BY SACNILK

Mumbai, April 1 (IANS) The cast of the superhit TV comedy series, "Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah", aims to continue spreading happiness by entertaining fans on the show's social media platforms.## Like many other TV shows, the family comedy show has been airing reruns during the ongoing nationwide lockdown. Now, the producers have come up with a plan to continue spreading joy and positivity in a unique way.## "Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah" team will post a daily chore or activity that they are practicing at home including yoga, playing indoor games, cleaning up the home, watching their favorite movies or shows and reading books.## They will appeal and inspire their audience to post a video of their routine and the same will be streamed online on the show's social media platforms.## "We are at home for a week now and while it is nice to be spending quality time with the family, we are also missing our work family. This will be a great opportunity for us to keep in touch and share our lives at home with each other and also with our audiences. I have already created a set of videos that have me trying my hands at cooking, also a little bit of cleaning and not many people know that there's a 'Shayar' in me. So, for anyone who enjoys a little Shayari, I hope they will enjoy watching my videos," said Samay Shah, who plays the role of Gogi in the show.## Actor Mandar Chadwadkar, who is seen as Bhide in the show, shared that in over the last decade, there have been very few occasions when they haven't seen each other for so long.## "The set of 'Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah' is like a second home for us and I am already a little nostalgic within a week of being away from the set. This opportunity to reconnect cheers me up and I am looking forward to reuniting even if from our own homes. I just pray that lockdown phase ends and we get to go back to work or as I see it, to having fun at work soon," he added.## The show is produced by Neela Film Productions Private Limited.## For more and latest news about TV, stay tuned with us.

BY SACNILK

Mumbai, April 1 (IANS) Actor Priyank Sharma says that dance has always been his first love, and he is making effective use of his home quarantine time by dancing it out.## While dancing has been a regular activity in Priyank's daily routine, he is now investing some more time into it with the extra free time in hand. He is learning new forms and enhancing his dance skills.## He had even taken to social media to showcase some dance moves which he has been working on religiously at home.## Speaking about how he is utilising dance as a stress buster during these times, Priyank said: "Dance has always been my first love and something that I go to when I want to relieve myself from any stress or get my mind back on track and feel energized again."## "Since I have a lot of more time in hand due to being home quarantined, I am putting in a lot more time and effort into enhancing my dancing skills, by checking out videos online and practicing every single day. Be it an hour or two, I am regularly including dance into my routine at the moment, and ensuring that I give it my all," added the "Puncch Beat" actor.## Stay tuned...

BY SACNILK

Mumbai, April 1 (IANS) With Ramanand Sagar's popular eighties mythological serial "Ramayan" back on Doordarshan, the Indian audience has got a chance to revisit the epic story all over again. The show has set off social media discussion, too.## The discussion over the past 24 hours or so has taken a gender-based turn with some viewers calling queen Kaikeyi a b**ch and hurling abuses at her maid Manthara. As the badmouthing continued, these two characters incidentally kept trending on Twitter.## There has been a debate centered on the feminism quotient in the show, too. While some users felt "Ramayan" did not mete out fair treatment to its female characters, others felt the storyline champions women's empowerment.## Hailing the storyline as an instance of women's empowerment, a viewer tweeted: "We were so progressive even 7000 yrs back, it's amazing. Sita was a very intelligent & warrior woman. Kaikeyi wasn't only a warrior, she was Saarthi of King Dashrath in Devasur Sangram, which was not at all an easy task. True women empowerment. #Ramayan"## Another viewer shared: "Seeing Ramayan today, I am reminded of first female drivers were from India. Kaikeyi and Satyabhama."## Still, others reminded that Kaikeyi was no pushover as a character. "Ramayana and equality. Guys, remember that Kaikeyi was the first woman in combat," a user tweeted.## However, not everyone feels that the story upholds "women's empowerment", and not everyone shared kind words for the antagonist Kaikeyi.## A viewer opined: "Kaikeyi was a class A b**ch, wasn't she? Asking for her son to be crowned king was alright, but sending Ram to exile was evil at a whole new level. Don't bash me, I won't take it back!"## Another viewer expressed: "Kaikeyi was the most unfortunate character in the entire epic. The poor lady loved Ram more than her own son, went to battle for her King, was also probably the most intelligent of the Queens & yet, in 1 moment of clouded thinking, she ruined it for everyone. What a beautiful lesson!"## Still, another said: "A woman can make or destroy a home. Perfect example - Kaikeyi"## While one viewer declared that Kaikeyi was a pseudo-feminist, several others protested.## "Kaikeyi was the first pseudo-feminist. #Ramayan" opined the viewer.## "Kaikeyi is a good example that a woman can ruin a man's life even without Pseudo feminism. #Ramayana #Ayodhyakaand" said the viewer.## A social media user made an interesting observation saying "Ramayan" would have had a different perspective altogether if it was penned from the viewpoint of any of the female characters.## The tweet reads: "Have you ever not wondered how the story would have unfolded in its own different indifferent manner if the pen was given to Kaikeyi or Manthara, to Urmila or Kaushalya, to Surpnakha or Mandodari?"## It has just been a few days since Doordarshan started airing "Ramayan", and one thing is clear: more than three decades later, the show has lost none of its power to remain a talking point, any which way.## For more and latest news about Social Media, stay tuned with us.

BY SACNILK

New Delhi, March 31 (IANS) Actor Sidharth Shukla says a lot of projects are on hold due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, adding that he is waiting for the health crisis to pass so that he can "be back to work".## After winning "Bigg Boss 13", the actor has featured in the music video of singer Darshan Rawal's new number, "Bhula Dunga", along with Shehnaaz Gill, also a housemate on the show and his close friend.## Asked what's next for him, Sidharth told IANS: "At this point, due to the virus, a lot of projects are on hold but I'm hoping that once the world has combated this virus, I can be back to work and entertaining my audience."## There were many reports claiming that Sidharth has bagged a role in a Bollywood movie, and has started prepping for it.## Quizzed about the reports, Sidharth said: "When I am ready to announce my next project, I will definitely let you guys know. As of now, rumors shall be rumors and there are so many floating."## Earlier in an interview with IANS, Sidharth addressed his relationship status with Shehnaaz, calling her a "dear friend".## Sidharth and Shehnaaz's relationship was one of the most talked-about topics of "Bigg Boss 13". In fact, their fans gave their bond a name -- #SidNaaz -- and the hashtag keeps on trending on social media.## Talking about how the band changed after the show, the "Bigg Boss 13" winner said: "Knowing someone when you are locked up inside the house versus (knowing someone) outside is very different. The bond, however, is still the same as we still meet each other the same way as we did inside the house."## Stay tuned...

BY SACNILK

Mumbai, March 31 (IANS) Actress Erica Fernandes has lots of time in hand now due to the nationwide lockdown. So, she is now whipping up some of her favorite dishes in the kitchen.## From binge-watching television shows and movies to spending quality time with her pet dog Champ, Erica has been catching up on all things she missed out on doing due to a hectic shooting schedule. She has also taken up cooking at home once again.## Speaking about her love for cooking, Erica said: "I have always loved cooking for myself and everyone at home too, but due to my packed schedule in the last 1 year, I haven't really gotten a chance to step into the kitchen."## "But now with some free time in hand and having to do all the work for myself, I decided to start cooking again. Cooking for me is therapeutic. It's a big stressbuster and helps keep my mind occupied and diverted during these tense and uncertain times."## From khatti dal to aloo methi ki sabzi to chicken dish, she has tried it all.## "I cook based on whatever I am in the mood of eating, though there has to be at least one vegetarian dish daily. I am pretty happy to have stepped back into the kitchen after long, and over these 21 days I really plan to cook to the best I can," said the "Kasautii Zindagii Kay" actress.## For more and latest news about TV, stay tuned with us.

BY SACNILK

Mumbai, March 30 (IANS) Television actress Divyanka Tripathi Dahiya took the Safe Hands challenge and shared a video where she is seen washing her hands.## Divyanka, who is popular for her role in the show "Yeh Hai Mohabbatein", took to Instagram to share the video, where she is seen washing her hands with forwarding and backward strokes.## "For those who missed several other #HandWashvideos and are still washing hands in old fashioned buckets. Posting it cuz I was nominated...but isn't it a good reminder too? @ektaravikapoor...finally kar dikhaya!" Divyanka captioned the clip, which currently has over 289K likes.## The actress mentioned that she was challenged by producer Ekta Kapoor.## Ekta replied on the comment section with a heart emoji and wrote: "Fantastic".## For more and latest news about TV, stay tuned with us.

BY SACNILK

Mumbai, March 30 (IANS) A snapshot of Arun Govil watching "Ramayan" on television with his grandchildren has gone viral on social media. In the picture, the veteran actor play Ram in the popular eighties serial, is seen catching up the show all over again at home.## While "Ramayan" is being retelecast on Doordarshan along with several other popular serials of that era -- like "Mahabharat", "Byomkesh Bakshi" and "Circus" -- the audience is having a rush of nostalgia, as these shows dominated television in Doordarshan era of Indian television.## Talking about why it is important to watch the eighties tele-epic once again, Arun Govil recently told IANS: "The new generation will get a chance to watch it. They will get to understand the morals, teachings and values of Ramayan. If they will watch it with the family, they can interact also. If they have queries then their family members of the older generation can explain things. It is a family show. How relationships should be...has been shown in the show. Positivity is there. Right now there is a lockdown, you can't go anywhere. So watching it will be a good way to use the time."## "Ramayan" is an Indian historical-drama epic television series, which aired during 1987-1988. The serial was created, written, and directed by Ramanand Sagar.## The show also featured Deepika Chikalia as Sita, Arvind Trivedi as Raavan and Dara Singh as Hanuman.## For more and latest news about TV, stay tuned with us.

BY SACNILK

Mumbai, March 29 (IANS) Gujarati veteran actor Arvind Trivedi became a household name all over India playing Raavan in Ramanand Sagar's mythological serial of the eighties, "Ramayan", which has been revived on Doordarshan in the wake of the nationwide lockdown.## Now, over three decades later, Trivedi is 81 and largely restricted to staying at home. The Hindi website aajtak.intoday.in reports how watching the show is giving Trivedi immense joy all over again, and letting him re-live sheer nostalgia.## Ramayan, whic originally ran on Doordarshan every Sunday, from January 25, 1987 to July 31, 1988 is currently one of several popular shows of the past that Doordarshan has revived in an effort to keep people occupies during the days of lockdown. The show airs every day at 9am and 9pm.## BR Chopra's "Mahabharat", the Shah Rukh Khan-starrer "Circus", and "Byomkesh Bakshi" that has Rajit Kapoor playing the titular detective are other popular shows that are currently being re-telecast.## For more and latest news about TV, stay tuned with us.

BY SACNILK

New Delhi, March 27 (IANS) Renowned artist and architect Satish Gujral passed away late Thursday at the age of 94.## A recipient of the Padma Vibhushan, the second-highest civilian award of India, in 1999, the highly celebrated painter was the younger brother India's former Prime Minister Inder Kumar Gujral.## His death was mourned by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, among other dignitaries of note.## Modi tweeted: "Satish Gujral Ji was versatile and multifaceted. He was admired for his creativity as well as the determination with which he overcame adversity. His intellectual thirst took him far and wide yet he remained attached with his roots. Saddened by his demise. Om Shanti."## Gujral was born on December 25, 1925, in pre-Partition India, and studied art in Lahore and Mumbai.## Gujral, a well-collected artist, was one of the few who have consistently dominated the art scene in India for the entire post-independent era.## He won an equal, if not more, acclaim as an architect. He has designed the building of the Belgium Embassy in New Delhi.## Vice President of India M. Venkaiah Naidu tweeted: "Saddened to learn about the demise of the eminent painter, artist, sculptor, muralist and one of the pioneers of Contemporary Indian Art, Shri Satish Gujral. The nation will always remember his contributions to the field of art and culture. May his soul rest in peace."## Stay tuned...

BY SACNILK

New Delhi, March 25 (IANS) Prasar Bharti is in talks to work out a deal with the rights holders of the epic teleserial "Ramayan" and "Mahabharat", to re-telecast these shows once again during the 21-day nationwide lockdown by popular demand.## Prasar Bharati CEO Shashi Shekhar conveyed as much on Twitter in response to a tweet by Akhilesh Sharma, the political editor at NDTV India.## "Yes, we are working on the same with the Rights Holders. I Will update shortly. Stay tuned," Shekhar wrote on his official Twitter handle, @shashidigital on Wednesday.## With India coming to a standstill owing to the national lockdown announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak, many on social media have written how these shows were hugely popular at one time. People also noted how life on Sunday mornings would come to a standstill when these serials were telecast on Doordarshan National.## "Dear @narendramodi Ji @PrakashJavdekar Ji Please consider asking DD, and advising other channels, to telecast Ramanand Sagar's Ramayana and B R Chopra's Mahabharata daily. Perhaps two episodes a day each. They acted as magnets in quarantining people back then. They still can," tweeted a user identified as @pranasutra, reports the print.in.## Others said that these mythological shows would help reduce stress at a time when normal life had become paralyzed owing to the lockdown.## Some suggested back-to-back telecasts of the serials, to enable a binge-watching sort of mood.## Ramanand Sagar's "Ramayan" starred Arun Govil as Ram and Deepika Chikhalia as Sita, with Arvind Trivedi playing Raavan and Dara Singh essaying Hanuman. The series originally ran from 25 January 1987 to 31 July 1988.## BR Chopra's "Mahabharat" featured Nitish Bhardwaj as Krishna and Roopa Ganguly as Draupadi, with Gajendra Chauhan, Praveen Kumar, Arjun, Sameer Chitre and Sanjeev Chitre as the Pandavas, and Punit Issar playing Duryodhana. The show ran originally from 2 October 1988 to 24 June 1990.## For more and latest news about TV, stay tuned with us.

BY SACNILK

Mumbai, March 25 (IANS) "Ishq Mein Marjawan" actress Aalisha Panwar, who is a trained Kathak dancer, says dance can be a stressbuster.## "I have been very fond of dance since the beginning. I used to perform at every event at my college. I am a trained Kathak dancer and I want to explore more. I also have to learn other dance forms. I am planning to start by taking out time after shooting soon," said Aalisha.## "I have not got any opportunity in my career where I can present my art of dancing. For me, dancing is like a stress buster. No matter how tired I am after working, fresh energy returns to me once I dance," she added.## Aalisha is currently seen in the Star Bharat show "Meri Gudiya", which is based on the story of a mother and a daughter. The mother dies and returns to protect her four-year-old daughter Avi. Her soul settles in the daughter's doll.## For more and latest news about TV, stay tuned with us.

BY SACNILK

Mumbai, March 25 (IANS) Actor Sidharth Shukla says Shehnaaz Gill is his "dear friend", and adds that his bond with her hasn't changed after "Bigg Boss 13".## Sidharth and Shehnaaz's relationship was one of the most talked-about topics of "Bigg Boss 13". In fact, their fans gave their bond a name -- #SidNaaz -- and the hashtag keeps on trending on the social media. They united once again to feature in the music video of singer Darshan Rawal's new number, "Bhula Dunga".## "Working with Shehnaaz has been fabulous. She is a fun-loving person who brings a lot of positive energy! It's been great working with Shehnaaz," Sidharth told IANS.## "Shehnaaz is spontaneous and fun and hence working with her overall lightens the mood," he added.## Talking about how the bond changed after the show, the "Bigg Boss 13" winner said: "Knowing someone when you are locked up inside the house versus outside is very different. The bond however is still the same as we still meet each other the same way we were inside the house."## Shehnaaz has been quite open about her feelings for Sidharth, and even declared that she loves him.## Asked how he defines his relationship with Shehnaaz, Sidharth said: "She's a dear friend."## Sidharth feels "Bhula Dunga" is a song of love, heartbreak, memories and the happy moments of a relationship.## "It's been a fantastic experience working on this song and it's truly a fabulous team! Darshan is a fabulous singer and extremely talented, Punit Pathak is stellar at his work and the entire team working on the project is fabulous. Everyone has put in so much hard work into the song and I am grateful for the positive feedback we are garnering," he said.## For more and latest news about Bollywood, stay tuned with us.