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.
Shah Rukh Khan made his debut at the Met Gala 2025, creating a historic moment as the first male Bollywood actor to attend the prestigious event. His appearance caught the attention of many, including reality TV star Khloe Kardashian, who took to social media to express her admiration.
Khloe, who visited India in 2024 with her sister Kim Kardashian, recalled first learning about Shah Rukh during that trip. Reflecting on his Met Gala look, she posted on Snapchat, calling him 'King Khan' and sharing that she is particularly fond of his signature 'K' necklace. Khloe praised the Indian designer Sabyasachi Mukherjee, who crafted Shah Rukh’s outfit, talking about how the ensemble elegantly blended Indian cultural elements with global fashion influences.
Shah Rukh’s outfit featured a black floor-length coat with a structured silhouette, paired with trousers and a traditional kamarbandh. The look was completed with a statement necklace and a sleek cane adorned with a Bengal Tiger head. Khloe admired how the design balanced tradition with the Met Gala’s theme, describing it as a perfect representation of Indian menswear on an international stage.
The Bollywood superstar later took to social media to express gratitude to Sabyasachi and his team, acknowledging that the Met Gala was not typically his comfort zone. However, he appreciated how the designer made the experience feel personal and authentic. Shah Rukh candidly shared that his children’s excitement about the event played a significant role in his decision to participate.
The moment sparked significant buzz online, as Shah Rukh’s global fanbase celebrated his milestone appearance. For many, his presence at the Met Gala symbolised not only his continued global appeal but also a step forward for Indian representation on international fashion platforms.
Khloe Kardashian admires Shah Rukh Khan's Sabyasachi designed Met Gala ensembleGetty Images
Currently, Shah Rukh Khan is working on his next project, titled King, directed by Siddharth Anand and featuring a stellar cast, including his daughter Suhana Khan and Abhishek Bachchan. As he approaches his 60th birthday, the actor continues to inspire with his evolving journey, both on and off the screen.
Forum brings UK and Chinese film professionals together to explore collaborations.
Emerging British-Asian talent gain mentorship and international exposure.
Small-scale dramas, kids’ shows, and adapting popular formats were the projects everyone was talking about.
Telling stories that feel real to their culture, yet can connect with anyone, is what makes them work worldwide.
Meeting three times a year keeps the UK and China talking, creating opportunities that last beyond one event.
The theatre was packed for the Third Shanghai–London Screen Industry Forum. Between panels and workshops, filmmakers, producers and executives discussed ideas and business cards and it felt more than just a summit. British-Asian filmmakers were meeting and greeting the Chinese industry in an attempt to explore genuine possibilities of working in China’s film market.
UK China film collaborations take off as Third Shanghai London Forum connects British Asian filmmakers with Chinese studios Instagram/ukchinafilm
What makes the forum important for British-Asian filmmakers?
For filmmakers whose films explore identity and belonging, this is a chance to show their work on an international stage, meet Chinese directors, talk co-productions and break cultural walls that normally feel unscalable. “It’s invaluable,” Abid Khan said after a panel, “because you can’t create globally if you don’t talk globally.”
And it’s not just established names. Young filmmakers were all around, pitching ideas and learning on the go. The forum gave them a chance to get noticed with mentoring, workshops, and live pitch sessions.
Which projects are catching international attention?
Micro-dramas are trending. Roy Lu of Linmon International says vertical content for apps is “where it’s at.” They’ve done US, Canada, Australia and next stop, Europe. YouTube is back in focus too, thanks to Rosemary Reed of POW TV Studios. Short attention spans and three-minute hits, she’s ready.
Children’s and sports shows are another hotspot. Jiella Esmat of 8Lions is developing Touch Grass, a football-themed children’s show. The logic is simple: sports and kids content unite families, like global glue.
Then there’s format adaptation. Lu also talked about Nothing But 30, a Chinese series with 7 billion streams. The plan is for an english version in London. Not a straight translation, but a cultural transformation. “‘30’ in London isn’t just words,” Lu says. “It’s a new story.”
Jason Zhang of Stellar Pictures says international audiences respond when culture isn’t just a background prop. Lanterns, flowers, rituals, they’re part of the plot. Cedric Behrel from Trinity CineAsia adds: you need context. Western audiences don’t know Journey to the West, so co-production helps them understand without diluting the story.
Economic sense matters too. Roy Lu stresses: pick your market, make it financially viable. Esmat likens ideal co-productions to a marriage: “Multicultural teams naturally think about what works globally and what doesn’t.”
The UK-China Film Collab’s Future Talent Programme is taking on eight students or recent grads this year. They’re getting the backstage access to international filmmaking that few ever see, including mentorship, festival organising and hands-on experience. Alumni are landing real jobs: accredited festival journalists, Beijing producers, curators at The National Gallery.
Adrian Wootton OBE reminded everyone: “We exist through partnerships, networks, and collaboration.” Yin Xin from Shanghai Media Group noted that tri-annual gathering: London, Shanghai, Hong Kong create an “intensive concentration” of ideas.
Actor-director Zhang Luyi said it best: cultural exchange isn’t telling your story to someone, it’s creating stories together.
The Shanghai-London Screen Industry Forum is no longer just a talking shop. It’s a launchpad, a bridge. And for British-Asian filmmakers and emerging talent, it’s a chance to turn ideas into reality.
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