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Radheyan Simonpillai Profile
Radheyan Simonpillai

@JustSayRad

6,589
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2,797
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Film Critic at CTV's @YourMorning . Pop Culture Columnist on @CBCRadio . Contributor @globeandmail @guardian @zoomer @cbcarts ++

Toronto
Joined December 2009
Don't wanna be here? Send us removal request.
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@JustSayRad
Radheyan Simonpillai
10 days
If you pick up the new issue of @Zoomer with @cher on the cover, you'll find a four page spread for my interview with Francis Ford Coppola. We get into life, love, regrets, the daughters and granddaughters succeeding the legacy and Megalopolis. Exclusively in print. Get it.
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@JustSayRad
Radheyan Simonpillai
2 months
This is Phil Donahue checking Ayn Rand after she spewed some vile stereotypes about Palestinians. They don't make talk show hosts like this anymore.
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@JustSayRad
Radheyan Simonpillai
18 days
Glad Ta-Nehisi Coates got to have a normal and healthy conversation about what remains a horrifying situation.
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@JustSayRad
Radheyan Simonpillai
1 year
Powerful take on Killers from the guy who taught Lily Gladstone to speak Osage.
@THR
The Hollywood Reporter
1 year
At the film’s premiere, Osage language consultant Christopher Cote shares his complicated feelings about #KillersOfTheFlowerMoon
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@JustSayRad
Radheyan Simonpillai
2 years
Come From Away 2 will be about Tim Hortons accommodating stranded Rogers customers.
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@JustSayRad
Radheyan Simonpillai
5 months
Queen.
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@JustSayRad
Radheyan Simonpillai
5 years
Fascinating to see a guy accused of workplace sexual harrassment interviewing Charlize Theron about her workplace sexual harrassment movie. #GoldenGlobes
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@JustSayRad
Radheyan Simonpillai
3 months
Damn right it is!!! Reservation Dogs finally nominated for outstanding comedy series. #emmys
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@JustSayRad
Radheyan Simonpillai
6 years
Chris Evans knows what to do in the presence of a Queen. #ReginaKing #Oscars
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@JustSayRad
Radheyan Simonpillai
1 year
I know y'all seen plenty videos of the Pickering fire but this one making the rounds in the family chats is the wildest.
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@JustSayRad
Radheyan Simonpillai
2 years
Not a single Emmy nomination for Reservation Dogs is a travesty!!! Easily one of the best shows of the year. And you had the whole crew at last year's Emmys presentation championing Indigenous representation??!!!
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@JustSayRad
Radheyan Simonpillai
5 years
My baby cousins are wreckless at weddings. #savi2myheart
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@JustSayRad
Radheyan Simonpillai
2 years
I asked @IssaRae and @ReetaFajita about WAP. Did not expect it to get here. Put this one in the hall of fame please. Watch the whole convo on Rap Sh!t here:
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@JustSayRad
Radheyan Simonpillai
3 years
I got the AZ!
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@JustSayRad
Radheyan Simonpillai
6 years
More shots, more fire from the @MIAuniverse x @nowtoronto cover shoot by @samuelengelking . Read the story here. #MIADOC
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@JustSayRad
Radheyan Simonpillai
6 years
This moment is winning the night. #Oscars
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@JustSayRad
Radheyan Simonpillai
3 years
Cate Blanchett towering over everyone at the Nightmare Alley premiere, which pretty much sums up the movie.
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@JustSayRad
Radheyan Simonpillai
2 years
This is it. This is the final masthead. This is the small team (owed 21-weeks of salary) who put together a spectacular issue dropping tomorrow night. I am so incredibly grateful to them all. And also to the people who gifted us their contributions to this issue.
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@JustSayRad
Radheyan Simonpillai
3 months
Drake just posted this story of what seems to be him walking around with a broom while his mansion is flooding.
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@JustSayRad
Radheyan Simonpillai
5 months
Here comes the standing ovation for On Becoming a Guinea Fowl, a powerful debut forn Zambian cinema. #Cannes2024
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@JustSayRad
Radheyan Simonpillai
4 years
There's a quiet storm brewing in Canada's film industry. Directors writing manifestos. Producers writing to the Culture Minister. Some call for overhauls while others don't want anyone touching their bank.
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@JustSayRad
Radheyan Simonpillai
5 years
As @LaineyGossip said: Parasite is a movie about people who are deemed less worthy infiltrating a privileged home. And that movie just infiltrated the Oscars. "It's So Metaphorical." #Oscars
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@JustSayRad
Radheyan Simonpillai
2 years
Sharing this statement from Elle-Máijá Tailfeathers on Ryan McMahon and the Thunder Bay Series. Please read. 🧵
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Radheyan Simonpillai
1 year
I can finally tell you: I spent the last two days talking to Robert DeNiro, Leonardo DiCaprio, Lily Gladstone, Jesse Plemons and Martin "motherfucking" Scorsese!!!!!! The Canadian exclusive out of Cannes. No pics so here's me on the balcony of the room where it all happened.
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@JustSayRad
Radheyan Simonpillai
4 years
Bio update.
@nowtoronto
Now Toronto
4 years
And finally, NOW’s staff writer Radheyan Simonpillai ( @justsayrad ) is now our Social Media and Culture Editor. As part of his new role, he is writing this tweet in the third person. 3/3
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@JustSayRad
Radheyan Simonpillai
2 years
If this is our last issue, I couldn't be prouder. It's my favourite one yet with the the best collaborators and such powerful voices: @LamarJohnsonn + Kiana Madeira @realsarahpolley + Elle-Máijá Tailfeathers @kdeveryjacobs @samchizanga @nataliamanzocco @clevack & on & on ...
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@JustSayRad
Radheyan Simonpillai
4 years
I binged @CBC 's Trickster with my kids. They were so into it, they wouldn't even wait for me when starting the next episode. And then they got on the phone with @NORTHERNGRRL to demand more. Here's my review.
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@JustSayRad
Radheyan Simonpillai
2 years
What can I say. Not my @nowtoronto .
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@JustSayRad
Radheyan Simonpillai
4 years
That Yahya win. #Emmys
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@JustSayRad
Radheyan Simonpillai
2 years
🧵 As you just heard on @cbcradioq , I am leaving NOW after this weekend. If I can compel you to check out one last thing before we go, it's this podcast with @realsarahpolley & Elle-Máijá Tailfeathers. These are the kinds of conversations we live for. 1/3
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@JustSayRad
Radheyan Simonpillai
4 years
Hollywood can't keep COVID-19 away from the biggest star on one of it's biggest productions, with strict attentive social distancing measures. But Doug Ford still thinks we'll be fine packing kids in classrooms.
@VanityFair
VANITY FAIR
4 years
UPDATE: Robert Pattison has tested positive for Covid-19, causing filming of The Batman to be halted just days after the superhero drama resumed work
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Radheyan Simonpillai
1 year
This is it. I'm done. I have come down from the mountain. I have seen the burning bush. I can never top this moment in my career. Interviewed Martin Scorsese, Lily Gladstone, Leonardo DiCaprio and Robert De Niro at Cannes for @zoomermag .
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@JustSayRad
Radheyan Simonpillai
2 years
Ruth Carter bringing matching cue cards with her is badass.
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@JustSayRad
Radheyan Simonpillai
1 year
This is cinema.
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@JustSayRad
Radheyan Simonpillai
1 month
"More listening." - Angelina Jolie #tiff24
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@JustSayRad
Radheyan Simonpillai
5 years
Can ya'll handle this affection? #Oscars
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@JustSayRad
Radheyan Simonpillai
8 years
The very first person to jump aboard @nowtoronto 's #IAmTamil project was @MIAuniverse . Read:
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@JustSayRad
Radheyan Simonpillai
2 years
Dreams of being a seat filler achieved. Your boy is filling in for @tompowercbc , hosting @cbcradioq . Listen in.
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@JustSayRad
Radheyan Simonpillai
2 years
The Crown's Claire Foy bowing down to Sarah Polley. #tiff22 #WomenTalking
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@JustSayRad
Radheyan Simonpillai
1 year
Not here to defend Lizzo from the allegations. But tweets that curate Marty Singer's client list like this are intentional. Marty Singer is the most renown entertainment lawyer who represents all the biggest stars(see below) in whatever battles, including contract disputes.
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@PopCrave
Pop Crave
1 year
Lizzo is being represented by Hollywood lawyer Marty Singer for her harassment and toxic workplace lawsuit. Singer’s clientele ranges from a variety of stars, including Bill Cosby, Johnny Depp, Charlie Sheen, Chris Brown, Brett Ratner, and currently, Jonah Hill.
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Radheyan Simonpillai
4 years
This is happening tonight! Don't forget to follow @tiff_net on Twitter, Facebook or YouTube (pick your flavour) and join our conversation with Finn Wolfhard.
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Radheyan Simonpillai
2 years
Tarantino: *writes a book with two chapters on Paul Schrader's script for Taxi Driver* Paul Schrader: ...
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@JustSayRad
Radheyan Simonpillai
5 years
Grateful to all the people who made sure that a Tamil-Canadian writer (me) got to publish the first interview with Maitreyi Ramakrishnan ( @ramakrishnannn ), the star of @MindyKaling & @loulielang 's new @Netflix series. Read that here.
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Radheyan Simonpillai
2 years
The way some of you can pronounce Miriam Toews with such ease is inspiring me to teach you the Tamil pronunciation of my name.
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@JustSayRad
Radheyan Simonpillai
4 years
Smoke free for a year now. At this point, I can't believe I was a smoker. But from the other side, I never believed I could ever quit.
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@JustSayRad
Radheyan Simonpillai
4 years
My cousin, the ER doc featured in @robyndoolittle 's frontline workers piece, shared this on FB today.
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@JustSayRad
Radheyan Simonpillai
4 years
I wonder who guys like this would pull over with the new powers Doug Ford gave them.
@ConsumerSOS
𝚂𝚎á𝚗 𝙾’𝚂𝚑𝚎𝚊 Global News
4 years
EXCLUSIVE Uniformed Peel Police sergeant is all hugs with supporters of HUF gym before and after one of their group members pursued me. No masks. He offers me a hug, too. I decline. City ordered gym closed; they refuse. @PeelPolice @globalnews #Mississauga
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@JustSayRad
Radheyan Simonpillai
4 years
Funny Boy's language problems continue. The movie has been disqualified from the International Feature category at the Oscars.
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@JustSayRad
Radheyan Simonpillai
4 years
Love the North Indians who remind you to be respectful and grateful, with zero self awareness that they enjoy the South Asian version of white privilege.
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@JustSayRad
Radheyan Simonpillai
2 years
🧵 I'm incredibly proud of my small team at @nowtoronto for enduring these harsh times and putting together a spectacular 56-page issue. Grab a copy or check out these stories about incredible people and the summer ahead in Toronto. 📸 @Lachancephoto
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@JustSayRad
Radheyan Simonpillai
6 years
I just double-checked. After winning Best Picture no one thanked Hugo Green (the creator of the Green Book) or Dr. Don Shirley. Instead: "It all started with Viggo." #Oscars
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@JustSayRad
Radheyan Simonpillai
4 years
David Fincher took a shot after losing. He's having a good night. #GoldenGlobes
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@JustSayRad
Radheyan Simonpillai
4 months
Obnoxiously proud dad moment. Our boy graduated grade 8 at with the core French prize, and as valedictorian.
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@JustSayRad
Radheyan Simonpillai
5 years
This happened. Amanda Parris did this. #TIFF19
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@JustSayRad
Radheyan Simonpillai
4 years
A major Tamil story coming to Netflix thanks to @ava . I've seen @IamDeepaMehta 's new film and can't wait to start talking about it.
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@JustSayRad
Radheyan Simonpillai
1 year
After 15 years in this biz, I'm doing Cannes for the first time. It just never made practical or economic sense before. Anyways, feeling both excited to do it and overwhelmed by everything I got to do. Hope we can find time to see some of you peeps on the Croisette!
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Radheyan Simonpillai
4 years
Such a downer day considering where this dumpster fire of a province is heading but still gonna celebrate this moment. Been married to my rock for a dozen years now.
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@JustSayRad
Radheyan Simonpillai
1 year
Hilariously awkward waiting game for Scarlett Johansson at the Asteroid City premiere.
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@JustSayRad
Radheyan Simonpillai
23 days
Some thoughts shared for journalists in Gaza at the News Emmys, where Bisan won despite those attempts to delegitimize her reporting and revoke her nomination.
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@JustSayRad
Radheyan Simonpillai
2 years
This is the first award I've ever received. Love that I'm getting it from the community at @CSI_UofT that nurtured and supported everything I love and do.
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@JustSayRad
Radheyan Simonpillai
4 years
A lot of Canadian artists need to learn how to be advocates and activists from Maitreyi @ramakrishnannn . The full video from our cover story is here:
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@JustSayRad
Radheyan Simonpillai
4 years
Nomadland is everything I hoped it would be. Couldn't help thinking about early Malick and Reichardt. #TIFF20
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@JustSayRad
Radheyan Simonpillai
3 years
American friends. Don't sleep on this.
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@JustSayRad
Radheyan Simonpillai
11 months
Wanda Nanibush, the first Canadian and Indigenous art curator at the AGO, has been discreetly removed from their website. are we wondering why?
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@JustSayRad
Radheyan Simonpillai
2 years
Very proud to see Nayani become the first Tamil-Canadian to premiere a movie at #TIFF22 . This Place asks our communities to consider how to be better allies. Discussed that with the This Place team here.
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@JustSayRad
Radheyan Simonpillai
4 years
Residue, the latest release from @ava 's @ARRAYNow , is one of my faves this year. Here's my review for the @guardian .
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@JustSayRad
Radheyan Simonpillai
1 month
Favourite part of #TIFF24 was running into Iman Vellani as she was making her way towards her 49th movie. That Marvel star remains a hardcore cinephile who was giving me reccos on all sorts of international docs that I need to catch up to.
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@JustSayRad
Radheyan Simonpillai
7 years
👏👏👏👏
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@JustSayRad
Radheyan Simonpillai
2 years
Love that Jerrod Carmichael brushed off the #GoldenGlobes superficial diversity efforts and reminded that everyone is just there to celebrate themselves and get their bag.
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@JustSayRad
Radheyan Simonpillai
5 years
@robinsonishyde @SassBaller That's why this guy is a hero.
@cdcxpe
cope
5 years
This Guy 2020
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@JustSayRad
Radheyan Simonpillai
10 years
Kristen Stewart's terrific role in Clouds of Sils Maria says everything you need to know about her life and career. No interview necessary.
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@JustSayRad
Radheyan Simonpillai
4 years
People are afraid that NOW's arts coverage is dying. When @TIFF_NET cherry picks who gets embargoed releases in advance (NOW did not) gifting those US publications and the Globe with clicks, they help seal the deal for local publications. Thanks for that!
@globeandmail
The Globe and Mail
4 years
TIFF 2020 will be a dramatically smaller in-person and online event ‘tailored to fit the moment’
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Radheyan Simonpillai
2 years
@lingerie_addict This is a big response y'all are having to a parenting joke. And you're picking on someone who has been a very vocal ally for so many. Browse some timeline history and consider the tone.
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@JustSayRad
Radheyan Simonpillai
2 years
My one and only interaction with Ray Liotta was after the Revolver premiere at TIFF. He walked up to us, said hello and asked, "Did anyone understand what the hell that was about?"
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@JustSayRad
Radheyan Simonpillai
6 years
This is what you call putting a ring on it.
@nowtoronto
Now Toronto
6 years
Pleased to announce that long-time contributor Radheyan Simonpillai ( @JustSayRad ) has joined now as a Staff Writer specializing in culture, film, TV and arts. Give Rad a follow and catch his stories here
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@JustSayRad
Radheyan Simonpillai
6 months
Love that the journalism students at TMU spent the whole school year observing the industry and produced this.
@ReviewofJourn
Review of Journalism
6 months
Hot off the presses! Catch the 40th edition of #theReview in newsstands April 24 🗞️
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@JustSayRad
Radheyan Simonpillai
4 years
Do they realize that Donald Trump was elected at the height of Avengers popularity?
@guardian
The Guardian
4 years
Marvel directors the Russo brothers: 'The Avengers films were a powerful political tool, at the right time'
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@JustSayRad
Radheyan Simonpillai
1 month
Appreciate how hard it is for the my friends at TIFF who have to keep this show going while being careful not to shutdown voices that matter. Only people I find disappointing are the ones yelling "Go home."
@Variety
Variety
1 month
Pro-Palestine Protesters Interrupt TIFF Opening Night Screening as Audience Boos and Chants 'Go Home!'
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@JustSayRad
Radheyan Simonpillai
8 years
We count the reasons why Kristen Stewart is among the best stars of her generation. See Personal Shopper!
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@JustSayRad
Radheyan Simonpillai
3 years
Greatest #Oscars entrance ever.
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@JustSayRad
Radheyan Simonpillai
3 years
Yooo! The Critics Choice didn't hesitate to take that Golden Globes spot.
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@JustSayRad
Radheyan Simonpillai
4 years
NOW's Arts coverage is not dead ... yet. Pay no attention to the man behind the curtain.
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@JustSayRad
Radheyan Simonpillai
2 years
I am extremely grateful to the NOW team who tried their best to keep a vital part of the Toronto arts and culture ecosystem alive, despite being owed up to 25-weeks salary. If anyone does end up buying NOW, never let them forget what they owe to the people who kept it going. 2/3
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@JustSayRad
Radheyan Simonpillai
2 years
I am especially grateful to @glennsumi who gifted me my very first paid byline almost 15 years ago, has nurtured and guided my voice since and was the only person at that time to give me hope that there was room in this industry for voices like ours. Love you Sumi! FIN.
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Radheyan Simonpillai
2 years
Just watch Dave Chappelle position himself as a hero for freedom of speech and expression in that Netflix thing that dropped a few days after Hannah Gadsby said this.
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Radheyan Simonpillai
1 year
Thank you so much to @bitterasiandude and family for opening up their home for my first @Zoomer cover story. We also got extra contributions from Weyni Mengesha, @andrewphung and @danieldaekim . The July issue is on stands now and can be purchased at .
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@JustSayRad
Radheyan Simonpillai
4 years
I love old movies and also agree with @Lexialex when she says Film Twitter is a toxic and bullying cult.
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@JustSayRad
Radheyan Simonpillai
5 years
The Toronto television industry is stepping up in the fight against COVID-19.
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@JustSayRad
Radheyan Simonpillai
1 year
Of course Canada's Wonderland is where I randomly spot Chris Sky.
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Radheyan Simonpillai
4 years
This has been a long time coming. Maitreyi Ramakrishnan is on the cover of NOW's Best in TV issue. She talks growth, representation and the mounting pressure as she heads into Never Have I Ever season 2. And Mindy chimes in too.
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@JustSayRad
Radheyan Simonpillai
2 years
I love Jamie Lee Curtis. But seeing Angela Bassett's disappointment was heartbreaking. #Oscars
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@JustSayRad
Radheyan Simonpillai
2 years
The PG-13 rating for Women Talking feels like such a huge victory. There was a time when the MPAA would make the kinda conversations this film has impossible for young people to access.
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@JustSayRad
Radheyan Simonpillai
2 years
Jeff Barnaby wanted me to name this cover "Fuck John Wayne's teeth." RIP Go watch Rhymes for Young Ghouls and Blood Quantum asap.
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Radheyan Simonpillai
4 years
Thread: This is a good story by @etanvlessing in @THR . But I want to get something else off my chest. And this by no means is a diss against Etan, who is a cool dude, but the entire colonial media industry. 1/17
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@JustSayRad
Radheyan Simonpillai
6 years
So by now you've heard the exciting news about @jessewente 's two book deal. In a somewhat less exciting development, I'll be keeping his seat warm for the summer, playing pop-culture columnist at @MetroMorning . Every Tuesday starting tomorrow.
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@JustSayRad
Radheyan Simonpillai
2 years
Jerrod Carmichael Cruise/Scientology gag right before that Tom Cruise/Maverick tribute from is cast mates is my brand of petty. #GoldenGlobes
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@JustSayRad
Radheyan Simonpillai
3 years
I guess now is also a good time to say with @KevinRitchie gone, I'll be NOW's Acting Editor and @glennsumi is the Managing Editor. Pray for us.
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@JustSayRad
Radheyan Simonpillai
3 years
Apparently this Lambo tried to beat the streetcar in the Beaches. 📸 Edna Mae Chua-Gemus
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