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Aamir Liaquat Hussain on making fun of Rishi Kapoor and Irrfan Khan: I'm sorry

Pakistani television personality Aamir Liaquat Husain has apologised for making extremely insensitive remarks about the deaths of iconic Bollywood stars Sridevi and Irrfan Khan. Recently, in a segment of his show Jeewey Pakistan, he joked about the deaths, which shocked the film world globally, with actor Adnan Siddiqui, who has worked with Sridevi and Irrfan Khan.

Liaquat Husain started off by saying that Adnan saved the lives of Rani Mukerji and Bipasha Basu. A confused Adnan asked how. To which, Liaquat Husain disgracefully joked about how the actors Adnan worked with outside of Pakistan, died.

"You worked in Mom and Sridevi died, you worked with Irrfan Khan as well and he passed away. You were offered roles in Mardaani 2 and Jism 2 but you declined, so the actors of that movie owe their life to you," he added.

Adnan looked uncomfortable with the remarks and even told Liaquat Husain that it was not something to joke about. Adnan worked with Irrfan in 2007's A Mighty Heart, which also featured Angelina Jolie.

Liaquat Husain faced a lot of flak for remarks. On Saturday, he released a video, apologising for his insensitive comments.

"Sometimes you lose control over your words. That happens in a live show. At the time it didn't seem like a big issue but when I later thought about I realised that was not appropriate. So I'm really sorry. Keeping humanity in mind, this should not have been said. I made a mistake," he said in the video. Adnan also released a statement about his reaction to the incident on Twitter. Have a look at the video:

In a statement, he said: "So I don't know how to explain what I'm feeling right now or what to say. But this needs to go out. I was invited on the live chat show Jeewey Pakistan yesterday when this unfortunate incident happened. The anchor Amir Liaquat Sahab joked about something extremely sensitive. Not only were they both close to me but also as a human it was wrong on so many levels. I cannot even call it hitting below the belt."

"It was an extremely callous act to joke about the deceased. This is in very bad taste, not only does it show him and me but also the entire country in bad light. I want to apologise to the families of Sridevi Sahiba and lrrfan Khan Sahab, their loved ones and fans. If you see my body language I was extremely uncomfortable with what he said but I didn't want to stoop to that level. I regret being on the show. I've learnt my lesson and I promise I will not tolerate such an act in future. I was hoping this bit wouldn't become public but unfortunately it has. I'm sorry. Thank you," he said, concluding the statement with folded hands emoji.

Sridevi died in 2018. Irrfan breathed his last on April 29 at the age of 54. He was admitted to Mumbai's Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani hospital with a colon infection earlier this week. However, he succumbed to his ailment.

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Sonu Nigam brings together 100 artistes from across India for a song

Despite the sealed borders keeping him from returning home to India, Sonu Nigam has been neck-deep in work, supporting causes for daily-wagers, and raising awareness for relief funds for the country. It's been a month since Nigam, who is currently holed up in Dubai, began the cumbersome task of breathing life into a passion-project, the brainchild of his industry associate Srinivas. Along with Indian Singers Rights Association CEO Sanjay Tandon, the duo reached out to 100 artistes from across India for the creation of the 14-language track, One nation one voice, which is set to be unveiled by Lata Mangeshkar.

"We had been struggling to find a Sindhi [singer], and that's when we reached out to Ghanshyam Vaswani. Though disconnected from mainstream [music], he has been a ghazal singer for decades. My mother was proficient in Sindhi. So Ghanshyamji and I collaborated for those portions. Similarly, Papon [worked on] the Assamese [verses], Bhajan Soporiji and Kailash Kher did the Kashmiri track, Mame Khan crafted Rajasthani [verses] and Krishna [Beura], the Odia portions," Nigam tells mid-day of the song that also includes lines in Bengali, Marathi, Malayalam, and Tamil.

The coalescing of an assortment of home-bound artistes for a single track becomes simpler when employing a digitally transferable background score that they can individually lay their vocals on. But Nigam was creating an acapella piece, which didn't have instruments to play second fiddle in supporting his endeavour.

"We sent two songs to all the singers. One [included] the base track that had been created by [a select few], and included sounds, layers and harmonies. No instruments were used to create this, and it was upon this piece that the singers [recorded their vocals]. We also gave them a reference piece of how we wanted the song to sound, but offered an empty space [for them to experiment]." Those singers who do not have a home-studio had to let the acapella piece play in the background as they recorded their vocals over it, he informs.

There's a peculiar cheer in his voice when he talks of Asha Bhosle's involvement in this number. "With her being by our side, this project has become invaluable. At 86, she has opened this song like a boss. You find yourself wondering how someone at that age can sing so beautifully. I was reduced to tears on hearing her 30-second performance."

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Rapper Raftaar's words of wisdom

A six-part series that kicked off yesterday will see Raftaar and Raja Kumari come together to spread cheer among music aficionados through MTV's Hustle from Home. The platform will give ace rappers a chance to jam, and share their expertise, alongside Raftaar and Kumari, who will enhance the offering by sharing personal anecdotes and facilitating interactive sessions.

Chronicling the growth of the genre, Raftaar tells mid-day, "Traversing through the by-lanes of Dharavi to find its due as one of the most predominant genres in the Bollywood music industry, rap music has had its share of ups and downs. However, it has managed to evolve [while retaining] its rawness. I am proud to take this rap revolution ahead through my work and shows. Such platforms give a push to the budding talents of our country."

This show has been created to pay tribute to the doctors, nurses, police personnel and essential service providers who have been at the forefront of the battle against the pandemic. "Rap continues to have a hard-hitting impact on people, and is a powerful medium of expression," says the rapper.

Artistes like M Zee Bella, RCR, EPR, Agsy, Void and Shloka, who made an impact in the previous editions of the show, will also make a return in this instalment.

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Preity Zinta shares work-out tutorial from her garden amid lockdown

To help the people looking for some exercising tips at home, actor Preity Zinta on Sunday shared a glimpse from her workout session amid the coronavirus induced lockdown.

The 'Koi Mil Gaya' star took to Instagram and shared a video featuring lower back and hip strengthening exercise. In the video, Zinta is seen exercising with the help of a chair in her garden, after which her pet 'Bruno' jumps in to lick her face.

Taking to the captions she wrote, "A lot of people have been asking me for some simple but effective lower back and hip strengthening exercise.... so here it is. Make sure to keep ur core muscles squeezed and engaged. Squeeze ur butt muscles when u go up and breath. The more u do the better for you. Do 4 sets of 10 to start. Keep doing it till someone stops you like Bruno did to me. Hope this helps. #pzfit #day52 #Quarantine #lowerback #stayhome #staysafe #staystrong #ting."

Lately, the 'Veer Zaara' actor is making the best use of her social media platforms in raising awareness about the coronavirus.

As misinformation that animals spread coronavirus is causing many pet owners to abandon their pets, the actor also urged people not to abandon their pets."Abandoning your pets is the most inhuman thing one can do right now, especially when it is confirmed that they are not carriers of the virus. Have a heart folks, stay safe, love your pets and pls follow social distancing," she wrote on her Instagram post.

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Ranbir, Alia, and Neetu Kapoor visit the Banganga Tank to immerse the ashes of the late Rishi Kapoor

Rishi Kapoor's demise was one of the most shocking news of the year. He was an actor, a star, and an entertainer for nearly five decades and was known for his wit, honesty, and fantastic performances. He passed away on April 30 at 8:45 am in hospital after a two-year battle with leukemia.

Ranbir Kapoor and Neetu Kapoor, his son, and wife, attended his prayer meet and his daughter Riddhima Kapoor Sahni also arrived with her daughter Samara Sahni to be with her family. And now, Ranbir, Neetu, accompanied by Alia Bhatt and Ayan Mukerji, visited the Banganga Tank to immerse the late actor's ashes.

In a video that was shared by Manav Manglani, we could see Ranbir, Ayan, and Alia proceeding towards the Banganga Tank, have a look at the video right here:

And then came a video where Ranbir could be seen immersing his father's ashes, take a look right here:

 
 
 
View this post on Instagram

#RanbirKapoor at #banganga for his father #RishiKapoor #pray #RipRishiKapoor #sunday ❤️🙏

A post shared by Manav Manglani (@manav.manglani) onMay 3, 2020 at 8:49am PDT

Rishi Kapoor is one personality that can never be forgotten! He was charm and honesty personified and his presence will always be felt around us!

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Ishaan Khatter's father Rajesh Khattar introduces his baby boy Vanraj with an adorable post

Everyone in the world needs only and only positivity, faith, hope, and happiness to stay and survive this global pandemic called Coronavirus. People who have access to their phones are watching videos and pictures of Bollywood celebrities and their daily chores. Time to see something different and very adorable. Ishaan Khatter's father and actor Rajesh Khattar has introduced to all of us his baby boy and the newest member of the family, Vanraj.

Taking to his Instagram account, he wrote- "Hello Everyone (my first hello to all you wonderful people)Dad says world is going through trying times but this too shall pass & for us children,you all are going to make this world more beautiful than it ever was. We kids believe & thank all of you for this promise #stayhome #staysafe & keep us safe." (sic)

Have a look at the post right here:

Khattar and wife Vandana Sajnani welcomed Vanraj last year in August and he even announced this on his Instagram account, have a look right here:

 
 
 
View this post on Instagram

Overwhelmed .. thank you for blessing the little one 🙏 Keep the love flowing

A post shared by Rajesh Khattar (@rajesh_khattar) onAug 31, 2019 at 9:01am PDT

Well, these cute and charming pictures are surely likely to put a smile on your face amid this crisis. So are we all set to witness another social media sensation?

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I For India concert: Hrithik Roshan sings and plays a piano!

Amidst the perilous times of the pandemic, global artists assembled on a live platform for a charitable home-to-home fundraiser concert- I For India concert to raise money for GiveIndia COVID-19 relief fund on 3 May, 2020. Hrithik Roshan, was also one of the artists who was a part of this initiative and as a special sight, the actor sang a song with the accompaniment of a piano.

A source close to the event shared, "Hrithik spent over 7 hours practising the piano and singing. He is neither a professional singer nor a pianist but he put additional efforts and learnt the piano notes for this one, on his own." It is not easy to play the piano and sing together for someone who is new to both but Hrithik worked hard for this performance.

The objective of the philanthropic concert was to pay tribute to those who are working on the frontlines and to provide 100 per cent proceeds from the fundraiser concert to the India COVID Response Fund, to support on-ground relief efforts.

 

Amidst this lockdown, Hrithik Roshan who has music running in his family, has taken to it too and spends a lot of his time learning music on his own. The effort made by Hrithik was very evident in his heartwarming performance that won many hearts. The actor also urged and inspired everyone to mark their donations.

Through these challenging times, Hrithik has time and again extended his support to the fight against COVID-19. With this, another initiative, the actor continues to inspire everyone and spread positivity.

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I For India: Tiger Shroff sings at the fundraiser concert

The I for India concert saw the biggest names in Bollywood come together to raise money for GiveIndia.org. The nation witnessed 85 Indian and global stars come on one platform to raise funds for GiveIndia Covid-19 relief fund for a fundraiser concert which was held live on 3 May, 2020. One of the most surprising performances was delivered by the worlds youngest action star Tiger Shroff.

Fans of the actor got to witness a whole new side of him as he flaunted his singing prowess. Tiger October and the yesteryear classic Roop Tera Mastana were the songs of Tiger's choice. The actor sang his heart out but had sunglasses on Tiger felt shy.

The actor stunned the audience as he showed off his skills to the point where fans want him to come up with his own single and also to sing in his forthcoming films.

 
 
 
View this post on Instagram

I love my INDIA ðŸ˜ÂÂŽðŸ˜ÂÂŽ

A post shared by tigershroff (@tigershroff_95009_) onMay 3, 2020 at 7:56am PDT

 

On the work front, Tiger's recent release Baaghi 3 was a box office hit and saw the actor take action to the next level as he battled against a nation. The actor will next be seen in the sequel of Heropanti which will release in 2021.

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Chintu made a mistake by going to Delhi, says Rakesh Roshan

If there's one friendship in the Hindi film industry that probably lasted the longest, it was of Rakesh Roshan and Rishi Kapoor. Their friendship spanned over four decades and they stayed friends forever and ever. The duo was always accompanied by another veteran star Jeetendra. The trio redefined companionship in cinema. Taking about the unfortunate and untimely demise of Kapoor, Rakesh Roshan spoke to Bollywood Hungama about it and poured his heart out.

Speaking about meeting his friend for the last time, he said, "I met him last on March 15 over dinner. Only Chintu (Rishi), his wife Neetu and I were there, and we chatted for nearly three hours. We discussed each other's health. I am a hundred per cent cured, touchwood. Chintu asked me why I didn't start a new film. I told him I will wait until September when my final medical tests will happen. I would rather wait until I'm fully sure. Health comes first. And this is what I told Chintu also."

In February, Rishi Kapoor had to travel to Delhi to attend a wedding but Roshan advised him to take rest, but it seems the actor was adamant. Speaking about it, Roshan said, "Both of us had cancer, though different kinds. I am aware of how infection-prone we are. So when Chintu told me about his plans to go to Delhi in February for a wedding I advised him against it. But he still went and had a relapse there. When I met Chintu he admitted he should've listened to me and that he made a mistake by going to Delhi."

Roshan and Kapoor's friendship began and eventually blossomed on the sets of their film together, Khel Khel Mein, a thriller that came out in 1975 and also starred Neetu Kapoor. And ever since then, as stated above, they continued staying friends forever. It's nearly impossible to even imagine a bond like this exist in today's competitive times. Rishi Kapoor, you shall be missed!

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Zoya Akhtar and others successfully bring together the biggest personalities for the I For India initiative

Zoya Akhtar is a pioneer when it comes to thinking outside the box and delivering the best of content. The director has done it once again with the "I for India initative" to help reduce the impacts of Covid-19.

The initiative has been making headlines ever since it was announced with everyone waiting for the event to go live. Spanning over four hours, the Facebook live event saw 85+ celebrities from Bollywood take part in it including international celebrities like Will Smith and Mick Jagger joining in as well along others.

The event saw artists do various performances in the safety of their homes to raise money for GiveIndia.org to support frontline workers fighting the Covid-19 pandemic and also to help people like daily wage workers who have been affect due to the ongoing crisis.

The vision for the concert was three-pronged: to entertain those locked down in their homes. To pay tribute to those who are working on the frontlines. And to raise funds for those who have no work and no home and do not know where their next meal is coming from.

Needless to say, the concert was a huge success and managed to raise substantial amounts of funds that will indeed benefit those in need. The 'I for India' initiative was organised by Zoya Akhtar and Karan Johar.

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Shah Rukh Khan sings Sab Sahi Ho Jayega to raise funds for COVID-19 heroes

In a historic move, India's biggest fundraiser concert to raise funds for GiveIndia Covid-19 relief fund was met with an unprecedented response by millions of people across the globe. Held live on 3rd May, 2020 IST on Facebook Live, India's biggest virtual concert witnessed 85 plus Indian and global stars on one platform to raise funds for those affected by Covid-19 pandemic.

Shah Rukh Khan, who was more than happy to be a part of this noble initiative, urged everyone to contribute in whatever capacity they could. The superstar pulled off an interesting and engaging conversation with his ardent fans by singing the song 'Sab Sahi Ho Jayega' (created by Badshah) – a song about chances… good chances… about hope, compassion and love.

Shah Rukh Khan's adorable act with his son AbRam was loved and appreciated by one and all, bringing a magical end to the marvelous evening. After announcing a range of initiatives, Shah Rukh Khan provided 25,000 PPE kits to the frontline medical staff in Maharashtra fighting to contain the novel coronavirus pandemic in the state.

 

The actor's group of companies, Kolkata Knight Riders, Red Chillies Entertainment, Meer Foundation and Red Chillies VFX recently announced several initiatives to support the efforts of Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi ji and the Government in its COVID-19 fight.

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Watch video: Sunny Leone pranks hubby Daniel Weber; his reaction was cuter!

Sunny Leone pulled a prank on her husband Daniel Weber by making him believe that she had accidentally chopped off her finger. Sunny took to Instagram to share the video of the same. In the video, she cries out for help, shouting out to her husband that she has chopped off her. Daniel comes in running and panics and runs around as he tries to figure out how he can help.

However, when Sunny draws his attention towards the phone, he understands that he was being recorded all the while, and this was just a prank.

 

Just before the prank, Sunny had shared another video talking about the funny scene:

 
 
 
View this post on Instagram

This ain’t no cooking video!!!! Haha @dirrty99 got pranked and served!!

A post shared by Sunny Leone (@sunnyleone) onMay 3, 2020 at 2:23am PDT

When Sunny asks Daniel how much he enjoyed the prank, he said: "Generally, I am a pretty serious person in life. That is just my personality. I actually don't even like pranks that much. I don't even like pranks on other people and I definitely don't like pranks on me. So, if you want me to rate your prank, I think it's a zero because I hated that it was done on me."

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Bachchan's in-house artist! Aaradhya Bachchan's sketch as tribute to COVID-19 warriors is lovely

Star couple Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and Abhishek Bachchan's daughter Aaradhya Bachchan paid an artistic tribute to all the frontline workers who are combating COVID-19. Both Aishwarya and Abhishek took to Instagram to share a picture of the doodle by their little in-house artist.

The doodle featured two hands joined with 'Thank You' and 'Dhanyawaad' written on them while sketches of frontline workers like healthcare workers, teachers, media professionals, police officials, army personnel, and sanitisation workers are seen surrounding the thanking hands. The lower portion of the sketch featured Aaradhya standing and holding the hands of her parents who are both seen standing on her either side.

The 8-year-old also sketched the necessary precautionary measures against COVID-19 like the use of hand sanitiser, mask, and soap in her tribute to frontline workers. The sketch ended with the message of 'stay home, stay safe.'

And it's lovely! Check it out:

The entire Bachchan family along with megastar Amitabh Bachchan and his actor wife Jaya Bachchan are currently staying at home like many other Bollywood celebrities.

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This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever




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Missing your friends? Here are five shows that will cheer you up during lockdown

As the lockdown is extended, our patience is reaching a point where staying at home is getting a bit difficult. Today, we bring you a list of shows that will remind you of all the fun moments that you shared with your friends before the world turned upside down. Though many of your friends are away and/or stuck somewhere, let's take a look at the shows that will make you walk down memory lane.

FRIENDS:

 
 
 
View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Friends (@friends) onFeb 21, 2020 at 2:02pm PST

This one always tops the list! Aren't all the characters in this iconic show so relatable? Currently streaming on Netflix, FRIENDS will surely bring a smile to your face, and make you think about all the great moments shared with your people. It is an American sitcom television series, created by David Crane and Marta Kauffman, which aired on NBC from September 22, 1994, to May 6, 2004, lasting ten seasons.

Good old days!

How I Met Your Mother:

Currently streaming on Disney+ Hotstar, How I Met Your Mother is a cute love story of a guy, who is in search of the perfect girl, and will make you laugh out loud on the floor. The circumstances that make him fall for this woman seems too good to be true! Though serendipity is the main hero, what comes in between is worth binge-watching. Created by Craig Thomas and Carter Bays for CBS, How I Met Your Mother ran from 2005 to 2014, which follows the main character, Ted Mosby, and his group of friends in Manhattan.

New Girl:

 
 
 
View this post on Instagram

The gang's last day on set. ðŸÂÂ’—#BehindTheScenes #NewGirl

A post shared by New Girl (@officialnewgirl) onMay 25, 2018 at 10:46am PDT

This one too is streaming on Disney+ Hotstar. New Girl shares the story of a woman who ends up living with three guys in Los Angeles. The series revolves around a kooky teacher, Jess (Zooey Deschanel), after she moves into a Los Angeles loft with three men, Nick (Jake Johnson), Schmidt (Max Greenfield), and Winston (Lamorne Morris). Jess' Indian best friend Cece (Hannah Simone) too plays a pivotal role in New Girl. It's funny, it's emotional, and it shows how friends can be embarrassing in certain situations.

Two and a Half Men:

The title track, Men-Men, is nothing but just a gist about the entire show. The show is streaming on Netflix and shares the story of hedonistic jingle writer, Charlie Harper, his uptight brother, Alan, and Alan's troublesome son, Jake, who lives with his dad after the divorce. Their beach house in Malibu will make you hit the sea right away! Who hates a good view with a comfortable chair on the porch? The only thing missing is pina colada!

That '70s Show:

 
 
 
View this post on Instagram

costume goals #that70sshow #that70sshow____ #that70sshowcaptions

A post shared by That '70s Show ☮ (@that70sshow____) onNov 1, 2017 at 1:46pm PDT

Also available on Netflix, starring Mila Kunis and Ashton Kutcher, That '70s Show is a period sitcom, which shares the story of six teenage friends. This one highlights the world of fashion and trends of our parents as teens. This will surely make you time travel to the world of American teenagers in the '70s.

So, which one's your favourite?

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Aamir Khan dismisses reports of distributing money in wheat bags, clarifies on Twitter

The Indian economy has suffered a major setback due to the Coronavirus pandemic and the underprivileged section of the society has to be taken care of financially. Amid this catastrophe, it was reported a few days ago that Bollywood Superstar Aamir Khan distributed money in wheat bags to help the needy. And there were a lot of reports doing the rounds about his donation.

Additionally, the video mentions that within each packet of flour, there was Rs 15,000 hidden in cash and that the truck was sent by Aamir Khan. However, the actor has taken to his Twitter account to clarify once and for all that he was not the one behind these donations and stated that maybe the real Robin Hood doesn't want to reveal himself.

This is what he wrote- "Guys, I am not the person putting money in wheat bags. Its either a fake story completely, or Robin Hood doesn't want to reveal himself!
Stay safe.
Love.
a." (sic)

Have a look right here:

Last night, on May 3, he, however, did participate in the I for India concert to raise money for the unsung heroes who are fighting the pandemic. Accompanying him was his wife Kiran Rao and one of the actor's fan-clubs posted on its Instagram account to share the video of them singing together. Have a look:

As soon as the lockdown ends, Khan will get busy with the shooting of Laal Singh Chaddha, which is slated to release this year on Christmas and also stars Kareena Kapoor Khan.

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Watch video: Shah Rukh Khan croons Sab Sahi Ho Jayega; AbRam says 'Papa, enough now'

In a historic move, India's biggest fundraiser concert to raise funds for GiveIndia Covid-19 relief fund was met with an unprecedented response by millions of people across the globe. Held live on May 3, 2020, IST on Facebook Live, India's biggest virtual concert witnessed 85 plus Indian and global stars on one platform to raise funds for those affected by Covid-19 pandemic.

Shah Rukh Khan, who was more than happy to be a part of this noble initiative, urged everyone to contribute in whatever capacity they could. The superstar pulled off an interesting and engaging conversation with his ardent fans by singing the song 'Sab Sahi Ho Jayega' (created by Badshah) – a song about chances… good chances… about hope, compassion and love.

Shah Rukh Khan's adorable act with his son AbRam was loved and appreciated by one and all, bringing a magical end to the marvellous evening.

 

After announcing a range of initiatives, Shah Rukh Khan provided 25,000 PPE kits to the frontline medical staff in Maharashtra fighting to contain the novel coronavirus pandemic in the state.

The actor's group of companies, Kolkata Knight Riders, Red Chillies Entertainment, Meer Foundation and Red Chillies VFX recently announced several initiatives to support the efforts of Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi ji and the Government in its COVID-19 fight.

Catch up on all the latest entertainment news and gossip here. Also, download the new mid-day Android and iOS apps.

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Vaishali Rathod shares her experience of being a celebrity journalist

The media industry and movie industry are very much interlinked with each other. It’s very common that many media personnel are associated with well-known film stars. One such name who is building her reputation among many celebrities is Vaishali Rathod, a journalist who is the favourite of every celebrity in Dhollywood. She has not just covered events but has also interviewed many big stars and veteran personalities from Bollywood and Dhollywood. With a degree in journalism from the University of Mumbai, Vaishali also had the flair of writing and taking interviews.

She is currently handling the Gujarati entertainment section from Mumbai. Some of the well-known names from Dhollywood with whom Vaishali share a warm rapport include Khushi Shah, Aarohi Patel, Malhar Thakar, Mitra Ghadvi, Hiten Kumar, Alisha Prajapati, Meet Jain, Bharat Chawda among others. As far as Bollywood is concerned, she has interviewed top stars including Shah Rukh Khan, Salman Khan, Ranbir Kapoor, Katrina Kaif, Yami Gautam, Ranveer Singh, Alia Bhatt, Vicky Kaushal and many other prominent names.

Besides writing, the journalist also loves to act and loves to create videos during her leisure time. While speaking about her work, she said, "As a celebrity journalist, it is always a pleasure to meet some of the dignitaries from the film industry. Every celebrity has his or her fair of struggles before they gain success and it has always been a delight to know about their life story", said Vaishali. When asked about her future plans and, she said, "My current focus is to build and grow myself in the field of journalism. There are a lot of things to learn. So I am going with the flow." The journalist further stated that she focuses on one thing at a time as she does not like to do things in haste.

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I For India: Hrithik Roshan and Alia Bhatt's tribute to the Coronavirus warriors will melt your heart

The I For India concert was possibly the best initiative by the Hindi film industry ever since the Coronavirus pandemic began. The intent was to raise money to financially help all those warriors or the unsung heroes that are battling day and night to ensure the crisis ends soon. All the major Bollywood celebrities went live on Facebook and paid a tribute to them in their own style.

Let's talk about two of the best tributes, that of Hrithik Roshan and Alia Bhatt. Talking of Roshan first, he took to his Instagram account to share a video where he could be seen singing and playing the piano at the same time, and confessed he knows neither. He sang the Tere Jaisa Yaar Kahaan song and it's a must-watch.

Have a look right here:

Coming to Bhatt, she crooned her own song from Udta Punjab, Ik Kuddi, and had the company of her elder sister Shaheen Bhatt. One of her fan-clubs posted the video. Don't miss this either:

As mentioned above, this is indeed a heartfelt initiative and we hope the crisis ends soon. Way to go!

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Social media star Mohammed Azharuddin MAU.Azhar gearing up for his Bollywood debut

Social media has really helped people to gain a great fan following through their talent and amazing work. The rise of fashion blogger in India has given many amazing performers a platform to perform on movie scenes and songs. One such person whose popularity rose in no time is Mohammed Azharuddin MAU.Azhar.

With his good looks, charm, style and super cool personality, MAU.Azhar earned a lot of admirers on social media. Azhar enjoys celebrity status on social media and he is eyeing to make his debut on the silver screen.

Mohammed Azharuddin MAU.Azhar, who has been reportedly approached for a film, is currently working on his body. Azhar started acting on social media and came into limelight due to his charming personality

Azhar is also one of the most popular and most followed Instagram Influencer.

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Pooja Chopra had the most unique birthday celebration amid the lockdown

On Sunday, Pooja Chopra turned a year older. As the lockdown meant not making merry with pals, the Aiyaary (2018) actor decided to celebrate her big day in a unique way. She cut a cake with the security folk of her residential complex in Andheri. "They have been on duty 24/7 during these tough times. I also distributed goodies among them," she says.

Given the whole world is currently locked down due to the Coronavirus pandemic, nobody is being able to step out and socialise with their friends. All the celebrities and even commoners are chatting with their friends and families via face-time. Amid this, for someone to celebrate her birthday with a security guard is truly commendable and deserves an applause. 

And taking to her Instagram account, she shared a heartfelt video of how her celebration with her family was. In case any of you are staying away from your family, the video will surely leave you emotional. Have a look right here:

Shouldn't we give it up for the actress for her fantastic and unique gesture?

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Neetu Kapoor expresses gratitude to medical staff of hospital where Rishi Kapoor passed away

Actor Neetu Kapoor on Monday shared a post expressing gratitude to the medical staff for their efforts at the hospital where legendary actor Rishi Kapoor passed away.

The 61-year-old actor took to Instagram and shared two monochromatic pictures along with the post. The first featured the late star smiling, while the second one is an adorable picture that showed Neetu and Rishi sharing a smile. Along with the post she penned the message thanking the hospital and the staff who treated the late star like their family. She wrote, "As a family, we have a deep sense of loss.." (sic)

Have a look at the post right here: 

She added, "...when we sit together and look back at the past few months what we also feel is immense gratitude - gratitude towards the doctors at HN reliance hospital! The whole team of doctors, brothers and nurses headed by Dr Tarang Gianchandani treated my husband like he was their own - they advised us like we were their own.. and for all that and more I thank them from the bottom of my heart.. @rfhospital"

The gratitude post received more than 10 k likes within an hour of being posted. Celebrity followers including Manish Malhotra and Richa Chadha left heart emojis on the post.

Rishi Kapoor passed away peacefully on Thursday morning, Apirl 30, after a two-year-long battle with leukaemia, his family said in a statement. In September 2019, the veteran actor returned to Mumbai after staying in New York for almost a year for cancer treatment.

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Hundred: This is how Karan Wahi prepared for his character of a DJ in the web-series

Karan Wahi turned to his rapper buddies for help to play a DJ in the web series, Hundred. His quirky character, Mad-E, arrives from Haryana to make it big in Mumbai's music industry. He also doubles up as a police informer. Wahi did a lot of prep to figure out his character's body language on the Hotstar show. Rapper Raftaar also helped him. "I sat down with Raftaar paaji and took several inputs as I was working with him on a reality show at that time," says Wahi. "But the stuff he wrote was way too good for a DJ rapper like Mad-E," he points out."

It seems actors today are finding different and unique ways to get into the skin of their characters and will not leave any stone unturned to do justice to their roles. The web-series has been getting a good response from the viewers so far and that has surely elated Karan.

Taking to his Instagram account, he shared a video from the same and in case you haven't seen it yet, it will help you know the character and its crux. Have a look right here:

Watch Hundred if you haven't so far, the actor may impress you with his performance!

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Art for a cause! Vikas and Gayatri Oberoi's 13-year-old son, Vihaan organizes online exhibition for charity

Real estate developer Vikas and Gayatri Oberoi's son, Vihaan, 13, is an aspiring artist, studying at the Oberoi International School. His passion for art led him to pursue acrylic painting and drawing. The self-taught youngster's tools vary from painting knives to cooking pan lids. He particularly enjoys working on multiple canvas making diptychs and triptychs as he loves the disconnection and continuity of such form of paintings.

Says Vihaan, "Knowing the situation we are in and learning about the hardships people are facing due to the lockdown, I have used my time at home to compile my work for an online exhibition on https://colorwaysbyvihaan.org. I was always keen on holding an exhibition and it's fulfilling to know that it will help people in need."


Crimson

Proceeds from the sale will be collected by the Oberoi Foundation and donated to the NGO Teach for India's COVID-19 Relief and Learning Fund. "I hope my art brings as much positivity to people during this time, as creating it did for me," adds Vihaan.


Historique

His parents have always encouraged Vihaan's love for art. They say, "We are thrilled that he is able to contribute to a cause when it is most needed. We will continue to guide and encourage his creative mind and generosity. We are very thankful for all the appreciation he has received."

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When Bollywood resumes work, producers want stars to do makeup at home, doctors on set

The movie industry may have ground to a halt owing to the suspension of shoots in mid-March and the subsequent lockdown. Behind the scenes though, the cine bodies are working in tandem to facilitate a smooth resumption of shoots when the time is right. As the first step of the process, the Producers' Guild has drawn up a list of preventive measures that can be followed by the cast and crew on set.

Members of the Cine & TV Artistes Association (CINTAA) and Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) were expected to examine the guidelines in a virtual meeting on Monday evening. Ahead of the meeting, Amit Behl, president, CINTAA, told mid-day, "After our meeting [with FWICE], we will require all stakeholders [including Indian Film & Television Producers' Council, Indian Motion Pictures Producers' Association and Western India Film Producers' Association] to decide the standard operating procedure. After we arrive at a consensus, we will approach the Information & Broadcasting ministry and the Labour Ministry for a final clearance on the guidelines."


A snapshot of the document submitted by Producers' Guild

In the document (a copy of which is in possession of mid-day), the Siddharth Roy Kapur-led organisation has recommended the adoption of several safety measures, including the cast and crew having to provide the result of their swab test before reporting on the set, and contactless temperature checks of the unit every morning. It has also stressed the need for a doctor and nurse on set for the first three months since resumption of shoots.

BN Tiwari, president, FWICE, stated that the bodies have tentatively pencilled in on July to resume work. "Film shoots can't begin before July because stars will not take [health] risks. The shoot of films produced by Boney Kapoor [Maidaan] and Sanjay Leela Bhansali [Gangubai Kathiawadi] have been put on hold. They understand that they cannot put lives at risk." Ashok Dubey, general secretary, FWICE, added, "We will also broach the subject of insurance for our workers, at the meeting."


Siddharth Roy Kapur

New rules at work

. Actors will be requested to do their makeup and styling at home, and report to set with only one staff member ideally
. Producers will be requested to allocate four masks per crew member for a 12-hour shoot
. Avoid hiring crew members who are above 60 years of age for the first three months of shoot

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Sanjay Dutt remembers late actor Rishi Kapoor: Can't believe he is gone

Recalling the things that Rishi Kapoor taught him, actor Sanjay Dutt on Monday said it is difficult for him to believe that the legendary actor has passed away. Dutt took to Instagram to post a picture of himself with the late superstar and his star son Ranbir Kapoor and penned a heart-touching caption.

"One thing that Chintu Sir taught me was to always do things with a smile on our face!" his caption reads. "It's going to take some time to sink in that Chintu Sir is not with us anymore. He has always been an elder brother to me. Can't believe he is gone!" he added.

The two senior actors have been close friends for years and have worked in several films together including 'Agneepath,' 'Sahibaan,' and others.

Rishi Kapoor passed on last Thursday morning in Mumbai after a two-year-long battle with leukaemia.

In September 2019, the actor had returned to Mumbai after staying in New York for almost a year for cancer treatment.

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Anil Kapoor remembers Irrfan Khan's contagious smile days after his demise

Days after the demise of his 'Slumdog Millionaire' co-star Irrfan Khan, Anil Kapoor on Monday remembered the seasoned star and said that he will especially remember his contagious 'smile.'

Kapoor took to Instagram to share three pictures of himself with Irrfan.

In one of the pictures, Khan is seen speaking at an event while Kapoor is seen sitting beside him and laughing while looking at him.

"These pictures bring back so many memories! There was something about his smile that would instantly make everyone around him smile... One of the many things I'll always remember about Irrfan," Kapoor wrote in the caption.

The other two pictures are from the famous international film award function - Screen Actors Guild Award (SAG). The two pictures feature the cast of the film including Dev Patel, Freida Pinto and others besides himself and Irrfan.

Irrfan Khan and Anil Kapoor starrer 'Slumdog Millionaire' is a recipient of Oscar awards in many categories and it also has several SAG awards to its name.

The internationally renowned actor Irrfan Khan passed away at Mumbai's Kokilaben Hospital on Wednesday while battling rare cancer.

The 53-year-old actor was last seen on screen in 'Angrezi Medium'. He was not a part of the film's promotions owing to his ill health.

With critically acclaimed films like 'The Lunchbox,' 'The Namesake' and 'Paan Singh Tomar' to his credit, Irrfan was regarded as one of the finest actors in Hindi cinema.

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Urvashi Rautela is inspired by Kareena Kapoor Khan in her new video

Bollywood actress and former beauty queen Urvashi Rautela seems too inspired by Kareena Kapoor Khan's Poo act in "Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham...", going by her new post.

Urvashi took to Instagram and shared a video where she sways with music. She is dressed in a white blazer and blue shirt, and she completes her look with bold red lips and hair tied in a neat ponytail.

Alongside the picture, she wrote the famous dialogue mouthed by Kareena as Poo in the film: "How dare you ? 'Tumhara koi haq nai banta ki tum itni khoobsurat lago' (you have no rights to look so beautiful) Not fair : Poo Kkkg... #channellingmyinnerpoo."

Urvashi, recently shared that she misses her mathematics classes.

On the work front, "Beat pe thumka", a peppy wedding number featuring Urvashi has just been released. The song is from her upcoming comedy flick "Virgin Bhanupriya".

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Pavan Kriplani decides to develop the thriller film Phobia 2 as a web offering

With the lockdown having put the brakes on his plans of filming Bhoot Police, director Pavan Kripalani has gone back to the writing desk. The filmmaker, who had given Bollywood one of its few psychological thrillers with Phobia (2016), is giving finishing touches to the sequel. However, keeping the current scenario in mind, Kripalani has decided to develop it as a web-film.

"The current situation has changed the way the entertainment business functions. I am guessing that over the next one year, smaller films will [benefit] by having a direct-to-web release. So, Phobia 2 will most likely release directly online," he explains.


Pavan Kripalani

Close on the heels of the Radhika Apte starrer hitting the screens, it was heard that a male protagonist would take centre-stage in the second instalment. However, the director has had a change of heart. "I had written a male-centric story, but now, I [am pursuing] a different idea with a female lead."

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Raveena Tandon: Our duty to give doctors, nurses their due respect

Even as they bravely fight the Coronavirus, Indian healthcare workers, over the past few weeks, have had to endure it all — from neighbours forcing them out of their buildings to being attacked by mobs. Appalled at the way a section of society is treating the Corona warriors, actor Raveena Tandon has kicked off a social media campaign, #JeetegaIndiaJeetengeHum, urging people to take a stand for them.

"In the current difficult situation, the medical forces have turned into real-life heroes. While all of us are safe at home under lockdown, it's so disheartening to see people attacking our doctors and nurses. At a time like this, it's our duty to give them their due respect. We ought to value them," states Tandon.

Several celebrities — including Shilpa Shetty Kundra, fashion designers Manish Malhotra and Masaba Gupta, music composer Shekhar Ravjiani, former cricketer Yuvraj Singh, and journalist Vir Sanghvi — have supported the campaign by sharing videos applauding the frontline workers. Through these daily videos, they try to debunk fake news, thereby combating the rise of violence against medical professionals.

Tandon hopes an increasing number of social media influencers will join the campaign and spread the good word. "Rumours about healthcare workers need to stop. They are sacrificing everything to ensure our present and future is safe. So, it's our responsibility to reach out to the masses and put an end to the cases of violence being reported across the country.

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Nakuul Mehta on BAE Control: Lot like Black Mirror, but with comedy

His female fans have missed seeing him on television ever since he announced his sabbatical last year. Now, Nakuul Mehta is back for a date with his admirers, albeit on the web. The actor's latest offering, BAE Control, explores the idea of having the perfect relationship by controlling a partner's emotions through an app. As he wins praise for his act in the sci-fi comedy, Mehta discusses transitioning from TV to digital entertainment.

Edited excerpts from the interview.

A blend of sci-fi and rom-com, the show is a far cry from what you've headlined in the past.
I have spent over seven years in television. So, over the past one year of my sabbatical, I have been trying to explore different mediums. I have been a fan of the work Dice Media has been doing, be it Little Things or What the Folks. Their audience is starkly different from the one I cater to on television. When they narrated the idea about controling another person's emotions through an app, it sounded crazy. But who knows, in the future, this may be the order of the day!

The series seems similar to an episode of Black Mirror. Agree?
The series shows how technology will change the way humans interact in the future. In fact, if one compares [the behavioural patterns] of our parents, our generation and Gen-Z, it is evident how human interaction has changed and not necessarily for the better. People interact not only face-to-face, but also over the dark web. So, [controlling one's partner] could be the future. To me, it all seemed like a Black Mirror episode, but this one has elements of comedy.

Given a choice, would you consider controlling your partner's emotions with an app?
No, relationships are based on trust and have no place for [manipulation]. However, I am old-school in matters of the heart and have never even used a dating app. So, I may not be the right audience for this. On a bad day, when you don't know how to deal with your spouse, you might be tempted.

If this were to happen in the near future, what would be the flipside?
That we would lose touch with each other as human beings. It's ironic that this show has released at a time when we are all under lockdown and craving human interaction. It is making us yearn for our families and friends. If not for this lesson, we would have headed down a road where we were looking for the perfect relationship and finding the perfect app to control the imperfections.

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Randeep Hooda shares action sequence rehearsal clip with Chris Hemsworth from 'Extraction'

Treating all 'Extraction' fans with a little extra dose of action, actor Randeep Hooda on Monday shared a rehearsal video featuring himself and Hollywood actor Chris Hemsworth.

The video is from a rehearsal for an action sequence of Netflix's action-thriller flick 'Extraction'.

The clip features both Hooda and Hemsworth in high-energy mode while rehearsing the scene in which they are seen fighting against each other.

The video was originally shared by the director of the film Sam Hargrave and Hooda later re-posted it on his Instagram profile.

"You perform how you practice. @randeephooda and @chrishemsworth putting in the rehearsal time for #Extraction @netflixfilm @netflixfilm," Hargrave wrote in the caption.

The film that marks 'Highway' actor's debut on the online video streaming platform Netflix has been largely shot in India.

Besides Hooda, the film features several other Indian actors including Pankaj Tripathi.

Produced by Russo brothers, the film was released on Netflix on April 24 and has been receiving good response from fans.

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Shatrughan Sinha remembers Rishi Kapoor and Irrfan Khan and what made them special

The demise of Rishi Kapoor and Irrfan Khan not only shocked the whole nation but also left a void that can never be filled. Their contribution to Hindi Cinema will always be remembered. What made them stand out was their ability to transform and become the characters they were portraying on the celluloid. Nearly the entire Bollywood fraternity has paid them their tributes.

And now, talking about the two stars is another veteran Bollywood star, Shatrughan Sinha. Speaking to Mumbai Mirror about them, he poured his heart out. He first talked about Rishi Kapoor and said, "After Rajendra Kumar and Rajesh Khanna, he became the poster boy of romance with his style. But Ranbir has big shoes to fill because baap baap hota hai. One can't compare the two at the moment."

He then went on to talk about Irrfan Khan and said, "Irrfan was a combination of struggle, determination and conviction. He made his dream come true through hard work. I watched Hindi Medium and Angrezi Medium and his acting will be a textbook experience for a younger generation of actors."

Coming back to Rishi Kapoor, he and Sinha were very close friends and even shared screen-space in Manmohan Desai's Naseeb in 1981. Speaking of Irrfan Khan, Sinha worked with him too in 2004 in Madhur Bhandarkar's Aan: Men At Work.

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Ananya Panday on Deepika Padukone: It feels like being with a friend

Ananya Panday had an impactful start to her career in 2019 and instantly, won hearts with her debut. The roles she portrayed which were truly versatile. Up next, the actress will be working in Shakun Batra's next where she will be sharing screens space with Deepika Padukone.

Telling us about working with the actress, Ananya expresses how she feels about it. "You don't feel like she's a star overpowering you. It feels like being with a friend. Deepika is more beautiful on the inside than on the outside", says Ananya.

The actress has a great line up of projects, one of them being with her wishlist director Shakun Batra and this untitled film has one of the exciting projects Ananya will be seen working in.

Ananya is all set to once again win hearts with her on-screen presence and serve a varied set of characters. With the passion she is working, one is sure that she will be bringing another spectacular character. The actress also bagged her first PAN-India release.

Ananya's recently announced film Fighter, alongside Vijay Deverakonda. The next one being Khaali Peeli alongside Ishaan Khatter. Ananya has three projects back to back.

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Karan Johar reacts to buzz around Ayan Mukerji's Brahmastra pay cuts

Filmmaker Karan Johar has quashed reports that the team of his upcoming production Brahmastra has to take pay cuts amid the ongoing COVID-19 lockdown. He has requested everyone to wait for an official announcement rather than jump to conclusions based on rumours.

Amitabh Bachchan, Alia Bhatt and Ranbir Kapoor star in the ambitious Ayan Mukerji-directed superhero adventure, which has been billed as the first part in a trilogy. The film also stars Nagarjuna and Mouni Roy.

There were reports stating that as a measure to keep the film commercially viable, the entire cast has volunteered pay cuts. Rumours suggested that Ranbir, Alia and Ayan came forward for a pay cut.

Johar took to Twitter to set the record straight. "My hugest request to my media friends not to reach any assumptions on our fraternity films...these are challenging times for the business and false news only makes the situation worse," the filmmaker tweeted.

"Please wait for official news on any account!! This is a humble request," he added.

Brahmastra: Part One is set to release in five languages -- Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada and Malayalam, and is produced by Dharma Productions in association with Fox Star Studios.

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Yoga lessons by Rakul Preet Singh: Sometimes it's okay to shut down, kick back and do nothing

Rakul Preet Singh says her yoga journey began two years back and since then it has been a joy for her to practice it. The actress took to Instagram, where she shared a throwback photograph of her doing a complicated inversion yoga pose and said that life is all about balance.

"Throwback: when the world wasn't upside down but I was !! My yoga journey began in 2018 and since then it's pure joy to do my practice every day. Life is all about balance. You don't always need to be getting things done. Sometimes it's absolutely ok to shut down, kick back and do nothing. @anshukayoga this was the first time I did an inversion," she captioned the image.

 
 
 
View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Rakul Singh (@rakulpreet) onMay 2, 2020 at 7:01pm PDT

She also shared a photograph of herself having a plate full of fried rice. The actress then urged everyone to "eat simple, nutritious and balanced meals and improve your immunity."

Recently, she took to Instagram and shared a video where she plays games like "dog and the bone", "Kabbadi" and "chidiya ud" with her brother Aman Preet Singh.

On the acting front, Rakul will soon be seen in a cross-border romantic-comedy with actor Arjun Kapoor. The film is directed by debutant Kaashvie Nair and produced by Bhushan Kumar, Nikkhil Advani and John Abraham.

Rakul will also be seen in Kamal Haasan's ambitious upcoming film "Indian 2", which co-stars Kajal Aggarwal and Vidyut Jammwal.

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The trailer of Neha Sharma's Illegal is intriguing and looks interesting

A majority of the courtroom dramas that have been made in Hindi Cinema always tend to adopt the David vs Goliath approach, a battle between the right and the remorseless, the hero and the villain. But in the upcoming series, Illegal, which stars Neha Sharma, Piyush Mishra, and Akshay Oberoi, seems to be a little different, it digs deeper.

The trailer suggests that this time, the tension shall be outside the courtroom too, and inside the mind and heart of a lawyer. Illegal seems to be an attempt to gaze at a lawyer's personal life and how he/she battles injustice and the lacunae of the judicial system. It will surely leave you intrigued and interested and also invested.

Have a look right here:

A first of its kind intense, a racy legal drama that questions whether all lawyers are mercenaries or can some resist the lure of greed, ambition and power; and fight to win defining judgments that hold the bar of justice high and restore faith in humanity

Now let's see whether it delivers the thrills or not when it's out on May 12.

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Mat Kar Forward: Ayushmann, Kriti, Sara and Virat join initiative to tackle misinformation

In an attempt to stop the spread of fake news and misinformation, actors Ayushmann Khurrana, Kriti Sanon, Sara Ali Khan, and cricketer Virat Kohli have joined hands for a new initiative called 'Mat Kar Forward.

The initiative by short video making platform TikTok urges people to not share any unverified message, picture or video. The four celebrities have shot a video message in which they are seen asking people to not spread hatred, fear, or misinformation on social media by forwarding data from unverified sources.

They are seen sitting and talking about how deadly the virus of misinformation is before talking about the issue individually in the video.

"All of us are responsible for it at some point or the other. All of us have helped this disease spread. But it's time to bring a change, and the change begins with you. #MatKarForward," tweeted Khurrana along with the video.

"All of you support us with such fervour when we play for the nation. But now the nation needs you, me, all of us to play for it. Will you do your bit? #MatKarForward," tweeted Virat Kohli.

The initiative comes in the backdrop of a rise in misinformation around the coronavirus pandemic on social media platforms.

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This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever




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'Bigg Boss 13 fame Himanshi Khurana in Akhil Sachdeva's new song

After delivering the hit song "Tera ban jaunga" in "Kabir Singh", singer Akhil Sachdeva has come up with a new Punjabi song "O jaanwaale", which features "Bigg Boss 13" contestant Himanshi Khurana.

"As a musician, it gives me great joy to give people music to hear, feel and heal during the lockdown. It's one of those melodies where there is a lot of pain and sadness involved. As soon as T-Series sent me a version of the song, I knew at once this song is for me," Akhil said.

"O Jaanwaale" is a heartbreak song composed by Kunaal Vermaa, with music production and arrangement by Aditya Dev.

Sharing the making of the track amid lockdown, Akhil said: " 'O jaanwaale' is a heart-wrenching song that listeners will relate to. It has great repeat value. Interestingly, everyone involved in the making of this song is in different cities, at this point of time.

"It was definitely challenging to put this together but in the end I think every song has its own destiny and journey. I guess this was meant to be my lockdown release. Both Himanshi and I shot chunks of the footage from our respective smart phones in our respective homes," he added.

The song is presented by T-Series."

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Mandira Bedi, Shilpa Shetty, Malaika Arora: Bollywood actresses who swear by fitness!

Mandira Bedi, Shilpa Shetty, Malaika Arora, Katrina Kaif and Jacqueline Fernandez! These actresses have left the entire world drooling over their age-defying fit bodies. Courtesy: intense workout, and of course, a strict diet. Though these divas have their cheat days, still, one has to put in a lot of dedication and hard work to be as fit as these ladies.

Mandira Bedi:

Often seen sharing how her life changed after pregnancy, and how she took her health and fitness seriously to get back in shape, Mandira Bedi stands as a big inspiration for many women. And why not? Her workout videos are age-defying, and we can't even get halfway flexible like her!

Shilpa Shetty Kundra:

 
 
 
View this post on Instagram

I had shared a little exercise-fun with Viaan a few days ago, and I was asked for the entire workout video. Well, I don’t have the entire workout captured, but sharing what I found from my archives. I truly believe that the family that eats, prays and works out together... stays together! Oftentimes when @rajkundra9 and I workout in the mornings, we get Viaan to join us too. We do understand that if it's not fun for him, he's not going to enjoy the process. So, while we roped in some abs workout for ourselves, we got him to hop, slide, and jump around. Our workout helps us build & strengthen the abdominal muscles, while it also helps improve the mind-body coordination and enhances speed & endurance capacity. Viaan, on the other hand, was just happy to be jumping around and using up some of that pent up energy. A morning well-spent, this was! I hope you all are staying home and staying fit too! . @thevinodchanna . . . . #SwasthRahoMastRaho #GetFit2020 #MondayMotivation #FitIndia #FitIndiaMovement #homefitness #homeworkouts #fitness #COVID19

A post shared by Shilpa Shetty Kundra (@theshilpashetty) onApr 19, 2020 at 10:30pm PDT

This Bollywood actress has left no stone unturned when it comes to fitness. Often seen performing yoga at multiple events, and also promoting Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 'Swasth Raho Mast Raho' initiative, Shilpa Shetty is yet another diva who swears by fitness. We would suggest taking up Shilpa Shetty's fitness challenge if you, too, want to get fit. It's simple, scroll through her Instagram and try out the yoga poses, but strictly under someone's supervision.

Malaika Arora:

This diva has ditched the term 'age' and it is working wonders on her body! Malaika Arora has also confessed how she took up yoga after 40, and her body has reversed its ageing process ever since she started leading a healthy life. Is she 45 or 35, we really can't say!

Katrina Kaif:

 
 
 
View this post on Instagram

#WorkoutFromHome #Part2 Since we are all practicing #SocialDistancing @yasminkarachiwala and I worked out at our homes and put the workouts together for you to do at yours. Stay home stay safe 😊 ⁣ ⁣⁣ ♦ï¸Â #Warmup⁣⁣ 1.Squat with feet hip width apart - 2 sets x 25 reps⁣⁣ 2.Squat with feet wide parallel- 2 sets x 25 reps ⁣⁣ 3.Squat with feet wide turnout- 2 sets x 25 reps ⁣⁣ 4.Squat with feet together- 2 sets x 25 reps⁣ ⁣⁣ ♦ï¸Â #Workout:⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ 1.Forward and Backward Lunge - 2 sets x 15 reps ⁣⁣ 2.In Hover, Hip Dips - 3 sets x 20 reps 3.Curtsy Lunge to Side Kick - 3 sets x 15 reps ⁣⁣ 4.Suicide Push- 3 sets x 15 reps ⁣⁣ 5.Landis or Single Leg Squat - 3 sets x 15 reps ⁣⁣ 6.Squat Jacks - 3 sets x 25 reps ⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ @reebokindia #CommittedToFitness ⁣⁣ 🎥 by @isakaif 🌟

A post shared by Katrina Kaif (@katrinakaif) onMar 24, 2020 at 2:19am PDT

If you have seen Koffee With Karan, where she shared the 'koffee kouch' with Varun Dhawan, Katrina Kaif nailed the segment where she had to lift something and guess the weight. From where does such confidence arise? Of course, her intense workout has given her immense knowledge and judgement about everything fitness.

Jacqueline Fernandez:

 
 
 
View this post on Instagram

Time keeps on ticking!!

A post shared by Jac’kill’ine Fernandez (@jacquelinef143) onApr 17, 2020 at 9:54pm PDT

Jacqueline Fernandez, who is currently at Salman Khan's farmhouse in Panvel during the lockdown, has been sharing some good workout posts on Instagram. The actress recently wooed the audience with her out-of-the-box performance in Mrs Serial Killer.

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It's art time for Neha Dhupia, daughter Mehr!

Actress Neha Dhupia and her daughter Mehr turned to art on Monday. Taking to Instagram, Neha shared a photograph that shows her and her little girl playing with paint. "Piece of (he)-art," she captioned the image. Netizens were amused to see paint splattered all over Mehr and Neha.

 
 
 
View this post on Instagram

Piece of (he)-art ❤ï¸Â

A post shared by Neha Dhupia (@nehadhupia) onMay 4, 2020 at 1:49am PDT

Reacting to the picture, filmmaker Tahir Kashyap wrote: "hahah so cute. What fun." Actress Dia Mirza commented with a heart emoji on the mother-daughter's adorable snap.

Mehr was born to Neha and Angad Bedi in November 2018.

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When a casting director asked Ayushmann Khurrana to show his 'tool' to get the role

The casting couch is a dark and depressing reality of the Hindi film industry that has time and again exposed the grime tucked beneath the glamour. Some of the most successful actors and actresses have gone through this horrific process and exposed this brutal truth. The latest one to do the same is someone who's currently going through the best phase of his career - Ayushmann Khurrana.

Talking to Pinkvilla about facing the casting couch during the initial days of his struggles in Bollywood, he made some shocking revelations. He said, "A casting director had told me, 'I'll give you the lead role if you showed me your tool.' I told him I'm straight and I politely refused his offer." He also shed some light on how the process of auditions began to change as years passed by and how it was accompanied by rejections.

He stated, "Initially, there used to be auditions where they would take your solo test. Then suddenly, the number started increasing and there would be 50 people in the same room. When I protested, they asked me to leave. So I have faced rejections. Also, I'm well equipped to handle failure now because of the failures I saw at the very beginning of my career. Had I never witnessed the lows, I don't think I would be able to handle it if it came now."

Today, the actor, who's become a bonafide movie star, has eight consecutive hits in a row and will be now seen in three films very soon, which include Gulabo Sitabo with Amitabh Bachchan, an untitled crime thriller directed by Anubhav Sinha, and a comedy with Alaya F directed by Anurag Kashyap's sister Anubhuti Kashyap.

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Kanika Kapoor is missing her three children and her latest Instagram post is proof

It has been a rough and tough journey for Bollywood singer Kanika Kapoor in these last few weeks. She was tested Coronavirus positive four times and what followed next was some investigation by the Lucknow police. Amid all this panic and pandemonium, she has been majorly missing her three kids, her lifelines- Aayana, Samara, and Yuvraaj.

Taking to her Instagram account, she posted a picture of the three kids and wrote- "I miss you soo much." (sic) Bhavana Pandey commented on the post with a black heart whereas Seema Khan commented with two red hearts. There was another picture along with this that had the quote- "When you love what you have, you have everything you need."

Have a look right here:

 
 
 
View this post on Instagram

I miss you soo much 💙💛💜

A post shared by Kanika Kapoor (@kanik4kapoor) onMay 4, 2020 at 3:24am PDT

Kanika Kapoor has been on a very difficult journey and all her fans are elated she's now fine. She became everyone's favourite after the blockbuster success of Baby Doll in 2014 and now we can't wait for her to croon again once the lockdown is over.

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Neetu Kapoor thanks Mukesh and Nita Ambani, says, 'You've been our guardian angels'

Rishi Kapoor, the original chocolate hero of Hindi cinema, passed away on April 30, 2020, leaving behind a massive feeling of loss and sorrow in the heart of every Indian. The veteran actor had fans across the world, and was hugely admired for his acting prowess and his charm.

The Chandni actor had been battling cancer for over two years and was in New York for the better part of a year seeking treatment for it. He and wife, veteran actress Neetu Kapoor, returned to India in September 2019, and on April 30, 2020, Rishi Kapoor breathed his last in a hospital in Mumbai.

Now, a few days after his passing, Neetu Kapoor has taken to Instagram to thank Mukesh and Nita Ambani, who gave the Kapoors their utmost support and love during their difficult time. Sharing a photo of them together, Neetu wrote, "From ensuring he was medically attended to, to making frequent, personal visits to the hospital to shower him with love and attention, to even holding our hand and comforting us when WE were scared. To Mukesh Bhai, Nita Bhabhi, Akash, Shloka, Anant and Isha - you have been our guardian angels on this long and trying experience - what we feel for you can not be measured..."

Read the full note here:

 
 
 
View this post on Instagram

For us, as a family, the last two years have been a long journey There were good days, there were a couple of bad days too.. needless to say it was full of high emotion. But it’s a journey we would not have been been able to complete without the immeasurable love and support of the Ambani family. As we’ve gathered our thoughts over the past few days we’ve also tried to find the words to express the gratitude we feel towards the family for the countless ways in which they have seen us safely through this time. Over the last seven months every member of the family has gone above and beyond in every way possible to care for our beloved Rishi and ensure he experienced as little discomfort as possible. From ensuring he was medically attended to, to making frequent, personal visits to the hospital to shower him with love and attention, to even holding our hand and comforting us when WE were scared. To Mukesh Bhai , Nita Bhabhi, Akash, Shloka, Anant and Isha - you have been our guardian angels on this long and trying experience - what we feel for you can not be measured. We thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your selfless, unending support and attention. We feel truly blessed to count you among our nearest and dearest. Sincerely and with utmost gratitude, Neetu, Riddhima, Ranbir and the entire Kapoor Family.🙏💕

A post shared by neetu Kapoor. Fightingfyt (@neetu54) onMay 4, 2020 at 9:05pm PDT

The Ambanis and Kapoors are closest of friends, and Neetu Kapoor showed utter strength and affection in expressing her gratitude towards them through this post.

In fact, Neetu Kapoor had shared another post in which she thanked the medical staff at Mumbai's HN Reliance Hospital who cared for Rishi Kapoor as their own. 

A comment on this post expresses what we think about Neetu Kapoor at this moment: "Gratitude even in grief. You are pure class and grace. And we all are with you, hamesha," wrote an Instagram user.

Neetu Kapoor has proved once again that a spirit of gratitude goes a long way in making friends and keeping them for life!

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Mahesh Babu stands by the #KillFakeNews agenda, raises his voice against fake websites

Superstar Mahesh Babu is one of the most critically acclaimed actors of the southern film industry and cherishes a humongous fan following throughout India. His social media is popular to spread messages that support certain social causes. The actor and his fans are known to storm social media with their social campaigns.

Recently, Mahesh Babu took to his social media to share a post about wiping away fake news and gossip websites that often spread misinformation and lies about celebrities.

These blogs or gossip websites leech off the actor's popularity and spread misinformation about them to gain views on their respective pages. It is crucial that these websites and rumors be put to a stop so that they can stop spreading fake rumors. Mahesh Babu shared the post on social media under the tag of "#KillFakeNews" against misinformation being spread with the caption.

Have a look at his tweet right here:

It's highly commendable someone has finally spoken against these lies and false news!

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Shah Rukh Khan's next web series as a producer, Betaal, to release on May 24, 2020

If you're wondering what to watch next while being bored during Lockdown 3.0, fret not, we've got just the thing for you. Shah Rukh Khan is all geared up to present his next web series as a producer on Netflix India. The show is titled Betaal, and its teaser on Instagram is giving us the creeps!

The OTT platform shared a clip on its Instagram account and wrote, "They look psyched! Almost as psyched as we are. #Betaal coming soon!"

 
 
 
View this post on Instagram

They look psyched! Almost as psyched as we are. #Betaal coming soon!

A post shared by Netflix India (@netflix_in) onMay 4, 2020 at 11:03pm PDT

Betaal is an international collaboration between Netflix, Red Chillies entertainment, Blum House (makers of Paranormal Activity, Insidious) and SK Global (behind Crazy Rich Asians and Delhi Crime).

Betaal is a horror-thriller written and co-directed by Patrick Graham, who has previously directed Ghoul starring Radhika Apte, and also co-written Leila starring Huma Qureshi. Both shows were widely accepted by the audience.

Betaal has been shot extensively in India, especially in Mumbai, Lonavala and Khandala. The series, which revolves around traditional Indian folklore, will definitely be outstanding in terms of the horror content with some incredible VFX and prosthetics work.

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Prasoon Joshi: Rishi Kapoor and Irrfan Khan went pretty young

Celebrated lyricist Prasoon Joshi was in constant touch with late actor Irrfan Khan while he was going through a "really painful" treatment for his rare illness. Joshi says Irrfan's brave fight against the disease is inspiring.

Irrfan, who was diagnosed with a neuroendocrine tumour in 2018, passed away last week at the age of 54. He was admitted to Mumbai's Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani hospital with a colon infection. He succumbed to his ailment in hospital.

"I was in constant touch with Irrfan. I talked to him a lot during this crisis of what he was going through. It was remarkable to see (him fight the illness)," Prasoon told IANS. "His treatment was really painful. He had a rare kind of disease. Despite the painful treatment, he was trying to keep up with his commitments and he fought till the last breath. It is very inspiring," he added.

Prasoon also opened up on the demise of veteran actor Rishi Kapoor, who died on April 30 after battling leukemia. "I knew him for a long time, and his family too. He was an alive person and he was somebody who would light up the place, wherever he went. It is sad that they went pretty young -- I mean Irrfan has gone really young, and Rishiji, in today's time, also went pretty young," said Prasoon, who added that "even the grief is suffering" referencing to not being able to to pay his last respects to the late stars amid the ongoing COVID-19 lockdown.

Recently, on work front, Prasoon joined hands with Oscar and Grammy-winning Indian composer AR Rahman to give a musical tribute to the nation's fight against COVID-19, with song "Hum haar nahi maanenge".

The song has been conceptualised to spread hope, positivity and motivation. The emotional track reminds people that we all are in this together, stating that we will get through it together. The song is composed by Rahman, and the lyrics are penned by Joshi.

The song was released by HDFC Bank last week.

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Bobby Deol's poetic tribute to COVID-19 warriors is simple and powerful

The reticent Bobby Deol is hogging the limelight due to the poem, Chand roz ki baat hai yaaron, which he has recited in a music video. Written by Sanjay Masoomm, it appreciates the efforts of the Corona warriors.

The actor shares, "I was taken in by its simplicity. It resonated with me. It makes me happy to be associated with this positivity, and I appreciate the way this situation has made us all join hands and come together."

According to a report in IANS, Bobby Deol shared, "It makes me very happy to be associated with this positivity, and I appreciate the way this situation has made us all join hands and come together. Who knew that social distancing could bring people together, with all of us checking up on one another and being there for people emotionally, if not in person."

Sanjay Masoomm said, "When I wrote the lines, I wanted someone whose voice will add weight to them. I have worked with Bobby Deol in several films and I know he's not only got a powerful voice but also a heart of gold. He's a very emotional man and his voice will help this ode reach out to more people. Bobby has read it out wonderfully with all the feeling and emotions."

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Ayushmann Khurrana is back to the classroom with an online course on Indian history

Ayushmann Khurrana has enrolled himself for an online course on Indian history. The actor-singer considers learning a life-long process. "I'm a seeker of knowledge," he says. Being a history buff, he decided to make the most of the current time on hand.

"We have a fascinating history; it's rich and diverse. I want to learn more about our past. The session will be an enriching and fulfilling experience," he adds. It will also come in handy if Khurrana is roped in for a historical in the future.

Recently, Ayushmann, accompanied by Virat Kohli, Kriti Sanon and Sara Ali Khan joined hands for a new initiative called 'Mat Kar Forward'. Sharing the same on Instagram, Ayushmann wrote, "No one thought they'd catch it, no one thought it would become a pandemic. But we can change this and the change begins with you. #MatKarForward @indiatiktok"

 
 
 
View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Ayushmann Khurrana (@ayushmannk) onMay 4, 2020 at 1:25am PDT

The initiative urges people to not share any unverified message, picture or video, on any social networking sites.

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Bobby Deol pays a humble tribute to COVID-19 warriors; recites poem for the first time in music video!

With the health crisis in the country, while PM Narendra Modi has extended the lockdown till May 3 and Indians are currently locked up inside their homes, there are several warriors who are fighting the battle for us. Whether it's the police force, doctors, nurses, soldiers or the NGOs feeding the needy ones, these Covid-19 warriors, as they are called, have been relentlessly working for us. Bobby Deol who appreciates their efforts has now paid a humble tribute to them in a music video where he's recited a poem - Chand Roz Ki Baat Hai Yaron - for the first time.

Interestingly, Bobby has never recited a poem on camera ever before but when Sanjay Masoomm came up with idea and approached him for it, he immediately agreed. The 2-minuter has been titled Chand Roz Ki Baat Hai and it not only salutes the bravado of every Indian Covid-19 warrior who are out there, protecting us from the deadly virus but is also a soul-stirring testament of the indomitable human spirit and the unity which binds Indians together. What's more interesting is while the video has been completely shot at home, it's Bobby's younger son Dharam Deol who has filmed him.

Bobby shares, "When Sanjay told me about this poem, I was taken in by the simplicity of his expression of gratitude towards the COVID warriors, i resonated with it. It makes me very happy to be associated with this positivity, and I appreciate the way this situation has made us all join hands and come together. Who knew that social distancing could bring people together, with all of us checking up on one another and being their for people emotionally, if not in person. Although these are tough times faced by everyone around the world, it is heart warming to see how this has brought us together to fight against a common enemy. We can all be a part of this noble fight by just staying at home and being supportive of our frontline warriors."

Sanjay Masoomm who has conceptualised the entire thing shares, "Chand Roz Ki Baat Hai Yaron is just our way of showing respect and lending hope and encouragement to all these Covid warriors who are working day and night to keep us safe, while we stay locked inside our houses. This time of crisis also highlights our biggest strength - unity in diversity - and it was important to underline it. When I wrote the lines, I wanted someone whose voice will add weight to them. I have worked with Bobby Deol in several films and I know he's not only got a powerful voice but also a heart of gold. He's a very emotional man and his voice will help this ode reach out to more people. Bobby has read it out wonderfully with all the feeling and emotions."

Chand Roz Ki Baat Hai Yaron, featuring Bobby Deol and conceptualised by Sanjay Masoomm.

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Jackky Bhagnani says 'safety first', commits to completely sanitized film set

Even as Lockdown 3.0 has been implemented, it is clear that the Govt is keen to get the economy back on track. Jackky Bhagnani commits to a completely sanitized film set to ensure the safety and health of its cast and crew whenever film shoot is allowed by the Govt after the lockdown is completely over.

Veteran producer Vashu Bhagnani believes that the new normal is here to stay and the sooner the fraternity readies itself for change, the better. "The film industry has come to a halt, whether in India or outside. Yes, parts of the world are showing signs of recovery from the virus and while India has done remarkably well to flatten the curve and keep fatalities low, we must now get ready to be back on the set. As and when the lockdown is lifted, we want to be in a position to resume work immediately. But this resumption will be as per health guidelines stipulated by the Govt. We don't want to take any chances."

Some of the ground rules Jackky Bhagnani is mulling include using larger tents with portable ACs for shooting, limiting people on the sets, sanitizing all common areas, making masks and gloves compulsory for all staff, continuously disinfecting equipment, medical assistance on the sets at all times among other things.

Jackky Bhagnani says that it is imperative that stringent measures are put in place. "If there is one thing the lockdown has taught us it is to value human life and our health. Nothing comes before that. Every person on the set will be looked after and given the same attention. We are also mulling closed door studios for those of our films that will go on the floors immediately. While it is available abroad, we need to see if the same can be replicated in India."

Deepshikha Deshmukh adds, "It is only natural that we take care of the team who are our family and ensure their safety while on the sets. I am quite sure we are not alone in realizing the first big lesson from this lockdown - health comes first. Every parameter will be double-checked before the cameras start rolling."

Pooja Entertainment has a slew of movies on its roster. From Coolie No 1 starring Varun Dhawan and Sara Ali Khan which is complete and ready for release; it is also going to go on the floors with Bell Bottom with Akshay Kumar. There are many other projects that the production house is waiting to announce. With so much in store for the production house, prompting a set of guidelines in the current pandemic is not only vital but also judicious. Echoing the words of the Prime Minister, the founder of the ace production house, Vashu Bhagnani says, 'Jaan hai toh Jahan Hai' - perhaps indicating the thought process behind the charter.

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