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Mumbai, April 9 (IANS) Daily wage earners have been badly hit due to the COVID-19 lockdown, and Arunabh Kumar, founder of The Viral Fever (TVF), along with YouTubers like Bhuvan Bam and Prajakta Koli, has started an initiative called #CreatorsforWorkers to pitch in with help.## New media entrepreneurs like Gurpreet Singh, Founder of One Digital, and other content creators will help the workers during this lockdown period and the fight after.## Talking about this initiative and why he felt it was necessary to be done for the daily wage earners, Arunabh said: "Everyone is doing their best to help those in need by providing monetary help or donating medical help and other necessities to the underprivileged. After working with local groups to help these workers, I realized that the workers, who are lifelines of India, need to be made aware of the pandemic in a more effective fashion.## "While all of us are sharing the message in English and Hindi, it's not reaching to these workers in their own local or regional language, and a lot is lost in translation. We saw it necessary that the information needs to reach them in their local language and dialect. That's the insight that I along with my Creator Friends believe in and want to reach out to them using WhatsApp so that they understand the problem as over 70 crore Indians connected to workers are critical in fighting this war against corona and for that they need to have the information they can appreciate, which we have tried to spread amongst all," he added.## Bhuvan shared that it's an idea that can actually help the people who have no presence on social media. "Explaining to them the seriousness of the situation in their own language will hopefully make things better for their family and friends."## Prajakta said that the thousands of housemaids in Mumbai can understand the habits to fight corona in their local lingo much better and she believes the change has to begin at grassroots.## The initiative will include content creators who will shoot a video in their native language explaining all the instructions that need to be followed by everyone in this time of need.## Stay tuned...

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Los Angeles, April 9 (IANS) Hollywood actor Adam Sandler, and comedian Jimmy Fallon have helped raise awareness of safety regulations during the COVID-19 pandemic with a new song titled "Don't touch grandma".## Sandler virtually appeared on the US late-night talk show host's program, amid the Covid-19 lockdown, to help remind viewers to keep their distance from the elderly during the health disaster, reports aceshowbiz.com.## Fallon and Sandler both strummed along to guitars and sang the number.## Sandler then urged listeners to tell their "grandma": "no touchy, just looky. Don't touch grandma / give her some space / even if your grandma wants to go to second base."## The two then concluded by saying: "you still can smell her grandma smell from six feet away."## The new song comes after Sandler recently performed a number dubbed "The Quarantine Song" on Fallon's online version of "The Tonight Show".## For more and latest news about Hollywood, stay tuned with us.

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Los Angeles, April 9 (IANS) Singer Katy Perry is reportedly planning to name her daughter after her late grandmother Ann Pearl Hudson.## Perry announced last week that she and actor-fiance Orlando Bloom are expecting a little girl together, reports aceshowbiz.com.## Following the death of her grandmother in March, a source has told "The Naughty but Nice Podcast with Rob Shuter" that Perry is planning to honor her late relative with her daughter's moniker -- naming her "Pearl or Hudson or Ann."## "It was Katy's grandmother that made Katy the woman and fighter that she is today. Katy believes that it is no coincidence that as her granny's soul leaves the earth, another soul arrives," the insider explained.## Bloom is already a father to 9-year-old son Flynn, whom he shares with former wife Miranda Kerr.## For more and latest news about Hollywood, stay tuned with us.

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Mumbai, April 9 (IANS) Bollywood veteran Amitabh Bachchan has taken to social media to express gratitude to the people associated with supplying and delivering necessary items, at a time when the entire nation is witnessing a lockdown owing to the COVID-19 pandemic.## The veteran actor shared a video on Twitter and wrote: "I express my sincere gratitude to all #SupplyWarriors who are risking their lives every day to serve the nation. We salute your determination towards keeping #India connected amidst lockdown. #IndiaFightsCorona".## In the video, Bachchan says in Hindi: "At a time when the entire nation is observing the lockdown in response to the Prime Minister's appeal and battling the war against coronavirus, there are among us a set of selfless supply warriors who are playing a crucial role in this battle. A major reason for the success of this lockdown is the selfless dedication of these supply warriors. I express my gratitude to them. These include truck drivers, our brothers and sisters associated with loading and unloading of goods, workers associated with railway racks, air-cargo and ports, Indian Air Force, pilots and crew members of Air India and all those people associated with supplying food items and medicines at this hour."## He also mentioned local shopkeepers, and delivery boys and girls. "I would also like to thank the local shopkeepers and our brothers and sisters who are delivering necessities like milk, fruits, vegetables, and other food items to our homes or helping us at the shops," he said.## The actor concluded with a message for citizens urging them to cooperate and stay at home. "It is because of these supply warriors that you all are getting necessary items during this time. I'd like to convey to the citizens that please rest assured because as long as these supply warriors are active, you will not face any problem in getting the necessities. Therefore, please don't hoard unnecessary items. Stay at home. Stay safe," he said.## Stay tuned...

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Los Angeles, April 9 (IANS) Singer-songwriter John Prine's wife has shared an emotional note after his death, urging people to "take this virus seriously".## Prine, who received a Grammy lifetime achievement award this year, passed away on Tuesday due to complications owing to coronavirus. He was 73.## Prine's wife Fiona Whelan issued a statement on Wednesday following the death of her husband. While both he and his wife were afflicted with the illness, she has recovered from it, reports variety.com.## "Our beloved John died yesterday evening Vanderbilt Medical Center in Nashville, Tennessee," she wrote on her social media accounts, adding: "We have no words to describe the grief our family is experiencing at this time. John contracted COVID-19 and in spite of the incredible skill and care of his medical team at Vanderbilt he could not overcome the damage this virus inflicted on his body."## "I sat with John -- who was deeply sedated -- in the hours before he passed," she continued, "and will be forever grateful for that opportunity".## "My dearest wish is that people of all ages take this virus seriously and follow guidelines set by the CDC. We send our condolences and love to the thousands of other American families who are grieving the loss of loved ones at this time -- and to so many other families across the world. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for the outpouring of love we have received from family, friends, and fans all over the world. John will be so missed but he will continue to comfort us with his words and music and the gifts of kindness, humor, and love he left for all of us to share," she concluded.## Prine was one of the most celebrated songwriters of the past 50 years and continued to tour and record recently. He fought off cancer in the late 1990s and again in the early 2010s.## For more and latest news about Hollywood, stay tuned with us.

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Mumbai, April 9 (IANS) Actor Sonu Sood has offered his Juhu hotel for healthcare workers including doctors, nurses and the paramedical staff during the coronavirus pandemic.## "It's my honor to be able to do my bit for the doctors, nurses and paramedical staff of our country who have been working day and night to save the lives of millions in the country. I'm really happy to open the doors of my hotel for these real-time heroes," Sonu said.## The actor is also making the best use of social media platforms, spreading awareness about the novel coronavirus among people. He has also been telling people how to workout at home and maintain fitness. In a recent Instagram post, Sonu I seen using home furniture as gymming equipment.## Stay tuned...

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Mumbai, April 9 (IANS) Oscar-winning composer AR Rahman and lyricist Prasoon Joshi don't seem happy with a newly recreated version of their 2009 gem, "Masakali". The duo had created the song for Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra's film "Delhi-6", and on Thursday joined a growing band of social media users who have conveyed their disappointment over the new number.## Without mentioning the name of "Masakali 2.0", Rahman 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."## Along with it, Rahman shared a link to the original song, which makes it obvious what he is referring to.## Sonam Kapoor, on whom the original song was picturized, retweeted Rahman's tweet.## Lyricist Prasoon Joshi urged fans to stand for originality. "All songs were written for #Delhi6 including #Masakali close to heart, sad to see when the original creation of @arrahman@prasoonjoshi_ &singer @_MohitChauhan insensitively utilized," Joshi wrote.## Taking a direct jibe at the music label T-Series, which has brought out the remix, the lyricist added: "Up to the conscience of @Tseries... Hopefully, the fans will stand for originality."## "Masakali 2.0" is sung by Tulsi Kumar and Sachet Tandon, with music by Tanishk Bagchi. The song is picturized on Tara Sutaria and Sidharth Malhotra.## Stay tuned...

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Mumbai, April 9 (IANS) Bollywood veteran Amitabh Bachchan has started distributing 2000 packets of food daily to provide lunch and dinner to the needy across Mumbai amid the COVID-19 pandemic. This gesture in addition to providing monthly ration to one lakh households of daily wage workers associated with the All India Film Employees Confederation.## The actor took to his blog to talk about his social service. "Meanwhile on the personal front .. 2000 packets of food are being given each day for lunch and dinner at various locations over the city .. and the larger bags of a monthly provision about 3000 bags, which would take care of at 12,000 months is in process," he wrote.## He even revealed the locations where the needy were being fed.## "Most of the feeding is taking place at the Haji Ali dargah, the Mahim dargah, the Babulnath Temple, the slum in Bandra and a few other slums in the interior North of the city .. it is so difficult to cover as many as we may want to .. but..."## The actor then highlighted the practical problems faced in the transportation of supplies because of the nationwide lockdown.## "The process has its problems .. the lockdown has now made it illegal to step out of the house and living areas .. so even though I have been able to get the bags ready its transportation causes problems," he wrote.## "One cargo vehicle can carry 50-60 bags of the essential package .. so 3000 packages would involve so many more vehicles .. the vehicles is not the problem, it's their movement that is restricted."## The problem is not just in transportation but also during the distribution of food, because slum-dwellers who have been starving over the past few days tend to get unruly and impatient during the distribution of food. This often creates a stampede-like situation.## "The authorities are saying that when the package arrives, people, especially those in the slums for whom the material is specially packed, have not eaten for 3-4 days and they rush for the vehicle to pick up their package, which almost causes a stampede and the Police cannot allow that to happen, with the conditions of 'social distancing', "Big B wrote.## The actor also revealed that he gives instructions to carry out the process in the right way.## "Even where the daily food is being distributed I have insisted that proper lines are formed keeping distances from one another .. the volunteers, thank the Lord are working tirelessly in extreme conditions to make sure of its proper functioning .. it is a tough task .. but what can be done .. the cues are large and with each passing day are getting bigger and bigger," he said in his post.## Lauding the people associated with the process, he expressed: "We try to provide .. but getting the provision to reach the needy is an exercise! Something will work out I hope and pray .. I get a video and pictures of all the procedures happening each hour so I can give instructions .. which is a great help .. and of course the team that works day and night is incredibly diligent."## Meanwhile, Big B also took to Twitter to express words of gratitude for supply warriors who are risking their lives to serve the nation in this hour of crisis.## Stay tuned...

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Hyderabad, April 9 (IANS) Telugu superstar Mahesh Babu on Thursday took a moment to appreciate the efforts of the Telangana Police for working day and night to ensure that the nationwide lockdown, implemented to stop the spread of the novel coronavirus, is a success.## "I want to take this moment to wholeheartedly thank the Telangana police force for spearheading the battle against COVID-19. Their relentless hard work is absolutely outstanding. Immense gratitude for safeguarding our lives and the health of our families during these most challenging times !!## "Saluting your selfless dedication towards our country and it's people.#TelanganaPolice #StayHomeStaySafe," Mahesh Babu wrote.## The lockdown came into effect on March 24.## A few days ago, Mahesh Babu urged everyone to practice social distancing as well as fear distancing.## "Besides social distancing and maintaining good hygiene, there is something as important that needs our attention- #FearDistancing - Keeping ourselves away from people and news that creates panic and fear. Fake news is a real issue! Stay away from misguided information," he had tweeted.## Stay tuned...

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Mumbai, April 8 (IANS) Actor Manish Anand, who has appeared in the web series "Pushpavalli", is awaiting the release of his movie called "The Tenant" alongside actress Shamita Shetty. He says he portrayed a complex character that he enjoyed playing.## The film has been directed by Sushrut Jain, who is based in Los Angeles.## Talking about his role, Manish shared: "The character that I play is called Ajay. He is a complex character that I really enjoyed playing on the screen. He has got multiple shades."## "The film should be ready for a theatrical release soon. I urge everyone to take all the precautions and commit to all the protocols given by the government. We would have some great entertainment once this disease is dealt with," he said referring to COVID-19 due to which theatres are shut and most people are working from home.## Manish has signed up another movie for which he is learning Arabic online.## "It's an ensemble project. I absolutely love the concept. Unfortunately, I can't divulge the details. The world is going through a difficult time. We are in our homes and I am just finding the best way to kill time and also preparing for my next," he said.## "Arabic has been going good and it will prove very important for the movie. Hope we get over this pandemic soon," he added.## Stay tuned...

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Mumbai, April 8 (IANS) Actress Urvashi Dholakia has launched her digital chat show called "Trending Now".## In these times of lockdown and home quarantine, Urvashi hopes to make good use of the digital platform by creating personalized content that is informative as well as light and fun.## Through the course of the show, Urvashi will be seen chatting up with personalities from diverse fields.## She has interviewed celebrities like Tony Kakkar, Sriti Jha, and Sumona Chakravarti.## Speaking about "Trending Now", Urvashi said: "Digital media has taken over every possible medium at this moment, and it is the one thing that is successfully moving forward on a high."## "So I too thought of making good use of this space, especially during this home quarantine phase where people are only resorting to what's happening in the digital space. The idea of a candid, fun and light chat show was something that instantly crossed my mind because I am someone who loves to talk and connect with people, and get the best out of them with my humorous and witty side!" she added.## Through "Trending Now", she will be revealing a different side of each guest, bringing out what people don't really know about them.## "All my conversations will be fun, witty, quirky and informative of course, which is what we all need at the moment. But the main aim through them is to lighten the worrisome atmosphere we are living in right now, with a great mind diverter which 'Trending Now' will definitely offer," she said.## Stay tuned...

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Mumbai, April 9 (IANS) Nikkhil Advani's upcoming show "Hasmukh" features Vir Das as a reluctant killer, and the Bollywood filmmaker says people will be surprised to watch the popular stand-up comedian in his new avatar.## In the trailer of the Netflix show, Vir is a comedian who needs to kill someone before performing on stage. As an individual, he does not like the whole act of killing people, but he has no other way to get the right kick to perform as a comedian on stage. He battles the dilemma.## "I think the audience will find it interesting to watch Vir in that avatar. No one can imagine Vir like that, because even in real life he is a stand-up comedian. He has acted really well. The story is of a reluctant killer. It is a fight between morals and ambitions," Advani said.## The show is directed by Nikhil Gonsalves and also features Ranvir Shorey, Manoj Pahwa, Ravi Kishan, Amrita Bagchi, Suhail Nayyar, Inaamulhaq and Raza Murad.## According to the filmmaker, he always wanted to collaborate with the celebrated stand-up comedian. "Vir and I always wanted to collaborate. He came up with the idea, and I suggested making the story a little darker. So, we developed the script accordingly. We have got a great casting with some of the finest actors. Things just fell in place nicely," said Advani, about the show which releases on April 17.## Asked if digital release is an advantage during the time of lockdown, Advani replied: "It is a big advantage for us that the show is releasing now on Netflix when people are sitting at home and consuming a lot of digital content. But, it was always meant to release at this point in time. It was planned to release in April."## Stay tuned...