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.
Sonakshi Sinha recently addressed the speculation surrounding her marriage to Zaheer Iqbal, pointing out that their union was never about religion but about love, respect, and understanding. The couple, who tied the knot in June 2024, chose to marry under the Special Marriage Act, a conscious decision that allowed them to honour their individual beliefs without compromise.
In a candid conversation, Sonakshi shared, “We never focused on religion. We’re two people in love who wanted to spend our lives together, and that’s what we did.” She made it clear that neither she nor Zaheer felt the need to impose their religious practices on each other. “He doesn’t push his beliefs on me, and I don’t push mine on him. We respect each other’s traditions and cultures, and that’s what matters.”
Sonakshi and Zaheer’s union proves that relationships thrive on mutual respect, not societal expectationsInstagram/ aslisona
The couple’s decision to marry under the Special Marriage Act was deliberate. Sonakshi explained, “It was the best way for us. I didn’t have to change my religion, and he didn’t have to change his. We simply wanted to celebrate our love, and that’s what we did.” She also dismissed rumours about being asked to convert, stating, “The question of conversion never came up. Our love was enough.”
Their relationship, which remained private for years, had been under public scrutiny since they began dating seven years ago. Despite constant media attention, Sonakshi and Zaheer chose to keep their bond away from the limelight until their wedding day. The ceremony, held at Sonakshi’s home in Bandra, was an intimate affair attended by close family and friends.
The couple shares a heartfelt moment during their wedding under the Special Marriage ActInstagram/ aslisona
Addressing speculation about her father Shatrughan Sinha’s approval, Sonakshi revealed that he was fully supportive of her decision. “My father has always stood by me. At the end of the day, he just wants me to be happy.”
On the professional front, Sonakshi continues to balance her acting career with her personal life. She was last seen in Kakuda and has several upcoming projects lined up. Meanwhile, she and Zaheer are embracing their new journey as husband and wife, proving that love transcends any boundaries.
Sonakshi Sinha stands strong, embracing love on her own termsGetty Images
Their story is a proof that relationships thrive on mutual respect, trust, and admiration beyond societal expectations and religious norms. For Sonakshi and Zaheer, their bond is about love, and in the end, that’s all that truly matters.
The actress defended her claim that acting demands more than desk jobs in a recent interview.
She said office workers can "chill out" during work hours, unlike film stars.
Fans and working professionals called her comments privileged and out of touch.
The backlash started after her appearance on Amazon Prime's Two Much with Kajol & Twinkle.
Critics pointed out the financial gap and support systems actors have compared to regular employees.
Kajol probably didn't expect this reaction when she sat down with Twinkle Khanna on Two Much. But her comments about actors working harder than people with 9-to-5 jobs have blown up, and not in a good way.
Fans slam Kajol after she says actors work harder than regular employees sparking online outrage Getty Images
The comments that started it all
Kajol was speaking out about her earlier comments on Two Much with Kajol & Twinkle on Amazon Prime, where she said actors work harder than most people. This time she was explaining why she thinks that.
She told The Hollywood Reporter India that her days are full of shoots, events, and very early flights. One day involved waking at 5 AM to catch a flight to Jaipur for a 3 PM event.
But it was her take on regular jobs that got people talking. She claimed desk workers don't need to be "100% present" and can take breaks, "chill out," and relax while working. She kept coming back to the unending scrutiny actors face like the feeling of always being watched or something as simple as how you cross your legs or who's snapping a picture in the background becomes a constant calculation. You have to be switched on, she insisted, all the time.
The internet, frankly, was having none of it. YouTube and Reddit exploded with responses. "For the kind of remuneration actors are paid, they shouldn't have a problem working 12 hours a day for 4 days a week," one user wrote. Another pointed out that films typically take 3-4 months to shoot, while regular jobs run year-round.
The responses got more pointed. "Vanity mein naps or massages bhi toh hum lete hain," a Reddit user commented, referencing the comfort of vanity vans. Someone else joked: "If you work poorly, you get fired. If you act poorly, you get a Filmfare award."
The bluntest response yet? "Respectfully, Kajol, shut up."
Nobody denies acting is demanding. Long hours, public pressure, and constant judgement are very real. But comparing it to regular employment ignores some major differences.
Most people work 12 months a year with two weeks' holiday if they're lucky. They don't have spot boys fetching drinks or vanity vans for rest breaks. One netizen nailed it: "A working parent's schedule is continuous, every single day, with no wrap-up party or off-season."
Online erupts as Kajol defends claim that acting demands more than everyday 9-to-5 workGetty Images
There's also the money. While her fee for a single film is probably more than most people earn in a year, she says that doesn’t make the work easy. Still, it does provide a comfort that regular employees don’t have. Kajol has not yet replied to the backlash.
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