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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

Lockdown diaries: Tisca Chopra takes online course in film direction
2251 days ago
Bollywood

Lockdown diaries: Tisca Chopra takes online course in film direction

Mumbai, April 12 (IANS) Actress Tisca Chopra is using her lockdown time to hone her filmmaking skills. She has been taking online classes on how to direct feature films.## "It's tragic whatever is happening around the world and in India, but somewhere we all were craving for a much-needed break. So now when we have finally got it, we all should make the best use of it. I am spending time with my family... I have set up my exercise routine. And of course, I am watching a lot of movies. I am even working on a few scripts and taking a master class on how to direct feature films," Tisca told IANS.## She also shared how she has started giving value to the little things in her life.## "This phase has made me realize the importance of several things in my life. I am grateful to be surrounded by my family...I am grateful to have all basic necessities -- be it water or electricity facility. I have realized that we all have spent so much money on many useless things instead of paying heed to our medical infrastructure," she added.## On the work front, Tisca was last seen in the crime thriller, "Hostages", which will now be televised on Star Plus from April 13.## Stay tuned...

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Entertainment, tourism to take severe hit even after resumption of biz activity
2251 days ago
Bollywood

Entertainment, tourism to take severe hit even after resumption of biz activity

New Delhi, April 12 (IANS) Even after business activity resumes in a couple of months, assuming the Covid-19 pandemic subsides, some sectors like entertainment, tourism, hospitality, electronics, retail, gems and jewelry, and logistics are likely to take a big hit, with recovery possible only in the medium to long term.## According to an analysis by Dun & Bradstreet, entertainment will see a severe impact and recovery could only be seen in the long term as the biggest concern is the likely continuation of social distancing measures to avoid the risk of any relapses. The revenues from advertisements will be dependent on the revival of the aggregate demand in the economy.## The Dun & Bradstreet assumes that the Covid-19 pandemic subsides in India from its peak level and all businesses resume operations from June 2020 onwards, although in a staggered manner, and businesses across the globe (excluding China) also resume operations from the same time, in a staggered manner.## Tourism will also take a severe hit with long term recovery even when the travel bans are lifted, as both foreign tourist arrivals and domestic tourist movements are expected to remain very low because of heightened risk aversion, and measures related to social distancing and lower disposable incomes, according to the analysis by Dun & Bradstreet.## Hospitality is in the same category as the slowdown in the tourism sector will have knock-on effects on hospitality. Occupancy rates may remain very low until Q1 2021. In an effort to increase and improve the bottom lines, many businesses are expected to cut down travel and accommodation costs for their employees.## The logistics sector will also see a severe impact with recovery in the medium term as the slowdown in the tourism sector will have knock-on effects on passenger traffic. Heightened risk aversion will prolong the recovery.## Cargo traffic is expected to pick up once businesses start resuming operations across all countries. However, low consumption expenditure will delay the recovery.## Electronics will also see a high impact and recovery in long term, as demand for white goods and other high-end consumer durables will remain impaired as consumers are expected to postpone their purchases because of lower disposable income, and uncertainty over growth prospects.## About 50-60 percent of the products and 70-80 percent of the components are imported, and a shortage of components of electronic goods from China is likely to keep prices higher and hence will impact demand.## Stay tuned...

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Kareena urges citizens to stay at home amid lockdown extension report
2252 days ago
Bollywood

Kareena urges citizens to stay at home amid lockdown extension report

Mumbai, April 11 (IANS) Actress Kareena Kapoor Khan has urged citizens to stay at home after Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray announced that the ongoing COVID-19 lockdown would be extended in the state.## On Saturday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a meeting with state chief ministers via video conferencing. Although an official announcement is awaited at the time of publishing this story, it is being speculated that after today's meeting the lockdown will be extended across the nation by another couple of weeks.## Taking to Instagram on Saturday evening, Kareena wrote: "Now that the lockdown has been extended, the one thing we must do to help overcome this is STAY AT HOME. We need to be strong, now more than ever. We've come this far... let's not stop! Together with @unicefindia and @unileverdiariesindia, I urge you to #BreakTheChain #WeCanAndWeWill #VirusKiKadiTodo #StayHomeStaySafe #CoronaVirusIndia."## Her appeal came soon after the Maharashtra chief minister announced that lockdown in the state would continue till April 30.## At the time of publishing, West Bengal, Maharashtra, and Telangana are the three states that have officially declared an extension of the lockdown.## Stay tuned...

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Big B: Smartphones are 'the invention of the times'
2252 days ago
Bollywood

Big B: Smartphones are 'the invention of the times'

Mumbai, April 11 (IANS) Smartphones would have to be the invention of the times, feels Amitabh Bachchan.## "The 'wheel' has been dubbed as the greatest invention of all time.. in today's times I would say the 'smartphone'.." the actor opined on Twitter.## In a blog entry, Big B shared his reasons. "The smartphone would have to be the invention of the times.. it is running everything in the World today.. whatever would we have done without it," he wrote.## Traveling down memory lane Big B shared memories of landline phones and, how these were the primary means to communicate with before cellphones came along.## "The finger dialing within rounded hole numbers was the luxury of the times.. that and the Frig.. it was 'the' possession if you had that line land phone in the house.. difficult to afford for us at the time, and a privilege we never enjoyed for years.." he reminisced.## "When you never had it, it was manual communication.. a bicycle ride to tell or inform or get from the market... and in an emergency, a brisk run to the neighbors -- at times pretty distant, for, not all had the facility," he added.## The veteran actor also shared how their family used to wait for letters from his father Harivansh Rai Bachchan when he was pursuing his Ph.D. in Cambridge and the experience when they heard his voice after two years over the phone.## "When Babuji was in Cambridge for his Ph.D. the phone was unheard of.. it was the letters that commanded information and connect.. on the one occasion I remember when we were able to hear his voice after a gap of 2 years, he wrote a letter to say which day and time he would be able to afford a call from England.. letters took almost 7 to 10 days, if you were lucky, to get to their addressed destination.. and the call was to a friends phone, that lived a good half-hour bicycle ride away .. the anticipation of the wait.. the excitement of a phone call coming through.. the moment of its connect.. the nervous quivers.. the emotion.. and within a few minutes.. over," he wrote.## Drawing a comparison between landlines and smartphones, he wrote: "In the times of yesterday, when the phone rang the entire household would run from different parts of the house to pick up that receiver.. such as the importance and excitement of its ownership."## He added: "Now you control what comes in.. whether it should come in.. who will be permitted to come in.. and a zillion other factors that go along in the acquisition of the marvel.## However, times change and with the changing times, the new generation often fails to comprehend many things belonging to the bygone era, he contended. "This generation will never understand those times.. just as our generation was never able to understand the times before us," he commented.## Stay tuned...

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How will intimate scenes be shot post COVID-19, wonders Shoojit Sircar
2252 days ago
Bollywood

How will intimate scenes be shot post COVID-19, wonders Shoojit Sircar

Mumbai, April 11 (IANS) What happens to hugs and kisses on the screen once the COVID-19 storm passes? Will actors be confident about intimate scenes, or cautious? Filmmaker Shoojit Sircar cannot help mulling over the matter, in the course of a weekend spent at home doing precious little, amid the ongoing lockdown that looks all set to be extended by two more weeks.## "How the cinema world conducts shooting intimate scenarios in the film to be seen and planned after all this is over. Especially the intimate kissing/hugging scenes. How close or how far.. or cheat storytelling in those intimate scenes for some time," the "Piku" director wrote on Instagram.## Actress Dia Mirza commented: "Guru, the entire process of making a film is intimate! So many people all coming together to create moment after moment in unity and synchronized effort. Aap intimate scene ki baath kar rahe ho, how will all that change? Will we be masked and gloved as a crew? Only time will tell."## A user had this witty quip: "Go back to the 60s/70s, show two flowers swaying."## Another pondered over the very future of film shoots, and not just intimate scenes. "How will the industry shoot at all, if they ban gatherings of 50 or more people?" the user wondered.## Another user suggested performing a health check-up for actors before shooting intimate scenes: "Probably all the actors involved would be asked to go through a medical test first."## "I think the time has come for virtual intimacy till we find the corona vaccine," opined another user.## Stay tuned...

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Hansal Mehta talks about the plight of migrants during COVID-19 lockdown
2252 days ago
Bollywood

Hansal Mehta talks about the plight of migrants during COVID-19 lockdown

Mumbai, April 11 (IANS) Filmmaker Hansal Mehta has taken to social media to share the plight of migrants who have started walking from Mumbai, Pune and other big cities to their homes in other parts of Maharashtra as well as other states of the country amid the ongoing COVID-19 lockdown.## Most of these migrants are daily wage laborers who are desperately attempting to get home during this period and have resorted to walking because lockdown does not permit traveling in vehicles and passenger trains are also closed.## The filmmaker tweeted informing about one such group which he spotted this morning at Malavli station, near Pune.## In a series of tweets posted on Saturday afternoon, he shared: "Was near the railway station buying medicines. The tracks are filled with migrants walking home towards Osmanabad, Aurangabad, Hyderabad and to so many villages in and outside Maharashtra. They begin walking at 5 am. They stay at platforms late evening hoping to find some food."## "They find drinking water on the way, go hungry all day unless somebody helps out with biscuits or if they're lucky, food. Many of them have left the city without being paid their wages by contractors/employers. This is the India story. The exploitation of the poor."## The director also shared that he is helping them with food, water, and other necessities for their journey.## "These people work hard to keep our cities running. They are the nameless, faceless other that we desperately need but give a f**k about when their usefulness has gone past its expiry date. We try to help her with food, water, and basic supplies for their onward journey."## "But it is very little help. And very late," regretted the filmmaker in a separate tweet.## Stay tuned...

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Madhuri, Preity shower love on furry friends on National Pet Day
2252 days ago
Bollywood

Madhuri, Preity shower love on furry friends on National Pet Day

Mumbai, April 11 (IANS) It's National Pet Day and on the occasion, many Bollywood celebrities have taken to social media to express their love towards their pets.## Madhuri Dixit Nene posted a video that shows her dancing in ghungroos and playing with her dog, Carmelo.## "The one who's always by my side, the one who always entertains me, my favorite dancing partner and the one who always brings a smile on my face - My mellow Carmelo. #NationalPetDay," Madhuri captioned the video.## Preity Zinta also shared a picture of her "best friend" -- her dog Bruno.## "My partner in crime... #NationalPetDay #bruno #dutchshepherd #dutchie #ting," she wrote.## Actor Randeep Hooda posted a loving message for his horse Cuba, saying he is missing him.## "Missing Cupa, blue skies and evening sun," he wrote along with an image in which he is posing with Cuba.## For the uninitiated, Randeep Hooda is a great horse lover. Reportedly, in 2016, he had adopted 9 dying horses.## "Bigg Boss 13" fame contestant Mahira Sharma, who owns a cat, too took a moment to introduce her pet on social media.## "I'm spending my quarantine time with my pet Duggi," Mahira wrote, appealing her fans to be kind to animals amid the coronavirus pandemic.## Stay tuned...

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Pankaj Kapur-starrer 'Office Office' to re-run amid lockdown
2252 days ago
TV

Pankaj Kapur-starrer 'Office Office' to re-run amid lockdown

Mumbai, April 11 (IANS) Even as talk has been rife all through Saturday that the ongoing Covid-19 induced lockdown is likely to continue for two more weeks, there is good news for couch potatoes.## Given the good response to the re-telecast of several old popular TV shows among new-age audiences, Sony SAB has decided to re-run its hit sitcom "Office Office".## The show stars Pankaj Kapur as retired schoolmaster Mussaddi Lal Tripathi and narrates his struggles to get work done in corrupt offices in a satirical manner.## On hearing the news of the show's return, actor Deven Bhojani, who played a pivotal role in the show, got nostalgic.## "It's a great feeling that 'Office Office' is coming back. We made the show in 2001-2002, and after almost two decades it will go on air again. The show is still relatable the way it was then. It is about how a common man suffers when he needs to get something important done amidst the offices of corrupt people.## "In the period of lockdown, when the whole world is going through tension, pain, and sadness, the re-run of 'Office Office' will divert their minds and bring smiles to their faces. I myself am looking forward to such a show," Bhojani said.## "Office Office" will re-run on Sony SAB from April 13.## For more and latest news about TV, stay tuned with us.

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Bhuvan Bam, Ashish Chanchlani among YouTube stars in 'The Lockdown Rap'
2252 days ago
Youtube

Bhuvan Bam, Ashish Chanchlani among YouTube stars in 'The Lockdown Rap'

Mumbai, April 11 (IANS) Bhuvan Bam, Prajakta Koli, and Ashish Chanchlani are among a slew of Indian YouTube stars who feature in "The Lockdown Rap", a peppy track inspiring people to keep their morale high in the battle against the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.## The rap song is sung by SSD (Shubham) and is inspired by the "Asli hip hop" number in Zoya Akhtar's 2019 film, Gully Boy", starring Ranveer Singh and Alia Bhatt.## "The melody of the song is already hit but the lyrics are completely new. I am glad to be a part of this video which is our little contribution towards spreading awareness in society. I am grateful for all the people who are putting their lives at risk for our country. I urge people to stay at home and practice social distancing," Bhuvan Bam said.## Internet sensations Be YouNick, Mumbiker Nikhil, Harsh Beniwal, Tanmay Bhatt, Beer Biceps, Technical Guruji, Anmol Sachar, Kunal Chhabhria, and Akash Dodeja are among many others who feature in the video, shot individually by each artist in their respective homes.## According to Ashish Chanchlani, it "is the best way to reach out to the masses and tell them how important it is to stay at home in a situation like this".## "When you listen to the lyrics it is relatable to our situation of lockdown. The music video gives out a very important message without being preachy and in the correct lingo like the line 'Saath Milkar Hatao Iss Haiwaan Ko'," Ashish said.## "The Lockdown Rap" is written by YouTubers Kunal Chhabhria and Anmol Sachar.## Stay tuned...

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Now, 'Masakali 2.0' trolled by Delhi Metro and Jaipur Police!
2252 days ago
Bollywood

Now, 'Masakali 2.0' trolled by Delhi Metro and Jaipur Police!

New Delhi, April 11 (IANS) After being heavily slammed by netizens and the original song's creators alike, the recreated version of "Masakali" is now being trolled by the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) and Jaipur Police!## "Nothing beats the original track, Plus we have a bias as we feature in it," reads a tweet on the official handle of DMRC, referring to the fact that portions of the original song, featuring Abhishek Bachchan and Sonam Kapoor, were filmed on the Delhi Metro.## The Delhi Metro post didn't go unnoticed. Sonam retweeted it with a red heart emoji.## Joining the trollers, Jaipur Police too took a potshot at "Masakali 2.0"## Using a meme, Jaipur Police said they will use the latest remix to punish those who would roam unnecessarily in the city during the nationwide lockdown.## The original "Masakali", sung by Mohit Chauhan, was composed by Oscar-winning composer AR Rahman on lyrics by Prasoon Joshi. The song featured in the 2009 film, "Delhi-6".## Both Rahman and Joshi have expressed discontent over the recreated number, and they have seen a lot of support on social media by fans as well as B-Towners.## Without mentioning the name of "Masakali 2.0", Rahman had tweeted: "No short cuts, properly commissioned, sleepless nights, writes and re-writes. Over 200 musicians, 365 days of creative brainstorming with the main aim to produce music that can last generations. A team of a Director, a Composer, and a Lyric supported by actors, dance directors, and a relentless film crew."## The recreated version is sung by Sachet Tandon and Tulsi Kumar and credits its music to Tanishk Bagchi. The song has been picturized on Tara Sutaria and Sidharth Malhotra.## Stay tuned...

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COVID-19: Sonu Sood distributes food among the underprivileged
2252 days ago
Bollywood

COVID-19: Sonu Sood distributes food among the underprivileged

Mumbai, April 11 (IANS) After offering his Juhu hotel for frontline COVID-19 warriors, actor Sonu Sood has now started a food distribution drive to help the needy during the ongoing lockdown.## Under an initiative called Shakti Annadanam launched in the name of his late father Shakti Sagar Sood, Sonu aims to feed more than 45,000 people on a daily basis in Mumbai.## "Right now we are all together in these tough times against the coronavirus. Some of us are blessed to have food and shelter but there are many who have not eaten meals in days and it's really difficult for them. To help these people, I've started a special food and ration drive on my father's name, which is called Shakti Annadanam. I hope I am able to help as many people as possible," the actor said.## He is also making the best use of social media to spreading awareness about the novel coronavirus, advising people on how to workout at home and maintain fitness.## Stay tuned...

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Salman Khan provides ration to daily wage workers
2252 days ago
Bollywood

Salman Khan provides ration to daily wage workers

Mumbai, April 11 (IANS) Superstar Salman Khan, who earlier financially supported 25,000 daily wage workers of the film industry amid the COVID-19 lockdown, has now provided ration facility to them.## Politician Baba Siddique on Friday took to Twitter to thank the actor for his contribution.## "Thank you @beingsalmankhan @tweetbeinghuman for your generous contribution towards the daily wage workers. You are always one step ahead of everybody when it comes to helping people and you have proved that yet again," Siddique tweeted.## Siddique also shared a few pictures of a godown and trucks filled with food supplies.## Seeing Salman's contribution, fans showered him with praises and love.## A user commented: "True hero. Salute bhaijaan."## Another one wrote: "Salman is a real human."## Salman is currently staying at his Panvel farmhouse. He is constantly in touch with his father Salim Khan via video calls.## On the film front, Salman will be next seen in "Radhe" and "Kabhi Eid Kabhi Diwali".## Stay tuned...

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