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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

Sara Ali Khan's inner poet comes alive in Earth Day post
2240 days ago
Bollywood

Sara Ali Khan's inner poet comes alive in Earth Day post

Mumbai, April 22 (IANS) Bollywood actress Sara Ali Khan wished her fans on the occasion of Earth Day 2020 and shared a stunning collage of her several breathtaking vacations.## From the beach to snow-capped mountains and camel rides in the desert, Sara's vacation collage on Instagram has impressed fans.## She explored her poetic side in the caption: "Happy Earth Day. About Mother Nature what to say... Snowflakes in December, Jungles in May On the beach, where the hair can sway... In the mountains, on my sleigh... In the desert, the camel leads the way... But for now, at home, we must stay... And with gratitude and appreciation thank Mother Earth every day.## However, there was a glitch in her Earth Day post, caught by actor Ishaan Khatter who reminded her that the Earth Day is on Tuesday while she posted the beautiful collage on Monday.## "Maine bhi yeh hi ghalti ki ..in one small detail the problem lay; Earth day is tomorrow, errbody thinkin we cray," replied Ishaan, matching Sara's poetic relish.## On the work front, Sara was last seen in Imtiaz Ali's "Love Aaj Kal", which also starred Kartik Aaryan.## Sara will be next seen opposite Varun Dhawan in the remake of "Coolie No.1". She will also be seen sharing screen space with Akshay Kumar and Dhanush in "Atrangi Re".## Stay tuned...

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Covid-19 effect: Wait for 'Venom' sequel gets longer
2240 days ago
Hollywood

Covid-19 effect: Wait for 'Venom' sequel gets longer

Los Angeles, April 22 (IANS) Tom Hardys much-anticipated "Venom" sequel has been delayed by eight months amid the ongoing COVID-19 crisis.## The second installment in the action-fantasy series, directed by Andy Serkis, was slated to release on October 2, 2020.## The sequel, officially titled "Venom: Let There Be Carnage", will instead launch eight months later on June 25, 2021, reports variety.com.## In 2018, "Venom" introduced Hardy as Eddie Brock and Venom. It follows the popular Marvel anti-hero as he transforms from a go-getter journalist to the powerful alien symbiote. The film put the conflict of good versus bad in the center stage.## Serkis is directing Sony's follow-up to "Venom", which sees Hardy again assume the alien symbiote. The first film became a surprise box office hit, earning $855 million globally. Woody Harrelson, Michelle Williams, Reid Scott and Naomie Harris will also appear in the sequel.## By postponing "Venom" until next year, Sony has reshuffled nearly every movie scheduled to release in 2020. The studio already pushed back many of its major films, including "Morbius" (from July 31, 2020, to March 19, 2021), "Ghostbusters: Afterlife" (from July 10, 2020, to March 5, 2021) and Tom Holland's "Uncharted" (from March 5, 2021, to Oct. 8, 2021).## For more and latest news about Hollywood, stay tuned with us.

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Alia Bhatt inspires new Mumbai Police meme urging all to stay at home
2241 days ago
Bollywood

Alia Bhatt inspires new Mumbai Police meme urging all to stay at home

Mumbai, April 22 (IANS) Alia Bhatt features in Mumbai Police force's latest effort in their ongoing campaign exhorting people to stay indoors, in these times of COVID-19 pandemic.## On their official page, Mumbai Police have shared a meme featuring a smiling Alia in her "Gully Boy" look. "That face when he says he is going out for a walk during the lockdown," reads the meme.## Mumbai Police tweeted the meme with this caption: "Abort mission. We repeat - Abort Mission! #StayHome #StaySafe."## Lately, Mumbai Police have been posting quirky tweets featuring Bollywood stars, their films, and popular on-screen characters, while advising people to stay at home during the lockdown.## This is not the first time Alia features in a tweet by Mumbai Police. Recently, they had created a message using the names of her popular films while urging people to stay at home. "Mumbaikars, we hope you all are 'Raazi' with this advice of Ms @aliaa08 to not venture out in any ‘Gully' unnecessarily and take care of ‘Dear Zindagi' for all!" they had tweeted.## Other stars who have featured in Mumbai Police's quirky tweets include Ajay Devgn, Shahid Kapoor, Abhishek Bachchan, and Arjun Kapoor.## Recently, Mumbai Police tweeted mentioning Abhishek Bachchan's character in the "Dhoom" franchise, ACP Jai Dixit, as an inspiration. Their official handle shared: "Just taking the 'ACP Jai Dixit' route to ensure that the city gets back to normalcy soon -- that too, with a 'Dhoom'! All Mumbaikars need to do is not make 'Dus Bahaane' about going out unnecessarily!"## They even tweeted using Ajay Devgn's popular movies: "Dear Singham, Just doing what khakee is supposed to do to ensure that things return to how they were - Once upon a time in Mumbai! #TakingOnCorona."## Their tweet featuring Shahid Kapoor's films read: "The most ‘Shaandaar' support Mumbaikars can provide right now is to stay at home. And make plans for what all we would do together ‘Jab We Meet' post #lockdown #TakingOnCorona."## Tweeting with the names of Arjun Kapoor's movies, Mumbai Police had shared: "Taking no ‘half' measures to ensure safety from #corona in Mumbai - a city with millions of ‘Ishaqzaades' in love with it!"## Stay tuned...

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Here's your chance to meet the 'Friends' cast
2241 days ago
Hollywood

Here's your chance to meet the 'Friends' cast

Los Angeles, April 22 (IANS) The cast of the iconic sitcom "Friends" launched a contest for fans to attend their reunion special, through which they will raise funds to help people dealing with food scarcity amid the COVID-19 pandemic.## They have joined the "All In Challenge". Stars Jennifer Aniston, Lisa Kudrow, Courteney Cox, David Schwimmer, Matt LeBlanc and Matthew Perry announced the contest on their social mia platforms.## The stars are offering six tickets to the taping of their forthcoming HBO Max reunion special as well as a cup of coffee at "Central Perk" as part of the Warner Bros. Studio Tour, reports hollywoodreporter.com.## "Hey, it's us…your FRIENDS. And We Are All In! Some of you may have heard about a reunion special that we are doing for HBO Max? Well… We want YOU and five of YOUR Friends to join the 6 of us on Stage 24," the stars posted on their respective social accounts.## "Be our personal guests in the audience for the taping where you'll get to see us all together again for the first time in ages, as we reminisce about the show and celebrate all of the fun we had. PLUS, sip a cup of coffee with us in Central Perk, and get the Friends VIP experience on the Warner Bros. Studio Tour," read the post further.## The reunion tickets and studio tour auction are part of the "All In Challenge", which is uniting celebrities, athletes and sports leagues to raise funds.## In addition to the cast of "Friends", others participating in the challenge include Madonna, Russell Wilson and Ciara, Justin Bieber, Leonardo DiCaprio, and Ryan Reynolds. The funds raised from the various auctions will go to several organizations working towards relief work.## The "Friends" reunion was among the productions that were forced to suspend work amid the near shut down due to the virus crisis. The special, featuring all six "Friends" stars, was scheduled to be recorded in March. A new date for the special has not yet been announced as it remains unclear when it will be safe for the productions to resume.## Stay tuned...

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Bollywood on Earth Day: Let's keep the planet clean and green
2241 days ago
Bollywood

Bollywood on Earth Day: Let's keep the planet clean and green

Mumbai, April 22 (IANS) Wednesday is Earth Day, and at a time when the world battles the deadly COVID-19 pandemic, Bollywood took to social media to remind us of our responsibility to keep the planet clean and green.## Sonakshi Sinha tweeted: "When you realize "Heart" and Earth are spelled with the same letters, it all starts to make sense! Happy 50th #EarthDay!## Bhumi Pednekar shared a beautiful poem on how to make the earth cleaner and more beautiful. The actress wrote: "You can save water & plant a tree. Say no to single-use plastic & make her free. Recycle your things, Don't make more trash, We have really abused her, let's not be rash. I love you Earth is all I can say, every day should be Earth Day #HappyEarthDay #EarthDay #ClimateWarrior"## Kajol tweeted: "The earth does not belong to man. Man belongs to the earth. If that has not been proved categorically to us at this time I don't think it ever will be. Happy #EarthDay2020 to all the remaining species."## Madhuri Dixit Nene suggested: "This lockdown has shown us how little nature needs for it to revive and thrive. On the 50th #EarthDay let us all pledge to #DoOurBit by switching off appliances when not in use, plant trees, use fuel & water conservatively. Together we can build a better world, one we all are proud of."## Rakul Preet Singh shared on Instagram: "Get lost in the beauty of nature to find yourself! We haven't really been responsible enough to nurture the planet that feeds us all. It's time we realize the same and strive to be better citizens of earth. They say nature has its ways to teach a lesson, maybe this is a warning to preserve our habitat. If we truly surrendered in Earth's intelligence we could rise up rooted like trees! Happy Earth Day."## Sidharth Malhotra expressed on Twitter: "Today, while we are locked in our houses, nature continues to thrive. We all need to remember this when we get out that we are just guests on this beautiful planet, not the owners. This #EarthDay2020 let's do our bit to heal our planet and build a better future."## Richa Chadha shared a video where she offers suggestions regarding how we can make a difference to the planet. The actress suggested growing some of our own food like she has grown aloe vera and Curry leaves, segregating dry and wet waste, saving electricity, saying no to plastic, saving water, and using recycled products. She concluded with a message: "Give love to mother earth. This is the only home we have. Nature doesn't need us, we need it."## "It's EARTH DAY! I woke up and made a video, (simple enough for a 6-year-old, but we all tend to forget the basics)! While everyone is busy sharing pictures of peacocks on roads, dolphins in the sea, birds, and clear blue skies… Let's not forget that nature is healing and we must not get back to our old ways once the lockdown is relaxed! Every day is Earth Day!" Richa captioned.## Tamannaah Bhatia shared a message on climate change and wrote: "The Earth Does Not Belong to Us: We Belong to the Earth. -Marlee Matlin. Climate change is real and currently, we are experiencing it first hand. Let pledge to protect our planet and make it green and clean, once again! #earthday2020".## Dia Mirza tweeted: "The world needs a 'Satyagraha' a movement of non-violence against nature. Respect nature's DEMOCRACY for the sake of ALL people. The planet provides and nurtures life. #ForPeopleForPlanet"## Neha Dhupia shared a beautiful collage of photographs with husband Angad Bedi and daughter Mehr with the message: "Stay home save our home".## Malaika Arora shared on Instagram: "Mother earth is a living organism too. Love, honor, and respect her."## Saurabh Shukla expressed: "Happy Mother Earth Day. Maa bless us all! #EarthDay2020 #EarthDay #environment #PLEDGE #socialresponsibility."## Esha Deol shared a message which reads: "Make everyday earth day".## Filmmaker Madhur Bhandarkar shared: "Go green and let's make our Earth a beautiful place to live. #HappyEarthDay #EarthDay2020."## Film producer Bhushan Kumar tweeted: "Nature is our biggest blessing, let us do our bit to preserve it & build a better future for all. #EarthDay2020".## For more and latest news about Bollywood, stay tuned with us.

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Big B's Marathi film set for digital premiere on May 1
2241 days ago
Marathi

Big B's Marathi film set for digital premiere on May 1

Mumbai, April 22 (IANS) Amitabh Bachchan's Marathi film "AB Aani CD" released at a time when the COVID-19 pandemic was beginning to impact India, due to which theatres had to be shut down. Now, the film is all set for a digital premiere on May 1.## Produced by Akshay Bardapurkar, the dramedy is directed by Milind Lele and also features Vikram Gokhale. The film was one of the first few theatrical releases to impacted by the nation-wide lockdown due to the COVID-19 outbreak in India.## The film will be released on Amazon Prime Video on Maharashtra Day.## Talking about its digital premiere, Bardapurkar said: "In the current circumstances, public safety and health is of paramount importance. It, therefore, made absolute sense to digitally debut this beautiful movie with our streaming partner Amazon Prime Video. In association with Prime Video, we are thrilled to release the film to mark Maharashtra Day and Labor Day as an ode to our all frontline heroes in the battle against COVID. It is our humble tribute to an enormous effort which will be remembered for a long time."## "AB Aani CD" is a coming-of-age film that follows two playschool friends Amitabh and Vikram who meet almost after 70 years at a birthday party.## "After facing a great amount of revenue loss, this time around the makers would not like to take any chances and they are in talks with a few insurance companies to understand that if all types of calamities/ pandemics are covered in it along with almost all unforeseen circumstances. Once we have clarity, the idea is to secure the film right from the inception, it's high time we give importance to such important things and not to leave everything to destiny, as producers live on the fact that the film will get its full release everywhere be it theatres or any other platforms," said Bardapurkar while talking about losses incurred due to the removal of the film, and post COVID-19 era.## Stay tuned...

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COVID-19: Ustad Amjad Ali Khan lauds PM Modi's efforts
2241 days ago
India

COVID-19: Ustad Amjad Ali Khan lauds PM Modi's efforts

Mumbai, April 22 (IANS) Sarod maestro Ustad Amjad Ali Khan says Prime Minister Narendra Modi will always be remembered for saving millions of lives during the COVID-19 pandemic.## Lauding PM Modi's decision to announce nation-wide lockdown, the Ustad said: "Our beloved PM Narendra Bhai Modi Ji will also be remembered for saving lives of so many Indians suffering and fighting with the coronavirus disease."## Khan feels the COVID-19 pandemic is a "big attack on the human race as well as the future of the world as we know it", saying: "I never realized that the world will ever suffer a disease in such a way."## He continued: "As a young boy in my school, I used to play 'We Shall Overcome' on the sarod, and slowly and gradually, realized that every country has its own rendition in their own language. Till today, we still sing 'Hum Honge Kamyab'. I am grateful to HMV, now known as Sa Re Ga Ma', that recorded the video at our historical monuments."## "Our prayers and thoughts are always with the people of the world who are suffering and fighting the coronavirus today. ‘Khuda Haafiz'. It means ‘May God Almighty' always be with you and protect you," he added.## Stay tuned...

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Vicky Kaushal: I have experienced sleep paralysis
2241 days ago
Bollywood

Vicky Kaushal: I have experienced sleep paralysis

Mumbai, April 22 (IANS) Actor Vicky Kaushal feels the phenomenon of sleep paralysis is scary.## On Instagram, Vicky recently conducted an interactive session with fans. When a user asked him if he has ever seen a ghost in real life, Vicky opened up on the subject of sleep paralysis.## "I have experienced sleep paralysis a couple of times. It's damn scary," he wrote.## Sleep paralysis is a medical condition where a person, on waking up from sleep, experiences a temporary inability to move or speak.## The actor also shared that he is scared of watching horror films.## Incidentally, he recently starred in the horror film, "Bhoot Part One: The Haunted Ship". The film performed below expectations.## Vicky will next be seen in Shoojit Sircar's "Sardar Udham Singh". He has also signed Meghna Gulzar's film biopic of Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw. He will be essaying the title roles in both films.## Stay tuned...

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Adnan Sami stands by 'true brother' Sonu Nigam
2241 days ago
Bollywood

Adnan Sami stands by 'true brother' Sonu Nigam

Mumbai, April 22 (IANS) At a time when singer Sonu Nigam faces trolling from a section of netizens over his three-year-old tweet comments on 'azaan', singer Adnan Sami has come out in his support.## Calling Sonu Nigam his "true brother", Sami claimed that the singer respects all faiths.## "As far as Sonu Nigam is concerned, forget about his singing which is incredibly beautiful; he is a true brother who has always been by my side and loved me like my own!! I know for a fact, personally, that he respects all faiths!! Kindly leave him alone... #WithYouSonuNigam," Sami tweeted.## All through Tuesday, Nigam trended on social media after certain tweets he had posted in 2017 criticizing the 'azaan' started going viral. A section of the media also erroneously reported that Nigam weighed down by the trolling, had deactivated his Twitter account. The truth is the singer had deleted his Twitter account back in 2017.## Sonu Nigam is currently in Dubai with his family and is unable to return to India because of the lockdown.## Sami apart, filmmaker Vivek Agnihotri also tweeted in support of Sonu Nigam. He wrote: "One should have a right to comment on #SonuNigam the day you connect and heal as many hearts as his music has."## Stay tuned...

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Kamal Haasan's song of hope during COVID-19 lockdown
2241 days ago
Kollywood

Kamal Haasan's song of hope during COVID-19 lockdown

Chennai, April 22 (IANS) Actor-politician Kamal Haasan has penned, sung and directed "Avirum Anbum" -- a song on hope, positivity, and love in these testing times.## Joining him in the effort are his daughter, actress Shruti Haasan, composers Anirudh Ravichander, Yuvan Shankar Raja and Devi Sri Prasad, singers Shankar Mahadevan, Bombay Jayashree and Sid Sriram, actors Siddharth and Andrea, pianist Lydian, and singer-actor Mugen.## The song is composed by Ghibran and edited by Mahesh Narayanan, and will be released on April 23. Commenting on the collaboration with various talents for "Arivum Anbum", Kamal said: "This was truly a democratic process and each participant recorded his/her part themselves as none of us could meet. It's a collaboration in the truest sense and since everyone shot and recorded it themselves from their homes, I don't know whom to credit cinematography too."## "We have entered an era of high-end technology and every one individually sent us their portions which we put together. I have written the song and Ghibran has composed it and all the participants were on board just over a call. This collaboration has made me so proud of my tribe, not just locally but internationally. Artistes are continuously trying to inject optimism in the masses since they look up to us. The song is a reminder of all that we are capable of and also the fact that tough times don't last, only tough people do," he added.## Composer of the song Ghibran feels that a united effort like this can help people to overcome this situation.## "We have created a song from our homes even at this time of crisis of the coronavirus pandemic. We all are in this together and we will win over it, but only with a united effort, and that is the key to win over any pandemic that surrounds us. I am extremely happy and grateful to have associated with each and every person who has worked on this song and who came forward without a second thought, also to all the chorus singers who sent me their works and came forward to collaborate with me. The difference we can create by being together is all that matters and we have created something together," said the composer.## The song will be released by Think Music. "These are surreal times and the new way of life is truly testing for everyone. At a time like this, when emotions are running high, it's important that all of us remember to treat people with love and compassion. This song by the ever-talented Kamal Hassan and the talented artistes captures that beauty and is sure to resonate with anyone who hears it," said Swaroop Reddy, president of Think Music.## Stay tuned...

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Big B to care givers, first responders: 'Natmastak hoon mai'
2241 days ago
Bollywood

Big B to care givers, first responders: 'Natmastak hoon mai'

Mumbai, April 22 (IANS) Actor Amitabh Bachchan has paid tribute to the care givers and first responders, whom he referred to as the "social warriors."## Big B took to Twitter, where he shared an image of Lord Ganesha made out of the words "Nurse", "Doctor", "Safai karmchari" and "Police".## "The front line workers .. the doctors and nurses .. the Social Warriors .. Natmastak hoon mai," he captioned the image.## Recently, the Bollywood veteran blogged about meeting boxing legend Muhammad Ali, recalling how bigwig filmmaker Prakash Mehra almost cast the two icons in a film.## Big B went down memory lane and blogged: "Its been a groggy night .. had been watching the Greatest Mohammad Ali in his numerous victories .. and Tyson .. and it just would not leave the attention .. became past 4 am .. and then suddenly thought of the meeting itself with the MAN."## On the work front, Big B will next be seen in films like "Chehre", Gulabo Sitabo", Brahmastra" and "Jhund".## Stay tuned...

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Arjun Bijlani: Success of 'State Of Siege: 26/11' is surreal
2241 days ago
Digital Media

Arjun Bijlani: Success of 'State Of Siege: 26/11' is surreal

Mumbai, April 22 (IANS) Actor Arjun Bijlani is overwhelmed with the positive response that his web series "State Of Siege: 26/11" amid the coronavirus outbreak in India.## "It's ironic how this has worked out so beautifully because first, we faced hurdles on the release date and when we actually released, coronavirus in India had only just broken out," Arjun said.## "It's been a surreal experience from then to now and I'd like to congratulate the entire team - the cast, crew and Abhimanyu Singh, Roopali Kadyan and our Director Matthew who have put a great piece together. This story had to be told and we're glad audiences are streaming in and positively receiving it, without them it wouldn't have been possible," he added.## Arjun along with Arjan Bajwa and Vivek Dahiya are seen as NSG Commandos in "State of Siege: 26/11". The series is based on Sandeep Unnithan's book "Black Tornado: The Three Sieges of Mumbai 26/11". The show tells untold stories and the different events that took place during the attacks of 26/11. The Contiloe Pictures' show recently became the "Most Watched Original Content (New)" on Zee5.## Talking about the success, Arjan said: "‘?State of Siege 26/11' is the top rated and most watched show on ZEE5 India!! When all of us are locked in our homes, demotivated, this news couldn't have come at a better time. Lots of love to everyone who made it possible and especially all my fans!"## To this, Abhimanyu Singh, Founder-CEO at Contiloe Pictures, added: "I am glad our effort to showcase the effort of the commandos in neutralizing the 26/11 terror attacks has been liked extensively."## Stay tuned...

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