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IANS News

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Indo-Asian News Service or IANS is a private Indian news agency. The IANS was founded by Indian American publisher Gopal Raju as the India Abroad News Service. It was later renamed the Indo-Asian News Service. The IANS has its main offices located in Noida.

Articles Written By IANS News

Vijay Verma on the stars who inspired him to be an actor
2240 days ago
Bollywood

Vijay Verma on the stars who inspired him to be an actor

Mumbai, April 21 (IANS) "Gully Boy"-fame Vijay Verma says there are two Indian actors -- Sanjay Dutt and Jackie Shroff -- influenced him to become the actor that he is today.## Asked to recall a profound moment that made him think of taking acting seriously, Vijay told IANS: "For me, it was Sanjay Dutt in 'Vaastav'. That was one of those films, and his character was one of such that made me say, 'actor banna hai'. That performance impacted me so much! His character Raghu in the film was a man with a story of zero-to-hero. A man who became a gangster who roams around with pachaas-tola around his neck! Oh man! That was a performance! I think 'Vastaav' was the 'Agneepath' of my growing-up days!"## Did he share the story with Dutt when they met? "No, I haven't because I met him socially, a couple of times. I met him at Mr Bachchan's place but at those moments I was comfortable just being around him and getting a big hug! For sharing my story, we need to sit down and chat. That is yet to happen," replied the actor, who recently appeared in the ZEE5 original film "Bamfaad".## This year, Vijay has had three more releases -- "Ghost Stories", "She" along with "Baaghi 3".## Vijay said that he is also a huge fan of "Baaghi 3" star Tiger Shroff's father, veteran actor Jackie Shroff.## "I am a fanboy of Jaggu dada. He epitomised that galli culture of Mumbai. In my growing days I admired him so much that when 'Gully Boy' was offered to me, I felt like Moeen (his character in the film) is a tribute to Jaggu dada! I love him," Vijay smiled.## Stay tuned...

SRK never has a 'Chak De! India' style, '70-minute' pep talk for KKR
2241 days ago
Bollywood

SRK never has a 'Chak De! India' style, '70-minute' pep talk for KKR

Mumbai, April 21 (IANS) Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan says he has never given "Chak De! India" type of lessons to his Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) team.## KKR co-owner SRK was referring to his role in the film of Kabir Khan, coach of an underdog Indian women's hockey team that goes on to win the World Cup under his guidance.## Kabir Khan's "70-minute" pep talk to his team in the film before the final match has gone onto become a contemporary pop classic moment in Bollywood.## However, as an owner of his IPL team, Shah Rukh essays a very different role.## "I was just hanging there, waving my arms from my balcony. So, when we won it, it was a vindication of belief because a lot of people started telling me to sell the team which I never would. And I don't say that out of evil, I said it out of belief and confidence," Shah Rukh said while recalling the moments when his team won the IPL.## "Actually, the first match we won, I was going to jump from my balcony, but I think my kids, I think it was my daughter who caught me. I could have flown that night, but I settled at home. I have been a sportsman all my life at a very small level, so I have never really given them some ‘Chak De! India's kind of lectures I have never done that," he added.## Shah Rukh opened up on Star Sports show "Cricket Connected". Gautam Gambhir, former captain of KKR, was also part of the episode.## Looking back at his memories about the team, Gambhir said: "He told me when I was at the auction that this is your make or break moment and he will not interfere. I just promised him one thing. I don't know when it's going to be, but by the time I leave, whether it's going to be after 3 years or 6, but by the time I leave this franchise, this franchise will be in a much better position. That's the promise I made to him."## Stay tuned...

Priyanka Chopra's homemade hair-pack solution for the scalp
2241 days ago
Bollywood

Priyanka Chopra's homemade hair-pack solution for the scalp

Mumbai, April 21 (IANS) Priyanka Chopra has turned beautician! The actress has come up with DIY tips to take care of your scalp and hair during the quarantine days.## The actress shared a video on Twitter where she can be seen preparing a hair pack with yogurt, egg and honey, the last one being her "secret ingredient".## Priyanka suggested that this is a treatment for those suffering from scalp-related problems like dry scalp and dandruff.## Sharing the ingredients in a tweet, she wrote: "Full Fat Yogurt, 1 tsp honey, 1 egg. Let it sit in your hair for 30 min and rinse with warm water.## Disclaimer: while this works wonders (for me), it doesn't smell the best. You may need to shampoo twice to remove all the yogurt, and then condition as usual."## Fans shared their inputs in the comments section. A user wrote: "Please do it on nick purely for our entertainment."## Another fan shared inputs regarding how to reduce the bad smell caused by egg and commented: "Using essential oil will reduce the bad smell. Works like a charm."## Another fan quizzed: "What is the remedy for gray hair?"## Stay tuned...

COVID-19: Kangana donates for 'Thalaivi' daily earners, southern film body
2241 days ago
Bollywood

COVID-19: Kangana donates for 'Thalaivi' daily earners, southern film body

Chennai, April 21 (IANS) Actress Kangana Ranaut, who is essays J. Jayalalithaa in the late Tamil Nadu chief minister's biopic "Thalaivi", has donated Rs 5 lakh towards the COVID-19 relief fund of Film Employees Federation of South India (FEFSI), and Rs 5 Lakh towards the daily wage workers of her film.## Several top stars of Tamil cinema have donated to the federation. Rajinikanth gave Rs 50 lakh, while actor Vijay Sethupathi has donated 10 lakhs for the welfare of FEFSI members. Suriya and his brother Karthi, along with their father, actor Sivakumar, donated Rs 10 lakh while actor Sivakarthikeyan also donated an equal amount.## Actors Parthipan and Prakash Raj have provided several rice bags weighing 25 kilos each.## Kangana had earlier contributed Rs 25 lakh to PM-CARES, apart from donating ration for daily wage earners' families. Her sister Rangoli had posted: "Kangana has also contributed to PM cares 25 lakhs and donated Ration to daily wage earners families, we need to stand united and do what best we can, many thanks from our family."## Apart from the charity, Kangana is spending her lockdown time baking for her family and playing with her nephew. Prior to the lockdown, Kangana was busy working on "Thalaivi", directed by Vijay.## Kangana had gained almost 20 kilos for her role in the film. During the lockdown period, she took the help of her personal trainer to shed five kilos for the film. Her verified fan account ran this post: "Guys, taking cues from #Kangana to workout, stay motivated and don't let the lethargy get to you. She has lost 5 kilos, long way to go!"## "Thalaivi" was initially scheduled to release on June 26 in three languages -- Tamil, Telugu, and Hindi. The revised date of release owing to delay triggered off by the COVID-19 lockdown is yet to be announced.## Stay tuned...

Anushka Sharma drops teaser of her crime thriller web series
2241 days ago
Bollywood

Anushka Sharma drops teaser of her crime thriller web series

Mumbai, April 21 (IANS) Actress Anushka Sharma has shared a short teaser of her upcoming web project.## The project is said to be a cop-based crime drama and although produced by her banner, Clean Slate Films, Anushka will not act in the show. The series is created by "NH10" writer Sudip Sharma and is said to be an investigative thriller that also acts as a scathing commentary of modern-day Indian society and politics.## The short clip the actress posted on Instagram gives an intense glimpse of the narrative.## "The countdown has begun. To change the laws of the land, worms have crept in, who will spread terror and shed blood. They will turn the world into a living hell," said the narrator in the clip.## The video hints that the project will be gory. At the end of the clip, out of the blooded screen appears a silhouette with a sharp blunt weapon -- suggesting that he will be the person behind the bloodshed.## "Sab badlega, samay, log aur lok (Everything is about to change - time, people and era)," Anushka wrote along the video.## She shared details about the new series, tagging screenplay writer Sudip Sharma and actors Jaideep Ahlawat, Neeraj Kabi and Gul Panag and Bengali actress Swastika Mukherjee among others.## Anushka is backing the project for Amazon Prime Video. Sometime back, the streaming platform had announced that Anushka is making a show for them.## Stay tuned...

COVID-19: 40 musicians from 6 nations unite for 60-minute online gig
2241 days ago
Bollywood

COVID-19: 40 musicians from 6 nations unite for 60-minute online gig

New Delhi, April 21 (IANS) Grammy Award winners like Ricky Kej from India, Laura Dickenson from the US and South African flutist Wouter Kellerman, and others will be performing from their homes and expressing their solidarity to the global lockdown and fight against COVID-19.## The 60-minute online concert on April 22, will feature 40 musicians from six countries.## Commenting on the initiative, composer, music producer, and environmentalist Ricky Kej said: "Today, music is the most consumed form of culture. The ability of music is to increase social cohesion and direct human attention, captivate and create a sense of community. The idea behind this concert is to spread awareness and appreciation for the Earth's environment which serves as a conscious reminder of how fragile our planet is and how important it is to protect it.## "The current situation has threatened the livelihood of people, species and ecosystems. We are calling everyone around the globe to rise up and come together and act to make positive and sustainable changes to protect the earth that we live on."## Artistes like Senegalese singer Baaba Maal, Hindustani classical music instrumentalist Vishwa Mohan Bhatt and singer-songwriter Lonnie Park from the US are also part of the concert hosted by One Page Spotlight - a social and professional networking site for creators and entertainment professionals.## The concert can be viewed through the official social media handles of WHO, WWF, Earth Day Network, UNFCCC, UNCCD, UNICEF and also at the official handles of One Page Spotlight.## Dr. Tedros Adhanom, Head WHO, Pavan Sukhdev, Global Head WWF, Ibrahim Thiaw Global Head, United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification, HH Sadhguru, Head Isha Foundation will be a part of the concert and speak to the viewers.## Stay tuned...

Bollywood condemns Palghar mob lynching incident
2241 days ago
Bollywood

Bollywood condemns Palghar mob lynching incident

Mumbai, April 21 (IANS) Bollywood celebrities have condemned the brutal mob lynching that claimed three lives in Maharashtra's Palghar last week.## Two sadhus and their driver, proceeding from Nashik to Surat, were attacked on April 16 by a 200-strong mob in Palghar, who were incited by rumors that the three men were robbers or kidnappers. The mob also attacked the policemen and damaged two police vans.## Bollywood celebs took to social media to condemn the brutal incident.## Actor-filmmaker Farhan Akhtar tweeted: "Strongly condemn the violence that took the lives of 3 people in Palghar. Mob rule should have no place in our society and I hope the murderers have been arrested and that justice is delivered swiftly."## Actress Richa Chadha expressed: "Horrific news from Palghar. And we'll be so quick to fit this tragedy into our respective world-views, that we'd have forgotten that we actually live among a crazed, violent, unpredictable mob! Over 100 ppl took 3 lives! Condolences to the families of the deceased. Gutted."## Actress Raveena Tandon reacted: "Visuals of the elderly sadhu being beaten flashing on tv, very very disturbing. Merely on suspicion, they were mercilessly beaten to death. Very very disturbing. What were the cops doing? They just walked away!!????"## Poet-lyricist Javed Akhtar tweeted: "Those who are responsible for the lynching of the two seers and their driver should not be spared at any cost. There shouldn't be any tolerance for a barbaric and heinous crime like lynching in a civilized society."## Veteran actor Anupam Kher reacted: "HORRIFIED AND DEEPLY DEEPLY SADDENED at the #PalgharMobLynching of three sadhus. I couldn't watch the video until the end. Yeh kya ho raha hai? Yeh kyon ho raha hai? Manavata ka jaghanya aparadh hai yeh." (What is happening? Why is it happening? This is one of the most heinous crimes in human history).## Actress Swara Bhasker expressed: "#palghar Highly condemnable! A shameful reflection of who we are as a society. Maybe time for reflection.. when you breed a culture Violence & normalize mob justice on streets.. it comes home one day... this is a disease in our society allowed to fester & become a monster!"## Filmmaker Hansal Mehta reacted: "Terrible. #Palghar."## Filmmaker Reema Kagti tweeted: "Absolutely condemn the incident at #Palghar. Swift & strong action must be taken against all the perpetrators for this brutal, barbaric attack. @CMOMaharashtra @DGPMaharashtra"## Filmmaker Vivek Agnihotri tweeted: "OMG. I woke up to such tragic news. May God give everyone wisdom in such trying times. #Palghar"## Actress Tisca Chopra expressed: "Deeply shocked to see the video of an old man lynched to death by a mob in #Palghar .. two others were also killed. Hope the murderers have been apprehended and that justice will be swift .. such mob mentality mustn't be condoned .."## Stay tuned...

COVID-19: Vicky Kaushal, Rajkummar Rao's housing complex partially sealed
2241 days ago
Bollywood

COVID-19: Vicky Kaushal, Rajkummar Rao's housing complex partially sealed

Mumbai, April 21 (IANS) Bollywood actors Vicky Kaushal and Rajkummar Raos housing complex here has been partially sealed after an 11-year-old tested positive for COVID-19.## The complex in Mumbai's Andheri area is home to Bollywood actors including Vicky, Rajkummar and Patralekhaa, and Chitrangda Singh.## The child is the daughter of a director who resides in the C-wing of the complex, prompting the BMC to partially seal the A and B wings and also sanitize the entire complex, reports timesofindia.com.## The residents of the complex have reportedly been asked to follow strict quarantine rules and take extra precautionary measures to contain the spread of the infection.## Over the past weeks, reports have stated that several buildings of film and television actors, including actress Ankita Lokhande's, were also sealed after confirmed positive COVID-19 cases were found in the area.## Bollywood personalities who have been hospitalized after testing COVID-19 positive so far are producer Karim Morani, his daughters Zoa and Shaza Morani, and singer Kanika Kapoor. All of them have been discharged after recovering.## Stay tuned...

Ajay Devgn 'humbled' as Nagpur Police screens 'Tanhaji' at shelter home
2241 days ago
Bollywood

Ajay Devgn 'humbled' as Nagpur Police screens 'Tanhaji' at shelter home

Nagpur, April 21 (IANS) Nagpur Police have started screening films by setting up open theatres at shelter homes for the homeless and daily wage laborers stranded in the city. The first film to be screened was Ajay Devgn's latest blockbuster "Tanhaji: The Unsung Warrior".## "Watching a film redirects the attention and it's an excellent way to decrease anxiety. Nagpur Police has set up an open theatre at the Shelter Homes. #NagpurPolice #alwaysthere4u @ajaydevgn," Nagpur City Police announced on their official Twitter handle.## Reacting to the tweet, Bollywood star Ajay Devgn expressed: "If I or my films can help in any way, it makes me happy. Great efforts by you sirs. Humbled. @NagpurPolice"## Recently, Ajay Devgn took to social media to laud the selfless dedication and hard work of Mumbai Police who are going through a lot to ensure law and order amid lockdown.## "Dear Mumbai Police, you are known as one of the BEST in the world. Your contribution to the COVID-19 pandemic is unparalleled. Singham will wear his Khakee and stand beside you whenever you ask. Jai Hind, Jai Maharashtra @CPMumbaiPolice @MumbaiPolice," the actor had tweeted.## Stay tuned...

Vir Das on spreading smiles amid COVID-19 crisis
2241 days ago
Bollywood

Vir Das on spreading smiles amid COVID-19 crisis

New Delhi, April 21 (IANS) Actor-comedian Vir Das wants to spread smiles to raise funds amid the COVID-19 crisis, and he believes in fighting back with a sense of humor.## Vir is raising funds through his special "Vir Das At Home" gigs, where he performs for an audience online. The funds raised from the shows go to different causes.## Asked about the need to spread laughter, Vir told IANS: "What's the alternative?"## "That's the way I look at it. I get a fair amount of hatred every day on Twitter. I have lots of people telling me ‘oh you are an anti-national', you are insensitive, inappropriate, disrespectful… I respond by asking ‘what's the alternative'. Is the alternative not to smile? Is the alternative not to crack the joke? Is the alternative not to laugh? I don't think it is a good alternative in these times," he added.## Vir continued: "Right now you have two choices -- You can let coronavirus get you down or you can fight back with your sense of humor. I chose option B.## Vir, who is seen in Netflix's web show "Hasmukh", says that he is "digging" the lockdown period.## "We recently announced six shows and the proceeds of all the shows will go to different charities. I am spending my time trying to raise money to battle the virus… When you donate, it's a start and you can continue it by raising more money. So, I am trying to raise as much money as I can," he said.## For the comedy special, he sits in front of a computer and connects with his audiences.## "Nobody likes sitting in front of a computer for one hour. It's not the ideal environment. But it has raised money, and I will continue doing that," he stressed.## On the work front, the actor is currently seen in the Netflix series, "Hasmukh", which he has co-created and written with Nikkhil Advani.## "Hasmukh" is about an ambitious comic who realizes that the only way he can "kill it on stage" is if he "kills off stage".## Talking about the challenges he faced while working on the show, Vir said: "The challenge was to convince people to let me do a show like this. I don't think had I not written it, I would get to be a part of it in this capacity as a leader of the show.## "I had to create the opportunity. What helped was that I did a short film with Milap Zaveri titled ‘Raakh'. That was dark. So, when that came out and got a good response, then I thought that it was a good time to go out in the market with an idea like that."## Stay tuned...

Ali Fazal: Thought I was cantankerous
2241 days ago
Bollywood

Ali Fazal: Thought I was cantankerous

Mumbai, April 20 (IANS) Actor Ali Fazal, who is gearing up for the release of "Mirzapur" season two, says he used to think of himself as a cantankerous person.## Ali treated his fans to a question-answer session on Instagram, where a user praised him by saying: "Your acting is fabulous"## To which, Ali replied: "I thought I was cantankerous. I can live with fabulous."## Another user said: "When expectations run high, small achievements appear like failures."## "May failures never let us be shy, the world was set when risks and standards were set high."## Asked about the release of the second season of "Mirzapur" release, Ali gave a funny reply with a "Game Of Thrones" reference: "The winter is coming."## "Mirzapur", a crime thriller web series, revolves around drugs, guns, and lawlessness. It also stars Kulbhushan Kharbanda, Pankaj Tripathi and Rasika Duggal.## Stay tuned...

Salim-Sulaiman working on song in praise of Lord Shiva
2241 days ago
Bollywood

Salim-Sulaiman working on song in praise of Lord Shiva

Mumbai, April 21 (IANS) Music composers Salim-Sulaiman have put the release of their much-awaited album "Bhoomi 2020" on hold, but they are working on a song about Lord Shiva.## During a chat with Salim on Twitter, a fan-made a request saying: "You are a fantastic musician. Expecting lot's or singles and originals from you. I still get goosebumps when I listen to maula mere or Ali maula or tujhme rab dikhta hai. Will, u plz. compose something on Lord Shiva? It's a request from a fan."## The singer and composer responded saying: "We are working on a song in praise of Lord Shiva."## He also shared that there is a delay in the release of their album "Bhoomi 2020".## "It's not the best time to release #Bhoomi2020. Humanity is going through a very rough time. Let the planet heal & then we can celebrate with the release of our most awaited album Bhoomi 2020," Salim tweeted referring to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.## In an earlier interview with IANS, he had revealed: "We have composed and recorded some songs with Shreya Ghoshal, Arijit Singh and more. We have an album. The first series of 'Bhoomi' had released in 1999. We thought it was time to release 2.0."## Stay tuned...

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