I

IANS News

885 Articles

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

Neeraj Pandey's special tribute to Bollywood
2273 days ago
Bollywood

Neeraj Pandey's special tribute to Bollywood

Mumbai, March 19 (IANS) Filmmaker Neeraj Pandey has given tribute to Bollywood by naming each episode of his web series "Special Ops" after his favourite movie. ## Neeraj has directed the series along with Shivam Nair. The eight-episode Hotstar Special spy action thriller series is based on the role of Indian intelligence in a series of real terror attacks that India has faced over the last 19 years, including the 26/11 attacks. ## "Shivam and I have directed parts of every episode but have shared credits between us -- where every alternate episode is credited," Neeraj said. ## "Every episode is like a mini-film and we have treated it with the same scale. Small trivia -- all the episodes are names of films I have grown up on and I deeply love," he added. ## Shivam has directed every odd-numbered episode (1,3,5 and 7) while Neeraj has directed every even-numbered episode (2,4,6 and 8). ## The first episode is titled "Kaagaz Ke Phool". The second is named "Guide", third "Mughal-e-Azam", fourth "Hum Kisise Kum Naheen", fifth "Chaudhvin Ka Chand", sixth "Qurbani", seventh "Shatranj ke Khiladi" and the final episode titled as "Sholay". ## The show features Saiyami Kher, Karan Tacker, Divya Dutta, Vinay Pathak, Muzammil Ibrahim, Vipul Gupta, Sajjad Delafrooz, Parmeet Sethi, Gautami Kapoor, Sana Khan, Sharad Kelkar, K.P. Mukherjee and many others. The show went live on March 17 in seven languages on Hotstar VIP. ## For more and the latest news about Bollywood, stay tuned to us.

Read Article
Why Kirti Kulhari was hesitant to play mother onscreen
2273 days ago
Bollywood

Why Kirti Kulhari was hesitant to play mother onscreen

Mumbai, March 19 (IANS) Actress Kirti Kulhari was hesitant to take up the role of a single mother as she was afraid of being typecast. ## The actress is seen in the role of a single mother -- Anjana in Amazon Original Series "Four More Shots Please!". ## "After reading the script, I was skeptical about how will they position something that's palatable but at the same time make a bold statement? Another big concern for me was the fact that I had to play a mother. I wasn't ready for this and I had the fear of being typecast into that role, which has been quite prevalent in the industry," Kirti said. ## "I kept questioning whether I should take the plunge and play a role, which could probably change my image and affect the type of work or opportunity that could come my way. It was my husband who finally gave me the confidence to do this. He is solely responsible for reminding me that I am first and foremost an actor and I just have to push my own boundaries and be the change that I keep talking about," she added. ## After the success of the first season of the Amazon Original series, the second season of "Four More Shots Please!" will release in April. It will go live on April 17. ## The series also stars Sayani Gupta, Bani J. and Maanvi Gagroo, with Prateik Babbar, Lisa Ray, Milind Soman, Neil Bhooplalam, Simone Singh and Amrita Puri. The series is directed by Nupur Asthana and written by Devika Bhagat, with dialogues by Ishita Moitra. ## The second part will pick-up from the previous season's cliffhanger ending, bringing back stories of four unapologetically flawed ladies who live, love, blunder and discover what it really takes to build everlasting friendships in Mumbai. ## Produced by Pritish Nandy Communications Ltd, the show is created by Rangita Pritish Nandy. ## For more and the latest news about Bollywood, stay tuned to us.

Read Article
1 killed in blaze opposite SRK's home
2273 days ago
Bollywood

1 killed in blaze opposite SRK's home

Mumbai, March 19 (IANS) A 20-year-old girl was killed and another woman seriously injured in a fire that broke out on the top floor of a residential building opposite Bollywood actor Shah Rukh Khans bungalow, officials said here on Thursday. ## The blaze was noticed on the sixth floor of the six-storied Sea Spring Apartment, opposite SRK's Mannat' Bungalow at Bandra Bandstand, around 7.30 a.m. ## Firefighters battled the blaze and retrieved the body of Evana Morrece, who was pronounced dead at a hospital. ## A 38-year-old woman, Sifra Jafri, was also rushed to the Bhabha Hospital in a critical state with more than 90 per cent burn injuries. ## The cause of the fire, which has been brought under control, is not yet known. ## For more and the latest news about Bollywood, stay tuned to us.

Read Article
Big B gets 'Home Quarantined' stamp on hand
2274 days ago
Bollywood

Big B gets 'Home Quarantined' stamp on hand

Mumbai, March 18 (IANS) As the cases of COVID-19 outbreak keep growing in the country, Bollywood veteran Amitabh Bachchan shared a photograph of his hand with a "Home Quarantined" stamp on it.## The actor tweeted the photograph on Tuesday and captioned the image: "Stamping started on hands with voter ink, in Mumbai .. keep safe , be cautious , remain isolated if detected."## Big B has been actively spreading awareness on social media to curb the spread of COVID-19. He recently announced that he would be cancelling the ritual of Sunday meeting with fans to keep everyone safe.## The iconic star had earlier also penned a poem and posted a video of his rendition of the same on Twitter.## For more and latest news about Bollywood, stay tuned with us.

Read Article
Blessed to work with AR Rahman sir: Ex-Indian Idol contestant Poorvi
2274 days ago
Bollywood

Blessed to work with AR Rahman sir: Ex-Indian Idol contestant Poorvi

Mumbai, March 18 (IANS) Singer Poorvi Koutish has sung a song titled "Jwalamukhi" in AR Rahman's debut film production "99 Songs", and she feels lucky to get a chance to work with the Oscar-winning composer.## Recalling her experience of working with Rahman, Poorvi said: "After finishing my Performance Majors from KMMC (2 years of studying Opera- Western Classical), I got to intern at AR Rahman sir's Panchattan studios in Chennai, as a music producer and a recording artist for almost a year. I'm grateful to sir to have provided me with a wide field of multiple musical aspects, to choose and experiment with. Surprisingly, I didn't get to sing quite a lot in that one year, but experienced many live sessions which helped me recognize many different elements/processes behind the production."## She added: "I'm grateful to sir to provide such spaces for artists to meet and collaborate, which I believe is the biggest gift you can give to anyone today. The first time I ever got a call to perform with sir was back in December 2017, as a part of his Encore Tour. I wasn't quite sure if I was too numb to be excited or too excited is why I was numb.## "I had just finished my course in Chennai KMMC and was moving back to Mumbai. I was given two songs ‘Mayya Mayya' and ‘Jiya Re', which were one of my favorites anyway. From there on I performed with sir multiple times for different events with his extraordinary team of musicians and artists, presenting a lifetime experience for the audiences. From Encore tour to Amabani weddings, quite recently, it was Pune as a part of '99 Songs'- movie's promotions. It has been and continues to be quite a blessed and thrilling ride."## Poorvi was also part of the singing reality TV show "Indian Idol 6".## For more and latest news about Bollywood, stay tuned with us.

Read Article
Vikrant Massey: Great to see 'Cargo' travelling across globe
2274 days ago
Bollywood

Vikrant Massey: Great to see 'Cargo' travelling across globe

Mumbai, March 18 (IANS) The Hindi sci-fi film "Cargo", starring Vikrant Massey and Shweta Tripathi, was screened at MAMI film festival last year, and will now have its international premiere at SXSW (South by Southwest Film Festival) 2020.## " 'cargo' is a very special film. Last year, we were struggling with this movie because we did not know what to do with it.. which direction this film would go. but being selected in over 15 festivals across the world is really heartwarming news for us. It's a very small film to represent your country and cinema.. so it's a great thing. It is a proud moment for us because it is a first sci-fi first Indian film to achieve this," Vikrant said.## The film will also open the Miami Scifi festival. Amongst the other noted film festivals where the film is scheduled to play are the Chattanooga Film Festival in Tennessee, Sydney Scifi, Revelations in Perth, and the London Scifi.## Directed by Arati Kadav, "Cargo" traces the journey of a female astronaut who meets a reticent astronaut on a spaceship. With the struggles of her job piling on, she gets better acquainted with the mysterious cargoes that land on the ship.## For more and latest news about Bollywood, stay tuned with us.

Read Article
COVID-19 effect: Ayushmann writes Shayari, paints to spend time
2274 days ago
Bollywood

COVID-19 effect: Ayushmann writes Shayari, paints to spend time

Mumbai, March 18 (IANS) Ayushmann Khurrana on Thursday took to social media to share some self-composed Shayari about the families that have been severely affected by the coronavirus outbreak.## "Ab ameer ka har din ravivar ho gaya, aur gareeb hap apne somvaar ke intezaar mein. Ab ameer ka har din seh parivaar ho gaya hai, aur gareeb hao apne rozgaar ke intezaar mein," he wrote.## Ayushmann even shared a video of how he is spending time with family members during self-isolation.## In the video, he is seen painting along with his kids and wife Tahira Kashyap.## Apart from this, Ayushmann's brother Aparshakti Khurana urged people to try not to panic.## "Do you remember the last time your life was as slow as it is today? We've been part of the rat race for so long that we barely got time to connect even with ourselves. Today, I can't help but see the bright side of this pandemic. A side which is telling us to slow down, to reflect, to introspect, to connect with others while connecting with our own selves.## "Also, let's try not to panic. As the most intelligent species on earth, we definitely will find ways to tackle it, cure it and come out of it stronger, as we always have. Till then, let's remember - we are all in this together," Aparshakti wrote on Instagram.## For more and latest news about Bollywood, stay tuned with us.

Read Article
Bhumi Pednekar: I want to compete with myself
2274 days ago
Bollywood

Bhumi Pednekar: I want to compete with myself

Mumbai, March 18 (IANS) Actress Bhumi Pednekar has been on a roll as she has had a series of hit films, such as "Saand Ki Aankh", "Bala" and "Pati, Patni Aur Woh". She feels blessed to see her work getting noticed by people, and now she wants to compete with herself to do better on screen.## "My journey in cinema has recently begun and I feel blessed and fortunate that my work has got noticed by some of the best film-makers of the industry. I'm thrilled about my performances being highlighted...As an actor, I can only aspire to do better from here on. I want to compete with myself and do better with each film," Bhumi said.## She added: "It has been an incredible year for sure and I have to thank my incredible directors for choosing me to be a part of their vision. Their confidence in me is a huge validation for an artist like me who wants to be a part of the best films that are being made today. I'm cherishing this moment and all the success and it is making me a lot more motivated to only do better work and deliver better performances on-screen."## Bhumi will next be seen in "Durgavati" and "Dolly Kitty Aur Woh Chamakte Sitaare".## For more and latest news about Bollywood, stay tuned with us.

Read Article
Ananya Pandey: Janhvi Kapoor is my biggest competition
2275 days ago
Bollywood

Ananya Pandey: Janhvi Kapoor is my biggest competition

Mumbai, March 18 (IANS) Actress Ananya Pandey feels that star kids have an advantage as they have easier access to people from the industry and that she considers "Dhadak" star Janhvi Kapoor her biggest competition.## Talking about the debate around nepotism, Ananya said: "I still agree that we have an advantage and we get to meet people. We have easier access to people from the industry as we have grown up around them. But now that I've got that chance, it's unfair for me to waste it. I want to make my father proud."## "There are so many examples of such talented people who have not come from the film background like Ranveer Singh and Anushka Sharma and then there are actors like Ranbir Kapoor and Alia Bhatt who have come from film families and done so well. So, it all comes down to the audience," added the daughter of Chunky Pandey.## The "Student Of The Year 2" star also recalled her first audition, and how she got rejected.## "I remember when 'Aladdin' had come to India, there were a bunch of people who auditioned. We had to record a video, which I did on my phone. I had worn this red outfit and had to read the dialogues for Jasmine. The scene went really well, but then they also asked us to sing and I can't sing to even save my life. So I really got rejected," she said.## The actress opened up about her journey in an episode of "Starry Nights GEN Y", which is aired on Zee Cafe.## Asked about three things that she would learn or swap with Suhana Khan, Ananya said: "I would like to learn her dancing and acting skills, and would love to swap my closet".## Further confessing her biggest competition, she shared: "Janhvi Kapoor is my biggest competition in this film industry."## For more and latest news about Bollywood, stay tuned with us.

Read Article
Did Ranbir Kapoor go missing on Alia Bhatt's birthday?
2275 days ago
Bollywood

Did Ranbir Kapoor go missing on Alia Bhatt's birthday?

Mumbai, March 18 (IANS) Alia Bhatt was spotted with elder sister Shaheen and good friend Akansha Ranjan Kapoor on her birthday on March 15, and not with rumoured boyfriend Ranbir Kapoor, so a section of the media was quick to speculate all is not well between the two! ## Alia celebrated her special day with the girl gang and a video showing the actress cutting two birthday cakes has gone viral. Wishes poured in from friends and colleagues in the film fraternity including her mother Soni Razdan and Ranbir's mother Neetu Singh, but there was no message from Ranbir, if a report in the website odishatv.in is to be believed. ## Incidentally, a day after Alia's birthday, Natasha Poonawalla took to Instagram to share an old picture where Ranbir is seen planting a kiss on a grinning Alia's cheek, even as Arjun Kapoor and Malaika Arora hug and kiss in the background. The picture was taken in New York, indiatoday.in reported. ## Although Alia and Ranbir have neither confirmed nor denied being in a relationship, a section of the media is always over-eager to hunt for signs that attest love and/or breakup. Just the other day, many in the Bollywood media were excitedly reporting of a possible December wedding for the two stars. While Ranbir and Alia have maintained silence over all such talk, some among the mediapersons even claimed guest lists had already been drawn out for the wedding, which would reportedly happen once the Ranbir-Alia starrer "Brahmastra" released in the year end. ## "Brahmastra" is Ranbir's first film with Alia, and is directed by his close friend Ayan Mukerji, who called the shots on the Ranbir Kapoor hits "Wake Up Sid" (2009) and "Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani" (2013) before this. The film is touted as the first of an ambitious superhero action trilogy, and it also stars Amitabh Bachchan, Nagarjuna and Mouni Roy. ## For more and the latest news about Bollywood, stay tuned to us.

Read Article
Big B thanks fans for wishing his daughter Shweta on her b'day
2275 days ago
Bollywood

Big B thanks fans for wishing his daughter Shweta on her b'day

Mumbai, March 17 (IANS) Bollywood veteran Amitabh Bachchan on Tuesday thanked his fans for sending birthday wishes to his daughter Shweta Bachchan. ## "To all that send their wishes for Shweta on her birthday .. my most grateful thanks and gratitude ..All is well so far .. be safe , be in precaution and care," Big B tweeted. ## Shweta received a cute wish from her younger brother Abhishek Bachchan, too. Abhishek posted a throwback picture of Shweta and him when they were just toddlers. ## In the image, Big B along with his wife and actress Jaya Bachchan can be seen sharing smiles with Abhishek and Shweta. ## "Happy Birthday Shwetdi! Have the best year. Evidence that you've been trying to be a fashionista since childhood... The dress!!! Wow!!!Love you," Abhishek wrote. ## Responding to Abhishek's post, Shweta commented: "Love you Numpsey." ## For more and the latest news about Bollywood, stay tuned to us.

Read Article
COVID-19: B'wood flouting shoot restrictions and hygiene advice?
2275 days ago
Bollywood

COVID-19: B'wood flouting shoot restrictions and hygiene advice?

Mumbai, March 17 (IANS) At a time when the COVID-19 pandemic has called for complete shutdownb, with the government advising against any kind of public gathering, Mumbai's Film City continues almost in its usual pace. ## On Sunday, a notification has been unanimously issued by the Indian Motion Pictures Producers' Association, Federation of Western India Cine Employees and other similar bodies, ordering that shooting for films, TV shows, digital shows and all other kinds of entertainment format would have to be stopped between March 19 and 31 owing to the COVID-19 pandemic. ## But will Bollywood really stop shooting? ## Suresh Shyamlal Gupta, president of All Indian Cine Workers Association (AICWA), told IANS: "The film industry hardly ever follows regulations. Whenever any circular is issued, there will be some people within the industry who will not follow it. People who don't follow government circulars, will they listen to producers? Some shoots will continue to happen." ## Gupta's words were repeated by Prince Sheikh, who works as a casting coordinator for television shows across the city. ## Prince said: "Some or the other shoot will continue. Not every shoot will stop. But there are always doctors present on the sets for any kind of medical emergency." ## Currently, at least 50 per cent of the shoots have stopped at the Film City but the rest of the them will continue till March 18 at least> Going by Gupta's contention, a lot of these shoots are happening under conditions of "gross negligence". ## "Almost 50 per cent of shoots have stopped at Goregaon Film City. The rest are still shooting. Nobody is wearing a mask or using sanitiser. They are at least 150-200 people on the sets including child artistes as young as four. There is gross negligence," said Suresh Gupta. ## He added that Principal Secretary of the Health Department, Dr Pradeep Vyas, has issued a notification saying that whatever shoot is going on within the industry premises, should ensure proper safety measures. However, in most Film City washrooms and basins, you hardly ever spot soap or handwash. Detergent powder, which used for washing clothes, is mixed with water and kept in plastic bottles to pass off as handwash. ## While masks seem to be distant dream for lower rung workers in Film City, most daily wage workers make do with covering their mouths with handkerchiefs. ## For more and the latest news about Bollywood, stay tuned to us.

Read Article
Prev Next