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 13, 2021 15:22 IST
India has applied to the European Union for protected geographical indication (PGI) status of...
Thu, Jun 17, 2021
Apr 30, 2021 12:23 IST
The meat will be completely shut out of any new content appearing anywhere on the website and on...
Fri, Apr 30, 2021
Mar 28, 2021 06:30 IST
Urvashi Bahuguna’s book of essays on living with a mental-health condition is bookended by...
Sat, Mar 27, 2021
Mar 07, 2021 06:20 IST
In a globalised world, where no food feels foreign and tastes are transforming rapidly, how does...
Sun, Mar 07, 2021
Feb 18, 2021 02:35 IST
Akbar was one of the most high-profile men in India to be accused as part of the wave of sexual...
Thu, Feb 18, 2021
Feb 14, 2021 06:50 IST
In Food Matters: The Role Your Diet Plays in the Fight Against Cancer, an oncologist argues for...
Sun, Feb 14, 2021
Feb 13, 2021 14:10 IST
With its sweet and spicy notes, this masala will make your morning cuppa more fragrant and...
Sat, Feb 13, 2021
Feb 10, 2021 11:40 IST
The restaurateur on opening new restaurants and starting a delivery-only brand after a bruising...
Wed, Feb 10, 2021
Feb 07, 2021 06:30 IST
In the current “foodie” culture, we can’t avoid thorny questions about labour in the...
Sun, Feb 07, 2021
Feb 07, 2021 06:30 IST
The director of the Malayalam film The Great Indian Kitchen on why gender parity should begin with...
Sat, Feb 06, 2021
Feb 06, 2021 12:50 IST
The best way to eat a vegetable you dislike - like beetroot - is to turn it into a...
Tue, Feb 09, 2021
Jan 31, 2021 06:35 IST
Krish Ashok’s book breaks down the how-to and why-to of almost every step of the cooking process...
Sat, Jan 30, 2021
Jan 30, 2021 12:30 IST
This Gujarati favourite can be made with a variety of vegetables, and is a filling dish that can be...
Sat, Jan 30, 2021
Jan 23, 2021 12:30 IST
This super basic tomato chutney recipe has been perfected by paring it down to the absolute basic...
Sat, Jan 23, 2021
Jan 20, 2021 18:02 IST
Dragon fruit Kamalam: Gujarat CM Vijay Rupani said calling it dragon fruit "does not sound...
Wed, Jan 27, 2021
Jan 16, 2021 14:18 IST
How to make dabeli that is bursting with flavours and has many contrasting...
Sat, Jan 16, 2021
Jan 10, 2021 06:28 IST
In times of unusual stress, such as the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, we often seek solace in food...
Sun, Jan 10, 2021
Jan 09, 2021 12:30 IST
Winter-special black carrots come together with coconut and lime in a deeply warming, nourishing...
Sat, Jan 09, 2021
Jan 03, 2021 06:30 IST
In I Am No Messiah the actor reflects on the impact of his relief work on those whose lives he...
Sun, Jan 03, 2021
Dec 31, 2020 20:20 IST
Here’s a look at 2020, through all the food that we cooked and ate, and the dishes we bonded and...
Thu, Dec 31, 2020
Dec 29, 2020 14:27 IST
Calcified dental plaque from archeological remains reveals the complexity of ancient trade and...
Wed, Jan 06, 2021
Dec 26, 2020 10:58 IST
These little treats, typically made for Christmas, are very similar to shakkarpara or...
Sat, Dec 26, 2020
Dec 24, 2020 07:01 IST
The hawker centres are representative of Singapore’s multiculturalism, with stalls selling cheap,...
Thu, Dec 24, 2020
Dec 23, 2020 15:00 IST
Domino’s India joins global fast-food chains in the plant-based meat movement with its new...
Wed, Dec 23, 2020
Dec 12, 2020 12:30 IST
Sesame or ellu podi is a convenient fix for days when you don’t want to spend too much time...
Sat, Dec 12, 2020