BY SACNILK

Mumbai, March 27 (IANS) Owing to the outbreak of COVID-19, when social distancing is a mandatory practice, filmmaker Vivek Agnihotri has decided to utilize the nationwide lockdown period of 21 days in a productive manner by conducting online masterclasses.## "I have decided to conduct these free masterclasses every alternate day till the time we are quarantined. My idea is to help people learn new skills and also to use their time creatively. Else the entire society will get into depression. Everyone has stories but they don't know how to tell these stories. My goal is to ensure that by April 15 at least a couple of housewives and 5-6 young people end up making short films sitting in their homes without spending a penny," Agnihotri said.## Earlier, the filmmaker had declared that intention to sell paintings to raise money for daily wage workers.## "There are a lot of people in the industry whose livelihood has been affected. I will sell these paintings for them," he had said.## Stay tuned...

BY SACNILK

Mumbai, March 27 (IANS) Former Miss World Mansuhi Chhillar, who is all set to make her Bollywood debut in "Prithviraj" opposite Akshay Kumar, has been roped in to spread the message of self-isolation and social-distancing among people of her home state Haryana amid the outbreak of COVID-19. She has been roped in by the Chief Minister of Haryana Manohar Lal Khattar for the initiative.## Manushi will be posting videos requesting the people of Haryana to stay at home to fight the COVID-19 pandemic.## Manushi says: "The whole of India is in a state of crisis and it is my duty as a citizen of this country to raise as much awareness as possible among my fellow countrymen about the coronavirus pandemic. My roots are in Haryana and I'm hugely responsible to raise my voice on things that affect my brothers and sisters of the state."## The former beauty queen hopes that the video reaches out to everyone and helps raise more awareness about COVID-19.## "There is an urgent and immediate need to self-isolate and socially distance ourselves to save lives and we should all respect the all India lockdown that is in place to curb the virus."## In a video directed at the people of Haryana, Manushi says: "We all know that coronavirus has pushed us to a state of immense crisis. And together we will need to fight it, we will need to stop it."## She also called for the citizens of the state to act responsibly and respect the all India lockdown order given by the Prime Minister of the country, Narendra Modi.## She said: "We will need to unite and act responsibly. I'm staying at home. I'm social distancing to protect myself and everyone I love and care for. You should also stay at home and self-isolate.## "India is on lockdown and you will need to respect that. It is the only way to stop the spread of coronavirus and save lives. You and only you have the power to save the nation. Be responsible. Be a citizen that India is counting on."## For more and latest news about Bollywood, stay tuned with us.

BY SACNILK

Mumbai, March 27 (IANS) Tiger Shroff is a promising actor and has the potential to become a superstar, feels Akshay Kumar. However, the Bollywood actor is of the opinion that the label of "superstar" in the current situation can only be given to those people who are staying at home ensuring their and their family's safety.## Akshay's words come at a time when the entire nation is witnessing a lockdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic.## It all started when trade analyst Joginder Tuteja tweeted a video where he speaks about how Tiger Shroff is set to be a superstar with his upcoming movies like "Rambo", "Heropanti 2" and "Baaghi 4".## Reacting to his tweet, Akshay Kumar wrote: "Absolutely in agreement with you on this Joginder, @iTIGERSHROFF is going great guns but at this time the one and only superstar is the one who will stay at home ensuring his and his family's safety. Urging each one of you to be a superstar."## Bollywood superstar Akshay Kumar is repeatedly urging citizens to cooperate with the government during the 21-day nationwide lockdown.## In a recent video shared on social media, the actor said: "Have some people lost it? Who all are not understanding the meaning of lockdown? Lockdown means you are supposed to stay at home, with your family and not roaming around in the streets. Are you trying to show how brave you are by stepping out? It is not going to help. You will end up landing in the hospital and affect your family as well. Nobody will be safe if you behave in a careless manner."## For more and latest news about Bollywood, stay tuned with us.

BY SACNILK

Los Angeles, March 27 (IANS) Actor Keith Lawrence Middlebrook, who appeared in "Iron Man 2" and TV hit "Entourage" has been arrested by FBI agents for reportedly attempting to sell a fake coronavirus cure.## Middlebrook is facing one felony count of attempted wire fraud for reportedly soliciting investments for a company called Quantum Prevention CV Inc. to market pills he claimed would prevent COVID-19 infections and a shot to cure the virus, reports aceshowbiz.com.## He was arrested in Los Angeles on March 25, following an FBI sting, in which he reportedly delivered a pack of pills to an undercover agent posing as an investor.## Middlebrook "falsely claimed" to at least one potential backer that basketball icon Earvin 'Magic' Johnson was on the board of directors, but according to the affidavit, "Mr. Johnson confirmed to investigators that he knew nothing about Middlebrook's company."## US Attorney Nick Hanna, for the Central District of California, has warned people to beware of similar scams during the coronavirus pandemic.## For more and latest news about Hollywood, stay tuned with us.

BY SACNILK

Hyderabad, March 27 (IANS) Telugu star Allu Arjun has contributed Rs 1.25 crore for the battle against coronavirus outbreak in Telangana, Andhra Pradesh and Kerala.## The actor made the announcement through a video message he shared with IANS on Friday.## "The COVID-19 has taken the world by storm and changed our everyday lives, but even at times like this people like doctors, nurses, military, policemen and many other sectors have done a great contribution to our society," he says in the video.## Drawing inspiration from them, he would also like to do his bit.## "With all humility, I would like to announce Rs 1.25 crore to the people of Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Kerala," he says.## He also appealed to the public to maintain hygiene and practice isolation.## This comes a day after his uncle and superstar Pawan Kalyan and Allu's cousin Ram Charan announced donations to the government's relief fund to battle the COVID-19 pandemic.## Chiranjeevi, Mahesh Babu, and Prabhas are other Telugu superstars who have contributed to the cause.## For more and latest news about Tollywood, stay tuned with us.

BY SACNILK

New Delhi, March 27 (IANS) At a time when over 1.3 billion Indians have been asked to stay indoors, people who are claustrophobic or suffer from obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) are finding it difficult to obey the 'Lakshmana Rekha Prime Minister Narendra Modi has drawn in from of all homes.## According to health experts, such people should first unplug themselves from the news around new coronavirus (COVID-19) and divert their minds towards constructive thoughts and engage in indoor games.## "People with OCD and those who are claustrophobic need to try and avoid reading or seeing too much negative news. Instead, they can opt for completing the work pending for some time which is a constructive channelization of the energy," said Dr Sameer Malhotra, Director, Department of Mental Health and Behavioural Sciences, Max Super Speciality Hospital, Saket.## "If under treatment, do not stop the medications at this juncture, and if the symptoms are significant, psychiatric intervention may also be required," Malhotra told IANS.## Indians are currently living with 21-day nationwide lockdown, which started from Tuesday midnight.## According to the World Health Organization (WHO), OCD is the sixth most disabling psychiatric disorder in the world.## Dr Samir Parikh, Psychiatrist and the Director of the Department of Mental Health and Behavioural Sciences, Fortis Healthcare said that in the face of a pandemic, if you have claustrophobia, OCD or any other form of phobia or anxiety, it is important to ensure that you continue to follow your treatment regimen.## "Stay connected to your doctors, take your medications regularly and also ensure that you continue to take regular therapy sessions through teleconsultations,' Parikh emphasized.## Family too would play a very pertinent role in providing support and being understanding of the challenge being face by the individual.## "Concurrently, it is important to ensure that one engages in maintaining a work-life balance, take care of certain lifestyle-related elements such as the sleep-wake cycle and also engage in activities of interest during this period," Parikh noted.## Malhotra said that it is time to rationalize negative thoughts into positive and meaningful thoughts.## "Discuss general topics, try and engage in healthy conversations at home. It is also the best time to bond with family members," he added.## For more and latest news about Life-Style, stay tuned with us.

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New Delhi, March 27 (IANS) Actress Richa Chadha recently used her social media presence to highlight the plight of an elderly couple who were allegedly being held against their will at a hotel in Gurugram, despite testing negative for COVID-19.## In a series of tweets, Richa has made a case against Lemon Tree Hotels in Gurugram, according to a report in hindustantimes.com. Later, however, she said that the matter had been resolved by the hotel.## "@LemonTreeHotels Aerocity, Delhi: Gurugram, has held 2 ppl captive for the past 5 days, despite the doctor allowing them to go home and self-quarantine. They're in their late 60s, the man is severely diabetic. His sugar has risen, he's gone into keto-acidosis, could go into a coma," wrote @RichaChadha.## She added: "If urgent medical help is not provided. Do you want people to die, @LemonTreeHotels? @HaryanaPolice27 @cmohry please look into this urgently. You are a service industry, not a hospital. If anything happens to them, there's a big lawsuit coming your way. Get them out now."## According to Richa's tweets, the couple tested negative at Delhi's Ram Manohar Lohia hospital. "If you can't let them go, please provide medical assistance. As of now, even medical professionals from @LemonTreeHotels don't want to examine him because of COVID stigma. @SatyendarJain @DelhiPolice," she wrote.## The website reports Richa as saying later that the matter had been resolved. "Thank you to each and every one of you who amplified this tweet. Reached someone at @LemonTreeHotels, says the center is now using their hotels as facilities. Either way, medical help is on its way to the senior citizens. All this happened, because of a tweet thread... but, but take a pause to think. I am a privileged person, with access to tech, relative social media influence. What does the common man do at a time like this? Hamara ye haal to unka kya hoga? Sigh! Thanks, tweeple. Prayers seem to be the best bet, in these uncertain times," she wrote.## For more and latest news about Bollywood, stay tuned with us.

BY SACNILK

Mumbai, March 27 (IANS) While there is no scientific evidence yet to prove the coronavirus was first transmitted from a bat to a person who might have consumed the animal, actor Emraan Hashmi made such a case in his latest tweet with mock conviction.## "And all this because some person thousands of miles away wanted to have a freakish culinary experience like eating a BAT," tweeted @emraan Hashmi, venting ire on someone in the faraway Chinese city of Wuhan who might have consumed an infected bat to contract COVID-19, and then pass it on to others, thereby planting the seed of the ongoing global pandemic.## At the last count, over half a million coronavirus cases have been confirmed worldwide, with more than 22,000 deaths. In India so far, there have 16 deaths reported and the number of cases that have tested positive has risen to 694. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has declared a 21-day national lockdown to stem the spread of the virus.## For more and latest news about Bollywood, stay tuned with us.

BY SACNILK

Los Angeles, March 27 (IANS) Actress Angelina Jolie has donated $1 million as an effort to feed underprivileged children whose access to school lunches has been cut off due to closures amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.## She has given $1 million to the charity No Kid Hungry, which says it has so far spread $2 million across 30 states to feed low-income children and their families, reports dailymail.co.uk.## "As of this week, over a billion children are out of school worldwide because of closures linked to coronavirus," said Jolie, 44.## "Many children depend on the care and nutrition they receive during school hours, including nearly 22 million children in America who rely on food support. No Kid Hungry is making resolute efforts to reach as many of those children as possible," added the actress, known for her philanthropy.## She has worked extensively with the United Nations and co-wrote a Time essay promoting UNESCO's new Global Education Coalition, which seeks to facilitate remote education as schools close around the world.## In 2006 the star and her former husband Brad Pitt started their own charity named after their eldest son Maddox, 18, and focused on his native Cambodia. The organization keeps 10 schools running in Cambodia. Jolie separately funds girls' schools in Afghanistan and Kenya.## Jolie is not the only celebrity to throw her support behind No Kid Hungry as Jennifer Garner and Amy Adams started a fundraiser for them last week.## For more and latest news about Hollywood, stay tuned with us.

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New Delhi, March 27 (IANSlife) As the global Coronavirus outbreak spelled a series of museum closures and postponed performances and concerts, India's most-celebrated tabla maestro Ustad Zakir Hussain says that the humanity will need to come together to fight the pandemic.## "It is too early to tell what the effect of this disease will be but it is clear that humanity needs to come together and fight this. There needs to be a serious focus on hygiene, like washing hands every 20 minutes, drinking warm water every few minutes, wiping all metal surfaces in the house and of course keeping... the distance with other people around you.## "If and when we survive this, then we can ask the government and big corporations to help restart the support for arts," the doyen told IANSlife when asked how we can sustain the arts in this difficult times.## The Ustaad was part of a concert postponed due to COVID-19, along with Indian classical violinist Kala Ramnath and Carnatic musician Jayanthi Kumaresh - "both top-shelf premier artists representing both North and South Indian music".## Last month, Ustad Zakir Hussain had paid homage to his father and guru Ustad Allarakha on his centenary, in the form of several multi-artist performances that spanned a day.## "We had a multi-layered relationship, I was his son, then his student, then his apprentice, then his colleague and finally his friend. I cherish every moment that I spent with him. He was and is the horizon I still reach for," he said about his father.## He hopes to reinstate the concert, once a virus is contained and eradicated.## "These concerts are a way for us all to connect with each other through music. When we are all cooped at home, this can be a welcome change to everyone and keep their minds diverted to something positive when all one hears is about the virus and everyone is in tenterhooks worried about their respective future.## "We musicians are also worried but there is no point worrying and by doing these concerts we are trying to say what better than music to keep us all positive," Kala Ramnath added.## Stay tuned...

BY SACNILK

Mumbai, March 26 (IANS) Bollywood actor Amitabh Bachchan tweeted a video where he talks of Chinese experts discovering that the common housefly, which sits on excreta, can transmit the coronavirus. However, the health ministry disagrees.## The video was retweeted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, reports hindustantimes.com.## "Chinese experts have discovered that the coronavirus can survive in human excreta for weeks. Even if the patients recover fully, the virus can survive in his excreta for a few weeks. If a fly were to sit on such a person's excreta, and then sit on fruits, vegetables or other food items, the disease can spread further," says Bachchan in Hindi, in the video posted on Wednesday, where he calls for a Jan Andolan in the lines of Swachch Bharat Andolan under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and the polio eradication movement, to fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.## However, Lav Aggarwal, ministry of health and family welfare's joint secretary Lav Aggrawal, dismissed the idea at a press conference on Thursday, reports republicworld.com.## Commenting on Bachchan's tweet about coronavirus spreading through flies, Aggarwal said: "I have not seen his tweet, but technically I can say that this is an infectious disease and does not spread through flies."## Along with the video in the tweet, Big B also posted a message quoting a study in The Lancet.## "T 3481 - A study in the @TheLancet shows that coronavirus lingers on human excreta much longer than in respiratory samples. Come on India, We are going to fight this! Use your toilet: Har koi, har Roz, Tamesha. Darwaza Band toh Beemari Band! @swachhbharat @narendramodi @PMOIndia" went the message by @SrBachchan.## For more and latest news about Bollywood, stay tuned with us.

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Hyderabad, March 26 (IANS) "Baahubali" actor Prabhas became the latest Telugu star to donate for the cause of combating against the coronavirus pandemic.## The actor on Thursday donated Rs 4 crore for the cause. Of this, Rs 3 crore is being given to the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund, while Rs 50 lakh each go to the Chief Minister Relief Funds of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.## Prabhas recently returned from Georgia, where he was shooting for his upcoming film, tentatively titled "Prabhas 20", with Pooja Hegde. Both actors went into self-quarantine for 14 days upon return.## Earlier in the day, Telugu superstars Pawan Kalyan, Ram Charan, Chiranjeevi, and Mahesh Babu had also donated to boost the fight against COVID-19. It was Pawan Kalyan who initiated the nobel gesture giving Rs 2 crore for the cause. Soon, his nephew Ram Charan declared a charity of Rs 70 lakh while Ram Charan's father, the veteran superstar of Telugu cinema, Chiranjeevi, gave Rs 1 crore. Young superstar Mahesh Babu also gave a crore for the cause.## For more and latest news about Tollywood, stay tuned with us.