BY SACNILK

Mumbai, March 27 (IANS) While there is no scientific evidence yet to prove the coronavirus was first transmitted from a bat to a person who might have consumed the animal, actor Emraan Hashmi made such a case in his latest tweet with mock conviction.## "And all this because some person thousands of miles away wanted to have a freakish culinary experience like eating a BAT," tweeted @emraan Hashmi, venting ire on someone in the faraway Chinese city of Wuhan who might have consumed an infected bat to contract COVID-19, and then pass it on to others, thereby planting the seed of the ongoing global pandemic.## At the last count, over half a million coronavirus cases have been confirmed worldwide, with more than 22,000 deaths. In India so far, there have 16 deaths reported and the number of cases that have tested positive has risen to 694. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has declared a 21-day national lockdown to stem the spread of the virus.## For more and latest news about Bollywood, stay tuned with us.

BY SACNILK

Los Angeles, March 27 (IANS) Actress Angelina Jolie has donated $1 million as an effort to feed underprivileged children whose access to school lunches has been cut off due to closures amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.## She has given $1 million to the charity No Kid Hungry, which says it has so far spread $2 million across 30 states to feed low-income children and their families, reports dailymail.co.uk.## "As of this week, over a billion children are out of school worldwide because of closures linked to coronavirus," said Jolie, 44.## "Many children depend on the care and nutrition they receive during school hours, including nearly 22 million children in America who rely on food support. No Kid Hungry is making resolute efforts to reach as many of those children as possible," added the actress, known for her philanthropy.## She has worked extensively with the United Nations and co-wrote a Time essay promoting UNESCO's new Global Education Coalition, which seeks to facilitate remote education as schools close around the world.## In 2006 the star and her former husband Brad Pitt started their own charity named after their eldest son Maddox, 18, and focused on his native Cambodia. The organization keeps 10 schools running in Cambodia. Jolie separately funds girls' schools in Afghanistan and Kenya.## Jolie is not the only celebrity to throw her support behind No Kid Hungry as Jennifer Garner and Amy Adams started a fundraiser for them last week.## For more and latest news about Hollywood, stay tuned with us.

BY SACNILK

New Delhi, March 27 (IANSlife) As the global Coronavirus outbreak spelled a series of museum closures and postponed performances and concerts, India's most-celebrated tabla maestro Ustad Zakir Hussain says that the humanity will need to come together to fight the pandemic.## "It is too early to tell what the effect of this disease will be but it is clear that humanity needs to come together and fight this. There needs to be a serious focus on hygiene, like washing hands every 20 minutes, drinking warm water every few minutes, wiping all metal surfaces in the house and of course keeping... the distance with other people around you.## "If and when we survive this, then we can ask the government and big corporations to help restart the support for arts," the doyen told IANSlife when asked how we can sustain the arts in this difficult times.## The Ustaad was part of a concert postponed due to COVID-19, along with Indian classical violinist Kala Ramnath and Carnatic musician Jayanthi Kumaresh - "both top-shelf premier artists representing both North and South Indian music".## Last month, Ustad Zakir Hussain had paid homage to his father and guru Ustad Allarakha on his centenary, in the form of several multi-artist performances that spanned a day.## "We had a multi-layered relationship, I was his son, then his student, then his apprentice, then his colleague and finally his friend. I cherish every moment that I spent with him. He was and is the horizon I still reach for," he said about his father.## He hopes to reinstate the concert, once a virus is contained and eradicated.## "These concerts are a way for us all to connect with each other through music. When we are all cooped at home, this can be a welcome change to everyone and keep their minds diverted to something positive when all one hears is about the virus and everyone is in tenterhooks worried about their respective future.## "We musicians are also worried but there is no point worrying and by doing these concerts we are trying to say what better than music to keep us all positive," Kala Ramnath added.## Stay tuned...

BY SACNILK

Mumbai, March 26 (IANS) Bollywood actor Amitabh Bachchan tweeted a video where he talks of Chinese experts discovering that the common housefly, which sits on excreta, can transmit the coronavirus. However, the health ministry disagrees.## The video was retweeted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, reports hindustantimes.com.## "Chinese experts have discovered that the coronavirus can survive in human excreta for weeks. Even if the patients recover fully, the virus can survive in his excreta for a few weeks. If a fly were to sit on such a person's excreta, and then sit on fruits, vegetables or other food items, the disease can spread further," says Bachchan in Hindi, in the video posted on Wednesday, where he calls for a Jan Andolan in the lines of Swachch Bharat Andolan under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and the polio eradication movement, to fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.## However, Lav Aggarwal, ministry of health and family welfare's joint secretary Lav Aggrawal, dismissed the idea at a press conference on Thursday, reports republicworld.com.## Commenting on Bachchan's tweet about coronavirus spreading through flies, Aggarwal said: "I have not seen his tweet, but technically I can say that this is an infectious disease and does not spread through flies."## Along with the video in the tweet, Big B also posted a message quoting a study in The Lancet.## "T 3481 - A study in the @TheLancet shows that coronavirus lingers on human excreta much longer than in respiratory samples. Come on India, We are going to fight this! Use your toilet: Har koi, har Roz, Tamesha. Darwaza Band toh Beemari Band! @swachhbharat @narendramodi @PMOIndia" went the message by @SrBachchan.## For more and latest news about Bollywood, stay tuned with us.

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Hyderabad, March 26 (IANS) "Baahubali" actor Prabhas became the latest Telugu star to donate for the cause of combating against the coronavirus pandemic.## The actor on Thursday donated Rs 4 crore for the cause. Of this, Rs 3 crore is being given to the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund, while Rs 50 lakh each go to the Chief Minister Relief Funds of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.## Prabhas recently returned from Georgia, where he was shooting for his upcoming film, tentatively titled "Prabhas 20", with Pooja Hegde. Both actors went into self-quarantine for 14 days upon return.## Earlier in the day, Telugu superstars Pawan Kalyan, Ram Charan, Chiranjeevi, and Mahesh Babu had also donated to boost the fight against COVID-19. It was Pawan Kalyan who initiated the nobel gesture giving Rs 2 crore for the cause. Soon, his nephew Ram Charan declared a charity of Rs 70 lakh while Ram Charan's father, the veteran superstar of Telugu cinema, Chiranjeevi, gave Rs 1 crore. Young superstar Mahesh Babu also gave a crore for the cause.## For more and latest news about Tollywood, stay tuned with us.

BY SACNILK

Mumbai, March 26 (IANS) As the nationwide lockdown continues amid of outbreak of COVID-19, actor Arjan Bajwa is spending happy time at home receiving a lot of praise for his performance in the web series "State Of Siege: 26/11".## Although the actor does not mix the two situations of enjoying success and the reason for the lockdown, Arjan told IANS: "I think this is the time we have got to introspect on how we were living our lives and how we should live henceforth sustainably. We will be staying at home for a couple of weeks right now. It is not just us, but the whole world."## The famed actor added: " Rarely did it happen in the past that people of the entire world stood still like this. It's as if life is in standby mood. I think such a situation did not occur even during the World War. I think this is the time we should realize that Mother Earth is upset with us and perhaps this is the punishment we are given."## "At the same time, our government and administration are working really hard to handle the situation. We have to strictly follow the rules to really save our lives. We have to stand together to fight the virus," he said.## "State Of Siege: 26/11" is based on Sandeep Unnithan's book "Black Tornado: The Three Sieges Of Mumbai 26/11".## The show is directed by American director Matthew Leutwyler and produced by Abhimanyu Singh. It features Mukul Dev, Arjun Bijlani, Vivek Dahiya, Sid Makkar, Tara Alisha Berry, Khalida Jaan, Jyoti Gauba, Roshni Sahota, Suzanne Bernert, Naren Kumar and Jason Shah.## The show is streaming on the OTT platform ZEE5.## Arjan plays the character of Colonel Kunal Sahota, the commanding officer of the NSG unit that arrives in Mumbai to take charge of handling the terrorist attacks.## "I am so glad that I am receiving so much positive feedback for the work we, the team of ‘State Of Siege: 26/11', put together. I waited for such appreciation for so long. And I am not saying because I want to thank everybody but it is really the collaborative effort of writer, director, cinematographer, producer and every member who came together and envisioned the project," he said.## For more and latest news about Bollywood, stay tuned with us.

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Mumbai, March 26 (IANS) Bollywood actor Hrithik Roshan has stressed that the safety of the most fundamental caretakers of the city and society must be ensured, and has taken an extra step by procuring masks for Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC).## Hrithik on Thursday tweeted: "In times such as these, we must do whatever we can to ensure the safety of the most fundamental caretakers of our city and society. I have procured N95 and FFP3 masks for our BMC workers and other caretakers."## The "War" star then paid his gratitude to minister Aaditya Thackeray for giving him the opportunity to support the Maharashtra government.## "My gratitude to @AUThackeray for giving me the opportunity to support the Maharashtra govt in their endeavour to curb the pandemic. It is our duty to help in whatever capacity we can. @mybmc #coronavirusoutbreak #stayhomestaysafe," he added.## On the acting front, Hrithik was last seen on screen in "War" along with actor Tiger Shroff.## For more and latest news about Bollywood, stay tuned with us.

BY SACNILK

Mumbai, March 26 (IANS) On Tuesday evening, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced a 21-day nationwide lockdown to fight the COVID 19 pandemic. But Maharashtra has been witnessing lockdown from before that, which has led to B-Towners being confined to their homes just like everyone else.## The situation has resulted in actor Vijay Varma not getting a chance to wear his pants for the last four days, or so he says!## Varma took to Instagram to post: "Lockdown quarantine wagehera toh theek hai lekin I haven't worn my pants in 4 days uska kya."## The "Gully Boy" fame actor further wrote: "Real issues. I nominate all my friends to tell me if they're wearing their pants."## Reacting to his post, a user wrote: "We are all on the same boat Vijay." To this, the actor jokingly replied: "Please let's be on separate boats #social distancing."## Another user asked if the actor is wearing lungi instead of pants. Vijay replied saying he would like to maintain a "dignified silence" on the matter.## On the work front, Vijay Varma's latest release is the web series "She", where he plays a narcotics dealer.## For more and latest news about Bollywood, stay tuned with us.

BY SACNILK

Mumbai, March 26 (IANS) Stand-up comedian and actor Vir Das has released his new comedy series "Bright Side With Vir Das" amidst the 21-day lockdown due to COVID-19. He says this is his way of adding some laughs into lives of the people.## Focusing on the bright side of being at home, the new series sees Vir discussing everything from balconies to our warped political allegiances and how irrelevant it has become now.## Taking the darkest thoughts going on in people's heads and turning them into something funny, he attempts to lighten the situation.## "Staying at home for the last few days has been testing for everyone. This is my way of adding some laughs into their lives. Laughter opens up people to hope and that's what we need in this phase," Vir said.## "I have taken everything I have been hearing lately - from nannies and dadis claiming that Coronavirus is a result of ya not following their 'nuskas' (tips) to people telling us how we are quarantining comfortably when many in the country can't. It's our attempt to put some perspective in people on how much better we have it, and in a funny fashion tell them to practice social distancing, stay home, be safe. As for the emotional distress, let's laugh a little - shall we?" he added.## The show is available on Vir Das official YouTube channel and on Vir's IGTV.## For more and latest news about Bollywood, stay tuned with us.

BY SACNILK

Mumbai, March 26 (IANS) Lyricist-poet and censor board chief Prasoon Joshi has penned a poem on the 21-day national lockdown. His composition evocatively tries to express the fact that Prime Minister Narendra Modi's call for all to stay indoors over 21 days is essential to battle the unprecedented threat that looms large all over the world, by way of the COVID-19 pandemic.## Titled "Haan Ghar Mein Rahega Desh", Joshi's poem urges all Indians to maintain resilience and to never lose belief and confidence.## This is how the poem "Haan Ghar Mein Rahega Desh" goes:## Is desh ko pyaar buzurgo se## Yahan khud se pehle apne hain## Kartavya yahan pehle aata## Aur baad mein aate sapne hain## Bas yeh hi ek sandesh## Haan ghar mein rahega desh## Eikees din ka upvaas liye## Jeevan ki lambi saans liye## Seema rekha na todenge## Ek sanyam ek vishwas liye## Chalo mann ko dein aadesh## Haan ghar mein rahega desh## Sankalp naya ek karte hein## Chalo mil kar peeda harte hein## Is desh ke rehne wale toe## Har din hi tapasyaa karte hein## Badh jane do yeh kesh## Haan ghar mein rahega desh## Said Joshi: "We are going through testing and unprecedented times and we have to keep our spirits high", says the modern-day poet. Explaining how the crisis is going to affect the nation, he says, "there are many things that this crisis is going to make us realize. Firstly, that each of us has a significant role to play and the strange thing about this war against Coronavirus is; restraint is our weapon, stillness, our defense and distance is the sign that we deeply care." Further explaining our responsibility towards the nation, he says, "we have to fight this virus with new rules. We must, as individuals support what the medical experts and the government are asking from us. It's our duty for our nation and fellow human beings. Hopefully, this message will inspire people to undertake their responsibility and resolve to stay at home for this crucial period."## Stay tuned...

BY SACNILK

Mumbai, March 26 (IANS) Telugu superstar Pawan Kalyan has announced that he will donate a sum of Rs 2 crores to the government's relief fund as the nation battles the COVID-19 pandemic.## The actor took to Twitter to announce that he will be donating Rs 50 lakh each to Andhra Pradesh and Telangana Chief Minister's relief funds and Rs 1 crore to the Prime Minister's relief fund.## In two separate tweets, the actor shared: "I will be donating Rs.50 Lakhs each to both AP and Telangana CM relief funds to fight against Corona pandemic."## "I will be donating Rs.1 crore to PM relief fund to support our Hon. PM Sri @narendramodi Ji, in turbulent times like this. His exemplary and inspiring leadership would truly bring our country from this Corona pandemic."## Meanwhile, the Indian Railways is reportedly contemplating to convert its coaches and cabins in isolation wards in view of the growing number of COVID-19 patients. On Wednesday, Bollywood megastar Amitabh Bachchan shared on Twitter an idea to use empty rail coaches as isolation wards, now that trains are not running across the country.## For more and latest news about Tollywood, stay tuned with us.

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Los Angeles, March 26 (IANS) Actor Sterling K. Brown is currently taking online therapy amid the ongoing health scare due to the outbreak of coronavirus.## In an interview with Variety, the "Black Panther " fame artiste, who has children Andrew and Amare, has been consulting with his counselor via weblink while practicing social distancing.## He said: "My therapist reached out to me and my wife and said, like, 'You guys want to do online sessions? We can do online sessions.' So hopefully your therapists are accommodating.## "If you have someone, don't just stop seeing them because you can't see them in person or find a way to connect with them, whether it's through FaceTime or any other means like things don't have to stop."## He also recalled his mother's saying.## Brown added: "And as a biblical reminder. My mom always says to me, 'This too shall pass.' We will make it through to the other side. Hang in there. You are not alone."## For more and latest news about Hollywood, stay tuned with us.