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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

Sona Mohapatra attacks Kanika Kapoor for hiding travel history
2272 days ago
Bollywood

Sona Mohapatra attacks Kanika Kapoor for hiding travel history

Mumbai, March 21 (IANS) Singer Sona Mohapatra has come down heavily on singer Kanika Kapoor for not being responsible enough after arriving in India from the UK earlier this month, and mingling with numerous people at several public functions despite being afflicted by the coronavirus. ## In a series of tweets, Mohapatra also expressed doubt that the spread of COVID-19 could efficiently be curbed in India, what with "irresponsible idiots" around, who don't follow rules and endanger the lives of everyone around. ## "The Coronavirus will explode because India is full of irresponsible idiots who ask everything from the government but do nothing in return," Mohapatra tweeted. ## She added: "Case in point, #KanikaKapoor hid her travel history after landing in #India (goddess knows how),attended events in Lucknow, Mumbai, went partying while staying in a 5 Glowing star & has the virus! So all of U giving me gyan about how 'simplistic' PM's speech was, was it really? #WeThePeople," she wrote. ## Kapoor took to Instagram on Friday to state that she has tested positive, in a long note. "For the past 4 days I have had signs of flu, I got myself tested and it came positive for Covid-19. My family and I are in complete quarantine now and following medical advice on how to move forward," said Kapoor in the post. "I was scanned at the airport as per normal procedure 10 days ago when I came back home, the symptoms have developed only 4 days ago. At this stage I would like to urge you all to practice self isolation and get tested if you have the signs," went her statement. ## After returning from the UK carrying the virus, Kapoor has attended three parties in Lucknow, one in Kanpur and has been part of at least two other public gatherings, reported hindustantimes.com. Former Rajasthan chief minister Vasundhara Raje and her son, BJP MP Dushyant Singh, have self-quarantined themselves because they were in one of the parties where Kanika Kapoor was present. ## For more and the latest news about Bollywood, stay tuned to us.

COVID-19: Sonu Nigam won't return from Dubai until things get normal
2272 days ago
Bollywood

COVID-19: Sonu Nigam won't return from Dubai until things get normal

Dubai, March 21 (IANS) Amid the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, singer Sonu Nigam is currently self-isolating himself along with his family in Dubai. ## "I was in the Himalayas till March 5th and then my Mumbai concert got postponed, so I decided to join my family in Dubai till March 17. I'll have to wait now till things we normal. Don't wanna be stuck in quarantine and burden the already burdened authorities," Sonu told Mid-Day. ## He also shared about the precautions he has been taking in the wake of COVID-19. ## "I would have loved to be with my father and sister but I guess I could potentially be dangerous to them due to my exposure to Dubai and Mumbai airports bit forgetting the aircraft itself. ## "We are generally indoors. Nevaan's (Sonu's son) is studying in Dubai and his school is closed so we have ample time to do things indoors. Basically avoiding outdoors unless it's super necessary. Cleanliness and disconnect socially is being exercised by us too," Sonu added. ## Not only this, the "Har Ghadi Badal Rahi Hai" fame singer has also decided to perform online for his fans during Janata Curfew on Sunday. ## Sharing his thought behind the online concert , Sonu said: "Since the entire country has decided to adhere to Our Prime Minister's appeal to observe Janata Curfew from 7 am to 9 pm on 22nd March, I thought of giving them a reason to smile at 8 pm India time, the time when they might reach the peak of their frustration, and would be waiting for some excursion. ## "I'll be doing a concert for not just Indians but all the people world wide who follow Indian Music, live streamed through my various social networking platforms. It's a first timer so we are being utterly careful lest there is any glitch." ## For more and the latest news about Bollywood, stay tuned to us.

Amy Adams suspects she might not get to play Lois Lane again
2273 days ago
Hollywood

Amy Adams suspects she might not get to play Lois Lane again

Los Angeles, March 20 (IANS) Hollywood actress Amy Adams fears she will never play Superman's girlfriend Lois Lane again. ## Adams, who has portrayed the journalist in three movies opposite Henry Cavill, says she is game to reprise the role but she doesn't think movie officials want her, reports aceshowbiz.com. ## "I would totally be open to playing Lois but I think (the studio is) moving in a different direction, from what I understand," she tells Empire. ## She thinks her comicbook movie capabilities might have died with 2017's "Justice League". ## "Gal Gadot is one of my favourite women. She is a Wonder Woman. Sorry, I'm a bit of a dork," she said. ## For more and the latest news about Hollywood, stay tuned to us.

Schwarzenegger's after-school charity gets $3mn donation from TikTok
2273 days ago
Hollywood

Schwarzenegger's after-school charity gets $3mn donation from TikTok

Los Angeles, March 20 (IANS) Officials at the Chinese short video App TikTok have donated $3 million to Hollywood star Arnold Schwarzenegger's charity in order to help children in the US who have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. ## Poorer families have been struggling to feed their children in the wake of the outbreak, reports aceshowbiz.com, and TikTok officials have pitched in with the donation to former California Governor Schwarzenegger's After-School All-Stars non-profit initiative. ## The money will be used to deliver food and gift cards for grocery stores to needy families, and Schwarzenegger is thrilled. ## "Because of the corona crisis, those kids have been sent home. So now, instead of providing after-school programmes, we thought it would be cool and great if we could provide food for those families. Of course, you can have the best ideas in the world but if you don't have the money you have nothing ," the 72-year-old Hollywood star said in a video on TikTok. ## He added: "TikTok came along and said, 'we are the ones that are going to donate the millions of dollars to help feed those families'." ## For more and the latest news about Hollywood, stay tuned to us.

Ankit Tiwari, Amaal Malik to conduct online music gig during Janata Curfew
2273 days ago
Bollywood

Ankit Tiwari, Amaal Malik to conduct online music gig during Janata Curfew

Mumbai, March 20 (IANS) After international singers like Chris Martin and John Legend, a slew of India musicians including Ankit Tiwari, Akhil Sachdeva, and Amaal Malik have decided to perform impromptu home concerts for fans via social media amid the coronavirus outbreak.## The idea behind the digital concert, Safe And Sound, was given by Mourjo Chaterjee in view of the 'Janata Curfew' to be observed on Sunday. Mourjo is a founder of On Stage Talents, a multi-genre talent agency.## Happy to be part of such noble initiative, Akhil Sachdeva, who sang "Tera ban jaunga" in "Kabir Singh", said: "It's a great initiative and we looking forward to this concert."## Actress Sunny Leone's husband Daniel Weber will also participate in the concert.## "We urge people to stay home, in the meanwhile we artist will try our best to entertain you'll with our music," Weber added.## The concert will take place on Sunday between 4-5 p.m. with artists going live on their respective social media handles. Singers like Tulsi Kumar, Jasleen Royal, Richa Sharma, Shruti Pathak, Jeet Ganguli, Abhay Jodhpurkar, Osho Jain, Bhoomi Trivedi, Ravi, and Shargun Dubey, have also joined hands to be part of the digital singing concert.## For more and latest news about Bollywood, stay tuned with us.

Anupam Kher self-quarantines on returning from New York
2273 days ago
Bollywood

Anupam Kher self-quarantines on returning from New York

Mumbai, March 20 (IANS) Veteran actor Anupam Kher, who flew down from New York to India on Saturday, has decided to self-quarantine himself amid the coronavirus outbreak. ## "Finally landed in Mumbai from NY after four months. It was so gratifying to see how strictly but politely and competently our authorities at the airport are dealing with #Corona situation. India is really setting up an example of how to deal with the crises. Proud of the authorities and the people," the actor wrote on Instagram. ## Kher also posted a video of Mumbai aiport to show how stringently checking procedures were being implemented by the authorities. ## Reacting to Anupam's post, actor Varun Dhawan wrote: "Take care Anupam uncle... sending lots of love and good wishes." ## In response to Varun's comment, Anupam shared that he would "follow the mandatory self- quarantine". ## For more and the latest news about Bollywood, stay tuned to us.

Paras Chhabra: One can't fool the audience
2273 days ago
TV

Paras Chhabra: One can't fool the audience

Mumbai, March 20 (IANS) From breaking up with his girlfriend Akanksha Puri to tackling allegations that he had not paid his designers for clothes, actor and "Bigg Boss 13" contestant Paras Chhabra has been involved in numerous controversies for a while. Many people have even judged him over all the news that constantly circulates about him. However, Paras says the truth is very different from what people read about him. ## "What you read is very different from the truth. Today because of the digital space, everyone has their version of the truth, which may not be the real story. But I have never faked it. Today's audience is smart, they have a sense of judgement, you cannot fool them," Paras said. ## A few days ago, two designers had alleged that Paras has not paid them their dues for styling the clothes he wore inside the "Bigg Boss" house. ## "It is extremely unprofessional. Every time he says mere GST issues chal rahe hain (I'm having GST issues), hence I haven't got my prize money of Bigg Boss 13 and shall pay you only when I get it," one of the designers said. ## Responding to such allegations, Paras' spokesperson had issued a statement, stating that he is not liable to pay anything to the designers. ## "These are false allegations by the stylists to gain cheap publicity. Nearly after two months if this is what they are trying to do, we call it disgusting and uncalled for. ## "They have taken due mileage and credits from Paras as it was a pure collaboration and should value it and they had approached Paras for a barter deal and he is not liable to pay anything. Collaboration means ,there are no finances involved or anything that they are claiming," the statement read. ## On the work front, after "Bigg Boss 13", Paras bagged the Colors reality show "Mujhse Shaadi Karoge", which recently ended amid the coronavirus outbreak in the country. Apparently, the show failed to woo the audience and ended due to low TRPs. ## For more and the latest news about TV, stay tuned to us.

Ranveer Singh recalls his tryst with the stage
2273 days ago
Bollywood

Ranveer Singh recalls his tryst with the stage

Mumbai, March 20 (IANS) Bollywood's livewire star Ranveer Singh shared a major throwback image that disclosed that he had tried his hands at theatre before his Bollywood debut role in "Band Baaja Baaraat". ## Before Bollywood, Ranveer had worked in an English play called "Carry On At The Keyhole". It was a comedy directed by Dinkar Jani. ## Sharing a poster of the play on social media, the actor said: "This is a poster for a small play in which I had a small part and the story goes that I used to be a struggler and I used to sit at Prithvi theatre with two or three others like me. We used to just sit there every day, look for odd jobs. One of them got the information that an audition is happening in a college in Andheri for a small role in a small play and nobody wanted to go -- I said I'll go because I didn't have anything at that time!" ## Ranveer added: "I thought to myself -- ‘acting acting hoti hai, koi bada chhota kya hota hai' (acting is acting, nothing big or small about it). I went for the audition , I got the part and they were very impressed by my acting. When we put up the performance - I remember one was at St Andrews and even then I felt proud when I was performing at St Andrews stage because I used to perform on St Andrews stage as a student when I was in school." ## "So, you know, we had a few performances, I had the role of an interior decorator who was posing to be a homosexual man in order to attract more business and it was an old English double-meaning comedy play that was headlined by Darshan Jariwala and directed by Dinkar Jani," Ranveer recalled. ## Ranveer claimed whoever came to watch the play used to be be impressed by his performance. ## "I really took it very seriously and I gave it everything. I used to wear some of my own clothes and most of the people who came to watch the play were just friends and family whom I had informed that I am doing this performance and to come and see it, he said, adding: "I remember meeting Yogesh Sanghvi (the producer of the play) at an awards show last year which is when we re-connected and it was a very emotional moment for him and for me - to meet after all those years - just to see his moist eyes , the pride in his eyes - ‘tu kahan se kahan pahuch gaya mere dost' and I was also getting a bit emotional when I met him because he used to really like me, he used to be very kind to me." ## Ranveer recalled there wasn't much money in theatre but whatever the producer made, he would give to him very generously. ## "He was always very fair and kind to me. So it's a very, very fond memory of mine from my struggling days," he summed up. ## For more and the latest news about Bollywood, stay tuned to us.

Imtiaz Ali is all praise for Vijay Varma
2273 days ago
Digital Media

Imtiaz Ali is all praise for Vijay Varma

Mumbai, March 20 (IANS) After wooing the audience with his performance in "Gully Boy" and "Baaghi 3", actor Vijay Varma is all set to showcase his skills in Netflix's upcoming project "She", which is created by Imtiaz Ali. ## On the show, Vijay will be seen playing the role of Sasya, a narcotic dealer who embarks on a complex relationship with Aaditi Pohankar's character, a timid female police constable. ## Vijay's acting skills has left Imtiaz impressed. The filmmaker is now full of praise for the actor. ## "Vijay approaches acting from a pure intention. It's very easy to collaborate with him. He has contributed a lot to the scenes. He is technically not Sasya in real life but he has worked really well and that is why it looks so real," said Imtiaz. ## "What Vijay has done is that he has contributed to the character since he had the advantage from being from those regions. He is a pure actor and has pushed himself to be closer to the character of Sasya. Regardless of gender, when you do that in terms of your physicality, sexuality -- you need to take that journey, and that was a very interesting journey for all of us, to go at that point, say it purely, without being ashamed of it," the filmmaker said. ## For more and the latest news about Digital Media, stay tuned to us.

Superstar Rajinikanth opens up on how he stays grounded
2273 days ago
Kollywood

Superstar Rajinikanth opens up on how he stays grounded

Mumbai, March 20 (IANS) Despite his fame and success, superstar Rajinikanth is believed to be a down-to-earth person. ## The screen icon has now opened on how he keeps himself grounded. ## "Once you've acted, it's finished, I forget Rajinikanth. I go back to Shivaji Rao. That's just work life for me. When somebody reminds me 'you are Rajinikanth' then I'll be like, oh yes! I am Rajinikanth," the 69-year-old Tamil superstar will be seen revealing on an upcoming episode of Discovery's "Into The Wild With Bear Grylls". ## The show will mark Rajinikanth's TV debut and will witness the actor's adventurous side. From crossing a ravine while balancing off an iron bridge suspended 50 to spreading awareness about wildlife, the veteran actor has tried out many things in the episode, shot in Bandipur National Park of Karnataka. ## "My whole life has been a miracle. It's a miracle! Even consider this show for example, I never thought of this, not even in my dreams that one day I will do a show like this," Rajinikanth added. ## For more and the latest news about Kollywood, stay tuned to us.

Ajay Devgn mourns the demise of football legend PK Banerjee
2273 days ago
Bollywood

Ajay Devgn mourns the demise of football legend PK Banerjee

Mumbai, March 20 (IANS) Ajay Devgn has mourned the demise of legendary footballer PK Banerjee on social media. ## "Had the good fortune of meeting football legend PK Banerjee in Kolkata during the Maidaan schedule in November. Sad to hear about his demise. RIP, the man with the golden kick #PKBanerjee," Devgn tweeted. ## "Maidaan" is based on the golden era of Indian football and the actor essays the role of the late legendary coach Syed Abdul Rahim. During the film's Kolkata schedule last year, Ajay had an opportunity to meet PK, as the legendary footballer was known in the footballing world and among fans. During their interaction, the football legend had shared expertise and experiences with the actor. ## Directed by Amit Ravindernath Sharma, "Maidaan" is scheduled to hit theatres on November 27, 2020. ## PK breathed his last after battling chest infection. He was 83, and on ventilator support in the intensive care unit of Medica Superspecialty Hospital for over two weeks. He was a two-time Olympian and the goalscorer for India's 1962 Asian Games gold medal-winning team. He is survived by his two daughters. ## In 2004, PK was honoured with FIFA Order of Merit (Centennial), the highest honour accorded by FIFA, the international federation of association football. He was also hounoured with Padma Shri in 1990, and the Arjuna Award in 1961. He is listed as the Indian Footballer of 20th Century by the International Federation of Football History and Statistics (IFFHS). PK's younger brother Prasoon Banerjee was also a renowned footballer who captained India in his days. ## For more and the latest news about Bollywood, stay tuned to us.

COVID-19: Kanika Kapoor slammed by social media for being 'irresponsible'
2273 days ago
Bollywood

COVID-19: Kanika Kapoor slammed by social media for being 'irresponsible'

Mumbai, March 20 (IANS) Singer Kanika Kapoor, who has tested positive for the novel coronavirus, is being slammed by netizens for not going into self-quarantine after returning to India from London a few days ago. Users on social media users called her "irresponsible" and "uneducated" when they got to know that she has reportedly attended several high-profile parties and events after arriving in the country. ## "Kanika Kapoor's episode just shows that stardom and money and privilege doesn't guarantee minimum common sense. Their irresponsible behaviour can upset the fight against #coronavirus which till date has been reasonably contained in India," a user tweeted. ## Another one even asked police to arrest the "Baby Doll" singer. ## "Horrible Behavior!!! She should be arrested," the user added. ## Condemning her negligence, a user called her "uneducated". ## On Friday morning, Kanika had taken to Instagram to announce that she has been infected with the virus. ## "Hello everyone, For the past 4 days I have had signs of flu, I got myself tested and it came positive for Covid-19. My family and I are in complete quarantine now and following medical advice on how to move forward. Contact mapping of people I have been in touch with is underway aswell. ## "I was scanned at the airport as per normal procedure 10 days ago when I came back home, the symptoms have developed only 4 days ago. At this stage I would like to urge you all to practice self isolation and get tested if you have the signs. ## I am feeling ok, like a normal flu and a mild fever, however we need to be sensible citizens at this time and think of all around us. We can get through this without panic only if we listen to the experts and our local, state and central government directives," Kanika wrote. ## For more and the latest news about Bollywood, stay tuned to us.