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.
Tom Cruise and Ana de Armas have once again stirred conversation after being seen together in London for the second time in a month. On Friday, March 14, the two actors were spotted arriving at the London Heliport via helicopter. Both seemed relaxed and comfortable, dressed casually as they exchanged smiles and laughter with the heliport staff. Cruise wore black jeans with a brown shirt, while de Armas, 36, kept it simple in jeans, a white tee, and a black trench coat.
This isn’t the first time they’ve been seen in the same spot. The previous night, they were also photographed at the heliport, adding to the speculation about their connection. Representatives for both actors have yet to comment on these outings.
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Their appearances follow an earlier sighting on February 13, when they were photographed in London’s Soho neighbourhood. On that occasion, de Armas was seen carrying takeout bags as they greeted fans before hopping into a taxi. At the time, a source mentioned they were dining with their agents, reportedly discussing future projects, and clarified there was “nothing romantic” going on, just professional conversations.
De Armas has previously praised Cruise’s dedication to action films, describing his stunt work as “mind-blowing” in a 2023 interview. She mentioned her growing appreciation for performing stunts herself, though she admitted she’s not quite on his level yet. “It’s painful, but rewarding,” she said at the time.
A glamorous moment from Ana’s past red carpet appearanceGetty Images
Meanwhile, Cruise is gearing up for the release of Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning, hitting theatres on May 23. When asked whether this would be the end for his character Ethan Hunt, he simply said, “You gotta see the movie.”
As for de Armas, she’s been linked in the past to Paul Boukadakis and actor Ben Affleck. Recently, she’s been seen with Manuel Anido Cuesta, stepson of Cuba’s president.
Tom Cruise flashing his signature smile at an eventGetty Images
Whether Cruise and de Armas are working together or something more personal is going on remains unconfirmed. For now, their London meetups have certainly kept fans and the media guessing. After all, repeated public appearances have a way of sparking interest, whether there’s truth to the rumours or not.
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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