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IANS News

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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

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

Ananya Pandey: Janhvi Kapoor is my biggest competition

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

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Kay Kay Menon: Undercover agents are true unsung heroes
2275 days ago
Digital Media

Kay Kay Menon: Undercover agents are true unsung heroes

Mumbai, March 18 (IANS) Actor Kay Kay Menon says his web series "Special Ops" offers a very unique perspective to the role of Indian intelligence.## Neeraj Pandey has directed the series along with Shivam Nair. The eight-episode Hotstar Specials spy action-thriller series is based on the role of Indian intelligence in a series of real terror attacks that India has faced over the last 19 years, including the 26/11 attacks. In a fictional take from the show, Himmat Singh (essayed by Kay Kay) is seen interrogating terrorist Ajmal Kasab.## "26/11 was a day when the entire country was awake. 'Special Ops' offers a very unique perspective to the role of Indian intelligence," Kay Kay said.## "Undercover agents are the true unsung heroes of our time. 'Special Ops' tries to bring forth the lives of these agents that try to capture the mastermind behind several unfortunate attacks. Indian intelligence is doing a lot for our country and we need to be indebted to them," he added.## The show also features Saiyami Kher, Karan Tacker, Divya Dutta, Vinay Pathak, Muzammil Ibrahim, Vipul Gupta, Sajjad Delafrooz, Parmeet Sethi, Gautami Kapoor, Sana Khan, Sharad Kelkar, KP Mukherjee, and many others. The show went live on March 17 in seven languages on Hotstar VIP.## For more and latest news about Digital Media, stay tuned with us.

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Longest hoarding comes up in UP
2275 days ago
Digital Media

Longest hoarding comes up in UP

Mirzapur (Uttar Pradesh), March 18 (IANS) Streaming platform Hotstar has unveiled a unique out-of-home initiative through a massive billboard spanning 10,000 sq. ft in Mirzapur district. ## The billboard on the arterial road joining Shastri Bridge to Jaunpur trisection in Mirzapur, was completed within one week and measures 1,000 feet in length and 10 feet in height. It has an additional two feet tall cut-outs and stands on a solid framework of bamboos and iron frames to sustain extreme weather. ## Touted as the longest ever in India, the billboard is part of Hotstar's new 360-degree marketing campaign that says, "Hotstar ka vaada, free entertainment sabse zyada", and aims at reaching out to millions of viewers in Hindi-speaking markets in tier II and tier III cities. ## With cinema halls and multiplexes closing their doors due to the Corona scare, entertainment options have moved indoors and the brand provides viewers the convenience of sitting back and exploring its extensive range of high-quality free content through these uncertain times. ## The billboard showcases Hotstar's vast library of high-quality free content, including movies. ## Mandeep Malhotra, founding Partner and CEO, The Social Street, said in a statement, "Working with Hotstar is always brilliant and fun. The brand inspires us to unlock new ideas and create campaigns that push boundaries. With the longest billboard campaign, we wanted to create something that would send out the brand's message in a way that wows people." ## The new campaign by Hotstar aims at bridging this accessibility gap for its viewers, through fresh and innovative ways to spread the word about its vast library of high-quality free content. ## For more and the latest news about Bollywood, stay tuned to us.

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Gigi Hadid: Being away from city makes me feel like a kid
2275 days ago
Hollywood

Gigi Hadid: Being away from city makes me feel like a kid

Los Angeles, March 18 (IANS) Model Gigi Hadid was recently interviewed by not one, but four of famous friends -- Serena Williams, Kendall Jenner, Blake Lively and Taylor Swift. ## In the interview that appears in Harper's Bazaar magazine, Gigi revealed several unknown facts of her life. Among interesting things her fans got to know is that the highflying model actually prefers rural tranquillity over life in the fast lane of the big cities. ## She said she enjoys being at her mother Yolanda Hadid's Pennsylvania property and how it reminds her of the "simple pleasures" of life. ## "The farm has really made me remember, and bring back to my life, my most simple pleasures. It's allowed me to fill my days off with the little things that make me happy, like art, gardening, yoga, cooking, being outside, and spending time with my loved ones and animals without having to worry about things like what I'm wearing or how my hair looks, or being photographed or seen that day. Being away from the city and the public eye makes me feel like a kid again, and that freedom has been really healing for me," said Gigi, according to a report in femalefirst.co.uk. ## In the interview to the new issue of Harper's Bazaar magazine, Gigi also spoke about herself. "I give a lot of credit to the fact that I'm a Taurus, whether that has anything to do with it or not... Haha... but I've always felt a connection to when people say that a Taurus is at peace with the timing of the earth. I trust that everything we go through, good or bad, is for the better," she said. ## For more and the latest news about Hollywood, stay tuned to us.

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Did Ranbir Kapoor go missing on Alia Bhatt's birthday?
2276 days ago
Bollywood

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

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

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Covid-19: Bengal cinema halls to remain shut this month (Lead)
2276 days ago
Bengali

Covid-19: Bengal cinema halls to remain shut this month (Lead)

Kolkata, March 17 (IANS) All cinema halls in West Bengal will remain closed till March 31, while film shoots in the state would remain suspended upto March 30 in view of the novel coronavirus threat, various stakeholders announced on Tuesday. ## "We have decided that all cinema halls will remain shut till March 31 and the decision will come into effect immediately," an Eastern India Motion Pictures Association (EIMPA) official told the media. State minister Aroop Biswas announced all shoots have been cancelled till March 30. ## The minister, considered the bridge between the government and the film industry, held a meeting with various bodies of artistes, technicians, producers and film channels on tthe situation. ## The EIMPA official said though the industry would suffer huge losses, the priority now was to take all measures to combat the lethal disease."There will be huge losses if cinema halls and all film shoots are closed for such a long period, considering the present situation of the Bengal film industry. We will use time till March 31 to find out ways to recover the losses," she said. ## Television serials and soaps which do not have fresh episodes ready, will go for repeat telecasts. The decisions came a day after state Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee stressed on closing down all cinema halls for the time being to help tackle the Covid-19 threat. ## The entire matter would be revisited after Banerjee holds a review meeting on March 30. ## For more and the latest news about Bengali, stay tuned to us.

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Big B thanks fans for wishing his daughter Shweta on her b'day
2276 days ago
Bollywood

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

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

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Aaditi Pohankar: Challenge playing a cop in new web series 'She'
2276 days ago
Digital Media

Aaditi Pohankar: Challenge playing a cop in new web series 'She'

Mumbai, March 17 (IANS) Actress Aaditi Pohankar, who will be seen playing a cop in the upcoming Netlix web show "She", says it is challenging to play the central character of Bhumika in the show. ## "I believe switching characters in the same film or show is the biggest challenge an artist faces. For me, starting off as that timid and under-confident cop was tough, because that is not the kind of person I am. Then when my character transcends into being a prostitute for the undercover operation, my traits shift completely. ## "Everything from my outfit, to my walk, to my posture, and even the way I talk had to change. It was a journey for me as a whole, transforming Bhumika from that shaky, low on self-esteem female cop to a lady who discovers the power she has, and isn't afraid to use it," Aaditi said. ## Written by Imtiaz Ali, "She" is the story of a police constable, Bhumika Pardesi, who is assigned a dangerous undercover police operation in the volatile underbelly of Mumbai, and is forced to depend on her survival skills. ## For more and the latest news about Digital Media, stay tuned to us.

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'Games Of Thrones' actor Kristofer Hivju tests positive for COVID-19
2276 days ago
TV

'Games Of Thrones' actor Kristofer Hivju tests positive for COVID-19

Los Angeles, March 17 (IANS) Actor Kristofer Hivju, who played Tormund Giantsbane in the blockbuster series "Games Of Thrones", has tested positive for the novel coronavirus. ## On Monday, Hivju wrote on his Instagram account: "Greetings from Norway! Sorry to say that I, today, have tested positive for COVID19, coronavirus. My familiy and I are self-isolating at home for as long as it takes. We are in good health - I only have mild symptoms of a cold. There are people at higher risk for who this virus might be a devastating diagnosis." ## He also urged people to be careful and take necessary precautions. ## "I urge all of you to be extremely careful; wash your hands, keep 1,5 meters distance from others, go in quarantine; just do everything you can to stop the virus from spreading. Together we can fight this virus and avert a crisis at our hospitals," he added. ## Giantsbane further stated: "Please take care of each other, keep your distance, and stay healthy! Please visit your country's Center for disease Control's website, and follow the regulations for staying safe and protecting not just yourselves, but our entire community, and especially those at risk like the elderly and people with pre-existing conditions." ## For more and the latest news about TV, stay tuned to us.

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#MeToo is here to stay: 'Guilty' actress Akansha Ranjan Kapoor
2276 days ago
Digital Media

#MeToo is here to stay: 'Guilty' actress Akansha Ranjan Kapoor

Mumbai, March 17 (IANS) Actress Akansha Ranjan Kapoor made her acting debut in the Netflix film "Guilty", which highlighted the #MeToo movement. She feels it is unfortunate that we need films like "Guilty" to restart the conversation about sexual harassment. ## "It's unfortunate that we need films like this for people to restart the conversation, but that was our aim. People have a very short attention span. But this (sexual harassment) has been happening forever and I feel that #MeToo is here to stay," said Akansha. ## In "Guilty", Kiara Advani essays the role of a girl whose boyfriend, a darling of the college, is accused of rape by a smalltown girl who is not quite the popular one in the campus. The film explores different versions of what might have happened before the truth is laid bare. ## Akansha plays the smalltown girl Tanu Kumar from Dhanbad, who is at the centre of all the drama. ## Asked if she expected a positive response for her first film, Akansha said: "I have dreamt of it my whole life. Before shooting for it, I would think, 'I am going to do my first film and I am going to get this kind of response', so it's a dream come true moment for me." ## Talking about her character, she claimed: "After watching the film, every girl has messaged me or reached out to me saying 'sorry' for judging Tanu, or that they all want to be like Tanu. Nobody has told me it is a very bold character. They have either said sorry or they have said they want to be as confident as Tanu, because she has given them more self esteem. Tanu has given me confidence, too. I could not dress the way she does. She is her own person and she doesn't need validation from anybody. People consider her a golddigger but she knows that she is the gold." ## Directed by Ruchi Narain, "Guilty" also features actors Taher Shabbir and Gurfateh Singh Pirzada in key roles. ## For more and the latest news about Digial Media, stay tuned to us.

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Dressing up is very personal: ABD on picking WROGN Active
2276 days ago
Lifestyle

Dressing up is very personal: ABD on picking WROGN Active

New Delhi, March 17 (IANS) Former South Africa batsman AB de Villiers, who was recently roped in as the face of Virat Kohli's clothing brand WROGN, feels that dressing up is very personal, and says "it is important to dress in a way that makes one feel comfortable and confident". ## When asked about his advice for picking the right clothes, the ace cricketer said being comfortable was the most important thing. ## "If you're uncomfortable in what you're wearing, it will show. So always pick styles that fit right, not too tight, not too loose. Then you can start mixing and matching to let your personality shine through," de Villiers told IANSlife. ## "Once you've got this covered, your clothes can complement your personality in a good way", he added. ## The former South Africa captain recently turned 36. He plays for Royal Challengers Bangalore in the Indian Premier League (IPL), during which he had shot for WROGN and sampled the clothing. ## On his association with the brand's activewear and Virat, de Villiers said that the Indian skipper and him have "got along well for many years, on and off the field, and it's great to be working with him at WROGN". ## For more and the latest news about Lifestyle, stay tuned to us.

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COVID-19: B'wood flouting shoot restrictions and hygiene advice?
2276 days ago
Bollywood

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

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

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