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Mumbai, March 15 (IANS) Megastar Amitabh Bachchan penned a hand-written note to Radhika Madan after watching her performance in "Angrezi Medium". The actress says she is overwhelmed and honored.## Radhika took to Instagram, where she shared the note which read: "I write to you with the greatest of admiration for your work in 'Angrezi Medium'. I saw the film yesterday and just could not resist writing to you. What a mature and balanced performance you have given. Prosperity and success to you."## The actress was over-the-moon on getting the note from the thespian. She said she was speechless and feels overwhelmed.## "I don't know what to say or write..I'm speechless and so so so overwhelmed! @amitabhbachchan Sir its an honor to receive this. I always used to imagine my doorbell ringing after my film's release and a person standing outside saying 'Amitabh Bacchan sir ne aapke liye phool aur ek note bheja hai (Amitabh Bachchan sir has sent you flowers and a note' and me fainting right after that."## She said the note has motivated her to work even harder.## "Thankfully I didn't faint when I actually received it. I just stood there for a few seconds soaking it all in, teary-eyed, in gratitude. Thank you for making my dream come to true Sir. It has motivated me to work even harder and entertain my audience with even more honest performances. #AngreziMedium," she said.## For more and latest news about Bollywood, stay tuned with us.

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Mumbai, March 15 (IANS) Veteran actress Soni Razdan has penned a heart-melting note for her actress-daughter Alia Bhatt, who turned 27 on Sunday.## Soni on Sunday took to Instagram, where she shared two throwback photographs of Alia as a toddler.## She captioned the image: "Happy Birthday my baby girl! To me, this is how you will always feel. A sweet little baby that I need to look after and make sure your life is going as per plan. Of course, these days I am not required to look after you much and that's as it should be. But, once a mother as they say... all I wish for you is to stay safe and healthy particularly in these days of health anxiety."## Soni added: "So this year my birthday wish is all tied up with good health! Have a wonderful day today and a healthy safe and at the same time a productive year to come. I wish you all happiness my darling, you work so hard doing what you do.## "This year I hope you have a super successful year and also have a little more time for yourself. To breathe, to relax and to just do nothing once in a while. So cheers to that! Lots of love always and always... Mama."## On the acting front, Alia will next be seen in "Brahmastra", which also stars Ranbir Kapoor and Amitabh Bachchan. The film, a fantasy adventure, is directed by Ayan Mukerji.## For more and latest news about Bollywood, stay tuned with us.

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Mumbai, March 15 (IANS) Megastar Amitabh Bachchan, who has for years met his fans or "extended family" as he calls them, outside his home here, canceled the ritual of the "Sunday meet" due to the outbreak of coronavirus.## Amitabh on Sunday took to Twitter, where he shared a photograph of himself and captioned it: "To all Ef and well-wishers an earnest request! PLEASE DO NOT COME TO JALSA GATE TODAY .. SUNDAY MEET am not going to come! Take PRECAUTIONS .. be safe Sunday ka darshan Jalsa pe cancel hai, Kripya koi wahan jama na ho aaj shaam ko! Surakshit rahein."## In the image, Big B was seen in what appeared to be a bandage and a muffler.## On the acting front, the cine icon will next be seen in "Brahmastra".## He also has three more films in his kitty -- "Jhund", "Gulabo Sitabo" and "Chehere".## For more and latest news about Bollywood, stay tuned with us.

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Mumbai, March 15 (IANS) From ugly spats with housemate Sidharth Shukla to confessing love for beau Arhaan Khan -- and then getting to know about his marriage, child and former wife -- actress Rashami Desai's stint in "Bigg Boss 13 wouldn't seem like a smooth one. Yet Rashami is elated. For one, the show has made her a household name. Also, the "Uttaran" fame actress says surviving the "Bigg Boss" house has made her a stronger person.## "I was the contestant who faced the most difficult time inside the house. My personal life was entirely out there. It was not easy for me to handle such a situation but at the end I did, and that too with confidence. The show taught me a lot. The show changed my perspective towards things. I am a stronger person now. I have started taking things in a positive manner. My patience level has increased. It was a different world. No doubt, I faced many hard days there but made beautiful memories too," Rashami said in an interview to IANS.## Is she still in touch with any of her "Bigg Boss 13" housemates -- especially Sidharth? Rashami laughed and said: "I have not met Sidharth yet. I met (runner-up) Asim Riaz after the finale and spent some quality time with him. I am happy for him, he is doing well. I met a couple of other contestants, too. I hope to meet all of them soon."## On the professional front, Rashami has just bagged the popular fantasy show "Naagin 4". She seems very happy to be part of such a popular franchise as "Naagin".## "I consider myself lucky to get an important role in 'Naagin 4'. It's a different character for me. I am quite excited to explore supernatural space," Rashami added, about entering the Colors show, while speaking on the sidelines of Ample Mission and Aneel Murarka's fashion show 'Sindoor Khela'.## For more and latest news about TV, stay tuned with us.

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Los Angeles, March 15 (IANS) Hollywood star Hugh Jackman used criticism in his early career as "an asset" to push him out of his comfort zone. ## Jackman has carved a successful career on film and on stage, for roles, including "Wolverine", "The Greatest Showman" P. T. Barnum, and his touring one-man Broadway show, reports aceshowbiz.com. ## Speaking with Fox News, he opened up about his refusal to be pigeonholed into one genre throughout his career, and explained the "challenge" pushed him to seek out "variety" in the roles he takes. ## "I liked (the) stage. I liked singing. I like film. I liked Shakespeare. I liked all of it. So I thought well, my approach is I'm going to hold as many doors open as possible, try to open them and once they're open, try to hold them up for as long as I can," he said. ## Jackman said he faced resistance from critics who struggled to label him when he was starting out, he believes resisting conformity helped him achieve the success he enjoys today. ## "There was a period in (my career) where I wasn't sure if (my) strategy was working. But weirdly, I think I stuck in there long enough for it to become an asset. There were moments at the beginning of Wolverine where I doubted early on (if I could do it)," he said. ## "And usually, if I look back, the projects where I've had that feeling are generally the best (ones). And, I wish I could have told myself that back then." ## For more and the latest news about Hollywood, stay tuned to us.

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Los Angeles, March 15 (IANS) The production of "Jurassic World: Dominion" has been suspended due to the coronavirus pandemic. ## The filming was going on in London since February, but work on the movie, along with other Universal Pictures projects including Flint Strong and the untitled Billy Eichner project, went on a hiatus on March 13, reports aceshowbiz.com. ## A representative for the studio announced the decision was made "for the safety of all involved to delay the shoot indefinitely". ## It's unknown if the delay will impact the original release date of June 2021. ## Actors Chris Pratt and Bryce Dallas Howard will be returning for the movie, along with franchise original stars Laura Dern, Jeff Goldblum and Sam Neill. ## For more and the latest news about Hollywood, stay tuned to us.

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Los Angeles, March 15 (IANS) Model Chrissy Teigen is set to try her hands in making the Indian dessert 'gulab jamun' and she says she is very excited for that. ## Teigen, who is married to musician John Legend, took to Twitter and asked her fans and followers for tips. ## "Tomorrow I will be making my first gulab jamun, very excited for that. So. Yeah. that's pretty exciting. If u have tips let me know, if you don't know what it is just google it I don't care," Teigen tweeted. ## The tweet currently has 18K likes. ## Indian-American actor Kal Penn replied to Teigen's tweet. ## He said: "Oooooh this is tite. Only tip: some (garbage) people put a cashew or almond in the middle of each one, which ruins it, so I'd say don't do that." ## For more and the latest news about Hollywood, stay tuned to us.

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London, March 15 (IANS) The production for the upcoming movie, "The Batman" has been shut down for two weeks due to the coronavirus pandemic. ## Following the news that Hollywood superstar Tom Hanks and his wife Rita Wilson were tested positive for the disease while shooting for the untitled Elvis Presley biopic in Australia, Warner Bros. decided to halt production on "The Batman" for two weeks, reports variety.com. ## The film's crew had been shooting in a sound stage in London since January and was planning to change locations to Liverpool. Warner Bros. thought it was best to go on a hiatus during the location change. ## It is unknown when the shoot was going to end and if it will impact the June 2021 release date at this time. ## As for the two other Warner Bros. films in production -- "Matrix 4" and "King Richard" starring Will Smith -- they have not been put on hiatus as of yet. ## The shooting for "Matrix 4" was going on in Berlin, but in a soundstage where safety measures are being taken, while "King Richard's" shoot has already been rearranged due to bad weather in Los Angeles, which is expected to continue for the next few days. ## "The Batman" stars Robert Pattinson, Zoe Kravitz as Catwoman, Paul Dano as the Riddler, Colin Farrell as the Penguin, Jeffrey Wright as James Gordon and Andy Serkis as Alfred Pennyworth. ## It is set to open on June 25, 2021. ## The film joined a long list of Hollywood films currently in production that have been put on temporary hold due to the COVID-19 pandemic. ## For more and the latest news about Hollywood, stay tuned to us.

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New Delhi, March 15 (IANS) The world's geriatric population (people aged 60 and older) will cross two billion by 2050 from nearly one billion in 2020 and in the case of a pandemic like novel coronavirus, these loved ones are at high risk of death owing to a multitude of factors like underlying conditions and low immunity. ## According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), 125 million people are aged 80 years or older today and by 2050, there will be almost this many (120 million) living in China alone -- and 434 million people in this age group worldwide. ## A recent report published in the medical journal JAMA which examined more than 72,000 Chinese coronavirus patients found that the overall fatality rate was 2.3 per cent. But in adults over 80, the fatality rate rose to 15 per cent. ## By 2050, 80 per cent of all older people will live in low- and middle-income countries where health facilities are already dismal. ## Public health experts at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are urging older adults, especially those who already have health challenges, to "stay at home as much as possible" to avoid getting COVID-19. ## Early research shows that older people are twice as likely to have serious complications if they get COVID-19. ## People with chronic conditions such as heart disease, lung disease and diabetes, are more at risk for severe cases of COVID-19. ## "If you are at higher risk for serious illness from COVID-19 because of your age or because you have a serious long-term health problem, it is extra-important for you to take actions to reduce your risk of getting sick with the disease," said public health experts at the CDC. ## Older adults living in communities where the virus has spread should take extra precautions like avoiding public places. ## According to Ravi Shekhar Jha, Senior Consultant and Head of the Department, Pulmonology, Fortis Escorts Hospital Faridabad, "Older adults' lungs take more time in clearing up and there is not clear secretion from the lung. All these factors make them extremely vulnerable to the coronavirus." ## Another analysis of all cases diagnosed in China found that 86.6 per cent were aged 30-79 years. ## Data from Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC) showed that the mortality rate of COVID-19 patients aged 80 or older was 5.4 per cent, compared with an average mortality rate of 0.6 per cent. ## According to Rajesh Chawla, Senior Consultant, Respiratory and Critical Care, Indraprastha Apollo Hospital in New Delhi, elderly people above 50 years of age suffering from diabetes and heart disease need to take extra precautions as coronavirus can lead to severe conditions in them. ## The CDC advises against non-essential plane travel for older adults. ## "The data continues to say that the people who are at higher risk for severe disease and death are those who are older and with underlying health conditions," according to Nancy Messonnier, MD, director of the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases at the CDC. ## Depending on how severe the outbreak is, public health officials may recommend community actions to reduce people's risk of being exposed to COVID-19. These actions can slow the spread and reduce the impact of disease. ## If you are at higher risk for serious illness from COVID-19 because of your age or because you have a serious long-term health problem, it is extra important for you to take actions to reduce your risk of getting sick with the disease. ## If you have someone senior at home, it is time to take some extra measures for your loved ones till the COVID-19 scare goes away. ## For more and the latest news about Lifestyle, stay tuned to us.

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London, March 15 (IANS) If you are taking too much stress, read this carefully. Researchers have found that life expectancy is influenced not only by the traditional lifestyle-related risk factors but also by factors related to a person's quality of life, such as heavy stress. ## The study, published in the journal BMJ Open, was based on data collected from men and women aged 25 to 74 in the Finnish National FINRISK Study 1987-2007 through questionnaires and measurements. The rate of mortality was followed until the end of 2014. ## For the findings, the researchers calculated the effects of multiple risk factors, including lifestyle-related ones, to the life expectancy of men and women. ## "Before, life expectancy has usually been assessed based on only a few sociodemographic background factor groups, such as age, sex, and education. In this study, we wanted to assess the impact of several different factors to a person's life expectancy, so we could compare their effects," said study researcher Tommi Harkanen from National Institute for Health and Welfare in Finland. ## The researchers calculated the life expectancies by changing the values of each risk factor at a time and keeping the values of other factors constant. ## Only the BMI, blood pressure, and cholesterol levels were allowed to be changed when the values related to lifestyle factors were changed. ## They found that the biggest causes for shortened life expectancy for 30-year-old men are smoking and diabetes. Smoking takes 6.6 years and diabetes 6.5 years out of their life expectancy. ## Being under heavy stress shortens their life expectancy by 2.8 years, the study said. ## The research also revealed that a lack of exercise strongly reduced the life expectancy of 30-year-old men -- by 2.4 years. ## On the other hand, things such as the consumption of plenty of fruits and vegetables could increase life expectancy: eating fruit by 1.4 years and eating vegetables by 0.9 years. ## The same factors impacted the life expectancy of both men and women. ## For 30-year-old women, e.g. smoking shortened the life expectancy by 5.5 years, diabetes by 5.3 years, and heavy stress by 2.3 years. The effects to the life expectancy of older people were similar but smaller than in younger age groups. ## Differences between the life expectancies of men and women largely due to risk factors that can be changed, according to the researchers. ## "What was interesting about the study was how small the difference in the life expectancy of 30-year men and women was based on the same risk factor values -- only 1.6 years," said study researcher Seppo Koskinen. ## The lifestyle choices that increase mortality, such as smoking, heavy alcohol use, unhealthy diet, and lack of exercise, are most common in the population groups whose social position is the weakest, the study said. ## For more and the latest news about Lifestyle, stay tuned to us.

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New Delhi, March 15 (IANS) Just imagine, a puppy having an account on social media with a following of over 15K! Hard to digest? As much as the Bollywood celebrities are famous, their four-legged friends too create a frenzy on the internet. ## Several Bollywood celebrities and ardent animal lovers like John Abraham, Alia Bhatt and Priyanka Chopra, among many other celebrities, have created Instagram accounts for their pets, who enjoy no less stardom and attention than their "parents". ## IANS lists a few celebrity pets with sizeable fan following on Instagram: ## DIANA CHOPRA ## Priyanka Chopra Jonas adopted a puppy in 2016 and named her Diana. The Indian actress then introduced Diana to the world on Instagram. She goes with the Insta handle "diariesofdiana", which currently has 220 posts, and has a fan following of over 149k. ## SIA and BAILEY ## Bollywood hunk John Abraham has two furry babies, Sia and Bailey. The two have a profile "abraham_bailey" and enjoy a fan following of over 15.1K. Their bio reads: "Hi, I'm Bailey and this is my baby girl Sia! I was adopted by my awesome parents and we all live together". Their profile currently has 141 posts. ## EDWARD BHATT ## Actress Alia Bhatt has a white persian cat, whom she has named Edward. She constantly gives sneak peek into her kitty's life through his profile "bhattedward". Edward's bio reads: "Momma's boy @aliaabhatt. Eddiiee..." ## BELLA, JASMINE, GOKU and KEETY ## Disha Patani is a parent to not one but four furry 'kids' -- two dogs and two cats, who go by the names of Bella, Jasmine, Goku and Keety. The four-legged friends on Instagram have a following of a whopping 21.1k followers. The bio describes them as: "Bella - Famous on the gram, Jasmine - Meows, climbs and a whole lot of love! Goku - Always bring me snacks, Keety - Too cool to care!" ## LUCIFER ## Going with the Insta ID 'livinitupwithlucifer' is actress Raveena Raveena Tandon-Thadani's cute Pomeranian. The actress has made a profile on the photo-sharing website to give everyone an insight to her puppy's life. Lucifer enjoys a fan following of over 1K fans on the social media website. ## TIA ## Actress-singer Sophie Choudry is a pet mama to a Shih Tzu named Tia, whose Insta handle is tia_thetzu. Tia enjoys a following of 1,893 fans. Her description reads: "I am a super cute Shih Tzu puppy living in Mumbai with my darling mummy @SophieChoudry & granny Yasmin." ## It doesn't just stop at pets! ## Actress Adah Sharma has a stuffed toy cat, which she has fondly named Radha. Adah has made an Instagram profile for the toy, which goes by the name "adah_ki_radha". The funny part is that the profile has a verified mark and has over 26.9k followers! Radha's bio read: "Radha Sharma... Starkid of @adah_ki_adah ## Here for my talent of changing expressions, not here coz of NEPOTISM. Going to be launched in Bollywood soon coz I lost 10 kgs..." ## Cheers to a dog's life! ## (Durga Chakravarty can be contacted at [email protected]) ## For more and the latest news about Bollywood, stay tuned to us.

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Mumbai, March 14 (IANS) Global health guidelines may have warned against large gatherings and public events owing to the coronavirus pandemic, but can that ever dampen Bollywood's mood to celebrate -- especially when the event in question is about scooping up awards and enjoying live performances by the superstars. ## If you were at the Zee Cine Awards in Mumbai on Friday, pandemic would probably be the last word in your mind. It was a star-studded gala where Hrithik Roshan, Ranveer Singh and Sara Ali Khan's dance performances had them asking for more. ## Of course, for the sake of caution, the general public was not allowed entry, and there was no red carpet either. ## Among B-Town A-listers spotted keeping the shutterbugs busy with their style quotient and posing were Ayushmann Khurrana, Kartik Aaryan, Ananya Panday, Taapsee Pannu, Kriti Sanon, Nora Fatehi, Rakul Preet Singh, Tara Sutaria and Urvashi Rautela. Govinda came with wife Sunita, and Manish Malhotra was spotted giving photo-ops, too. ## Ranveer Singh lived up to his image of being an outrageous dresser, flaunting shock value in fashion as always in a shiny black coat that had gaudy, multicoloured motifs all over. He insisted on keeping his deep-tinted Harry Potter shades on even when he was sitting inside the dimly-lit venue. ## If you do keep track of who won what, Ranveer won the Best Actor (Male) in a Leading Role award for his performance in "Gully Boy" while actress Taapsee Pannu won the Best Actress award for her role in "Badla". ## Posting a pic with the trophy on social media, Taapse wrote: "The first one for 'Naina Sethi'." ## Ranveer returned on stage to collect the Best On-screen Pair trophy along with Siddhant Chaturvedi for "Gully Boy", while Siddhant was also declared Best Male Debutant for the same film. Ananya Panday won Best Female Debutant for "Student Of the Year 2". ## "Blessings on Blessings on Blessings," wrote Ranveer alongside an image in which he is seen flaunting his trophies. ## Ayushmann Khurrana was declared "Best Entertainer of the Year" while Kartik Aaryan won the Best Comic Performance award for his role in "Pati Patni Aur Woh". ## The Best Music award winners were Sachet-Parampara for "Kabir Singh", while Parvez Shaikh, Paul Jennings, Oh Sea Young and Franz Spilhaus shared the Best Action trophy for "War". The Best Choreography award went to Bosco-Caesar for the number "Jai jai Shiv Shankar" in "War", and the film also won Best Visual Effects. ## The awards will air on Zee TV and Zee Cinema on March 28. ## For more and the latest news about Bollywood, stay tuned to us.