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Mumbai, April 3 (IANS) Geetika Vidya who impressed the audience and critics alike with her performance in films like "Soni" and "Thappad", says she is content with the wisdom that she has gained by living life on her own terms, and has never been bogged down by what others advised.## Starting her career in theatre, the Delhi girl was told several discouraging and demotivating things in her days as a budding film actor.## "When I was 21-22 years old, I was told if you want to become an actress go to Mumbai now, beyond the age of 25 you will be too old. I was told if you want to get married do it now beyond the age of 25 you will be too old. I am glad I had the wisdom to be content in my thought that I am not meant to entertain those who want to see females only below 25 years old, as their heroines in real life and on reel. With this award in my hand, I want to wish resilience for directors and actors combating stereotypes," she said, after winning the Critics' Choice Film Awards for her role as a police officer in "Soni", which deals with crimes against women in the city.## Stay tuned...

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Mumbai, April 3 (IANS) Actor Vikrant Massey on Friday turned a year older, and his fiancee Sheetal Thakur penned a beautiful wish for him.## "You are the finest, loveliest, tenderest, and most beautiful person I have ever known - and even that is an understatement. Happy happy birthday Bebu #janaabkajanamdinn," Sheetal wrote on Instagram.## Along with it, she posted a picture in which Vikrant is seen giving her a peck on the cheek.## In an Instagram story, Sheetal posted a video in which she is seen giving a head massage to Vikrant.## Vikrant and Sheetal have featured together in the web-series "Broken But Beautiful". They got engaged last year.## Stay tuned...

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Los Angeles, April 4 (IANS) Actress Jessica Chastain turned down the chance to play Dr. Christine Palmer in the Benedict Cumberbatch starrer "Doctor Strange" as she only wants to appear in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) as a superhero.## The writer of "Doctor Strange", C Robert Cargill, said that director Scott Derrickson wanted to rope in Chastain for the role of Strange's former lover Dr. Christine Palmer, reports femalefirst.co.uk.## Once Chastain turned down the role, it then went to actress Rachel McAdams.## Speaking on the Junkfood Cinema podcast, Cargill said: "The interesting thing that Hollywood's starting to find out is that a lot of the actresses out there want to be superheroes as much as the actors do.## "I know this happened with Scott. He went to Jessica Chastain to get her on Doctor Strange because we were considering her ... (and) she's like, 'Hey, look, this project sounds awesome, and I would love to do it. But I'm only going to get one shot at being in a Marvel film and becoming a Marvel character, and I trained in ballet, and I really want to wear a cape.'## "And that was the coolest rejection ever. She wanted to be the superhero, not badass doctor Night Nurse."## Chastain did play Vuk, the leader of a shape-shifting alien race known as the D'Bari, in the 2019 film 'Dark Phoenix', which is based on the Marvel Comics characters the "X-Men".## For more and latest news about Hollywood, stay tuned with us.

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Mumbai, April 4 (IANS) Actor Rajesh Puri, best known as Lalu of the eighties TV show "Hum Log", says he has featured in hundreds of films but is yet to find a role that fits his caliber.## The actor believes theatre gave him the intensity to live his roles, which is why that is probably his first love. Yet he feels that his work on the silver screen hasn't been quite fulfilling for him as an actor.## "I think it is deeply problematic for an artist when talent is not used as much as it should be. I've done over 130 films and still haven't found a role that fits my caliber. While I don't condone any of my work on the big screen, I honestly feel I can truly do many complicated and varied roles, and my work in the theatre is a testimony of the same," said Rajesh, who has featured in movies such as "God Tussi Great Ho" and "Chura Liyaa Hai Tumne".## "It doesn't even matter if the role of my character is merely for 15 minutes, my character should be able to move the audience in an inexplicable way," he added.## He currently essays the role of Mannbahadur Singh on &TV's mythological show "Santoshi Maa Sunayein Vrat Kathayein".## For more and latest news about Bollywood, stay tuned with us.

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Mumbai, April 4 (IANS) Actor Rahul Dev is set to add on three kilos of muscle for an upcoming project.## He is currently seen in the web series "Who's Your Daddy?"## "I am loving the response being given to 'Who's Your Daddy?' It's hilarious and people are enjoying it. It's wonderful to make people smile during these times," said Rahul.## "For my next, I have to look a bit shredded. I can't reveal much about the character. I need to put on 3 kg of muscle with no gym to support the physical metamorphosis. I am lucky to go through physical transformations for different roles in my career, so instinctively relying on past experience," he added.## He is waiting for the coronavirus pandemic "to be over, for normalcy to return with God's grace and resume work".## "Till then, I hope everyone stays safe and the world collectively survives coronavirus," he added.## For more and latest news about Bollywood, stay tuned with us.

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Mumbai, April 3 (IANS) That Shah Rukh Khan has a soft corner for his hometown Delhi is often reflected in his words. On Friday, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal tweeted words of appreciation for the superstar, lauding his contribution for the nation in this hour of crisis.## The CM tweeted: "Thank you, Shah Rukh Ji, for your kind words. Your generous contribution will touch many lives in this difficult hour. @iamsrk."## Reacting to this, the Bollywood superstar tweeted: "Sir, aap toh Dilliwalein hain, thank you mat karo, hukum karo. Apne Dilliwalein bhaiyon aur behnon ke liye hum lage rahenge. Ishwar ne chaha to jaldi is crisis se hum jeetkar niklenge. More strength, resilience and power to your teams on ground sir."## It is evident from the actor's words that Delhi holds a special place in his heart. At the same time, he wishes the nation to emerge as a winner against the COVID 19 pandemic.## On Thursday evening, Shah Rukh Khan had tweeted: "In these times its imp to make everyone around u working tirelessly for u.. not related to u.. perhaps even unknown to u... to feel they are not alone and by themselves. Let's just make sure we all do our little bit to look after each other. India and all Indians are One Family."## Delhi Chief Minister Kejriwal's tweet came as a reaction to the above tweet of the superstar.## Stay tuned...

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Hyderabad, 3 April (IANS) Telugu actor-politician Nandamuri Balakrishna has donated Rs 1.25 crore towards the fight against the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. He has donated Rs 50 lakh each to CM relief funds of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, Rs 25 lakh towards the 'Corona Crisis Charity' welfare of cine workers of Telugu filmdom, which was initiated by Chiranjeevi.## In a video released by his team, he appreciated all front-line warriors -- the police, doctors, healthcare worker, and the governments -- for fighting to win against the pandemic. He also requested his fans to follow precautionary measures.## Colleague and friend Chiranjeevi took to his social media to express his appreciation.## "Thank you dear brother #Balayya #NBK for donating 25 lacs to #CoronaCrisisCharity & 50 lacs each to Telangana & AP Govts. You proved ur generous heart goes out to the needy every time.'' A few days back he tweeted "Rs.6.2 Cr has been collected so far by #CoronaCrisisCharity Heartfelt Thanks to each one of the contributors Appeal to everyone to come forward for this cause," wrote Chiranjeevi.## Chiranjeevi recently joined hands with Akkineni Nagarjuna, Varun Tej, and Sai Dharam Tej to record a special song to create awareness about the COVID-19 pandemic. The song highlights the need to fight the virus while staying home.## Meanwhile, on the work front, Balakrishna has signed on to work in director Boyapati Srinu's film which is likely to star Shriya and Nayanthara.## Stay tuned...

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Mumbai, April 3 (IANS) Actors Mrunal Thakur, and Kushal Tandon cannot seem to stop gushing about each other lately.## On Friday, Kushal took to Instagram and posted a lovely post for Mrunal, saying she is his soul mate.## "Mrunal, love of my life ....they say your soul mate is ur lover ....that's wrong ...... soul mate can be your bestie too....sullu this life and till eternity you will always be my soul mate baby," he wrote.## Along with it, he posted a picture in which the two are seen sharing smiles with each other.## Reacting to the post, Mrunal commented: "Kushal ...blessed to have someone who annoys me to death and doesn't value me even a bit. Still love you."## On the work front, Mrunal, who made her Bollywood debut opposite Hrithik Roshan in "Super 30", will be seen sharing screen space with Shahid Kapoor in "Jersey" and Farhan Akhtar in "Toofaan".## Stay tuned...

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Mumbai, April 3 (IANS) Actor Abhishek Bachchan has taken to Instagram to share a heartwarming video where he thanks all essential service employees who continue to serve the nation amid the COVID-19 lockdown.## The video shows a hand quickly making a sketch of the people who continue to do their duty towards society at a time when the world is fighting the global coronavirus pandemic, and says "Thank you" to such people. The list includes medical workers, pharmacy workers, delivery persons, journalists, first responders, military personnel, civil service employees, sanitary workers, factory workers, and bank employees among others.## While the hand shown in the video makes a sketch thanking the above section of people, a couple of lines from the song "Teri mitti" from the film "Kesari" plays in the background.## The lines "Aye meri zameen afsoss nahi / Jo tere liye sau dard sahe/ Mehfooz rahe teri aan sada / Chaahe jaan meri yeh rahe na rahe..." would aptly describe the conviction of essential service employees who remain unabated in their duty towards the nation under these circumstances.## Abhishek has shared the video from filmmaker Goldie Behl who originally posted it on Instagram yesterday.## Stay tuned...

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Mumbai, April 3 (IANS) Writer-filmmaker Tahira Kashyap Khurrana on Friday started her series, "The Lockdown Tales", to cheer up the mood of people amidst the coronavirus lockdown.## The stories depict emotions and moments from the everyday lives of people and how they're affected by the lockdown. The video series will be shared by Tahira on her social media handle. She just posted her first lockdown tale, "6 feet Durr".## "I'm really excited to bring these special stories from everyday life to the people out there. They are really simple stories about humanity but in complex times. I love writing and honestly, without any agenda, these stories just started flowing. These lockdown tales are a mere moment or thought taken out from our lives and at times we just need to cherish that," Tahira said.## Apart from this, Tahira recently directed a short film titled "Pinni", which features veteran actress Neena Gupta.## Stay tuned...

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Mumbai, April 3 (IANS) Bollywood veteran Amitabh Bachchan feels homeopathic medicine may come up with ways to counter the coronavirus. At the same time, he is hopeful that India will lead the world in finding a treatment for the deadly virus which has turned into a pandemic.## Big B took to Twitter on Friday to express: "As a beneficiary of homeopathy I'm encouraged to see the efforts of the AYUSH Ministry to counter Corona. I pray that India leads the World in finding preventive & curative solutions for such epidemics."## However, a section of netizens didn't agree with the actor's thoughts.## A user commented: "Sir I request you to only go for homeopathy treatment if you get infected. The world would be a better place."## Referring to his recent social media post which became a subject of controversy, another user trolled: "According to him makkhi can spread #coronavirus."## However, some users agreed with the veteran actor's point of view. A fan commented: "India will surely find the solution for this epidemics sir. AYUSH is doing a great job in providing the correct and necessary information to the general public during this epidemic."## Amitabh Bachchan recently faced flak in the virtual world for sharing a video where he talked of Chinese experts discovering that the common housefly, which sits on excreta, can transmit the coronavirus -- a fact which was denied by the health ministry.## Stay tuned...

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Mumbai, April 3 (IANS) Model-actor Sushant Divgikar has become India's first drag artiste to feature the esteemed Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia List, for Class 2020. He features in the list of 'The Arts' honorees as well as in the ‘Celebrities category.## Sushant, possibly the first and only Asian drag artist to be on the list, is also a singer and a video jockey, and was crowned Mr Gay India in 2014. He represented India at Mr. Gay World and is also popularly called Rani Ko-He-Nur.## Talking about his latest achievement, Sushant said: "I'm above and beyond the moon, stars, the entire galaxy right now and cannot contain my excitement! I am elated and feeling proud to be featured in the Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia list which is of such an International repute. All the struggle and hard work I put in seem to be worth it. I would like to thank the Forbes Asia team for recognizing the 14years of my life that I have given to make the performing arts and arts, in general, more conducive for diverse participation and recognizing one's true authentic self! I hope that my journey and body of work inspires every young and ambitious person out there to spread your wings and fly high!"## In the Forbes 30 Under 30 List, Sushant features among 300 young leaders from the Asia-Pacific region. These young entrepreneurs and change-makers were selected from among over 3500 nominations vetted by an A-list panel of judges who are leaders in their respective fields.## Currently, Sushant is focusing on his singing career and is working on releasing original music in the coming month. The versatile singer is known for singing in male as well as a female voice. He shot to the limelight as a singer when he appeared on the reality show "Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Challenge" in 2018.## An LGBTQ+ activist and drag queen performer, Sushant mentors, and trains younger drag queens and aims to make drag a more accessible art form in India. In 2019, he made his international debut with the artiste collective Rainbow Riots - House of Wallenberg in Sweden. The same year he released the single "I'm coming out" at Stockholm Pride.## Stay tuned...