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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

SRK, Priyanka Chopra join Lady Gaga for corona relief concert
2243 days ago
Bollywood

SRK, Priyanka Chopra join Lady Gaga for corona relief concert

Mumbai, April 19 (IANS) Indian superstars Shah Rukh Khan and Priyanka Chopra Jonas joined Lady Gaga's star-studded "One World: Together at Home" to celebrate healthcare workers fighting against the coronavirus pandemic and urged everyone to stay strong during the health crisis.## Over 70 artists and celebrities from across the world joined the concert to honor the frontline workers. The virtual concert, organized by the WHO and Global Citizen on Saturday, was hosted by Jimmy Fallon, Jimmy Kimmel, and Stephen Colbert. The event included performances and appearances from Taylor Swift, Elton John, Celine Dion, Jennifer Lopez, Madonna, The Rolling Stones, Stevie Wonder, and Paul McCartney.## Shah Rukh opened up about the coronavirus outbreak in India and delved into the plight faced by the people.## "India is facing one of its greatest challenges, in our history. With a population of over a billion citizens, the strength of COVID-19 is bound to have a negative impact on the country. Like, it is impacting the rest of the world too," Shah Rukh said in a video clip.## "Battling this crisis is going to take its toll, and this is the time to take action. Right now, I'm working with a team of people to provide protective equipment, quarantine centers, food and essentials to patients, hospitals and homes. But to beat this worldwide pandemic, the world must come together," he added.## He continued: "So find out how you can contact World and private sector leaders, and ask them to continue to contribute to WHO's Solidarity Response Fund, so they can help to continue the hardest of areas and people who desperately need it. India, planet earth, we are one world. I love you, stay strong."## Priyanka, who is a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador, spoke on the challenges faced by the refugee camps all over the world.## "I have witnessed first hand the overcrowded and unlivable conditions in refugee camps ... The camps need health care, clean water, and sanitation to stand through the pandemic," said Priyanka, who has worked with Shah Rukh in the "Don" series.## The mega concert also had acted by Chris Martin, Lizzo, Billie Eilish, John Legend, Kacey Musgraves, and Jennifer Lopez among many others.## The US event featured the likes of Jennifer Hudson, Michael Buble, Annie Lennox, Common, The Killers, Luis Fonsi, Adam Lambert, Liam Payne, Niall Horan, Rita Ora, Ellie Goulding, Ke$ha, and Jessie J. The event aired in India on AXN and Sony PIX.## Stay tuned...

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'Pyaar Karona': Salman Khan comes up with a song on coronavirus
2243 days ago
Bollywood

'Pyaar Karona': Salman Khan comes up with a song on coronavirus

Mumbai, April 19 (IANS) Superstar Salman Khan is again set to showcase his singing skills as he sung a song, titled "Pyaar Karona", aiming to cheer up people amid the coronavirus lockdown.## Written by Salman and Hussain Dalal, "Pyaar Karona" will be released on Salman's YouTube channel on Monday.## Sharing the news among his followers, Salman took to social media and wrote: "So I'm posting from my handle to let you know that tomorrow on my YouTube channel, mine kya? It's ours! A song out tomorrow on it, hope you can handle it."## Along with it, Salman shared the song's teaser video in which he is is seen singing, "pyaar karona, aitraat karona."## Music composers Sajid and Wajid have composed the track.## Apart from this, Salman has been seen creating COVID-19 awareness among people through his videos on social media.## Recently, he came out with a very serious message for those who have violated the COVID-19 lockdown. He even called the violators "jokers".## Salman is currently self-isolating at his Panvel farmhouse.## Stay tuned...

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John Abraham lauds India's spirit of unity during COVID-19 battle
2243 days ago
Bollywood

John Abraham lauds India's spirit of unity during COVID-19 battle

Mumbai, April 18 (IANS) Action star John Abraham lauds India in a new video created by his "Satyameva Jayate" director Milap Milan Zaveri. John says he wanted to be a part of this gesture that tells people how strong they have become by uniting during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.## As people across the country band together to battle against one common enemy -- the novel coronavirus pandemic -- Milap decided to do his bit. The filmmaker created a motivational video that talks about the strength of India stemming from the unity of its people.## John recites a poem titled "Mera Bharat Mahaan" in the video, which has been penned by Milap.## "When Milap came to me with this idea, I knew I had to do it. I wanted to be a part of this gesture that tells people how strong we have become by uniting in this dire situation and thank those who are risking their lives every day to help others. Humanity as a race is facing this threat on a global level and it is our job to help, motivate and inspire each other in any way we can. Through this video, we just wanted to tell everyone out there that we shall overcome this," said John.## Talking about the video and his inspiration behind it, Milap said: "My inspiration comes from the power that we as a country have shown to fight this situation. We have stood together in this battle and are continuing to do so every day by following the protocol and staying safe in our homes."## "At the same time, the major reason we will win this battle is due to the medical professionals and policemen who are out there trying to save everyone they can. The video is dedicated to all these Bravehearts and to the entire country. I wanted to do my bit, to show the people how they are heroes. Thanks to the cooperation of my team and of course, John, we have tried to show our gratitude by capturing what we all feel," he added.## The video is conceptualized and written by Milap and edited by Maahir Zaveri and Sagar Manik. The tune is given by Lijo George with Azeem Dayani as the music supervisor and sound design and mix provided by Kunal Mehta and Parikshit Lalvani.## Stay tuned...

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Kangana Ranaut: Rangoli and I 'will publicly apologize' if anyone finds an offensive tweet
2243 days ago
Bollywood

Kangana Ranaut: Rangoli and I 'will publicly apologize' if anyone finds an offensive tweet

Mumbai, April 18 (IANS) Actress Kangana Ranaut has come up in support of her sister Rangoli Chandel, whose verified Twitter account was suspended recently over a controversial post.## Kangana's sister and manager Rangoli's post was reported by several people who considered it a hate tweet.## The actress shared an Instagram video message on Saturday where she says if anyone can find a tweet where Rangoli says anything offensive, "then we both will publicly apologize for ".## "My sister Rangoli Chandel had specifically mentioned that people who have attacked doctors and police personnel should be shot dead," Kangana says in her video message, adding that celebrities like "Farah Ali Khan Ji and Reema Kagti Ji made a false allegation" that Rangoli's comment was community-specific.## The actress added that she and her sister did not believe that every person "attacking doctors and cops" belonged to any particular community.## Kangana also took a dig at Twitter for blocking her sister's account. "I know the nation is going through a lot right now but we have to find a way to completely demolish these (social media) platforms and start our own platforms," she said.## Towards the end of the video message, the actress referred to a controversial video of wrestler Babita Phogat. "I saw Babita Phogat ji's video today. The way she is being harassed, I would request the central government to provide her security in this hour," she said.## Stay tuned...

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Arjun Kapoor: Love is the most unifying emotion
2243 days ago
Bollywood

Arjun Kapoor: Love is the most unifying emotion

Mumbai, April 18 (IANS) The romantic drama "2 States", starring Alia Bhatt and Arjun Kapoor was released six years ago on this date and highlighted the feel-good romance of a Punjabi boy and a Tamil girl.## on Saturday, Arjun spoke to real-life couples who were culturally opposite and yet found common ground in love, noting that love was the most unifying emotion.## " '2 States' is and will always be one of the most special films of my life and on its sixth anniversary, I'm trying to do something really special. For me, love is the most unifying emotion and it transcends all barriers. I will be highlighting some really special, real-life love stories on my social media," Arjun said.## "2 States", an adaptation of Chetan Bhagat's bestseller novel of the same name, was directed by Abhishek Varman.## "I will be speaking to some couples who come from poles apart from cultural backgrounds but have found their pure love to be the perfect glue between them and their contrasting families. These couples truly highlight the spirit of our film's core messaging - 2 states, One love and I can't wait to speak to them and tell you all more about their fantastic love stories!" Arjun said.## Stay tuned...

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Hema Malini, Javed Akhtar condemn Moradabad attack on medical team
2244 days ago
Bollywood

Hema Malini, Javed Akhtar condemn Moradabad attack on medical team

Mumbai, April 18 (IANS) Actress-politician Hema Malini and poet-lyricist Javed Akhtar have condemned the attack on a medical team and the stone pelting at an ambulance in Uttar Pradesh's Moradabad earlier this week.## Calling it "utterly disgusting", Hema Malini tweeted on Saturday: "Friends, I'm sure u must have read abt/watched how our brave corona warriors have been attacked in certain pockets with stone-pelting causing severe injuries to them. Docs, nurses, policemen, none are spared! Utterly disgusting! These ppl are sacrificing so much-treat them with respect."## The actress also shared a video message in Hindi, where she says: "This kind of behavior is not expected during the second lockdown. Just a couple of days ago, some people attacked an ambulance, pelted stones and spat on it. You should be ashamed. Please save some amount of humanity within yourself."## "Corona warriors are risking their lives to help us stay safe in this dangerous situation. Those who are attacking Doctors, health workers, police force and journalists should be taught a lesson. We are alive due to corona warriors please don't forget this. I would request the administration to take strong action against the offenders," she added.## Javed Akhtar also took to Twitter on Saturday to condemn the incident, calling it a "matter of great shame".## He wrote: "I can't imagine how ignorant one has to be to attack those who are at the risk of their own lives are out there to save other lives What has happened in Moradabad is a matter of great shame I request the educated people of that city to somehow contact and educate such ignorants."## On Wednesday, a mob in Moradabad's Nawabpura area tried to stop a medical team from taking a novel coronavirus-infected man into isolation. They hurled stones at an ambulance injuring one doctor and three paramedics. A police vehicle was also damaged in the attack.## Seventeen persons, including seven women, were arrested after the incident.## Earlier, Bollywood personalities like producer Ashoke Pandit, filmmaker Onir and actress Swara Bhasker condemned the attack.## Stay tuned...

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Hrithik Roshan wishes birthday to 4-year-old fan
2244 days ago
Bollywood

Hrithik Roshan wishes birthday to 4-year-old fan

Mumbai, April 18 (IANS) Bollywood actor Hrithik Roshan made a four-year-old boy's birthday extra special by sending him a special message.## A social media user took to Twitter, where she shared a video of her toddler son talking about her favorite actor Hrithik.## She captioned it: "Sir @iHrithik My son Ved turns 4 today. He is a big big fan of yours and thinks himself as you . If you could please wish him, he will be extremely happy. Here is his fan moment just for you."## To which, Hrithik replied: "Too sweet. Belated birthday wishes to Ved...all my love."## Amid lockdown due to coronavirus, Hrithik has decided to provide 1.2 lakh nutritious cooked meals for those who are unable to provide for themselves in these times of COVID-19 lockdown.## Hrithik has also provided N95 and FFP3 masks for the BMC workers and caretakers.## Stay tuned...

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Big B compares human beings in lockdown to caged animals
2244 days ago
Bollywood

Big B compares human beings in lockdown to caged animals

Mumbai, April 18 (IANS) Actor Amitabh Bachchan has compared human beings in lockdown to caged animals, in a new blog post. He added that once the lockdown phase is over, we might feel hesitant to step out of our homes.## "The process of �working from home' bears fruit each day.. and when the day arrives, for arrive it will, when the doors shall open.. there could be hesitant indulgence on whether to step out or not.. cage an animal for years and years and years , and then suddenly one day just open the doors and see its reaction.. it looks out the door, takes a hesitant step out.. glances up at it keeper with that puzzled expression.. what.. you mean I can actually leave.. seriously?" he wrote.## Big B further opined: "We are in the same syndrome.. all of us.. most of the initiation has already begun.. wire it , cut the paper work, draft it and mail, ConCall it na.. ya ya he'll be at home -- no one's stepping out.. etc., etc., etc..."## Not just his blog, the actor also shared some lighthearted humour about the situation on Twitter.## He tweeted in Hindi: "Achha ek aur baat taye hai, in dino, jab phone aye, toh yeh bhi nahi kaha ja sakta ki saheb ghar mein nahi hai..." (These days if someone tries to reach you via a phone call, then you cannot escape talking to that person by making someone else say saheb is not at home!)## Stay tuned...

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Big B is like a 'godfather' to singer Avitesh Shrivastava
2244 days ago
Bollywood

Big B is like a 'godfather' to singer Avitesh Shrivastava

Mumbai, April 18 (IANS) Late composer Aadesh Shrivastava's son Avitesh, who recently unveiled his single "Yaadein", is super happy to receive praise for the song from Bollywood veteran Amitabh Bachchan.## Taking to his Twitter, Big B wrote: "Son follows in his Father's footsteps #Yaadein encapsulates love and remembrance. In these trying times, a song with the hope that reminds distance & separation means nothing when someone means everything."## And Big B's wishes mean a lot to Avitesh.## "A big void after my father's death and I wish he was alive to see me succeed. I and my family I am forever grateful to have Amit uncle as a Godfather in our lives. Have known Amit uncle from the time when I was a little kid. My dad had a great equation with him. They used to be rolling in laughter when they both used to meet and always spoke in a certain lingo. They had great camaraderie," Avitesh said.## Avitesh was inclined towards music since an early age of 11 when he used to go to the studio along with his late father. His debut song was " Main Hu Tera".## Stay tuned...

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Aditya Narayan: Promoting independent music is difficult
2244 days ago
Bollywood

Aditya Narayan: Promoting independent music is difficult

New Delhi, April 18 (IANS) Singer Aditya Narayan, who has come out with his own track "Main dooba rahoon", says the more he promotes his independent music the more he realizes how difficult it is to make a breakthrough.## "It's really difficult to make independent music. My heart goes out to all independent musicians, who are not known by a large chunk of people for me it has been a lot easier because I have been working for a long time and people know me. The more I promote my independent music the more I realize actually how difficult it is to (make a) breakthrough because In, a nutshell everything costs money and an aspiring musician obviously doesn't have a lot of it.## "I was also an aspiring musician when my songs in 'Ram-Leela' had released. The songs from the film and the songs did really well..."## Aditya said he did not sit back after that instead he did look for more opportunities that did not materialize.## "That's when I kind of realized that I won't rely on music for anyone or my career. If I get it good and If I don't get it then also good. But that's when I created music for myself. I created my own band. The A-Team," he added.## He said that his latest release "Main Dooba Rahoon" is actually a six-year-old song.## "We made this in 2014 just after I finished just 'Goliyon Ki Rasleela Ram-Leela' released and I formed my band... I could always imagine a beach video because the song was "Main Dooba Rahun"... When I saw the budget I realized that budget was very high. But then soon TV started throwing a lot of offers at me. One needs to earn money..."## After hosting a lot of television shows, Aditya said he finally had enough money to make a music video for "Main Dooba Rahoon", which has currently over a whopping seven million views on YouTube in just five days of its release.## "I realized that I have enough money to fuel my dreams and make a few music videos and market it... Last year, I went to the Maldives and shot two music videos there...But 'Main Dooba Rahoon' was my priority video. It is a long 6-year-old dream coming true for me," he said.## Aditya shared that all proceeds of the songs go to charity.## "It goes to PM-CARES fund for the fight against COVID-19. I am not doing this for the money. So if you are watching my video or listening to the song on any app or YouTube, you're not just entertaining yourself. You're making a little difference. We are seeing such grey times right now so I thought let me do something good. It makes me feel good from within as I am not just pushing my song but it is also for a good cause."## Stay tuned...

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Ayushmann Khurrana: Cinema can change mindsets
2244 days ago
Bollywood

Ayushmann Khurrana: Cinema can change mindsets

Mumbai, April 18 (IANS) Actor Ayushmann Khurrana says art and cinema can do a lot to change mindsets.## He opened up on the subject in the context of his last-released film, "Shubh Mangal Zyada Saavdhan".## "This movie (�Shubh Mangal Zyada Saavdhan') is very close to my heart. It has been a while since same-sex love was decriminalized. However, I believe we have a long way to go before society accepts it," Ayushmann said.## " �Shubh Mangal Zyada Saavdhan' is a lighter take on the reality of homophobia that exists in India and also an attempt to bring such unconventional stories to the fore. Art and cinema, in my opinion, can do a lot to change mindsets. With �Shubh Mangal Zyada Saavdhan' that was our intent -- to bring the conversation on same-sex love to all of India," he added.## Directed by Hitesh Kewalya, "Shubh Mangal Zyada Saavdhan" is a love story between two young men in smalltown India, played by Ayushmann and Jitendra Kumar. The film also features Gajraj Rao and Neena Gupta among many others. The film premiered on Amazon Prime Video on April 18.## "I am happy to have been a part of it and excited for the film to digitally premiere on Amazon Prime Video where it will reach a global audience," Ayushmann added.## Stay tuned...

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COVID-19: Richa Chadha pitches in to provide meals for needy
2244 days ago
Bollywood

COVID-19: Richa Chadha pitches in to provide meals for needy

Mumbai, April 17 (IANS) The nationwide lockdown due to the coronavirus pandemic has been harsh on many, and actress Richa Chadha is doing her bit. She has taken to donating food to a Gurudwara here and has urged others to follow suit.## The actress came to know that the Gurudwara had been providing meals to the needy. Then she decided to offer help.## "It's the time when our humanity is being tested and I believe in the goodness in people. People have really come together. This pandemic is bringing out the worst and best in humans. While some are making racist, communal comments, civil society is going out of its way to care for animals, along with humans. It's not about the big gestures or who donated how many crores (of money). I am only talking about this, because I urge others to do the same, take baby steps," said Richa.## When she contacted the people at the Gurudwara, they said they will accept ration and not money.## "So I went with the number of groceries I could procure nearby, which was little, like 10-20 kgs. Now I have learned that they need as much as 250 kgs every single day, so I am figuring out a wholesale place that can get me food grains and pulses in that large quantity," she said.## She understands that many people can't afford to donate lots of money, but that shouldn't stop them from doing their bit.## "Even if you can support one person, or one family at this time, that's good. People may ask 'how does it make a difference? It's just one person'. But it makes a difference to that one person because that person is no longer hungry. We must be kind to each other in these times," she concluded.## Stay tuned...

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