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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

New Film Studio To Be Built In Space By 2024
1601 days ago
Hollywood

New Film Studio To Be Built In Space By 2024

Los Angeles, Jan 20 (IANS) Space Entertainment Enterprise (S.E.E), the company co-producing Tom Cruise's upcoming space movie, plans to launch a sports arena and production studio in space by 2024. ## S.E.E. has unveiled plans to build a space station module that contains a sports and entertainment arena as well as a content studio by December 2024, reports variety.com. ## Named SEE-1, the module is intended to host films, television, music and sports events as well as artists, producers and creatives who want to make content in the low orbit, micro-gravity environment. The facilities will enable development, production, recording, broadcasting and livestreaming of content. ## S.E.E. intend to produce its own content and events in the module as well as making it available to third-parties. ## Axiom Space, who in January 2022 won NASA's approval to build a commercial component of the International Space Station (ISS), will undertake the construction of SEE-1. The module will dock on Axiom's commercial arm, named Axiom Station, which will also host other commercial ventures, including space tourism. ## Axiom Station will then separate from the ISS in 2028. ## S.E.E., which was co-founded in the UK by entrepreneurs and producers Elena and Dmitry Lesnevsky, is currently planning a fundraising round. ## "SEE-1 is an incredible opportunity for humanity to move into a different realm and start an exciting new chapter in space," said Dmitry and Elena Lesnevsky in a statement. ## "It will provide a unique, and accessible home for boundless entertainment possibilities in a venue packed with innovative infrastructure which will unleash a new world of creativity. With worldwide leader Axiom Space building this cutting-edge, revolutionary facility, SEE-1 will provide not only the first, but also the supreme quality space structure enabling the expansion of the two trillion-dollar global entertainment industry into low-Earth orbit." ## "Axiom Station, the world's first commercial space station, is designed as the foundational infrastructure enabling a diverse economy in orbit," said Michael Suffredini, president/CEO of Axiom Space. ## "Adding a dedicated entertainment venue to Axiom Station's commercial capabilities in the form of SEE-1 will expand the station's utility as a platform for a global user base and highlight the range of opportunities the new space economy offers." ## "SEE-1 will showcase and leverage the space environment in an unprecedented way," Axiom chief engineer Dr Michael Baine said. "The inflatable module design provides for around six meters diameter of unobstructed pressurized volume, which can be adapted to a range of activities - including an onboard state-of-the-art media production capability that will capture and convey the experience of weightlessness with breathtaking impact." ## Richard Johnston, COO of S.E.E. added: "From Jules Verne to 'Star Trek,' science fiction entertainment has inspired millions of people around the world to dream about what the future might bring. Creating a next generation entertainment venue in space inspire opens countless doors to create incredible new content and make these dreams a reality." ##

Tovino Thomas, Keerthy Suresh-Starrer 'Vaashi' Wrapped Up
1601 days ago
Mollywood

Tovino Thomas, Keerthy Suresh-Starrer 'Vaashi' Wrapped Up

Chennai, Jan 20 (IANS) The team of director Vishnu Raghav's Malayalam film 'Vaashi', featuring actors Tovino Thomas and Keerthy Suresh in the lead, on Thursday announced that it had wrapped up the film. ## Actor Tovino took to his Instagram page to make the announcement. ## He said, "And it's a wrap at 'Vaashi'! Super happy to have joined hands with buddy Vishnu Raghav in his first venture as director. I wish the world for you brother! And thanks to the amazing co-star Keerthy Suresh and the cast and the crew for making 'Vaashi' most memorable." ## Heightening the suspense factor, the actor said, "This film portrays something that's super relevant and it will all reach out to you soon!" ## The film, which had gone on floors on November 17 last year, had its lead cast Tovino and Keerthy Suresh joining the sets on November 28. ## The film has raised expectations as this is the first time that Keerthy Suresh has worked with Tovino Thomas. ## Stay Tuned To Sacnilk.

Malayalam Actress Anna Ben Tests Positive For Covid
1601 days ago
Mollywood

Malayalam Actress Anna Ben Tests Positive For Covid

Chennai, Jan 20 (IANS) Malayalam actress Anna Ben has announced that she has tested positive for Covid. ## The actress took to social media to make the announcement. She said, "Tested positive for Covid with all the symptoms except the loss of smell. Whoever came in contact with me, please get tested and I hope you are safe. In home quarantine at the moment."## The actress further went on to point out that the virus, which she had managed to dodge for two years, had finally got her.## Anna Ben's upcoming film, 'Naradan', directed by Aashiq Abu and featuring Tovino Thomas along with her, has also been postponed because of the onset of the third wave of Covid.## Numbers of those testing positive have been going up ever since the new year began, during the third wave of Covid.## On Wednesday, Malayalam actor and MP from Kerala, Suresh Gopi, also said he had tested positive for Covid.## Stay Tuned To Sacnilk

Andrew Garfield Says Heath Ledger Was A 'Gift To The World'
1602 days ago
Hollywood

Andrew Garfield Says Heath Ledger Was A 'Gift To The World'

Los Angeles, Jan 20 (IANS) Hollywood star Andrew Garfield opens up about the death of his former co-star Heath Ledger, just days before the anniversary of his fatal drug overdose.## The 38-year-old actor was discussing the topic of mourning when he mentioned Ledger, who died of a drugs overdose in 2008 while the pair were in the middle of filming 'The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus' together, and is determined to "keep his spirit alive".## He said: "When anyone dies, we want the beauty of keeping their memory alive by talking about them and by repeating stories over and over again. I think especially with someone who died so young - I remember feeling it with Heath. He died in the middle of a film that we were making together. And also he was just obviously such an incredible artist and a gift to the world".## Garfield played Anton in the Terry Gilliam-directed film alongside Ledger as Tony Shepard and following Heath's death other stars such as Johnny Depp, Jude Law and Colin Farrell joined the cast to film Heath's remaining scenes, reports femalefirst.co.uk.## Garfield then went on to claim that the same notion applies to late 'Rent' composer Jonathan Larson, who suffered a fatal aneurysm aged 35 in 1996 and was played by Andrew in the 2021 musical biopic 'Tick, Tick,...Boom!'.## Speaking to Vanity Fair, he added: "I think the same goes for Jonathan. It was like the number of people that want to keep his spirit alive enabled us to get all of the information and all of the subjective experiences that people had with him and I love that".## Stay tuned...

Vishal's 'Veerame Vaagai Soodum' Trailer Garners 1 Million Views
1602 days ago
Kollywood

Vishal's 'Veerame Vaagai Soodum' Trailer Garners 1 Million Views

Chennai, Jan 20 (IANS) The trailer of director Thu Pa Saravanan's action entertainer 'Veerame Vaagai Soodum', featuring Vishal and Dimple Hayathi in the lead, has garnered an impressive one million views in a matter of just six hours of being released on YouTube.## The trailer, which was released on Wednesday evening, shows Vishal as a cop who thinks out of the box. The dialogues showcased in the trailer seem to be deep. A case in point would be a dialogue that goes, "There's a lot of difference between one who kills to save oneself and another who kills others and makes a living out of it".## The trailer gives the impression that the film will provide a feast to action lovers.## Several celebrities also complimented Vishal for the trailer. Comedian Soori complimented Vishal on Twitter, saying, "The trailer looks awesome. My best wishes for the film to succeed".## Producer Dhananjayan also seemed to be impressed by the trailer. He tweeted, "Vishal's 'Veeramae Vaagai Soodum' trailer is superb with fantastic dialogues".## Over 85,000 people have liked the trailer of the film, which will release in theaters soon.## Stay tuned...

Kapil Sharma: Mumbai Gives 'Scooterwalas' Like Me An Opportunity
1602 days ago
TV

Kapil Sharma: Mumbai Gives 'Scooterwalas' Like Me An Opportunity

Mumbai, Jan 20 (IANS) Comedian and actor Kapil Sharma, who is gearing up for his streaming debut on Netflix with the stand-up special 'Kapil Sharma: I'm Not Done Yet', has shared some anecdotes from his struggling days.## In a candid conversation, while narrating his initial struggling days, Kapil said: "I had no plan as such. People will laugh if I tell them how I started. Maine pehle BSF ke liye try ki, fir army mein gaya (I first tried in BSF and then army), my father and uncles were part of the police force".## "But Papa kaafi musicians ko jante the and ended up introducing me to them (my father knew many musicians and ended up introducing me to them.) He wanted me to do something big or maybe creative in life".## Recalling his first time in Mumbai, Kapil said: "I remember the first time I came to Mumbai with my friends. We would roam around Juhu Beach looking out for directors as if they had nothing better to do in life. From then to now - things have changed so much".## "That's Mumbai, that's what it does. It gives scooterwalas like me an opportunity to stand on a stage and entertain people".## The star comedian went down memory lane and said: "Mujhe yaad hai mai bilkul naya tha Mumbai mein (I remember I was very new in Mumbai) and was unaware of what was coming my way, making my way through the bustling streets of Mumbai, only dreaming of being where I am now".## 'Kapil Sharma: I'm Not Done Yet' is releasing on January 28 on Netflix.## Stay tuned...

Sushmita Sen Wins International Association of Working Women Award For 'Aarya 2'
1602 days ago
Digital Media

Sushmita Sen Wins International Association of Working Women Award For 'Aarya 2'

Mumbai, Jan 20 (IANS) Bollywood actress, and former Miss Universe Sushmita Sen is elated on being conferred the International Association of Working Women Award for outstanding performance by a female actor in a TV series for her show 'Aarya 2'.## The award is presented by the DC South Asian Film Festival (DCSAFF), which is currently underway virtually starting from January 16 to January 30.## The actress credits the team of 'Aarya' for working tirelessly for the show that is now gaining global recognition. Sharing her excitement, the actress said in a statement, "I am overwhelmed with all the love and appreciation being showered on 'Aarya 2'. The entire team has worked strenuously to put together a work of art that would be loved by everyone".## "It's euphoric to win the International Association of Working Women Award for outstanding performance by a female actor in a television series. I would like to thank the organizers of the DC South Asian Film Festival for bestowing this honour on me and the entire team. This is surreal!" the statement further said.## Talking about DCSAFF, the film fest which started in 2012 featuring Shyam Benegal's classic film 'Mammo' as the opening title, is currently in its 10th edition and will feature films from India, Pakistan, Nepal, Canada, and the US, and many regional languages.## The 2022 edition of the film fest opened with a book discussion with writer, director, and actor Ananth Mahadevan about his new book 'Once Upon A Prime Time' and the Nepali feature film 'Mahanagar/One Night in Kathmandu', directed by Mohan Rai. Filmmaker Vishal Chaliha's Assamese film 'Sijou' will be the closing film of DCSAFF 2022 on January 30.## Stay tuned...

Balakrishna's 'Akhanda' Completes 50 Days In Theatres Successfully
1602 days ago
Tollywood

Balakrishna's 'Akhanda' Completes 50 Days In Theatres Successfully

Chennai, Jan 20 (IANS) Director Boyapati Sreenu's 'Akhanda', featuring Nandamuri Balakrishna in the lead, has successfully completed a 50-day run in theatres.## Sources close to the unit claimed that the film had accomplished the feat in 103 centres. 'Akhanda', which has been made on a budget believed to be the highest ever for a Balakrishna film, has done a roaring business of Rs 200 crore. This includes theatrical gross and non-theatrical revenues.## Director Boyapati Sreenu and Balakrishna's combination is proving to be a formidable one as this is the third consecutive blockbuster that the two have managed to deliver together, the other two blockbusters being 'Simhaa' and 'Legend'.## The makers claim that 'Akhanda' has provided huge profits to not just the producer but all the distributors as well. The film has been doing exceptionally well overseas too. It recently touched the million-dollar-mark in the US.## 'Akhanda', which has Pragya Jaiswal playing the female lead, features Srikanth as the antagonist and Jagapathi Babu in a vital role. It has music by Thaman and cinematography by C Ram Prasad.## Stay tuned...

Mahesh's Next Film 'Yevaal' A Romantic Psychological Thriller
1602 days ago
Kollywood

Mahesh's Next Film 'Yevaal' A Romantic Psychological Thriller

Chennai, Jan 20 (IANS) Actor Mahesh, who won the hearts of audiences for his simple and natural performance in director Vasanta Balan's critically acclaimed 'Angaadi Theru', will next be seen in director Githeesh Karunakaran's 'Yevaal', a romantic psychological thriller, featuring five heroines.## Sources close to the unit say that Mokksha, who has been a part of a few Bengali and Telugu movies, will be making her debut in Tamil with this film. A Bharatanatyam dancer, Mokksha plays the main female lead in the film.## Gowri Sharma, Madhumitha, Akshara Raj, Parichita Singha, and Arathi Krishna, a model who has already been a part of three Malayalam movies and a couple of Tamil movies, will all be playing pivotal roles in the film.## Interestingly, Arathi Krishna is also one of the producers of the film. She is producing the film with R.L. Ravi.## One other highlight about this film is that it will also feature Praveen Parameshwar, the man who represented India in the World Competition of the longest beard and won the second position. He will be seen playing an important role in the film.## Sources say the story of 'Yevaal' revolves around a man who gets to know that his girlfriend's death has been caused by a psycho killer. Says a source, "He sets out to seek revenge. But while doing so, he has to take on those who know witchcraft. The spine-chilling eerie moments in the film are of Hollywood standards".## Shot across the locales of Pondicherry, Palakkad, Kuttikkanam, Peermade, and a few more exotic places, the film will feature a couple of songs, the source adds.## Stay tuned...

Shaheer Sheikh's Father Dies Of Covid; 'Stay Strong', Says Aly Goni
1602 days ago
TV

Shaheer Sheikh's Father Dies Of Covid; 'Stay Strong', Says Aly Goni

Mumbai, Jan 20 (IANS) Popular television actor Shaheer Sheikh's father passed away on Wednesday after battling a severe Covid infection.## Shaheer had informed that his father was on a ventilator due to the infection. Actor Aly Goni shared his condolences on Twitter on Wednesday night and asked Shaheer to stay strong.## Aly wrote: "Inna Lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji'un. May Allah rest uncle's soul in peace bhai @Shaheer_S, stay strong bhai".## Just a few days back, Shaheer had shared a throwback picture of his father and urged everyone to pray for him. "My dad is on a ventilator, suffering from a severe covid infection... pls keep him in your prayers," he wrote.## Shaheer will soon be seen in Season 2 of 'Pavitra Rishta'.## The second season is centered around Manav, played by Shaheer and Archana, and how their marriage, which was based on a sham, falls apart only for them to realize that their 'Pavitra Rishta' was never bound by just vows and responsibilities.## As seen in the trailer, Manav and Archana's story in Season 2 starts from where their marriage ended, and they went their individual ways only to cross paths time and again.## Directed by Nandita Mehra, 'Pavitra Rishta...It's never too late' Season 2 will premiere on ZEE5 on January 28.## Stay tuned...

'Bhaukaal 2' IANS Review: An Inspiring Series Despite Oodles Of Violence And Tragedies
1602 days ago
Digital Media

'Bhaukaal 2' IANS Review: An Inspiring Series Despite Oodles Of Violence And Tragedies

Series: 'Bhaukaal 2' (Streaming on MX Player), Duration: About 30 minutes per episode## Director: Jatin Wagle## Cast: Mohit Raina, Siddhanth Kapoor, Pradeep Nagar, Bidita Bag, Bikramjeet Kanwarpal, Ajay Singh Chaudhary, Rahul Gujjar, Priyanka Lulla, Anil Dhawan, Saanyam Srivastav## IANS Rating: ***## There is no pre-defined meaning to the title, 'Bhaukaal', but colloquially in the local North Indian lingo, it egoistically means "in one's own style, pride, and honour" irrespective of the fact whether the person is really respected in the society or not.## That said, 'Bhaukaal 2' is a rustic, cop-gangster-based, crime-action drama created from the real-life incidents of Senior Superintendent of Police Navneit Sekera, whose name has been changed, to Naveen Sekera in the series.## Set in Uttar Pradesh's crime-ridden Muzaffarnagar during 2004, the story of 'Bhaukaal 2' takes off from where it left in its previous season.## Mohit Raina essays the role of the ace police inspector Naveen Sekera who makes it his life's mission to clean and eradicate the lawlessness that's plaguing the town and this season focuses on him eliminating the gangs of Shaukeen Khan and the Dedha brothers.## How he does this against all odds, be it personal or professional, forms the crux of this season's tale.## With the gangs displaying their oneupmanship, the six-minute prologue of the season shows us the anarchy that's prevailing in the town. And the narrative begins - After Shaukeen Khan's death, the onus of the gang falls on the shoulders of his wife Nazneen (Bidita Bag) and his brother Ashfaq (Ajay Singh Chaudhary). They try to hold their own while doing their business of gun-running operations with the unpredictable Dedha brothers till the situation leads the events to go out of control and Pintu (Pradeep Nagar), the oldest of the Dedha brothers, lets out his war cry, "Bhaukaal".## The plots of the episodes contain oodles of abusive vocabulary, gangland culture, and violence that intersects between the world of politics, law enforcement, and the helpless citizens of the town. There is nothing new or unusual shown in the series that the viewer is not aware of. But there is focus and an element of honesty in the telling. Naveen Sekera is neither glorified nor made into a larger-than-life hero. He is portrayed as an earnest and duty-bound officer, and thus the tale is inspiring.## On the performance front, every actor worth his salt delivers earnestly. Mohit Raina slips into SSP Naveen's boots effortlessly. Similarly, Pradeep Nagar as the aggressive Pintu Pehlwan, Siddhant Kapoor, and Rahul Gujjar as his younger brothers, Chintu and Gurjan, are impressive with their on-screen idiosyncrasies. So is every other actor in the series. All of them are natural and simply brilliant.## Technically the series is astutely crafted and mounted with ace production values. The action sequences too, are skillfully designed and brilliantly captured by the cinematography team.## Stay tuned...

Farhan Akhtar Recalls Shooting Of 'Lakshya' In Ladakh On 'Mission Frontline'
1602 days ago
Digital Media

Farhan Akhtar Recalls Shooting Of 'Lakshya' In Ladakh On 'Mission Frontline'

Mumbai, Jan 19 (IANS) Film actor, director, and screenwriter Farhan Akhtar get nostalgic about his film 'Lakshya' on the show 'Mission Frontline'. Farhan interacts with Col Bheemaiah P.S. (Commanding officer, 3 Rashtriya Rifle Sena Medal Bar).## Filmmaker Rohit Shetty and Farhan Akhtar will be seen together on the show. Both will be spending a day with the Rashtriya Rifle soldiers and J&K Police's Special Operations Group in Srinagar.## Farhan will be undergoing vigorous weapon training including static firing, neutralizing terrorists in the jungle, along with a search and destroy drill with Rashtriya Rifles. While interacting with Col Bheemaiah P.S., Farhan gets nostalgic about his film 'Lakshya'.## He says: "2003 is when we shot 'Lakshya' so before that I spent a lot of time in Ladakh mainly but now when I am here, I really feel very nostalgic about it. The time that we spent because you became a family and I think of them dearly today and I miss them a lot".## Farhan on weapon handling and firing training said: "Every time you hold this weapon in your hand, it definitely does something to you. When you know the reason behind using this weapon and also in what situation, it fills you with a sense of responsibility".## Farhan also opens up on what amazed him during the rigorous drills and said, "From training with them, to be their buddy, to sharing stories, I've learned this one thing. It is difficult, to sum up the life of a soldier in words. I had to live a day in their life. It's a day that is going to become a part of my stories".## He also said: "I have had an exceptionally interesting experience and I'm really glad I got to do this. It really opened my mind".## 'Mission Frontline' will be starting from January 20 on discovery+.## Stay tuned...