Pooja Pillai is a Senior Assistant Editor at The Indian Express, working with the National Editorial and Opinion section. Her work frequently explores the intersection of society, culture and technology....Read More
Pooja Pillai is a Senior Assistant Editor at The Indian Express, working with the National Editorial and Opinion section. Her work frequently explores the intersection of society, culture and technology.
Editorial Focus & Expertise
Pooja’s writing spans several key domains, often blending analytical commentary with cultural critique.
Art & Culture: She writes extensively on cinema, books, and the evolving landscape of arts and entertainment.
Technology & Society: Her work examines the human impact of the gig economy, the rise of AI in creative fields, and the cultural shifts driven by digital platforms.
Food & Lifestyle: She often uses food as a lens to explore history and politics, covering everything from the origins of pantry essentials to the impact of nutrition policy.
Politics: She closely tracks political developments in South and West India and provides commentary on international political transitions, including the shifting landscape of American politics.
Multimedia & Podcasting
Pooja is a prominent voice in the Indian Express’s digital ecosystem. She is the host of 'DeshKaal with Yogendra Yadav', weekly video podcast where she facilitates deep-dive conversations on Indian democracy, social movements, and current political affairs.
Notable Recent Works
Cinema & Identity: “SRK@60: Why Shah Rukh Khan is Bollywood's last, and only, superstar” – an analysis of stardom and the changing face of Indian identity
Global Politics: Commentary on the Trump administration’s misguided “war on woke culture” via typography and analysis of the visual semiotics of Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s attire during successive visits to the White House.
Art & AI: “An unequal music: AI is lowering barriers at the cost of music itself” – a critique of how technology is redefining artistic value.
Professional Presence
Pooja is active on X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram, where she shares her latest columns and editorial insights.
Her full archive and latest updates can be found on her Indian Express Author Profile.
Jun 12, 2019 01:22 IST
Bhupen Khakhar had worked out that he was gay fairly early, but it wasn’t until he travelled to...
Wed, Jun 12, 2019
Jun 09, 2019 06:00 IST
Jiggs Kalra, who toiled to get the perfect meal and put Punjabi food on the global culinary map,...
Sun, Jun 09, 2019
Jun 08, 2019 01:25 IST
In Beyond the Boulevard, Aditi Sriram offers a deeper look at this quaint little town — aspects...
Sat, Jun 08, 2019
Jun 07, 2019 04:25 IST
The food at La Roca is sophisticated and delicious, but it is not necessarily...
Fri, Jun 07, 2019
Jun 05, 2019 00:10 IST
Remembering Jiggs Kalra, pioneering food chronicler, who helped Indian cuisine get global...
Wed, Jun 05, 2019
Jun 04, 2019 12:26 IST
His book Prashad: Cooking with Indian Masters, remains a Bible for everyone who wants to cook...
Tue, Jun 04, 2019
Jun 02, 2019 06:00 IST
Malayalam film director Aashiq Abu on his new film Virus, making a movie about a real-life tragedy,...
Sun, Jun 02, 2019
May 29, 2019 00:00 IST
Fruits such as tadgola, shehtoot (Indian mulberry), jamun (java plum), hisalu (golden raspberry)...
Wed, May 29, 2019
May 22, 2019 01:56 IST
It was important to highlight that these questions of identity and faith are not limited to one...
Thu, Aug 29, 2024
May 11, 2019 10:04 IST
Thanks to her job as an energy consultant — which requires her to make as many as 18...
Sat, May 11, 2019
May 10, 2019 05:25 IST
The author and global investor Ruchir Sharma, fresh from his 28th election trip, was making the...
Fri, May 10, 2019
May 02, 2019 01:30 IST
Featuring the works of young artists and architects from India, Pakistan, China, Singapore, the...
Thu, May 02, 2019
Apr 26, 2019 00:10 IST
A private home opens its doors to a new generation of the culturally...
Fri, Apr 26, 2019
Mar 31, 2019 06:30 IST
Top-selling lots from the recent auction of jeweller Nirav Modi’s art collection feature some of...
Sun, Mar 31, 2019
Mar 29, 2019 00:30 IST
At Hotel Delmaar, comfort and familiarity define the menu as well as the...
Fri, Mar 29, 2019
Mar 20, 2019 00:31 IST
Palash or tesu, with their striking hue, are most associated with Holi. The flowers, soaked in...
Wed, Mar 20, 2019
Mar 17, 2019 06:00 IST
The shadows and mysteries of the human mind shape the narratives in Abul Hisham’s paintings....
Sun, Mar 17, 2019
Mar 14, 2019 01:09 IST
As you make your way from the Bharli Wangi (peanut stuffed aubergines) to the Patal Bhaji (spinach...
Thu, Mar 14, 2019
Mar 07, 2019 06:22 IST
The bare bones of Shyam’s story are well-known enough: he was discovered in Patangarh, Madhya...
Thu, Mar 07, 2019
Mar 03, 2019 02:51 IST
Referring to the near-constant drizzle, journalist Arfa Khanum Sherwani said, “It seems as if...
Sun, Mar 03, 2019
Feb 27, 2019 00:30 IST
Artist Atul Dodiya on his love for the films of Alfred Hitchcock and how they opened the...
Wed, Feb 27, 2019
Feb 24, 2019 06:00 IST
The intellectual explorations that one sees in Barwe’s works began when he was still a student at...
Sun, Feb 24, 2019
Feb 20, 2019 00:49 IST
Founded by cricketers Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene, along with chef Dharshan Munidasa,...
Wed, Feb 20, 2019
Feb 17, 2019 06:30 IST
Chef Thomas Zacharias on the secret behind his award-winning...
Sun, Feb 17, 2019
Feb 10, 2019 02:15 IST
In his speech, Amol Palekar expressed his concern over policy changes that will give the Ministry...
Sun, Feb 10, 2019