I

IANS News

1758 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

Sara Ali Khan: Our hearts, minds, souls aren't in lockdown
2247 days ago
Bollywood

Sara Ali Khan: Our hearts, minds, souls aren't in lockdown

Mumbai, April 15 (IANS) Bollywood actress Sara Ali Khan has shared a beautiful photograph of herself along with some profound brainstorming. She says that the hearts, minds, and souls are not in lockdown.## Sharing a stunning monochrome picture of herself on Instagram, she wrote: "Our hearts, minds and souls aren't in lockdown #stayhome #staystrong#staypositive #staysafe," she captioned the image, which has garnered over 1.5 million likes on social media. She had recently shared a throwback video of herself along with her brother Ibrahim Ali Khan telling "knock-knock" jokes".## She had also shared tips for fans to beat lockdown boredom during the ongoing COVID-19 lockdown.## On the work front, Sara was last seen in Imtiaz Ali's "Love Aaj Kal", which also starred Kartik Aaryan.## Sara will be next seen opposite Varun Dhawan in the remake of "Coolie No.1". She will also be seen sharing screen space with Akshay Kumar and Dhanush in "Atrangi Re".## Stay tuned...

Read Article
Three Miss Worlds unite to fight COVID-19 stigma
2247 days ago
Bollywood

Three Miss Worlds unite to fight COVID-19 stigma

Mumbai, April 15 (IANS) Three former beauty queens -- Miss World 2017 Manushi Chhillar from India, Miss World 2016 Stephanie Del Valle from Puerto Rico and Miss World 2018 Vanessa Ponce from Mexico -- have come together to raise awareness on coronavirus and discuss how to battle the stigma of infection that is on the rise.## "At a time like this, whatever each one of us can do to raise as much awareness about COVID-19 in our respective countries and communities will be key to stop the virus in its tracks. I wanted to tell people that we are in this together and what is happening in India is also happening in the rest of the world," Manushi said.## The platform will have the three former Miss Worlds, who is also vocal about social issues and work in the fields of education, menstrual hygiene, discrimination, and racism, speak about the need for the world to unite to fight the pandemic.## "The pain we are witnessing with the loss of lives, the struggles, the hardships of Indians are similar to what is happening in every country of the world and the Miss Worlds from Mexico and Puerto Rico will speak the same. We are one world and we can fight and heal collectively. That's the intent of this exercise," she added.## Manushi has already been roped in by the Haryana State Government and UNICEF India to raise awareness about COVID-19 among the people of India.## The three beauty queens will also discuss the importance of mental health at a time like this.## Stay tuned...

Read Article
Ayushmann Khurrana plays 'Bella Ciao' of 'Money Heist' on piano
2247 days ago
Bollywood

Ayushmann Khurrana plays 'Bella Ciao' of 'Money Heist' on piano

Mumbai, April 15 (IANS) It seems actor Ayushmann Khurrana is a big fan of the hit Spanish show "Money Heist", originally titled "La Casa de Papel".## Taking to Instagram, Ayushmann posted a video that shows him playing "Bella Ciao", the title track of the show, on his piano. Not only this, but he also shared that he wants to essay the role of the Professor (played by Alvaro Morte) in the series.## "I want to be a Professor. That's why I'm wearing similar glasses and playing Bella Ciao. I want to put this out in the universe. Hello reverent filmmakers, are you listening? Please! I'm dying to do something like this. I'm itching to go on sets and work, like each and every human on this planet. We all want to go out and work. But patience is a virtue they say. Till then Bella Ciao. #MoneyHeist," he captioned the video.## Reacting to Ayushmann's version of "Bella Ciao", actress Shilpa Shetty commented: "Binged on 'Money Heist' and now bingeing on this... beautiful."## Rapper Badshah wrote: "Someone needs to do it and make me a part of it too."## "Money Heist" is back on Netflix for part 4. While part three was about the surviving members of a misfit band of bank robbers getting the band back together, the fourth part showcases Tokyo, the Professor and the whole gang, back to clean out the Bank of Spain.## Stay tuned...

Read Article
COVID-19 effect: Cannes film fest won't happen in June
2247 days ago
Hollywood

COVID-19 effect: Cannes film fest won't happen in June

Paris, April 15 (IANS) The Cannes Film Festival will not take place in June due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The organizers are busy exploring different options to conduct the festival later this year.## The organizers also mention that the festival can't go ahead "in its original form" due to the coronavirus crisis, reports variety.com.## "Following the French President's statement, on Monday, April 13th, we acknowledged that the postponement of the 73rd International Cannes Film Festival, initially considered for the end of June to the beginning of July, is no longer an option," the festival said in a statement, adding: "It is clearly difficult to assume that the Festival de Cannes could be held this year in its original form."## "Nevertheless, since yesterday evening we have started many discussions with professionals, in France and abroad. They agree that the Festival de Cannes, an essential pillar for the film industry, must explore all contingencies allowing to support the year of Cinema by making Cannes 2020 real, in a way or another," added the fest.## In March, it was announced that the 2020 edition will not be held in May. They planned to move forward with a tentative plan to postpone the event until the end of June. The rise of COVID-19 cases in France and the rest of the world has made it difficult to move ahead in June or July.## Since its first edition after World War II in 1946, the Cannes Film Festival has been canceled only once in 1968 during the nationwide student riots.## For the worldwide film community, the cancellation of the fest would have a far-reaching impact. Last year's film market reported a record of 12,527 participants.## Stay tuned...

Read Article
'Pirates Of The Caribbean' update: sixth movie in development
2247 days ago
Hollywood

'Pirates Of The Caribbean' update: sixth movie in development

Los Angeles, April 15 (IANS) "Pirates Of The Caribbean" actor Lee Arenberg says a sixth movie is "definitely" being discussed by the makers.## The 57-year-old star, who essayed the role of pirate Pintel in the original trilogy, has not been involved in the franchise since 2007's "At World's End". He suggested that a new film is on the horizon, reports dailymail.co.uk.## "They're definitely talking about it, as far as I know," Arenberg said when he appeared on "Kendall Talks TV".## It is unclear whether the new installment will be another sequel or a reboot of the original franchise, which featured Johnny Depp as Captain Jack Sparrow. Last year, Disney brought Ted Elliot and Craig Mazin on board to work on the film franchise.## While details are being kept under wraps, Arenberg says he would be up for a comeback.## "I mean yeah, of course, obviously. But they've already done two without us. I love it, though, I love that part. But it's not up to me," he added.## The highly anticipated sixth film follows 2015's "Dead Men Tell No Tales". Stuart Beattie, who was attached to "Curse of the Black Pearl" as a screenwriter, previously suggested the studio was looking to the future.## He said: "I think (Depp's) had a great run. Obviously he's made that character his own and it's become the thing that he's most famous for now. It's been great for him and it's been great for us... There's that saying, 'Don't frown because it's over, smile because it happened. The fact that they're rebooting something that you did means that you did something that was worth rebooting. It's an honor."## The sixth part will be directed by Joachim Ronning, who had also helmed the previous part of the franchise. The release date of "Pirates of the Caribbean 6" is still not announced but there are reports that the next sequel is slated to release in 2021.## For more and latest news about Hollywood, stay tuned with us.

Read Article
COVID-19: Chitrangda Singh spreads the word on Ayushman Bharat scheme
2248 days ago
Bollywood

COVID-19: Chitrangda Singh spreads the word on Ayushman Bharat scheme

Mumbai, April 14 (IANS) The government's Ayushman Bharat scheme has started providing free testing kit and treatment for COVID-19 to over 50 crore poor people in India. Bollywood actress Chitrangda Singh has taken the initiative of spreading the word.## On Tuesday evening, Union Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr. Harsh Vardhan tweeted a video where Chitrangda Singh is speaking about the same.## In the video, the actress says in Hindi: "We get a lot of takes to make a shot perfect while shooting films, but this coronavirus pandemic will not give you a second chance. One mistake can make us, our families and neighbors pay the price. Please don't step out of your homes unless it is extremely necessary."## "In such difficult times, we need to stand by our poor brothers and sisters who are extremely vulnerable. Also, people who serve us throughout the year -- such as our watchmen, vegetable vendors, washermen, cooks, and drivers -- we must help them," she added.## "Under the government's Ayushman Swasthya Yojana, over 50 crore poor people get free treatment up to Rs 5 lakh every year. Under this scheme, testing and treatment for COVID 19 will be completely free," said the actress.## Sharing the video, the minister wrote: "Thank you, @IChitrangda Ji! #COVID__19 treatment is free under #AyushmanBharat for its 50 crore beneficiaries! I request @ayushmannk @TheShilpaShetty @Neenagupta001 to #PassItForward & help us #SaveLives".## Chitrangda Singh also shared the video on Twitter and wrote: "With you in all the efforts #SpreadTheWord #NotTheVirus."## On the work front, Chitrangda Singh will next be seen alongside Abhishek Bachchan in the movie "Bob Biswas".## Stay tuned...

Read Article
Smriti Irani has a witty reaction to Ekta Kapoor's throwback pic
2248 days ago
TV

Smriti Irani has a witty reaction to Ekta Kapoor's throwback pic

Mumbai, April 15 (IANS) K-soap czarina Ekta Kapoor jogged down memory lane to share a throwback picture from the days of "Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi", the show that made Smriti Irani a household name as the nations favorite telly-bahu, Tulsi.## A snapshot shared by Ekta that has been trending on Instagram has the producer with Smriti Irani and Zee top boss Tarun Katial.## Sharing the throwback picture, Ekta wrote as a caption: "Three of us! Wat e throwback #tarunkatyal @smritiiraniofficial n Moi! #thenandnow."## Over the years, Smriti Irani has moved into public service is now Minister of Women and Child Development in the Narendra Modi government. She reacted to the picture without wit. "Patle huya karte they kujh log (some people used to be slim)," she wrote.## Fan reactions were varied, though everyone loved the picture.## Thrown into a whiff of nostalgia, one fan wanted Ekta to bring back her K-soaps on TV, in the wake of so many reruns owing to the ongoing COVID-19 lockdown.## "Bring kyunki saas b kabi bahu thi and kahani ghar ghar ki too @ektarkapoor," wrote the user.## Another user agreed, and felt "Kasautii Zindagi Kay " and "Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi", should both be revived during the lockdown: "Ab to Ekta mam ko kzk kskb tv series start karni chaiye, stay safe stay home @ektarkapoor."## Stay tuned...

Read Article
Lockdown diaries: Kanisha Malhotra makes short films at home
2248 days ago
Bollywood

Lockdown diaries: Kanisha Malhotra makes short films at home

Mumbai, April 15 (IANS) Actress Kanisha Malhotra, who has featured in shows such as "P.O.W. - Bandi Yuddh Ke" and "Ye Hai Mohabbatein", is utilizing her lockdown time to create short films at home.## "During this difficult time, when COVID-19 has hit the world hard, keeping a positive mind is very important. And that is what I feel. I'm keeping myself busy by creating content-driven short films online," she said.## Kanisha has acted, written and directed the films, "Empty Roads" and "Dear Baba".## "I have created the films with limited resources at home, depicting the current scenario world is facing due to the novel coronavirus. I am creating more and more content as social media is a big ground right now and I will be exploring more web series and web film space once lockdown is over," Kanisha added.## Kanisha is also known for her roles in the web series "Bombae" and "Dance Bar".## Stay tuned...

Read Article
Did you know 'Mary Kom' director Omung Kumar was a child actor?
2248 days ago
Bollywood

Did you know 'Mary Kom' director Omung Kumar was a child actor?

Mumbai, April 15 (IANS) Art director-turned-filmmaker Omung Kumar B. shot to fame directing "Mary Kom" in 2014 and has made a few other films since then. But did you know that he has his first brush with showbiz as a child actor way back in the seventies?## The year is 1979 and the film is "Guru Ho Jaa Shuru", an action comedy-drama starring Ashok Kumar, Mahendra Sandhu, Prema Narayan, Deb Mukherjee, and Ranjeet.## "Guru Ho Ja Suru' movie 1979, me as child star Full drama..... my god I was so young, and yes remember the rain scene... and my hair... wah," Omung wrote on social media, reminiscing about the film directed by Shiv Kumar.## In the film, Omung played the younger version of hero Mahendra Sandhu. In sync with trends of the time, he was credited as Master Omung Kumar.## Stay tuned...

Read Article
Gul Panag to narrate stories of courage of India's armed forces
2248 days ago
Bollywood

Gul Panag to narrate stories of courage of India's armed forces

Mumbai, April 15 (IANS) Actress Gul Panag will serve as a narrator of the podcast "Special Mission", which is a tribute to India's armed forces.## "As a daughter of an army officer, this theme is extremely close to my heart. Growing up, I have seen how unpredictable life can be for those who serve the nation, and I am so thrilled to narrate their stories of courage and valor on this new Spotify podcast," said Gul.## "I've known Sidin (the show's producer Sidin Vadukut) for years now, so when he reached out with this project, there was only one answer - yes! I grew up listening to these stories, and I think podcasts are a great medium to pass on the legacy of those heroes, capturing the challenge they overcome," she added.## She hopes people are inspired by these individuals to 'live fiercely, value life, and of course, honor those who sacrifice so much to keep us safe".## "Special Mission", an original podcast on the platform, will have episodes full of true yet unheard stories of valor.## The episodes will cover a diverse list of topics like international rescue missions, stories of regimental legends, music and even the animals that serve in the forces.## The one thing that connects all these stories is their broad emotional scope. These are stories not just of the soldiers themselves but also their families, friends and personal lives.## For more and latest news about Bollywood, stay tuned with us.

Read Article
Sobhita Dhulipala: I am committed to taking risk in career
2248 days ago
Bollywood

Sobhita Dhulipala: I am committed to taking risk in career

Mumbai, April 15 (IANS) Actress Sobhita Dhulipala wants to continue her journey as a risk-taker and does not want to live a predictable life.## "I am committed to taking a risk in career and in life. What scares me is what if I lose out on the confidence to take new challenges. Hopefully, that never happens. I do not want to live a predictable life. Perhaps that is why change does not worry me, stagnancy does. Every change that is happening now is teaching us something. For us actors, vanity, popularity, beauty -- all these things at times hold us back to take risks. That's the only thing I do not want. I do not want the vanity to take away my enthusiasm to take a risk and that joy of acting, the joy of performing!" Sobhita told IANS.## Starting her Bollywood career with Anurag Kashyap's "Raman Raghav 2.0", she has acted in films such as "Kaalakaandi", "Goodachari", and "Moothon". On OTT platforms, she has been seen in the shows "Made In Heaven" and "Bard Of Blood" and the digital film, "Ghost Stories".## Recalling her first-ever audition, she said: "That was my first audition and I bagged the role. That was the moment I realize that I actually love acting! This is my true calling! I did not know it before. Otherwise, I would have directly looked for such an opportunity instead of participating in beauty pageants and modeling. I always had a love for storytelling, it is a sacred thing to me. But I think all is a part of my journey and I learned a lot about makeup, camera, and many things during my modeling days."## Sobhita participated in Miss Earth 2013 and the general assumption could be that she always had an inclination towards acting. However, she says she was quite the "teacher's pet" in school.## "I spent a good amount of time in the library because I loved reading books and was busy earning grades! I was not at all a 'cool kid' in school, so nobody even imagined, including me, that I could be someone in the glamour industry. At the end of my college days, I just thought of participating in a beauty pageant. Since I had to plan and it was just a 'karke dekhte hai, kya hota hai' type attitude, there was a certain innocence, too. Perhaps that is why I am not the 'heroine' type, you know! But I am happy the way my career has panned out so far," Sobhita signed off.## For more and latest news about Bollywood, stay tuned with us.

Read Article
Anurag Kashyap is all praise for Vijay Varma
2248 days ago
Bollywood

Anurag Kashyap is all praise for Vijay Varma

Mumbai, April 15 (IANS) Vijay Varma's acting in "Bamfaad" has left filmmaker Anurag Kashyap impressed.## "Vijay and I started our careers with the same films as 'Chittagong' and 'Monsoon Shootout, in which he was the lead and I was the producer. When I saw the first cut of 'Bamfaad', I immediately called up Vijay and told him that with this role, a new aspect of him has come out. I think it's one of the best approaches to a performance by an actor," Anurag said.## In the Zee5 original film, Vijay plays the antagonist. The film marks the debut of veteran actor Paresh Rawal's son Aditya Rawal. It is presented by Anurag Kashyap and directed by Ranjan Chandel.## Vijay will be next seen in Mira Nair's "A Suitable Boy".## Stay tuned...

Read Article
Prev Next