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.
Sunny Deol’s latest film Jaat has stirred up a storm both in cinemas and on social media. Directed by Telugu filmmaker Gopichand Malineni in his Bollywood debut, the action-thriller features Deol in a role that many say harks back to his Ghayal and Ghatak days. But while some are cheering the film as a full-blown mass entertainer, others feel it falls short of expectations.
Social media is flooded with reactions. A section of fans labelled the film a “south-style masala ride,” complete with over-the-top action, punchy one-liners, and slow-motion stunts. Some even compared it to blockbusters from South India, mentioning its loud background score, stylised fights, and emotional melodrama.
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One viewer wrote, “It’s a total mass film, Sunny Deol is smashing goons in style! Feels like watching a dubbed Telugu action movie.” Another praised the thrilling sequences, saying, “From the beach chase to the interval block, pure goosebumps!”
But not everyone was impressed. “Poor storytelling and forced action,” one user posted. Another said, “Very disappointing performance by Sunny Deol. Didn’t expect this.”
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Trade analyst Sumit Kadel acknowledged that advance bookings weren’t promising but suggested that Deol’s strong connect with the heartland audience could boost earnings through spot bookings in B and C centres.
Randeep Hooda plays the menacing villain Rana Tunga. Speaking about his role, he said, “Jaat is more than a name, it’s an emotion. Patriotism, justice, love, and rage all packed into one. As a Jat myself, I was proud to be part of a story that taps into that spirit.”
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The ensemble cast includes Regina Cassandra, Saiyami Kher, Vineet Kumar Singh, Jagapathi Babu, and Ramya Krishnan. While Hooda and Singh have been appreciated for their intense performances, critics pointed out that Saiyami’s role felt underused.
The film has also been appreciated for its background score by Thaman S, which elevates major action scenes. Director Gopichand Malineni brings in his South Indian sensibility, which is both a strength and a drawback depending on who you ask.
Despite the criticism, many agree on one thing: watching Sunny Deol in full action mode on the big screen is still a thrill. Whether Jaat holds up to repeat viewings or not, it has certainly got people talking.
Ranveer Singh’s rugged new look anchors the high-energy music video.
Rapper Hanumankind makes his official Bollywood début with a fierce verse.
Modern take on the classic Punjabi folk tune 'Jogi'.
Glimpses of Sanjay Dutt and Arjun Rampal in the mix.
The full trailer lands next month.
The Dhurandhar title track just hit the internet, and the noise around this spy thriller just went up a few notches. This is the track that pulls rapper Hanumankind into his first proper Bollywood playback moment. They have taken the old folk number 'Jogi' and built a power-packed version around it, a mix of earthy roots and straight-up aggressive energy that hits like a truck. It fits, honestly. It mirrors the film's whole gritty vibe and Ranveer Singh's battle-hardened look with that wild beard.
Hanumankind brings raw rap fire while Ranveer Singh owns 'Dhurandhar' music video Getty Images/ Youtube Screengrab/Saregama Music
What is the Dhurandhar title track about?
You get a proper blast of the film’s atmosphere from this track. The music video cuts fast between shots of a heavily bearded and muscular Ranveer Singh, looking every bit the part of a hardened operative. The video cuts to the other big names in the cast as well. Sanjay Dutt, Arjun Rampal are all there in what appears to be a tense, dark situation. The music includes traditional Punjabi folk with a stronger, cinematic rhythm.
How did Hanumankind get involved in the Dhurandhar song?
It turns out his involvement was a pretty organic, almost spontaneous thing. Music composer Shashwat Sachdev opened up about how the rap section came together. Apparently, it happened during a late-night studio session with director Aditya Dhar and Hanumankind himself. They captured an impromptu performance that just clicked, bringing what Sachdev called a "raw, instinctive fire" to the whole track. For an artist known for his independent work, this Dhurandhar feature is a major step into the mainstream film scene.
All this build-up is heading towards a definite date. The makers confirmed it right at the end of the title track video. Dhurandhar is locked in for a worldwide theatrical release on 5 December of this year. For those who need more than a song to tide them over, the official trailer is promised for 12 November.
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