BY SACNILK

Mumbai, April 3 (IANS) One of Bollywood's most powerful production houses, Yash Raj Films (YRF), has pledged to support to protect Bollywood daily wage earners and their family during the COVID-19 pandemic. The production house will be giving Rs 1.5 crore, according to an industry source.## An industry source informs: "YRF is reaching out to thousands of daily wage earners of the industry and their families who are in critical need of support and has already collected details of their bank accounts."## The Yash Chopra Foundation will be crediting the donation directly into the banks of these people in need so that the money reaches this strata quickly and the process is more efficient during the time of lockdown.## "YRF is committed to helping as many vulnerable people as possible to ensure the most needy workers in critical financial states from the industry stay protected. In Phase 1 of the support, YRF will be paying out Rs. 1.5 crore to these workers and their families", added the industry source.## The daily wage earners include people in the setting department, carpenters, lighting, junior artists and spots among many others.## Stay tuned...

BY SACNILK

Mumbai, April 2 (IANS) Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan has tweeted to state that this is the time when all Indians must be united as "one family" and "do our little bit to look after each other".## In a social media post, he sent out on Thursday evening, on his Twitter handle @iamsrk, the actor wrote: "In these times its imp to make everyone around you working tirelessly for you.. not related to u.. to feel they are not alone and by themselves. Let's just make sure we will do our little bit to look after each other. India and all Indians are One Family."## Earlier, on @RedChilliesEnt, the Twitter handle of his production house Red Chillies Entertainment, the actor gave out a lengthy statement announcing his contributions to the current fight against COVID-19 through his group companies -- Kolkata Knight Riders, Red Chillies Entertainment, Meer Foundation, and Red Chillies VFX. He also lauded Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the government's efforts in fighting the COVID-19 war. He, however, did not specify any monetary amount to specify how much he would be donating.## "Given the enormity of the task, my team and I discussed ways to contribute in our own modest way. We have come up with a series of initiatives, which we hope will make a small difference. The efforts of our Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi Ji coupled with the efforts of the Chief Ministers, Shri Uddhav Thackeray Ji, Smt Mamata Banerjee, Shri Arvind Kejriwal, and all other States and Union Territories leaders have been commendable in fighting this pandemic. We have initially focused our efforts on the three cities -- Mumbai, Kolkata and New Delhi with the realization that this is a start and we stand ready to contribute in whichever way possible going forward," the actor said in the statement.## "At a time when the human race is facing an immense crisis, there can only be one true response: The expression of Humanity itself. This is a moment for all of us to come together in a collective effort to make each other kinder, stronger and braver to face the days ahead. This crisis is not going to pass in a hurry, it will take its time and its toll on all of us. It will also show us that there isn't really a choice between looking out for ourselves and looking out for one another.## "There's nothing more obvious in the spread of this pandemic, than the fact that each one of us is inextricably connected to each other, without any distinction. So, while we do whatever we can to support each other in our own small ways, the compassion we show to those who are likely to face the most brutal brunt of both, the pandemic and its economic consequences, will define us as a generation and as a Nation. The scourge we are up against is fearsome and unknown to us. Like all uncharted paths, our journey to overcome every new challenge it throws at us will be arduous. There will be times when the best intentions might yield the wrong results.## "There may also be times when we accidentally stumble upon important solutions. All we can really do is try our utmost to adapt and confront each challenge with courage. As a nation, and as a people, it is our duty to give it all we've got. I am going to try my best and I know each one of you will do so too. Only together we will be able to fight through these difficult and unimaginable days. Together, we will overcome," he added.## Shah Rukh ended on a poetic note: "Raat ke baad naye din ki sehar aayegi, din nahi badlega, tareeq Badal jayegi... I pray for you and your families, please do the same for me. Aur kripya karke... kuch dinon ke liye... ek doosre se sharirik taur se... thoda door... aur door... aur door... aur door."## According to the statement released by SRK, through his IPL franchise Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), which he co-owns with wife Gauri Khan, Juhi Chawla Mehta and Jay Mehta, he has committed to contribute to the PM-Cares Fund. Through Red Chillies Entertainment co-owned by Gauri and SRK, he has committed to contributing to the Maharashtra CM's Relief Fund.## That apart, the media release said, the superstar has also pledged Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for healthcare providers and health care workers. KKR and Meer Foundation will work with the West Bengal and the Maharashtra governments and contribute 50,000 PPE kits and work at raising awareness among people.## SRK's Meer Foundation along with the foundation Ek Saath will provide daily food requirements to over 5500 families for at least a month in Mumbai. Meer Foundation is also collaborating with Roti Foundation -- founded by former Director General of Police, Maharashtra, Mr. D. Sivanandhan -- to provide meals to underprivileged people and daily wage laborers, besides pitching in with grocery and other basic essential support for a daily wage in association with Working People's Charter and also continue extending help to acid attack survivors.## For more and latest news about Bollywood, stay tuned with us.

BY SACNILK

Mumbai, April 2 (IANS) Actor Sachiin J. Joshi, who is stranded in Dubai, is extending help by donating nutritious food boxes to policemen and municipal workers fighting COVID-19 outbreak in India.## "I've been stuck here since March 16 and I will probably be here till April 14. There isn't much one can do. I stay indoors where it's safe and spend time watching movies and content. I also play table-tennis and indulge in my home fitness routine to keep the immunity to its peak, in order to keep the coronavirus away. I am also having my home-made kadha! I miss my family! I speak to my wife and kids every day… 7 to 8 times a day sometimes. However, I thought it best to stay put where it is best for all of us. It is better to be safe than sorry," Sachiin said.## He is pitching in through his Big Brother Foundation. Since he is in Dubai, he is coordinating virtually.## Talking about managing the workings from Dubai, he said: "My team of managers in India is working as per my instructions. My hotel's chefs are getting much-needed help in preparing the food from our factory's labor force. They're equipped with the essential safety gear and the entire drive of the Big Brother Foundation is with police and authority permissions. We're trying to do our best, especially for the people battling hunger for days and walking back home because there is no mode of transportation. The sad part is that the smaller towns and villages of Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Gujarat, and NCR-Delhi are unable to get the necessary ration. We are helping them too, with supplies."## The actor said that the help is reaching "the police patrolling the city, the doctors, nurses, and paramedics at the hospitals, the municipal workers ensuring timely supply of essentials and 24*7 water supply, the traffic police force along with the other forces who ensure that the lockdown strictly adheres to".## "With an expense of nearly Rs. 3 to 5 lakhs a day across cities, the Big Brother Foundation has been instrumental in donating food supplies to the needy daily! We are planning to do it for all the 21 days of lockdown. While people prefer donations, I would like to help hands-on," Sachiin said.## To this, Urvashi Sharma, Sachiin's wife who is supervising the operations, added: "I'm in India and in touch with everyone on a daily basis to help monitor the proceedings. My husband (Sachiin J. Joshi) and our entire team are working selflessly to do our best! It is important to be humane and compassionate during such testing times. We need to set an example for our coming generations."## Stay tuned...

BY SACNILK

Mumbai, April 2 (IANS) Mumbai is called the city that never sleeps. People here are always on the move. But due to the coronavirus lockdown, silence has been prevailing in the streets of the city of dreams for almost 8 days now. And seeing the empty roads since Janata Curfew, actress Shilpa Shetty Kundra couldn't stop herself from praising Mumbaikars.## "I am an ‘assal Mumbaikar'... and like all of us, I've always known of Mumbai as the city that never sleeps! Never did I think that there'd be a day when I'd see the streets of my city empty as they are today. I have been seeing some of these images on the internet ever since the Janta Curfew and the subsequent lockdown.## "It's disheartening to see the city so silent, but also a consolation that ‘most' people who are responsible and sensible are staying at home. It's a matter of time, I'm sure that together with our indomitable spirit, we will fight this too! Today, I'm grateful for belonging to a city that has stood the test of time and fought every battle in front of us as one unified force. I'm a proud Mumbaikar and Indian," she wrote on Instagram.## Along with the post, she uploaded a few pictures that show empty roads in Mumbai.## On the home front, the actress and her businessman husband Raj Kundra recently welcomed their second child -- a daughter named Samisha -- through surrogacy.## Stay tuned...

BY SACNILK

Miami, April 2 (IANS) Singer-actress Jennifer Lopez and fiance Alex Rodriguez were spotted at their regular gym here, even though it is closed to the public amid the coronavirus lockdown.## The couple was seen leaving from the backdoor, having apparently got a special dispensation, reports dailymail.co.uk.## "THIS GYM IS NOT OPEN STAY HOME STAY SAFE," read the sign on the backdoor of the venue, which Lopez and Rodriguez were frequently seen visiting pre-lockdown.## Lopez wore a scarlet sports bra that showed off her toned figure. She teamed the top with high-waisted leggings and accessorized with aviator sunglasses.## She also carried her usual sparkly monogrammed water bottle.## Meanwhile, her fiance wore a simple black cardigan and sweats over a charcoal tee.## A man in a face mask was there to greet the couple when they left the gym and headed off in a black car.## The man held the gym's backdoor handle through a wet wipe to swing it open when the celebrities were done exercising.## He could be seen cleaning the handle of one of the car doors with a wipe before opening it to allow Lopez into the vehicle.## The star couple have gone into social isolation together in Miami where they are spending time with their children from previous relationships.## Rodriguez shares his daughters Natasha, 15, and Ella, 11, with his ex-wife Cynthia Scurtis while Lopez has twins Max and Emme, 12, with her third husband Marc Anthony.## Stay tuned...

BY SACNILK

Los Angeles, April 2 (IANS) Amid the ongoing coronavirus crisis and lockdown, pop superstar Taylor Swift has stepped in to pay salary and healthcare for employees at a vintage record store near her home in Nashville.## The superstar's publicist contacted Grimey's New & Preloved Music with an offer to pay the salaries and healthcare costs for staff during the next three months. It happened when the store got shut when the city's mayor issued a state at home order.## "We were very surprised, and I would have to say amazed, that Taylor Swift reached out to us through her publicist to offer some relief during the COVID-19 pandemic," rollingstone.com quoted Grimey's co-owner, Doyle Davis, as saying.## "I didn't even know we were on her radar, but she really stepped up to help after the recent tornadoes that struck Nashville and middle Tennessee, and now she's trying to help a beloved small business in her city," Davis added.## He continued: "Taylor generously offered some direct relief to my staff and to cover three months of our health care costs for our group-insurance plan. It's a huge deal to us, and now I have some peace of mind as we apply for (Small Business Administration) loans to pay rent, vendors, and other expenses. This assistance from Ms. Swift helps give us a real shot at coming back on the other side of this."## "It's incredibly heartening and totally surreal that Taylor Swift has offered to help us out in such a significant way," Grimey's buyer Will Orman said, adding: "With so much uncertainty about what lies ahead, we're deeply grateful to be able to look forward to returning to the store and continuing to share music and connect with our community, thanks to Taylor's generous support."## Swift has also donated to Feeding America and the World Health Organization and requested her fans support the organizations amid the ongoing health crisis.## Stay tuned...

BY SACNILK

Mumbai, April 2 (IANS) Amidst the coronavirus lockdown, actress Sunny Leone on Thursday started her chat show on Instagram.## The show, titled "Lockdown with Sunny", will see Sunny in conversation with several celebrities, including Daboo Ratnani and Mandana Karimi. For the first episode, she invited YouTube sensation Anisha Dixit as her online guest.## "It was my idea to just have fun with our fans and people on Insta.It is all about light-hearted conversations with funny things and details about the guest," Sunny said.## In a recent interaction with IANS, Sunny also shared how she is spending time with her three kids at home.## "I have three kids ...right now my main focus is on homeschooling. I have to teach them..make them learn new things at home. I am being creative enough to keep them busy during the lockdown," Sunny added.## For more and latest news about Bollywood, stay tuned with us.

BY SACNILK

New Delhi, April 2 (IANS) Vin Diesels "Bloodshot" released when movie theatres around the world were either already shut or in the process of shutting down due to the coronavirus pandemic, and a producer of the superhero film says the event was a "true black swan" moment for the film.## Diesel took on the superhero avatar for the film "Bloodshot" to tell the story of a super-soldier Ray, aka the superhero Bloodshot, who is brought back from the dead by a corporation through the use of nanotechnology. It is directed by Dave Wilson.## "‘Bloodshot' starring Vin Diesel was released on Friday, March 13. Unfortunately, the coronavirus made it the lowest box office in 22 years, a true black swan event for ‘Bloodshot' after 26 years of dreaming about this movie and 8 years since work began on it. Despite that, I'm happy this dream became a reality even if it was an imperfect one," the film's executive producer Jason Kothari told IANS.## The film opened in March. Sony Pictures Entertainment India released "Bloodshot" in India on March 13.## The superhero appeared in books published by the publisher Valiant Comics. "Bloodshot", first published in 1992, was created by Kevin VanHook, Don Perlin, and Bob Layton for Valiant. The character originated when Layton read a magazine article about nanites-machines measured in nanometers, millionths of millimeters. Over its comic book run, "Bloodshot" totaled 110 issues with more than 7.5 million copies sold.## Looking back at the process of bringing the "Bloodshot" story alive on the big screen, Kothari said: "‘Bloodshot' is one the most popular characters from the Valiant Universe, one of the most popular universes of superheroes. Valiant holds a special place in my heart, not only because I was a first-time entrepreneur as the CEO of Valiant, but because it was an idea built by the dreams of my youth.## "I got introduced to Valiant by my father when I was 12 years old – he gave me Bloodshot Issue #1, and I literally imagined the movie when I read it. Later, when I was studying at Wharton, I got a chance to buy a then bankrupt Valiant with the hope of rescuing and resurrecting my childhood favourite company. For the next few years, I led the transformation of the company as the CEO to the third-largest superhero entertainment company after Marvel and DC Comics and a sale for $100 million," he added.## Kothari, who has also just released his first book "Irrationally Passionate: My Turnaround From Rebel To Entrepreneur" published by HarperCollins, said he "helped develop the screenplay for ‘Bloodshot' and signed the movie deal for the character".## "It took another 8 years for the movie to make it to the big screen and it was released on March 13, 2020. From a 12-year-old fan's dream to an executive producer of the movie and seeing it on the big screen, it has truly been a full circle and ‘dream come true' experience for me," he said.## Asked if any other superhero can be introduced from the universe of Valiant Comics, Kothari said: "As a life-long Valiant fan, more than even being the former CEO of Valiant or an executive producer of ‘Bloodshot', there are many Valiant superheroes I would absolutely love to see on the big screen – in particular, Harbinger, Shadowman, Eternal Warrior, and X-O Manowar."## "Valiant characters are some of the most multi-dimensional, edgy and relatable superhero characters ever created. They're also fascinating high-concepts - for example, X-O Manowar is the most primitive man on the planet with the most technologically advanced weapon, sort of a Conan the Barbarian meets Iron Man. There is a lot of potential with the Valiant Universe," said Kothari.## For more and latest news about Hollywood, stay tuned with us.

BY SACNILK

Mumbai, April 2 (IANS) Actress Anushka Sharma on Thursday conducted an interactive session with her fans. She asked her followers to share one habit which they all have developed in themselves amidst the coronavirus lockdown.## When one social media user said that he/she is good at nothing, the "Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi" actress gave the follower meaningful advice.## "Everybody is unique and good for something (lots of things). Don't compare yourself and ruin your peace," Anushka said.## Anushka also shared how important is to learn lessons from the ongoing health crises.## "We gotta learn... warna aur phatke padenge!," she added.## Before wrapping the session, Anushka thanked her followers to "share the thoughts" with her.## "I am happy to know so many are making the most of this and being strong. Happiest knowing you all are connecting with yourselves on a deeper level. Let's stay home, stay safe and stay strong," she concluded.## For more and latest news about Bollywood, stay tuned with us.

BY SACNILK

os Angeles, April 1 (IANS) "Game Of Thrones" star Sophie Turner is "kind of loving" being in quarantine with pop star husband Joe Jonas.## Turner, who is reportedly pregnant with her first child, opened up about how she's coping during the crisis in an interview with Conan O'Brien on "CONAN At Home", reports aceshowbiz.com.## "I'm kind of loving it. I'm an introvert, I'm a homebody, if I could stay at home all day I would, so this is great for me," Turner said when asked how she's managing with social distancing.## She added that the only time she leaves the house is when she has to goes walk their dog.## Turner says currently everything is working in her favor.## "Joe and I... everything seems to be working out in my favor here because Joe is a real social butterfly and I struggle to lock him down and just spend time with me. It's like a prison for him, but it's great for me," she added.## For more and latest news about Hollywood, stay tuned with us.

BY SACNILK

Mumbai, April 1 (IANS) Actor Ajay Devgn will be donating Rs 51 lakh to Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) to aid daily wage film workers, who have been left without jobs due to the lockdown amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.## Confirming the news, Ashok Dubey, general secretary of FWICE, said: "Ajay Devgn has pledged to donate Rs 51 lakh to FWICE."## "I'm glad that people like Ajay and Rohit (Shetty) are helping the daily wage workers who need it the most during the downtime. We have received more enquiries from others wanting to provide monetary help. We are providing them the account details. I hope more and more people come forward to help daily wage workers," Dubey added.## FWICE is leaving no stone unturned to help its more than five lakh worker-members.## Bollywood superstar Salman Khan was the first industry bigwig who took the initiative to help the 25,000-odd daily wage workers of the film industry whose lives have been affected owing to the lockdown.## Filmmaker Rohit Shetty subsequently donated Rs 51 lakh to FWICE. Frames Production Company and Shashi Sumit Productions have also provided ration and money for the cause. FWICE will utilize all the donated money to help its daily wage workers like junior artists, stunt artists, light men, and spot boys amongst others.## For more and latest news about Bollywood, stay tuned with us.

BY SACNILK

Los Angeles, April 1 (IANS) Popularly known for his songs like "Shotgun", "Blame it on me" and "Paradise", singer George Ezra and his mother have offered British fitness instructor Joe Wicks free use of his tracks for his online workouts for children, who are missing school due to the COVID-19 pandemic.## Wicks' daily YouTube workouts have taken over social media as he keeps children active while they are forced to stay at home due to lockdown, reports aceshowbiz.com.## The fitness instructor, who is also known as The Body Coach, said that he had to conduct his makeshift sessions in silence, as he couldn't pay to license music due to his YouTube royalties from the show going to Britain's National Health Service.## On March 31, Ezra shared with his mother, a teacher, had heard of Wicks' problem, prompting her son to call up record company chiefs to waive his own royalties.## He wrote on Instagram: "My mum suggested I offer Joe and the kids my songs to use. I got in touch with Joe and we made it happen. The coolest thing is that all royalties made from the songs being used are going directly to the NHS!".## "I'd like to say a huge thank you to Joe for being the world's fitness coach throughout all of this and an even bigger thank you to my amazing mum and all the other incredible teachers up and down the country for everything they're doing."## Wicks thanked the singer, saying: "Now listen, I've got some great news. I've got to say a massive thank you to George Ezra's mum, who is a teacher at school and George Ezra found out that I had no music, so he's given me his permission to use his music on the workout today."## For more and latest news about Hollywood, stay tuned with us.