celebration with heightened security. Blanco confirmed that Ed Sheeran is among his top invitees, while Gomez’s closest friends including Swift are expected to attend.
With both stars sharing glimpses of their pre-wedding festivities, anticipation is building around what promises to be one of the most high-profile weddings of the year. Fans are already speculating about Gomez’s final bridal look after her parade of white ensembles in Cabo.
Actors Vishal and Sai Dhanshika got engaged on his 47th birthday in Chennai
Wedding postponed until the Nadigar Sangam building is completed
Couple first confirmed their relationship in May 2025 at a press meet
Celebrities and fans flooded social media with congratulatory wishes
Tamil cinema stars Vishal and Sai Dhanshika made their relationship official in May, and on Friday, 29 August 2025, the pair celebrated their engagement. The event took place on Vishal’s 47th birthday in Chennai, with close friends and family in attendance. The engagement was widely shared on social media after Vishal confirmed the news on his X handle.
The Vishal and Sai Dhanshika engagement has now become one of the most talked-about events in Tamil film circles, especially as the couple postponed their wedding until the Nadigar Sangam building’s completion, a cause close to Vishal as General Secretary of the organisation.
Vishal and Sai Dhanshika at their Chennai engagement ceremony Instagram/actorvishalofficial/saidhanshika
When did Vishal and Sai Dhanshika get engaged?
The Vishal and Sai Dhanshika engagement was held on 29 August 2025, a date that was initially meant for their wedding. The couple chose the special occasion of Vishal’s birthday to mark their new chapter. Traditional Tamil attire marked the ceremony: Dhanshika wore a saree while Vishal opted for a white shirt and vesti, with both donning flower garlands. The event remained a private family gathering, but official photos shared online quickly spread among fans.
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Why was Vishal and Sai Dhanshika’s wedding postponed?
Originally scheduled for the same day, the wedding was postponed after Vishal decided to wait for the completion of the Nadigar Sangam building project. As General Secretary, he stated that marrying after the inauguration felt more meaningful. Speaking at a press meet earlier, Vishal explained, “This cause is important to me, and I want to step into married life once the building is completed.” His decision has drawn respect from industry peers and fans alike, who have admired his commitment to both personal and professional responsibilities.
What did Vishal and Dhanshika say about each other?
Back in May 2025, when the couple made their relationship public, both spoke openly about their bond. Dhanshika revealed she has known Vishal for 15 years and admired his respect and support, particularly during her personal struggles. Vishal expressed gratitude for finding his life partner later in life, saying, “They say God saves the best for the last, and I believe he saved Dhanshika for me.” His heartfelt note after their engagement echoed the same positivity, as he thanked fans worldwide for their blessings and “good vibes.”
On the professional front, Dhanshika awaits the release of Yogi Da, while Vishal is filming Magudam, his 35th project directed by Ravi Arasu, co-starring Dushara Vijayan, Yogi Babu and Anjali. Beyond films, Vishal continues to serve his role in Nadigar Sangam and has kept fans updated on the progress of its building. While the Vishal and Sai Dhanshika wedding is on hold, both actors emphasise they are “feeling positive and blessed” as they step into their engagement phase.
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Sabrina Carpenter unveils Man’s Best Friend with unapologetic lyrics and daring cover art
Sabrina Carpenter says Man’s Best Friend is “not for pearl clutchers”
Album includes nine explicit tracks and provocative artwork
Gayle King interview highlights singer’s unapologetic stance
Seventh studio release follows her Grammy-winning Short n’ Sweet
Sabrina Carpenter has addressed the backlash surrounding her Man’s Best Friend album, making it clear the project embraces explicit lyrics and bold imagery. Speaking to broadcaster Gayle King on CBS Mornings, the pop star said her record is “not for any pearl clutchers.” The 26-year-old explained that the music captures freedom of expression and fun, a theme she wants her fans to embrace despite criticism over her provocative stage visuals and artwork.
Sabrina Carpenter unveils Man’s Best Friend with unapologetic lyrics and daring cover art Instagram/sabrinacarpenter
What is Sabrina Carpenter’s Man’s Best Friend about?
Man’s Best Friend marks Carpenter’s seventh studio album and features 12 tracks, nine of which carry the explicit tag. The project has been produced by Jack Antonoff and was released through Island Records on 29 August. The album artwork itself has been a talking point: it shows Carpenter on her hands and knees while a man pulls her hair. The imagery quickly divided opinion online, with critics calling it unnecessarily provocative while fans praised her for owning her image.
The record follows her 2024 Grammy-winning Short n’ Sweet, which topped the Billboard 200 and delivered hits such as Espresso and Please Please Please. Carpenter told King that this new album expands her playful and self-assured identity in pop music.
The controversy stems from both the lyrical content and the visual presentation. Songs such as Never Getting Laid and My Man on Willpower lean into overt sexual themes. During her Short n’ Sweet tour, Carpenter had already courted debate with lingerie-inspired costumes and suggestive routines, including stage performances of Juno that mimicked sexual positions.
Addressing whether she overshares in her lyrics, Carpenter told King she sees the opposite: “At concerts, I see young women screaming with their friends, and there’s a collective sigh of relief that this is just fun.” She added that even so-called pearl clutchers could find humour in the record.
Carpenter has taken a direct but humorous approach to criticism. In her interview, she admitted her music is not designed for the prudish, yet she softened her stance by suggesting that even sceptics might privately enjoy it. She emphasised that her songs provide connection and lightness rather than being intended as shock value.
She also pointed to the irony of critics focusing only on the most provocative parts of her shows. In a recent interview, Carpenter noted that while audiences highlight her racy Juno routines, her concerts also include ballads and introspective moments.
Julia Roberts addresses tough questions on feminism and complicity
After the Hunt centres on misconduct allegations in academia
Director Luca Guadagnino defends the film’s bold narrative choices
Amazon MGM to release the film in North America on 10 October
Julia Roberts’ After the Hunt became one of the most talked-about premieres at the Venice Film Festival as the film stirred a heated #MeToo debate. With questions of complicity, feminism, and responsibility dominating the press conference, the actress and director Luca Guadagnino faced pointed scrutiny. The psychological drama, set in higher education, not only highlighted misconduct but also raised deeper issues of accountability and shifting cultural conversations.
Julia Roberts at the Venice Film Festival premiere of After the Hunt as debate on #MeToo intensifies Getty Images
What is Julia Roberts’ After the Hunt about?
After the Hunt follows Roberts as a popular philosophy professor whose professional and personal life unravels when a misconduct accusation disrupts her circle. The accuser, played by Ayo Edebiri, points the finger at a colleague and close friend of Roberts’ character, portrayed by Andrew Garfield.
Written by Nora Garrett, the screenplay avoids simple answers and embraces complexity. Its intention, as Roberts stressed, was never to deliver a manifesto but to capture uncomfortable conversations. The film’s tagline even states: “not everything is supposed to make you feel comfortable.”
How does After the Hunt link to the #MeToo movement?
At the Venice press conference, Roberts was asked directly whether the film undermines the progress of the #MeToo movement. She rejected the notion, clarifying that it is less about women being pitted against one another and more about exploring moral ambiguities.
Guadagnino added that the film should not be read as a statement on feminism but rather as an exploration of “the clash of truths.” For both filmmakers, the goal was to provoke discussion rather than resolve long-standing social debates.
The cast of After the Hunt at its Venice screening as conversations on misconduct dominate headlines Getty Images
Why did Luca Guadagnino reference Woody Allen?
One of the most controversial creative decisions was the use of the Windsor font in the film’s credits, famously associated with Woody Allen’s work. Guadagnino explained that the choice was deliberate, nodding to the artistic legacy of Allen while acknowledging the ethical complexities tied to his name.
“It was about considering our responsibility when admiring an artist whose personal life has faced scrutiny,” he said. This decision deepened the ongoing discussion about separating art from the artist, echoing broader cultural debates.
Luca Guadagnino joins Julia Roberts at the After the Hunt press conference in VeniceGetty Images
When will After the Hunt be released?
Although the film screened in Venice, it is not part of the festival’s main competition and will not contend for awards on 6 September. However, Amazon MGM Studios has confirmed a North American theatrical release on 10 October.
Roberts, attending Venice for the first time despite filming in the city before, described the experience as “magical,” though her schedule left little time beyond work. Guadagnino, a festival regular, previously premiered Bones & All and Queer in Venice. His Zendaya-led Challengers was pulled last year due to Hollywood strike disruptions.
The 82nd Venice Film Festival continues to host major premieres including Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein, Benny Safdie’s The Smashing Machine and Kathryn Bigelow’s A House of Dynamite.
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Why British folk singer Deepa Shakthi believes music should be messy, raw and free from follower-driven rules
Turn O Spinning Wheel fuses English folk, Indian ragas and Sufi improvisation.
Deepa Shakthi slams the industry’s obsession with follower counts and clout.
Producer Stuart McCallum guided the band towards minimalism and focus.
The album spans reworked folk, Punjabi songs, qawwali and raga Jog.
At first, Deepa Shakthi wasn’t sure. A 2023 UK tour with Mishra, playing British folk mixed with her Indian classical voice, didn’t sound like the easiest fit. They were taking their fusion of Indian classical and British folk to rural corners of the UK; to Cornwall, to New Mills, places where, as she puts it, people aren’t exposed to this sound every day.
“I was very reticent. I was very kind of… anxious inside.”
But the doubts disappeared quickly. In Dorset, she remembers people “just screaming for more.” After shows, strangers would approach her and say: “I didn’t understand a word you sang. But what is it I’m feeling?”
Deepa’s answer is always the same: don’t try to explain it. “It doesn’t need a label. Just be with it.”
Why British folk singer Deepa Shakthi believes music should be messy, raw and free from follower-driven rules Instagram/mishra.music
Capturing raw connection in Turn O Spinning Wheel
That raw, unfiltered connection is the heart of Turn O Spinning Wheel, the album Mishra and Deepa created out of that tour. It’s not a carefully marketed product. It’s an experience born on the road, tested in front of audiences who didn’t come with any preconceptions. They just listened.
Out on 17 October via Shedbuilt Records, the record is, in fact, a meeting point: English folk tunes, Indian ragas, Sufi improvisation, and the freedom to let them sit together without forcing the blend.
The first single, Kite (released 11 August), shows exactly how it works: Ford Collier’s Irish jig on the whistle transformed, in Deepa’s mind, into the image of a kite dancing in the sky, which she carried into her Hindi vocals.
This is the spirit she and Mishra bottled in the studio. They brought in producer Stuart McCallum not to change their sound, but to refine it. “He taught us minimalism,” she explains. In the middle of a creative whirlwind, he was the objective ear, “just taking the scissors, cutting this off… stripping down.” He helped them shape the raw, trance-like energy of their live jams into the focused beauty of an album. Where the musicians might have improvised endlessly, McCallum helped shape the music into concise arrangements that carry the trance-like intensity of a live jam without losing clarity.
Deepa believes that in a world obsessed with explaining and categorising, the magic lies in listening without analysis. “We’ve moved so much away from intuitive response. We take it apart, we analyse things to such an extent, we’re trying to split a hair. I would urge listeners to just dive in, swim in it for a bit. No judgements. Life can be so simple, but we complicate it.”
Turn O Spinning Wheel fuses English folk, Indian ragas and Sufi improvisationInstagram/mishra.music
Breaking away from numbers and clout
This philosophy spills over into her views on the industry too. As a South Asian woman with more than 30 years of experience in Indian classical, semi-classical, rock fusion, and Sufi music, she’s blunt about the barriers that remain.
“It’s heartbreaking. The first question from some organisations is, ‘What are your social media handles? How many followers do you have?’” She points out the absurdity: “I’m a very experienced musician… I have a handful of followers compared to people with less experience. Does that mean I’m less worthy? Obviously not.”
Her plea is simple: stop boxing artists by stats or heritage and start listening. “Keep those stats to one side and just honestly listen to the band. You can tell when someone knows what they’re doing. There’s passion, there’s originality, there is power. Give them a chance.”
Even so, she’s hopeful. She points to boundary-breaking projects, like a Monteverdi opera reworked with Indian classical themes that found great success. “South Asian music and musicians are getting more of a… I wouldn’t say they’ve stepped into the mainstream, but it’s getting there.”
And her advice to younger artists? Resist the temptation to chase what’s fashionable. “Don’t contrive. Don’t try and make it up. Stay true to yourself, be authentic. What you really are about, that should be what’s on stage. That will bring its own success.”
The album itself carries that ethos. It includes reworked English folk, Punjabi songs, qawwali, and even a traditional sailor’s tale flipped into a woman’s warning, woven into verses in raga Jog. For Deepa, this isn’t fusion for the sake of it. It’s a conversation, and one that only really came alive in front of audiences who were ready to listen with open ears.
Mishra and Deepa now take that sound back on the road this autumn, with support from SAA-UK and Arts Council England. The tour runs from Leeds to Glastonbury, with a London show at World Heartbeat and Cardiff on 30 November. Translating the album to stage, Deepa says, is simple: “We just do our thing, lock in as a band, play confidently and passionately, and let the rest follow.”
Deepa Shakthi insists: “Music doesn’t need a label. Just be with it.”Youtube Screengrab/ Mishra Music
A chocolate box of sound
So why should someone who has never touched Indian classical or British folk give Turn O Spinning Wheel a chance? Deepa doesn’t hesitate: “It’s a new experience. It’s a fresh experience. Just go for it. Put it on. Don’t think, just feel.”
She promises variety, a little bit of everything. “There’s trancey stuff, there’s more kind of traditional folk, there’s a classical alaap… It’s like a chocolate box. There’ll be something somebody likes.”
For all the talk of cross-cultural innovation, Deepa’s answer is refreshingly straightforward. “Music doesn’t need explanation. It doesn’t need a label. Just be with it.”
Turn O Spinning Wheel is released 17 October on Shedbuilt Records and the UK tour starts in Leeds on 24 October. The single Kite is out now.
Radhika Merchant and Anant Ambani were spotted at the visarjan of “Antilia Cha Raja.”
A video captured a light-hearted flower fight between the couple.
Radhika’s bodyguard stepped in to shield her during the exchange.
Nita Ambani also joined the procession in traditional attire.
Radhika Merchant’s Ganpati visarjan moment with husband Anant Ambani has become the highlight of this year’s celebrations at the Ambani residence, Antilia. The couple took part in the immersion procession of their Ganpati idol, known as “Antilia Cha Raja,” where a playful exchange between them caught the internet’s attention. In the video, featuring Radhika and Anant, a bodyguard stepping in at the right moment has now become the talking point across social media.
The Ambani family marked Ganesh Chaturthi with Antilia Cha Raja, where Nita Ambani also joined rituals Instagram Screengrab/ambani_update
What happened during Radhika Merchant’s Ganpati visarjan moment?
In the clip shared on a fan page dedicated to the Ambani family, Radhika Merchant is seen seated on a flower-decorated vehicle, holding marigolds in her hand. She laughs as she tosses petals at Anant Ambani, who is walking behind the vehicle. Anant responds by throwing flowers back at her, but before they reach her, Radhika’s bodyguard quickly shields her, leaving fans amused at the protective gesture. The video has since circulated widely, with many calling it a sweet glimpse into the couple’s bond.
Was Nita Ambani part of the Ganpati visarjan celebrations?
Yes. Another video from the visarjan showed Nita Ambani, dressed in a pink traditional outfit, enjoying the rally with other family members. She was seen participating with enthusiasm as the procession moved through the streets. The Ambanis are known for hosting large-scale Ganesh Chaturthi festivities every year, drawing attention both offline and online.
The Ambani family welcomed their Ganpati idol, fondly known as “Antilia Cha Raja,” on 27 August. Videos from the welcoming ceremony showed Anant Ambani, Radhika Merchant, and Nita Ambani performing aarti in front of the idol, all dressed in festive attire. The idol holds a special place in their celebrations, and its annual arrival is a tradition followed closely by their well-wishers.
Ganpati visarjan is the immersion ritual that marks the conclusion of Ganesh Chaturthi. Traditionally observed on the tenth day of the festival, some families also perform it earlier, such as after one-and-a-half days. In 2025, the main visarjan day falls on 6 September, but many, including the Ambanis, carried out the immersion on 28 August. The ritual is symbolic of bidding farewell to Lord Ganesha while praying for his return the following year.