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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

Arjun Kapoor to go on virtual date to raise funds for daily wage earners
2255 days ago
Bollywood

Arjun Kapoor to go on virtual date to raise funds for daily wage earners

Mumbai, April 7 (IANS) After supporting COVID-19 relief funds, actor Arjun Kapoor is all set to go on a virtual date to raise money for daily wage earners of the film industry.## "There is a section of people in our country who have lost livelihood during this crisis and are in dire need to sustain themselves and their families. I am talking about the scores of daily wage earners – your favorite chaat wale bhaiya, construction workers, coolies, dhobis, rickshaw drivers and so many others. The lockdown means that they can't go out and earn a living," the actor said.## Five winners stand a chance to go on a virtual date with the actor.## "A special thank you in advance to everyone who is going to come forward and donate for this special cause. I will be meeting and chatting and chilling with 5 winners on April 11 and that night we will all be doing a video chat. I will be getting to know you, share a laugh with you, have a meal with you and just have a good evening together. Let's come together to help those in serious need," he said.## Arjun and his sister Anshula Kapoor have teamed up to raise money through the online fundraising platform, Fankind. "Fankind, GiveIndia and I have come together to provide cash in hand for these daily wage workers in serious need," the actor said, adding: "GiveIndia has identified more than 60 thousand families across India that need our help. All you have to do is log on to fankind.org/arjun and donate. Even Rs 100 will make a huge difference. Your entire donation amount will go in the hands of these people in need."## On the acting front, Arjun currently awaits the release of his next film "Sandeep Aur Pinky Faraar". It also features his "Ishaqzaade" co-star Parineeti Chopra.## Stay tuned...

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Badshah deposits 5 lakh to 'Boro loker biti lo' creator Ratan Kahar's account
2255 days ago
Bollywood

Badshah deposits 5 lakh to 'Boro loker biti lo' creator Ratan Kahar's account

Mumbai, April 7 (IANS) Badshah has kept his word. The rapper, who had promised to help out "Boro loker biti lo" original creator on "humanitarian grounds", has done his bit and deposited Rs 5 lakh to the veteran folk artiste's bank account.## On Friday, the rapper got in touch with the Birbhum-based folk singer Ratan Kahar via video call. The rapper's team noted down his bank details over the phone the same day, and on Monday Rs 5 lakh has been deposited to Ratan Kahar's account, reports news18.com.## After receiving the money, Kahar has reportedly called Badshah to thank him personally and has also invited the rapper to visit him at his residence in Siuri, a small town in West Bengal's Birbhum district.## In a recent interview with IANS, Ratan Kahar had mentioned: "I want Badshah to come over to my place and talk to me. I would first like to thank him for using my song. I am also eager to discuss music with him if he has the time." The veteran singer, who now lives in poverty-stricken condition, had also requested for monetary help from the rapper.## After being accused of plagiarism for using Ratan Kahar's song "Boro loker biti lo" in his latest video without giving him due credit, the rapper had issued a statement on social media where he had mentioned that he would like to do "whatever possible on my part on humanitarian grounds to put this right."## Stay tuned...

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Karan Tacker: I see no reason to look down upon TV content
2255 days ago
TV

Karan Tacker: I see no reason to look down upon TV content

Mumbai, April 7 (IANS) Popular television actor Karan Tacker, who is being praised for his debut digital role in "Special OPs", says that TV and digital entertainment can be celebrated parallel to each other, and there is no point looking down upon television content.## Asked if he thought TV content was "regressive", Karan told IANS: "I believe that every content has its own audience. There are people who love watching TV and that is why there are so many television shows and channels that are doing exceptionally well, business-wise too. Otherwise, why would someone make TV shows? At the same time, there will be an audience that will go to the theatre and watch a film. Digital shows are mostly for personal viewing and we are building the audience there. I see these three medium are growing parallel."## The actor also explained: "If someone is tagging content on TV as ‘regressive', it is their opinion. It is the way they look at it or look down upon TV content. At the end of the day, all these mediums are viewership based. If there are no viewers, makers will stop creating. We all can see that every filmstar comes on TV shows to promote their films. Why? Because they know about the reach of the medium. Also, every award show is telecast on TV. How can we discount these facts? I think that says it all."## "Special OPs" is a spy-thriller, streaming on Hotstar. The series also features Kay Kay Menon, Meher Vij, Sana Khan, Saiyami Kher, Vinay Pathak, and Vipul Gupta.## "I have started my career on TV and I am proud of shows that I have appeared in. I am a proud TV actor," Karan signed off.## For more and latest news about TV, stay tuned with us.

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Mahesh Babu suggests 'fear distancing' to avoid fake news about COVID-19
2255 days ago
Tollywood

Mahesh Babu suggests 'fear distancing' to avoid fake news about COVID-19

Mumbai, April 7 (IANS) Apart from social distancing, we also need to practice "fear distancing", suggests Telugu superstar Mahesh Babu. This is extremely necessary at a time when fake news and myths are circulating about the COVID-19 pandemic.## "Besides social distancing and maintaining good hygiene, there is something as important that needs our attention- #FearDistancing - Keeping ourselves away from people and news that creates panic and fear. Fake news is a real issue! Stay away from misguided information," Mahesh Babu tweeted on Tuesday.## Tuesday also being World Health Day, the actor lauded the health workers and Indian government. He wrote: "Two weeks of lockdown and we have been going strong. Hugely appreciate the united efforts of our governments. This #WorldHealthDay, let's take a moment to thank all those on the frontline of our battle against COVID-19 who ensure we remain in good health. Much respect and admiration for all the brave warriors on the streets and hospitals who've put our lives above theirs during this health crisis. God bless you all."## Sharing a message for his fans, the superstar wrote in a separate tweet: "I urge everyone reading this to spread positivity, love, hope, and empathy. We shall all sail through this storm together. #StayHomeStaySafe."## Stay tuned...

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Sidharth Malhotra: Look out for mental health in these times
2255 days ago
Lifestyle

Sidharth Malhotra: Look out for mental health in these times

Mumbai, April 7 (IANS) On World Health Day, actor Sidharth Malhotra has stressed on the need to work on mental health along with physical health, saying everyone needs to remain "extremely positive, hopeful and appreciate all the basic things in life".## "This year on World Health Day, India and the world is going through a very crucial and very unfortunate time where we are fighting this virus which is extremely deadly. The only way to fight it is social distancing, hence the lockdown within the country and around the world," Sidharth said.## "I am hoping that everyone is following it because it is for their benefit and for the society. It makes us realize how important health is and the environment is. I am hoping that everyone appreciates the fact that they are healthy and can move around once they get out and are more conscious of what they do with their nutrition or the environment around them," he added.## The actor believes in having a holistic approach towards wellness and health, and that's what he hopes everyone tries to achieve during these testing times.## "Since all of us are practicing social distancing and are under lockdown, we do have a lot of time on our hands apart from all the agencies, medical staff, police and other people who are working day and night… This is the best time where you can spend maybe half an hour a day doing some kind of physical activity within the house. It could be walking, freehand exercise, playing sports, or skipping," he said.## The actor continued: "I look at fitness from a very holistic point of view. I won't even just say physical exercise. It is mental health as well, where we have to keep and realize that at times like these you need to be extremely positive, hopeful and appreciate all the basic things in life, workout aside. So, also look out for your mental health. We have all the time in the world to spend it with family and I am hoping people are making good use of the time."## The "Ek Villain" star also thanks to the "all the medical professionals who are working night and day without any break in such crucial and dangerous times for our benefit".## "Whatever, I say is less … They are the real heroes. Along with the medical staff, I would like to thank the police, cleaning staff and people who ensure that we get our essentials. They are doing a fabulous job. They are the real heroes."## Sidharth feels that the severe times have made him "realize that we are mere guests on this earth and not the master".## "Whenever we come back to our normal lives we need to realize that and remember that," he said.## Stay tuned...

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PM Modi lauds star-studded short film 'Family' for its 'relevant messages'
2255 days ago
Bollywood

PM Modi lauds star-studded short film 'Family' for its 'relevant messages'

New Delhi, April 7 (IANS) Prime Minister Narendra Modi has suggested his millions of Twitter followers watch the star-studded video "Family" that campaigns in favor of staying at home during the ongoing COVID-19 lockdown. He says it is a "great video with relevant messages".## PM Modi tweeted on Tuesday: "You can be distant and you can be social. A great video with relevant messages. Have a look."## The made-at-home short film features cine stars like Bollywood icons Amitabh Bachchan, Alia Bhatt, Ranbir Kapoor, and Priyanka Chopra, along with popular regional titans such as Rajinikanth, Mohanlal, Mammootty, Chiranjeevi, Prosenjit Chatterjee, and Shiva Rajkumar, besides Dilit Dosanjh and Sonalee Kulkarni.## The four-minute, 39-second film is conceptualized and virtually directed by Prasoon Pandey in collaboration with Big B.## It talks about how staying at home, staying safe, maintaining hygiene, working from home and maintaining social distancing can be productive. At the end of the video, Big B also appeals in favor of the film industry's daily wage workers who are currently left with no income owing to a complete halt in filming activity due to the lockdown, which began last month.## Stay tuned...

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'Extraction' trailer: Chris Hemsworth on action mode in India
2255 days ago
Hollywood

'Extraction' trailer: Chris Hemsworth on action mode in India

New Delhi, April 7 (IANS) The trailer of Chris Hemsworths upcoming film "Extraction" is finally out and it runs high on action, drama, emotion, and wit by taking the Hollywood actor on a thrilling ride through the bylanes of India, for a deadly mission to take on an Indian and Bangladeshi drug lord.## The Netflix India shared exclusive guns blazing the first look of the film on April 7. "Extraction" traces the journey of Tyler Rake (Hemsworth) who is a fearless black market mercenary with nothing left to lose when his skills are solicited to rescue the kidnapped son of an imprisoned international crime lord.## The film was predominantly shot in multiple Indian cities, Bangladesh and Thailand.## The over three-minute clip opens with Hemsworth's character taking a huge leap off a cliff and into a pond, only to meditate underwater. What follows is a glimpse into the skills of Rake -- from jumping off moving vehicles, across buildings and punching through villains.## The trailer makes it clear that the film, originally titled "Dhaka", is about weapons dealers and drug traffickers. The clip also teases many action scenes, fights and chase sequences.## The thriller is directed by Sam Hargrave and produced by "Avengers: Endgame" director duo Joe Russo and Anthony Russo, as well as Mike Larocca, Chris Hemsworth, Eric Gitter, and Peter Schwerin.## In the film, Pankaj Tripathi and Priyanshu Painyuli play the role of biggest drug lords of India and Bangladesh, Golshifteh Farahani is on the operations team. David Harbour also makes an appearance and seems to be an advisor. Indian actor Randeep Hooda's role is still a mystery as he was missing from the trailer.## Another thing to look forward to in the film is a great background score, which seems too edgy. Also starring Rudraksh Jaiswal, the film will release on Netflix on April 24.## For more and latest news about Hollywood, stay tuned with us.

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Shefali Shah: My family isn't COVID-19 positive, my FB account is hacked
2255 days ago
Bollywood

Shefali Shah: My family isn't COVID-19 positive, my FB account is hacked

Mumbai, April 7 (IANS) Actress Shefali Shah on Tuesday said her Facebook account has been hacked and that details of "her family getting coronavirus", posted by the hacker, are absolutely false.## "I want to say that I'm absolutely fine. And dealing with this entire situation as well as everyone else is dealing with it. dealing. I'm fine and I would never think of something so drastically negative. All of us at home are fine and safe... we are not corona positive as was one of the things that was written in my post. (By god knows who.)," Shefali wrote.## The actress also thanked people for reaching out to her.## "My FB account was hacked last night and I woke up to a flurry of messages of concern of care of people reaching out and saying wonderful things to me and saying that if I need to talk I should call. Some people even shared their telephone numbers. These are people I've met, probably never met or met briefly, or occasionally sometime somewhere. of them and all of them just showed care and concern.## " A lot of them in fact also said this doesn't sound like you it's not a positive voice and it just doesn't sound like you and we are hoping your account (not good) but rather hacked than you ever saying something like this. Because you're valuable and precious... Thank you all. Thank you so much for reaching out and being there... it means a lot to me," Shefali added.## Stay tuned...

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COVID-19: Hrithik to facilitate 1.2 lakh cooked meals for the needy
2255 days ago
Bollywood

COVID-19: Hrithik to facilitate 1.2 lakh cooked meals for the needy

Mumbai, April 7 (IANS) Actor Hrithik Roshan 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 will fulfill the cooking requirements of the needy in association with the NGO Akshaya Patra.## On receiving support from Hrithik, the NGO took to Twitter to thank the "Super 30" actor.## "We are happy to share, our Foundation is now empowered by Superstar @iHrithik. Together, we will facilitate 1.2 lakh nutritious cooked meals to old age homes, daily wage laborers & low-income groups across India, until normalcy in work routine"## "We salute the immediate help from Superstar Hrithik Roshan in providing relief and supporting the health & well-being of ALL INDIANS in need of care. We deeply thank you for your gesture," the post read.## Responding to the tweet, Hrithik tweeted: "I wish you the power to ensure that NO ONE in our country sleeps hungry. You all are the real superheroes on the ground. #IndiaFightsCorona #CovidRelief."## Hrithik recently provided N95 and FFP3 masks for the BMC workers and caretakers.## Stay tuned...

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Selena Gomez to give part of album sales to COVID-19 relief fund
2255 days ago
Hollywood

Selena Gomez to give part of album sales to COVID-19 relief fund

Los Angeles, April 7 (IANS) Singer Selena Gomez will be releasing a new Deluxe Edition of her new album "Rare" with a portion of the proceeds going to the COVID-19 relief fund.## The 27-year-old singer took to Instagram on Monday to share that the new Deluxe Edition of "Rare" will be available from April 9, featuring new songs "Boyfriend" and "Souvenir", reports dailymail.co.uk.## The singer said that she is making a personal donation to the COVID-19 relief fund, and donating $1 from every order of the Deluxe Edition to the Plus1 COVID-19 Relief Fund.## Gomez shared the cover art for the "Rare" Deluxe Album, featuring a profile shot of the singer with the Rare tattoo on her neck.## "The deluxe version of ‘Rare', featuring ‘Boyfriend', ‘She' and ‘Souvenir', is out April 9th," Gomez wrote.## "You can pre-save it now and learn more about how to donate to the PLUS1 COVID-19 Fund in my bio," she said.## She also added another image, which featured a more detailed note about her song "Boyfriend" and the new album.## "Many of you know how excited I've been to release a song called ‘Boyfriend'," Gomez began.## "It's a lighthearted song about falling down and getting back up time and time again in love, but also knowing that you don't need anyone other than yourself to be happy," she added.## She also shared that the song was written, "long before our current crisis", adding: "In the context of today, I want to be clear that a boyfriend is nowhere near the top of my list of priorities."## "Just like the rest of the world, I'm praying for safety, unity, and recovery during this pandemic. Because of that, I'm personally donating to the Plus 1 COVID-19 Relief Fund as well as donating $1 from every order in my official store to the fund starting now," she said.## The standard edition of "Rare" was released in early January.## Recently, Gomez also revealed that she is battling bipolar disorder and said that learning about her disorder took the fear away.## "I think that we are better when we tell the truth and, so, this is my truth. Last year, I was suffering mentally and emotionally, and I wasn't able to stay all that kept together. I wasn't able to hold a smile or to keep things normal. It felt like all of my pain and my anxiety washed over me all at once and it was one of the scariest moments of my life," she said.## The singer added: "(I was) terrified, obviously, because the veil was lifted, but relieved that I finally had the knowledge of why I had suffered for so many years with depression and anxiety. After a year of a lot of intense work... I am happier, I am healthier, and I am in control of my emotions and thoughts more than I've ever been. So, I'm very happy about that."## For more and latest news about Hollywood, stay tuned with us.

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Ana De Armas gushes about Hollywood's 'handsome' leading men
2255 days ago
Hollywood

Ana De Armas gushes about Hollywood's 'handsome' leading men

Los Angeles, April 7 (IANS) Actress Ana De Armas has gushed over the "handsome" leading men with whom she has worked with, saying she was "shaking" when she met actor Ryan Gosling.## In an interview to American Airlines magazine Nexos, De Armas, who is dating her "Deep Water" co-star Ben Affleck, heaped praise on colleagues like Gosling, Daniel Craig, and Affleck reports dailymail.co.uk.## The 31-year-old said that she was "shaking so badly" when she met Gosling during her third audition for "Blade Runner 2049".## "They put you in a room together and make you read things, to see how your chemistry is. I wish I had the tape of that meeting," said the actress, who hails from Cuba.## "I've been very lucky - because these men are all very handsome - but the best part of it is who they are as people. I've had the best partners," she added.## De Armas's fame grew with last year's thriller "Knives Out", where she impressed Craig that he got her a part in his upcoming James Bond film "No Time To Die".## She was "shocked" when director Cary Fukunaga offered her the part as she felt she "didn't match" the "beauty standards" expected of Bond girls.## The actress felt that Bond girls generally "need to be rescued. Or they die. Or are evil. I needed to read that script".## She shared that "it took a little, but they sent me the scenes. It's important because I want to bring something else to the story", and "the character convinced me"## "No Time To Die" was originally scheduled to come out in April. It was pushed due to the coronavirus pandemic.## The actress also spoke about having to learn English and try to break into Hollywood when she first moved to America.## "My background and my experiences growing up in Cuba and moving and being like a citizen of the world and adapting and being flexible. It gives me a lot of tools and a different vision and approach towards a character," she said.## For more and latest news about Hollywood, stay tuned with us.

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Taapsee Pannu recalls 'proud' moment of becoming school's head girl
2255 days ago
Bollywood

Taapsee Pannu recalls 'proud' moment of becoming school's head girl

Mumbai, April 7 (IANS) Actress Taapsee Pannu says she was an extremely bright student in school and, for her excellence, she was even chosen head girl of her school.## Taapsee took to social media on Tuesday to go down down memory lane and shared a throwback picture from her school days. In the image, she is seen taking an oath.## "Throwback which makes me partly proud and partly embarrassed. Since the time I knew what being a prefect in school is I had dreamt to be the Head Girl of my school and this was the day that dream came true.## "One of those rare things in life I planned and it actually happened ( considering all my other plans for life have failed but probably for good ) standing there taking oath I am probably just lost in thought of how when u wish for something so bad it can actually come true n that's y probably I am (embarrassingly) not looking ahead! Which I should!"## "Considering the Head boy is more interested to look into my camera, I don't think I should be the only one embarrassed by this picture," she quipped.## Taapsee was accompanied by her father and mother for the oath-taking ceremony.## On the film front, Taapsee will be seen in "Haseen Dillruba", "Rashmi Rocket" and "Shabaash Mithu" in the coming months.## Stay tuned...

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