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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

Lockdown diaries: Katrina's brooming session turns into cricket game!
2267 days ago
Bollywood

Lockdown diaries: Katrina's brooming session turns into cricket game!

Mumbai, March 25 (IANS) Katrina Kaif is emerging as Bollywood's Lockdown Star. After her videos of dishwashing, working out, and strumming the guitar trended over the past few days, the actress has now taken to brooming to stay occupied at home.## A video that Katrina posted on Wednesday shows the actress brooming the floors of her home. What's more, once the chore got done, Katrina had other imaginative ideas to put the broom to good use.## She is seen using the broom as a bat, to polish her cricketing skills!## "Day 21 lockdown-One day at a time guys.......we all gotta do our part........ I am apparently @isakaif part is to give commentary and pro tips while seated .. Gotta mix it up ..... this is seriously good exercise btw #stayhome #helpoutathome," she captioned the video, shot by her sister Isabelle.## Meanwhile, on the work front, Katrina will be seen opposite Akshay Kumar in Rohit Shetty's cop drama "Sooryavanshi". The film was slated to release on March 24 but has been pushed back indefinitely owing to the COVID-19 outbreak.## For more and latest news about Bollywood, stay tuned with us.

Arjun Kapoor pens emotional note on mother's eighth death anniversary
2267 days ago
Bollywood

Arjun Kapoor pens emotional note on mother's eighth death anniversary

Mumbai, March 25 (IANS) Actor Arjun Kapoor has penned an emotional note on his mother Mona Shourie's eighth death anniversary on Monday. He said that he has managed to survive eight years of being an actor.## Arjun on Wednesday tweeted a photograph of himself along with his sister Anshula, and Mona.## Alongside the picture, he wrote: "I wish I could be at home like this today would have felt safe & maybe even smiled more than anyone has ever seen me smile. It's been 8 years today since you left us Mom... the world has come to a standstill now but mine and @anshulakapoor' s world was shattered when u left forget standing still....## "We have tried to pick up the pieces some days are tougher than others though...## I've managed to survive 8 years of being an actor & a working individual she's also started her own business with @FankindOfficial !!!"## He said that Anshula "more or less runs the house".## "And I run to her if I need something in the house or in life."## The "2 States" actor shared how he wanted to spend more time with his mother, who passed away due to cancer.## "The world has changed Maa right now at this moment I wish I had you at home would have spent so much time with u that I couldn't when I was trying to lose weight do my acting classes and when I was away shooting 'Ishaqzaade' during ur chemotherapy," he said.## He added: "...I love u Maa I miss u Maa... I miss having your name show up on my phone to check up on me... I just hope wherever you are you are happy and watching over ur 2 brat," he said.## For more and latest news about Bollywood, stay tuned with us.

Diljit hilariously requests people to stop posting workout videos amid COVID-19
2267 days ago
Bollywood

Diljit hilariously requests people to stop posting workout videos amid COVID-19

Mumbai, March 25 (IANS) It seems singer-actor Diljit Dosanjh is fed up of seeing people's workout videos and pictures amid coronavirus outbreak.## On Wednesday, Diljit took to his Instagram account and posted a picture in which we can see him holding a placard that reads, "stop posting your home workouts."## Taking a hilarious dig, Diljit also asked people to "khao piyo aish karo mitro ( eat, drink and have fun)".## "Workout kisey nu dikhayeo na...te nede kise de jayio na ( Don't show your workout to others and don't go close to someone)," he added.## Agreeing to him, actor Ravi Dubey commented: "sahi baat."## Actor Karan Tacker wrote: "haha legit."## On the work front, Diljit, who was last seen in "Good Newwz", will be next seen in "Jodi".## For more and latest news about Bollywood, stay tuned with us.

Shahid Kapoor to be seen in an action film after 'Jersey'
2267 days ago
Bollywood

Shahid Kapoor to be seen in an action film after 'Jersey'

Mumbai, March 25 (IANS) On an Instagram QnA session, actor Shahid revealed a few details about his upcoming projects. Apart from the cricket drama "Jersey", he said he would also be seen in an "action film".## Shahid Kapoor made his Bollywood debut opposite Amrita Rao in "Ishq Vishk" in 2003. Since then, they have co-starred in films like "Vaah! Life Ho Toh Aisi!" (2005) and "Vivah" (2006). It's been a while since the two have shared screen space, and Shahid says he misses working with Amrita. When a fan asked Shahid about his experience working with Amrita, he said: " Amrita is a special co-star. I miss working with her. She is a wonderful actor."## The interactive online session did not end here. Shahid also answered questions about his film "Haider" in which he shaved his hair off.## When a fan asked him what his biggest lesson from 'Haider' was, Shahid quipped: "Sar mundvao to bal wapas aane mein bahut time lagta hai (It's not easy to grow back hair after you've shaved your head)."## For more and latest news about Bollywood, stay tuned with us.

COVID-19 effect: Hrithik, Sussanne temporarily live together to take care of sons
2268 days ago
Bollywood

COVID-19 effect: Hrithik, Sussanne temporarily live together to take care of sons

Mumbai, March 25 (IANS) Hrithik Roshan became emotional after his former wife Sussanne Khan temporarily moved back with him to take care of their sons together, amid the coronavirus outbreak.## Taking to his social media, Hrithik penned a lengthy 'thank you' note for Sussanne.## "It is unimaginable for me, as a parent, to think of having to be separated from my children at a time when the country is practicing lockdowns.## "It is heartwarming to see the world come together as one in this time of deep uncertainty and the possibility of months of social distancing and potential lockdowns for several weeks perhaps.## "While the world talks about humanity coming together, I think it represents more than just an idea especially for parents sharing custody of their kids. How to keep their kids close to them without infringing on the right of the other who also has an equal right to be with his/her children," he wrote.## Along with the post, he uploaded a picture of Sussanne sitting in bed, sipping off a coffee mug.## "This is a picture of dear Sussanne (my ex-wife), who has graciously volunteered to temporarily move out of her home so that our children are not disconnected indefinitely from either one of us. Thank you Sussanne for being so supportive and understanding in our journey of co-parenting," Hrithik added.## Hrithik and Sussanne ended their 17-year-old relationship in 2013 and got divorced in 2014. They have two sons -- Hrehaan and Hridhaan.## For more and latest news about Bollywood, stay tuned with us.

Rishi Kapoor angry when netizens ask him if he's well-stocked up on alcohol
2268 days ago
Bollywood

Rishi Kapoor angry when netizens ask him if he's well-stocked up on alcohol

Mumbai, March 25 (IANS) Bollywood veteran Rishi Kapoor is furious after a section of social media teasingly asked him if he was well stocked up on alcohol, what with the 21-day lockdown being announced in the wake of COVID-19 pandemic.## It all started when Kapoor posted his opinion on the lockdown. "One for all, all for one. Let us do what we have to do. We have no option. We will all keep one another busy and entertained for the coming time. No worries. No panic. Sala isko bhi dekh lenge. PM Ji don't worry we are with you! Jai Hind," he wrote.## Commenting on his tweet, a user wrote: "Daaru Ka Kota Full Hai Na Chinto Chacha"## Another user asked: "Sir whisky ka stock Kar liya?"## Still another user commented: "Chintubhai full stock rakha hai.."## This irked Kapoor and he retorted with a tweet in bold letters: "ANYONE CRACKING JOKES ABOUT MY COUNTRY OR ON MY LIFESTYLE, WILL BE DELETED. BE AWARE AND WARNED. THIS IS A SERIOUS MATTER. HELP US TO TIDE OVER THE SITUATION."## The veteran actor also individually replied to the trolls. To the user enquiring about his stock of whiskey, Rishi Kapoor wrote: "These a***holes think it's funny. Being deleted."## He replied to another troll saying: "Ye ek aur idiot."## Needless to say, the actor is extremely disturbed by netizens' behavior and hence decided to give them a piece of his mind.## Recently, Rishi Kapoor tweeted a picture of a funny-looking man along with a text which reads, "5 days at home listening to the wife."## He captioned it: "On a lighter note! Side effects of the Coronavirus."## The tweet did not go down well with filmmaker Shoojit Sircar who sarcastically replied: "Ya just 5 days.. woman /wife's/mothers have been locked down since generations serving the family."## On Tuesday evening, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced a complete lockdown for 21 days to prevent the spreading of the COVID 19 pandemic. Soon after, veteran actor Rishi Kapoor took to Twitter to encourage citizens to cooperate during the lockdown.## For more and latest news about Bollywood, stay tuned with us.

Sidharth Shukla: Shehnaaz is a dear friend
2268 days ago
Bollywood

Sidharth Shukla: Shehnaaz is a dear friend

Mumbai, March 25 (IANS) Actor Sidharth Shukla says Shehnaaz Gill is his "dear friend", and adds that his bond with her hasn't changed after "Bigg Boss 13".## Sidharth and Shehnaaz's relationship was one of the most talked-about topics of "Bigg Boss 13". In fact, their fans gave their bond a name -- #SidNaaz -- and the hashtag keeps on trending on the social media. They united once again to feature in the music video of singer Darshan Rawal's new number, "Bhula Dunga".## "Working with Shehnaaz has been fabulous. She is a fun-loving person who brings a lot of positive energy! It's been great working with Shehnaaz," Sidharth told IANS.## "Shehnaaz is spontaneous and fun and hence working with her overall lightens the mood," he added.## Talking about how the bond changed after the show, the "Bigg Boss 13" winner said: "Knowing someone when you are locked up inside the house versus outside is very different. The bond however is still the same as we still meet each other the same way we were inside the house."## Shehnaaz has been quite open about her feelings for Sidharth, and even declared that she loves him.## Asked how he defines his relationship with Shehnaaz, Sidharth said: "She's a dear friend."## Sidharth feels "Bhula Dunga" is a song of love, heartbreak, memories and the happy moments of a relationship.## "It's been a fantastic experience working on this song and it's truly a fabulous team! Darshan is a fabulous singer and extremely talented, Punit Pathak is stellar at his work and the entire team working on the project is fabulous. Everyone has put in so much hard work into the song and I am grateful for the positive feedback we are garnering," he said.## For more and latest news about Bollywood, stay tuned with us.

Sunil Grover on low moments of his life
2268 days ago
Bollywood

Sunil Grover on low moments of his life

New Delhi, March 25 (IANS) Comedian-actor Sunil Grover has been bringing smiles on people's faces with his funny acts for long but he has now opened up on the low moments of his life.## Comedians are like everyone else have their high and low moments too, he shared.## "The important thing is to learn from each experience. I have seen my father struggle every day to pursue his dreams and that has taught me to never give up on mine," Sunil told IANS.## "When I was struggling in the industry, I learned that there were many others like me, who were ‘superstars' of their town - and ‘strugglers' here (in Mumbai). But I kept my calm and believed in myself, I tried to reach out to people in the industry for work. Soon I started getting work and realized how fortunate I was and regained my strength bit by bit," added the artiste, who has done TV shows, movies, and web series.## In films like "Baaghi", he has gone beyond comedy. Does Bollywood give him more opportunities as an actor as compared to television?## "All my roles in films or comedy shows, have been different. Yes, of course, this ('Baaghi') was a challenging role for me as I played the lead actress' father, a character that was years older than my real age. I streaked my hair grey and picked up a Punjabi accent for the part," recalled the "Bharat" actor.## He is happy doing "well-written characters that make my audience laugh" irrespective of the platform.## "The objective for television, theatre or radio, is the same - to entertain. Television is a medium where you have to work on your character on an everyday basis and films is the medium where when you get to work, you have to work before it starts," he explained.## Elaborating further, Sunil said: "In television, the character grows with time because it's a long-running affair most of the time but in films, the character's story has a beginning, middle and an end and then after some time a new journey starts with a new character."## "For me, both the mediums have their own charm. Working on films and television, both give opportunities to explore me as an actor and enjoy the journey," he added.## He has played many comic characters but Gutthi remains a favorite of many.## "According to me, the audience connects with this character the most because it is an amalgamation of various characters that you come across in your day-to-day life. Guthi is a whole package, a blockbuster entertainer," he said.## He has donned the sari or a suit to play other women characters too. When he was first asked to play a woman's character, was he a bit hesitant?## "I have been someone who has always been good at mimicry, acting and making people laugh. While playing a character, I don't think of gender. Till the time I can make people laugh without offending anyone, I am not hesitant. I only take 10 minutes to get dressed for a male character and 20 minutes in total to be ready as Gutthi. Also, I like it when people call out my character name as it is very overwhelming that they are aware of the characters I play," said Sunil.## He has also been on multiple tours, the latest being Imperial Blue Superhit Nights Season 6, which brought together music and comedy.## "This is a unique combination not just for the audience, but also for me as a performer. What made this most exciting is that I got to perform with legends such as Vishal and Shekhar," he said about working with the composer duo.## For more and latest news about Bollywood, stay tuned with us.

COVID-19: Dia Mirza raises concern for senior citizens living alone
2268 days ago
Bollywood

COVID-19: Dia Mirza raises concern for senior citizens living alone

Mumbai, March 25 (IANS) Actress Dia Mirza has taken to social media to raise concern for senior citizens living alone as there is a lockdown across the nation amidst widespread coronavirus scare.## She has tweeted urging the government to clarify curfew guidelines so that the vulnerable sections of society can plan better for the days ahead.## "I live at CHS where 80% of our residents are senior citizens. Many living alone. We have no access to vegetables and fruits as all vendors say the police haven't allowed them to go to the main market. Online deliveries are shut. Essentials are essential," she tweeted on March 24.## "We have put in place health protocols keeping in mind the age/needs of our senior members. This curfew needs guidelines that allow neighborhood vegetable vendors to reach the wholesale market. Respect the need for curfew BUT it needs to ensure essentials are not affected," she added.## She is sympathetic to the protocols issued by the government and acknowledges the noble intentions behind them.## She added via Twitter: "We understand what you are dealing with currently cannot be easy by any measure. And you are doing this keeping our health in mind."## But she has also asked, "how we can find solutions so that all can continue to have access to essentials".## In order to tackle the pandemic, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has announced a complete lockdown for 21 days beginning March 25.## For more and latest news about Bollywood, stay tuned with us.

Bollywood extends full support to PM Modi's 21-day lockdown
2268 days ago
Bollywood

Bollywood extends full support to PM Modi's 21-day lockdown

Mumbai, March 25 (IANS) As Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced a nationwide lockdown for 21 days on Tuesday evening to fight the COVID-19 pandemic, B-Town took to social media to express their support and urge citizens to cooperate and stay indoors.## Bollywood veteran Amitabh Bachchan wrote a poem in Hindi which reads: "Hath Hain jodte vinamrata se aaj hum, Sune adesh Pradhan ka, sada tum aur hum. Yeh bandish Jo lagi hai, jeevdayee banegi, 21 Dino ka sankalp nishchit corona dafnayegi."## Veteran Bollwood star Dilip Kumar tweeted: "Dawa bui, dua bhi## Pehle kuch faasla bhi## Woh kareem hai raheem hai## Aur wahi mushkil kusha bhi...## My sincere appeal to all of you, #StayHome and obey the #CoronavirusLockdown. God bless us all."## Veteran filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt shared on Twitter: "We are now at a collective turning point, where we must stop, listen & help the government implement the 21 days all India lockdown. The time of great fear requires solidarity, humanity, sacrifice & hope. Not hysteria & rumor-mongering. #21daysLockdown"## Lyricist and censor board chairperson Prasoon Joshi tweeted: "#IndiaFightsCorona. In this war, restraint will be our weapon, stillness will be our defense, the distance will be the sign that we deeply care. Have to fight it with new rules. #CoronavirusLockdown"## Shahid Kapoor shared on Instagram: "Be at home. Stay safe. Stay mentally, emotionally and physically strong. Spread love. Have faith. Pray often. Speak to all those who matter daily. Meditate. Read. Cook. See the sky turn bluer every day. 21 days. Will pass. Keep it real and make it count you all."## Shahid's brother, actor Ishaan Khatter urged: "To all my friends.. everybody that this post reaches. We've got this. Let's not panic. Let's look out for each other. Let's find ways to help one another. This is the time for resilience, patience, and consideration. I promise to do my part. Please do yours, don't step out for anything that is not essential. Don't put others and yourself at risk. We will come out of this stronger. Prayers, LOVE, and energies for everybody #21dayslockdown #quarantineshave"## Randeep Hooda tweeted: "#CoronavirusLockdown: If we don't follow guidelines for the next 21 days, days after that could be even more challenging. Let's follow what prime minister @narendramodi advised in his address and stay safe. Also, essential services will be operational. Please don't put yourself at risk by overcrowding shops to stock up. #Covid19India"## Vaani Kapoor expressed: "The next 21 days of the #CoronavirusLockdown announced by the Hon'ble Prime Minister @narendramodi Ji is of utmost importance. It may seem hard, but it's absolutely important for us to stay home to help contain the spread of the virus."## Aditi Rao Hydari tweeted: "21-day lockdown. Let's be responsible and stay home. if we don't we're in for big trouble and could have an even longer lockdown as well as a catastrophic economy. Help us help ourselves. 21 days of discipline is all it takes- pleeeeease! Let's do this #CoronavirusLockdown"## Arjun Kapoor urged everyone: "#CoronavirusLockdown is for the next 21 days, we all know it's hard but it's for us, it's for our safety. Stay home and stay safe. Please do follow the rules laid down by our Hon'ble Prime Minister @narendramodi Ji"## Singer Shreya Ghoshal shared: "#CoronavirusLockdown for 21 days announced by @narendramodi in his speech today. We can do this in India!! Let's stay positive and sincere to this effort! #StayHome."## Even though most Bollywood celebs support the 21 days lockdown decision, actress Aahana Kumra feels the government should have given some more time to the panicking citizens to stock up during this crisis period.## She tweeted: "I feel the government needs to give some more time for people to stock up!? I understand and applaud the government's efforts to combat the #coronavirus but this is panic is going to create more #COVID?19 patients than ever! #SocialDistancing !? #CoronavirusLockdown."## Many like actress Esha Deol shared the government's guidelines in their tweet. "Don't panic the following daily essentials are going to be available during the #21daysLockdown let's obey our honorable @narendramodi Ji"## Requesting everyone not to waste food and water, actress Bidita Bag shared on Instagram: "We don't know for how long the lockdown will last. So every resource is critical and essential. Kindly restrict the number of items in meals and try for zero wastage of food and water please."## Singer Adnan Sami also shared the government's guideline issued by the government and tweeted: "Ministry of Home Affairs Guidelines for #21daysLockdown; Check out the list of essential services that will remain open...#CoronavirusLockdown #COVID19 #coronavirusindia #StayHome #StayAtHomeSaveLives"## For more and latest news about Bollywood, stay tuned with us.

When Dharmendra, Rakhee ran into a crocodile!
2268 days ago
Bollywood

When Dharmendra, Rakhee ran into a crocodile!

Mumbai, March 25 (IANS) Veteran actor Dharmendra went back to the seventies when he was shooting for the song "Jhilmil sitaron ka aangan hoga" for the film "Jeevan Mrityu".## "The song was shot at various places and I remember when Rakhee and I were on a boat at Powai lake for the shoot. At a distance, we could see what looked like a rock. But as we came nearer to it, we realized it was a crocodile!" Dharmendra shared.## "We both were so scared. But none of us stopped shooting for the song. With one eye on the crocodile, we managed to get the shoot done," he added.## Dharmendra shared the anecdote during Zee TV's singing reality show for kids "Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Li'l Champs".## It all started after the show's contestants Madhav Arora and Aryananda performed on "Jhilmil sitaron ka aangan hoga".## "This was truly an amazing performance. I relived the days when I was shooting for the song through these kids", the actor said.## For more and latest news about Bollywood, stay tuned with us.

'Radio active' during lockdown: RJs work from home
2268 days ago
Bollywood

'Radio active' during lockdown: RJs work from home

New Delhi, March 25 (IANS) The world has come to a standstill after Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced a 21-day nationwide lockdown to fight the coronavirus outbreak, but there's no stopping FM radio. It's a medium that reaches out to the maximum number of homes, where people eagerly tune in to the comforting voice of radio jockeys -- or RJs as we popularly call them -- as they search for assurance and hope.## As the entire nation works from home in the time of the pandemic, the radio jockeys too are staying in but keeping their job of entertaining their listeners first and working round the clock for content.## RJ Mallishka, who is popularly known as Mumbai Ki Rani, has been working from home for the past one week.## "We realized that we may not just put ourselves at risk but other people at risk as well because we work in little studios people are constantly moving in and out. Celebrities keep coming in," Malishka told IANS.## She added: "There are several ways people did it -- like I have a laptop, with a software on it, mic and headphones. I can also access my logs in the radio station but we do it in 3-way access basically I send my link, my producer goes through it edits it puts in the music. It is being done across many radio stations."## She finds work from home more "process-driven".## "It (working from home) is not difficult. It's more processed driven. People are at home so it takes one step extra but I feel the way technology is helping and the world is going I think it is a good idea to look at this because otherwise radio people are coming 5-6 days a week to work and it's difficult to take that off unless its pre-decided," she said.## However, sweet-toned RJ Aakriti begs to differ. She says working from home is not as easy as it seems.## "It's very difficult to work from home. As work gets doubled up. The feel of a studio is a different form than that of a home," Aakriti told IANS.## But she found a silver lining amid all of this.## "A lot of my listeners are actually listening to my show while staying at home. Trying to give them motivation through radio and music of course," she said.## Love guru RJ Rahul Makin told IANS that he is working through a laptop and remote access has been given to him.## "We are using a laptop and have got an app installed which controls all the songs and logs and whatever we have to say from the station. The IT people have given us remote access where we can control our program from our laptop only," Makin told IANS.## RJ Lucky, who is famous for taking out various sounds of several Bollywood stars, says he too has a set up at home but live interaction with his listeners is currently on hold.## We have been provided with laptops and have remote access to the system. There's the mic. So, we have a dummy set up at home now. So we record it and package the links then we upload it. It is easy. We just have to coordinate with the producer. Only the live calls we used to have, we are not taking them currently. We routing that traffic on our social media handles," Lucky, whose real name is Nitin Pahwa told IANS.## The mellifluous-voiced RJ Aditi feels social media has played a major role at the time of social distancing.## "The thing about radio is not about what you can say but it is also about what you cannot say. You cannot create a panic. The thing is for the people who are still on the road, I think we try and speak to them. Morale boosting happens a lot. Social media is playing a major part here.## "We are constantly giving out the handles of our stations, personal handles and we are getting a lot of direct messages. People are sending in their stories and we are giving them shout outs. We are encouraging everyone as we are all in this together," Aditi told IANS.## Stay tuned...

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