BY SACNILK

Mumbai, April 24 (IANS) Telugu superstar Mahesh Babu is spending his lockdown days with family and is glad that he can connect with fans and colleagues via social media.## "Twitter has been one of my major sources of information and entertainment in these testing times. While I'm at home with my family, I'm glad that the service is letting me stay in touch with my fellows from the film industry as well as my fans," Mahesh said.## "I believe that Twitter is a very powerful medium to stay informed and connected with what's happening in the world, especially, during a critical time like this," he added.## Telugu superstar Chiranjeevi is also using Twitter to communicate with his fans.## Talking about it, Chiranjeevi said: "I owe everything to my fans and audiences. The possibility of directly interacting with them and sharing my thoughts through a platform like Twitter has often crossed my mind. But during these unprecedented times, I felt an urgent need to communicate directly with my fans and fellow Indians and this led me to join the platform in March, on the Telugu New year's day and the first day of the nationwide lockdown."## "During COVID-19, it has become more important than ever before to stay connected so that we can get through this pandemic together. Twitter is doing a great job of helping people do that," he added.## From Chiranjeevi, Mahesh Babu, Ram Charan to Rajinikanth, prominent South Indian celebrities are using Twitter to engage with fans and encourage them to stay home and be safe. Actors are also making videos at home with song lyrics that urge people to isolate and stay safe amidst the COVID-19 crisis.## Mahesh made his ‘stay home, stay safe' appeal to fans by sharing a video of his daughter in which she talks about the precautionary measures that are necessary to fight coronavirus and flatten the curve.## Chiranjeevi's son Ram Charan re-joined Twitter on his own birthday. As a birthday gift, the star asked his fans to stay indoors for their own safety. Actress Tamannaah Bhatia shared a musical message and tweeted a Tamil coronavirus awareness song titled "Unnai kaakum".## Stay tuned...

BY SACNILK

Mumbai, April 24 (IANS) Actress Adah Sharma's TED Talk video recently released on YouTube. Among the many things she said and did, she mimicked actresses like Ananya Panday and Aishwarya Rai-Bachchan, besides giving an insight on how to bag lead roles in an industry that continues to be dominated by nepotism.## "I'm glad people are enjoying it along with being inspired. I never succumb to trends so I thought even my TED talk should be like me! (It is) Crazy, funny, moving and entertaining!" she declared.## One of the fittest actresses in Bollywood, Adah will soon be seen in the second season of the web series "The Holiday", besides the films "Commando 4" and "Man To Man".## Stay tuned...

BY SACNILK

Mumbai, April 24 (IANS) Abhishek Bachchan has recalled how he shared the stage with his illustrious father Amitabh Bachchan for his first-ever performance after becoming an actor and described Bachchan senior as a "pretty cool dude".## The performance happened 16 years ago, Abhishek recalled on Instagram, and it was a fundraiser for Tsunami victims.## Sharing a picture where he can be seen dancing with Amitabh Bachchan, Abhishek wrote: "#FlashbackFriday My 1st ever stage performance after becoming an actor. Got to share it with a pretty cool dude! This was for the 'Help' telethon which was done to raise money to help all the victims of the devastating tsunami which occurred on December 26th, 2004. This huge enterprise of getting the entire Hindi film industry together ( a Herculean task) was spearheaded by @duttsanjay. And although I was slated to make my debut stage performance in Amsterdam for the IIFA awards later in the year, I just couldn't say no to the cause and Sanju sir."## Abhishek added: "Both dad and I performed to a mix/ medley of his song 'Rang barse' and 'one love', a track I had done as a cameo in my dear friend @suniel.shetty film 'Rakth'."## Abhishek became nostalgic as he mentioned a surprise birthday choreographer Ganesh Hegde, Sanjay Dutt, and other organizers of the show threw for him. "The show took place in early February 2005. Both dad and I were shooting for 'Kajra re' with Aishwarya for 'Bunty Aur Babli'. I would shoot the song all day from 9 am to 10 pm and then drive to the concert venue and rehearse all night," he wrote.## "At night, after the shoot, I remember when I reached the venue for my rehearsal all the lights were off!!! Thinking that I had made a mistake and showed up to rehearse when there wasn't any... Suddenly all the stage lights came on and all the dancers, Ganesh Hegde the choreographer, stagehands and technical staff surprised me! Then Sanju sir and @walia_bunty ( he was one of the organizers) rolled out a huge cake and a birthday present for me. They all sang and managed to embarrass me to bits! What fun. Good times!"## In the post, he recalled spending his birthday shooting the song "Kajra Re" with soon-to-be-wife Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and dad Amitabh Bachchan for "Bunty Aur Babli". That, though was "a different story, reserved for another Friday", he said.## Stay tuned...

BY SACNILK

Mumbai, April 24 (IANS) Bollywood actor Sonu Sood has penned an emotional poem saluting all corona warriors including doctors, medical staff, cleaning workers and delivery boys, who are working relentlessly to keep us safe, and also ensuring our lives go on smoothly.## The poem speaks of the nation's unity and the need to fight together in these turbulent times.## In a video released on YouTube, the actor recites: "Maana ki ghani raat hai, iss raat se ladne ke liye, pura Bharat ek sath hai... Teri koshish meri koshish rang layegi, fir ussi bheed ka hissa hongey, bas sirf kuch he dino ki baat hai... Maana ki ghani raat hai, magar pura Bharat ek sath hai."## "This is something really close to my heart, something I really wanted to do for all Indians out there, especially our Corona warriors. I hope with my poem, I'm able to motivate people to stay positive and make them believe that we will come out of this stronger than ever. It's my tribute to all the heroes fighting this deadly battle," he said.## The actor has decided to provide meal kits to over 25,000 migrants on a daily basis in Mumbai during the Muslim holy month of Ramzan. Before this, Sonu started a ration drive to help the needy during the ongoing lockdown. He also offered his hotel in Juhu for healthcare workers including doctors, nurses and paramedical staff.## Stay tuned...

BY SACNILK

Mumbai, April 24 (IANS) Lyricist Prashant Ingole, who has penned songs in films like "Bajirao Mastani" and "Mary Kom", has written a poem titled "Naadaan", urging people not to go out during the COVID-19 lockdown period.## The Indian government has imposed lockdown till May 3 but not all seem to be following it.## "It's very sad to see people around the world trying to be dumb and failing to understand the gravity of coronavirus and the lockdown. Seeing people in herds in India to buy vegetables breaking the social distancing rules, with no masks is disheartening," he said.## "Unfortunately, in India, I have never seen people valuing life and this seems to be just the routine for them. By going out, we are not only putting our lives in danger but our families' lives at stake too and at the same time, our country is at high risk," he added.## He urged people to follow the lockdown guidelines.## Meanwhile, Prashant has donated a certain sum of his fees for a song that he had worked on, to an NGO feeding the underprivileged.## He refused to reveal the amount but shared that it can be used for feeding 100 people for 18 days.## "Life is magical. Let's not try to save money for the future which may not come rather help people today who really are in need," he said.## "I feel and believe the most important aspect now is to support underprivileged people who consist of the major chunk in India and the medical staff who are at the forefront of this battlefield. I have donated one of my song's fees to an NGO in Pune. They are feeding underprivileged people with dal chawal," he added.## Stay tuned...

BY SACNILK

Mumbai, April 24 (IANS) Jigar Saraiya, of the popular composer duo Sachin-Jigar, says the only silver lining about the ongoing COVID-19 lockdown for the music industry is that since films and film music will get delayed, independent music might get a little more space.## The film industry has taken a huge hit owing to the lockdown, and what kind of a blow does he think is in store for the music industry?## "If we talk about hard-hit, (think of) our film released on March 13, 'Angrezi Medium'. The film could only stay in theatres for one day because the cinema halls got locked down a day after that. The most affected film is our film but at the same time, the most successful song of this year is 'Kudi nu nachne de' -- which is from that film. I think the song has benefited from the lockdown because people are at home, dancing to that song and making their videos," Jigar told IANS.## He said that the lockdown has two effects. "It is going to affect everybody right from CEO's to musicians, business people... everybody will face difficulties... How do you recover from such a big halt? Music of course if there are films which are being pushed then music will also get pushed but at the same time because Sachin and I do a lot of independent music that will get a little cap because when a lot of film music comes then there is not much space for independent music. TV and radio have no slots," he said.## Jigar added: "Since film music will come a little late, independent music might get a little space. What India needs right now is to get out of the remix trend and get into original music. Maybe, this is what I am thinking as a silver lining for musicians."## Stay tuned...

BY SACNILK

Mumbai, April 23 (IANS) Despite being terminated abruptly, "Patiala Babes" producers have decided to pay a stipend to workers and the creative team till the lockdown ends.## They will be giving stipend ranging from Rs 10,000 to Rs 25000 per person to over 60 team members.## "Patiala Babes" was terminated owing to the ongoing nationwide COVID-19 lockdown.## The show's writer-producer Rajita Sharma has expressed her sadness and trauma in the story "remaining unfinished and untold".## "It was encouraging that Sony gave us a platform to bring to life our very bold narrative. Since the whole world is under siege, these times call for some unfortunate but necessary measures. 'Patiala Babes' will always remain close to our heart," Rajita added.## "The pandemic seems to be preparing for a long haul and as the show is shut, our workers are jobless." Vivek Budakoti and Rajita pointed out.## "We have decided to share whatever little profit we earned with our fellow workers who made us what we are as a production house," they said.## They have announced that the daily wage workers, including light men, spot boys, setting workers, sound assistants, assistant directors, production assistants, and the creative team will be given a regular fixed stipend every month till the time the lockdown is in effect.## "This is our commitment and support to our colleagues and will be on for as much time it takes for the industry to resume shoot," they added.## Stay tuned...

BY SACNILK

New Delhi, April 23 (IANS) Compared to the pre-Covid period, television viewership in India increased by 40 percent as more and more people stay at home due the restrictions, said a report on Thursday.## In the week starting April 11, individuals watching TV for all seven days increased to 48 percent, according to the latest report by TV viewership monitoring agency BARC (Broadcast Audience Research Council) and data measurement firm Nielsen.## For the study, the pre-Covid-19 period referred to January 13-February 2.## The highest growth in TV viewership was recorded in some of the biggest metros like Delhi and Mumbai, according to the report.## The results showed that viewership growth in the 15-21 age group is driven largely by the urban market.## The 15-21 age group contribute to 16 percent of the total TV viewership in India, said the report.## Compared to the pre-Covid period, the average time spent on TV in Mumbai grew by one hour and 42 minutes. In Delhi, the time spent rose by around an hour and 26 minutes.## In Mumbai and Delhi, where Covid-19 cases are among the highest in the country, news consumption on TV grew by 251 percent and 177 percent respectively.## Growth in movie viewership is coming largely from pay platforms across urban and rural markets - 82 percent and 69 percent respectively.## News stays strong in the Hindi speaking market with over 200 percent growth in week 15 over the pre-Covid period, said the report.## Stay tuned...

BY SACNILK

Mumbai, April 23 (IANS) A complaint has been registered against actress Anita Raaj for allegedly throwing a party amid the ongoing COVID-19 lockdown.## Anita and her husband Sunil Hingorani were reportedly accused by neighbours for hosting a party for their friends, reports timesofindia.com, flouting the nationwide lockdown imposed by the government in order to curb the spread of the deadly novel coronavirus.## According to the report, the neighbours said that the 57-year-old actress Anita and her filmmaker husband had invited guests at their Pali Hill residence.## The report quoted a source who revealed that the neighbours were concerned about the threat the party posed due to the visitors in the vicinity, following which the local police were informed.## However, Anita Raaj, in a statement, said that it was a medical emergency and police came on a false complaint.## Stay tuned...

BY SACNILK

Mumbai, April 23 (IANS) Actor Sonu Sood has decided to provide meal kits to over 25,000 migrants on a daily basis in Mumbai during the Muslim holy month of Ramzan, which begins from Thursday.## "Times are so difficult today that it's very important for each one of us to stand for each other. Through this initiative, I would be helping all those who would be fasting during this period and we would provide special meal kits so they don't stay hungry after fasting all day," Sonu said.## The initiative will help these migrants who have come from faraway places like Bengal, Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh, and Bihar.## Before this, Sonu started a ration 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.## He also offered his hotel in Juhu for healthcare workers including doctors, nurses, and paramedical staff.## Stay tuned...

BY SACNILK

Mumbai, April 23 (IANS) Bollywood superstar Akshay Kumar and singer B Praak are coming up with a new song to pay tribute to doctors who are relentlessly working to save lives amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The song, announced by the actor on Thursday, is titled "Teri mitti", and is a inspired by B. Praak's "Teri mitti" number in last year's Akshay Kumar-starrer, "Kesari".## "Kisi ne sahi kaha hai, mushkil ke samay sirf apne sath dete hain aur hamare sath is mushkil mein sabse aage hain hamare doctors jo safed coat mein sainiko se kam nahin hain. Hamari taraf se khas unke liye #DirectDilSe (Someone has rightly said that in tough times, only your loved ones offer help; today, in these most difficult times, doctors in white coat are no less than soldiers," he wrote.## Said B Praak, who has also sung the new song: "It's a tribute to the doctors out there who are fighting for us and working day and night to save the world."## The tribute number will be out on Friday at 12:30 pm.## Stay tuned...

BY SACNILK

Thiruvananthapuram, April 23 (IANS) With the entire Malayalam film industry affected adversely by the Covid-19 lockdown, the producer's association has requested its actors and technicians to reduce their fees by 50 percent when the lockdown is lifted and the working in the industry gets back to normal.## Around seven Malayalam films which were all set to hit the screens, during Easter and the Ramzan period and about 26 films are stuck in various stages of production.## "We have no clue when this will get back to normal times. As and when the lockdown is lifted, if the industry has to go forward, the actors and technicians have to cut down their professional fees. A mere reduction of fees, won't be of any help, it should be reduced by 50 percent," said leading producer Sureshkumar.## The producer's association is soon expected to initiate discussions with the other segments of the industry, for this and to chalk out future plans, once the lockdown ends.## In the Kerala film industry, the leading superstars Mammootty and Mohanlal are the ones who charge the highest, followed by stars like Prithviraj, Dileep, and others.## Stay tuned...