BY SACNILK

Los Angeles, March 18 (IANS) A day after Hollywood star Tom Hanks and his wife Rita Wilson were released from a hospital in Australia, the actor shared "good news" and "bad news" from his house isolation. ## Taking to Instagram on March 17, the 63-year-old wrote: "Hey folks. Good News: One week after testing Positive, in self-isolation, the symptoms are much the same. No fever, but the blahs. Folding the laundry and doing the dishes leads to a nap on the couch." ## He then jokingly added: "Bad news: My wife @ritawilson has won 6 straight hands of Gin Rummy and leads by 201 points." ## In the post, the "Inferno" star also reacted to fans' debate over his vegemite consumption caused by his Sunday post. ## "But I have learned not to spread my Vegemite so thick," he noted before taking a jab at the typewriter he brought along for the trip which was ironically labelled "corona." ## He ended his post with positive message that read: "We are all in this together. Flatten the curve. Hanx." ## Hanks's update came just one day after his son Chet shared that Tom and Rita have left hospital to self-quarantine themselves in a rented house in Queensland. ## "Quick update on my folks: They're out of the hospital. They're still self-quarantined obviously, but they're feeling a lot better, so that's a relief," the 29-year-old said in an Instagram video. ## Reminding that "panicking isn't necessary," Chet also pleaded with others not to be selfish amid the pandemic. ## "I think if you went to the grocery store and hoarded all water and the toilet paper for yourself, you're the problem. You should just think more of others for once… I know this is crazy, but I'm just wishing everyone the best and we're gonna to get through this." ## Hanks, who is in Australia to film Baz Luhrmann's untitled Elvis Presley movie, came out with the announcement that he and his wife had been tested positive for coronavirus on Wednesday, March 11. ## "We felt a bit tired, like we had colds, and some body aches. Rita had some chills that came and went. Slight fevers too," he shared at the time. ## For more and the latest news about Hollywood, stay tuned to us.

BY SACNILK

Kolkata, March 17 (IANS) All cinema halls in West Bengal will remain closed till March 31, while film shoots in the state would remain suspended upto March 30 in view of the novel coronavirus threat, various stakeholders announced on Tuesday. ## "We have decided that all cinema halls will remain shut till March 31 and the decision will come into effect immediately," an Eastern India Motion Pictures Association (EIMPA) official told the media. State minister Aroop Biswas announced all shoots have been cancelled till March 30. ## The minister, considered the bridge between the government and the film industry, held a meeting with various bodies of artistes, technicians, producers and film channels on tthe situation. ## The EIMPA official said though the industry would suffer huge losses, the priority now was to take all measures to combat the lethal disease."There will be huge losses if cinema halls and all film shoots are closed for such a long period, considering the present situation of the Bengal film industry. We will use time till March 31 to find out ways to recover the losses," she said. ## Television serials and soaps which do not have fresh episodes ready, will go for repeat telecasts. The decisions came a day after state Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee stressed on closing down all cinema halls for the time being to help tackle the Covid-19 threat. ## The entire matter would be revisited after Banerjee holds a review meeting on March 30. ## For more and the latest news about Bengali, stay tuned to us.

BY SACNILK

Los Angeles, March 17 (IANS) Actor Kristofer Hivju, who played Tormund Giantsbane in the blockbuster series "Games Of Thrones", has tested positive for the novel coronavirus. ## On Monday, Hivju wrote on his Instagram account: "Greetings from Norway! Sorry to say that I, today, have tested positive for COVID19, coronavirus. My familiy and I are self-isolating at home for as long as it takes. We are in good health - I only have mild symptoms of a cold. There are people at higher risk for who this virus might be a devastating diagnosis." ## He also urged people to be careful and take necessary precautions. ## "I urge all of you to be extremely careful; wash your hands, keep 1,5 meters distance from others, go in quarantine; just do everything you can to stop the virus from spreading. Together we can fight this virus and avert a crisis at our hospitals," he added. ## Giantsbane further stated: "Please take care of each other, keep your distance, and stay healthy! Please visit your country's Center for disease Control's website, and follow the regulations for staying safe and protecting not just yourselves, but our entire community, and especially those at risk like the elderly and people with pre-existing conditions." ## For more and the latest news about TV, stay tuned to us.

BY SACNILK

Mumbai, March 17 (IANS) At a time when the COVID-19 pandemic has called for complete shutdownb, with the government advising against any kind of public gathering, Mumbai's Film City continues almost in its usual pace. ## On Sunday, a notification has been unanimously issued by the Indian Motion Pictures Producers' Association, Federation of Western India Cine Employees and other similar bodies, ordering that shooting for films, TV shows, digital shows and all other kinds of entertainment format would have to be stopped between March 19 and 31 owing to the COVID-19 pandemic. ## But will Bollywood really stop shooting? ## Suresh Shyamlal Gupta, president of All Indian Cine Workers Association (AICWA), told IANS: "The film industry hardly ever follows regulations. Whenever any circular is issued, there will be some people within the industry who will not follow it. People who don't follow government circulars, will they listen to producers? Some shoots will continue to happen." ## Gupta's words were repeated by Prince Sheikh, who works as a casting coordinator for television shows across the city. ## Prince said: "Some or the other shoot will continue. Not every shoot will stop. But there are always doctors present on the sets for any kind of medical emergency." ## Currently, at least 50 per cent of the shoots have stopped at the Film City but the rest of the them will continue till March 18 at least> Going by Gupta's contention, a lot of these shoots are happening under conditions of "gross negligence". ## "Almost 50 per cent of shoots have stopped at Goregaon Film City. The rest are still shooting. Nobody is wearing a mask or using sanitiser. They are at least 150-200 people on the sets including child artistes as young as four. There is gross negligence," said Suresh Gupta. ## He added that Principal Secretary of the Health Department, Dr Pradeep Vyas, has issued a notification saying that whatever shoot is going on within the industry premises, should ensure proper safety measures. However, in most Film City washrooms and basins, you hardly ever spot soap or handwash. Detergent powder, which used for washing clothes, is mixed with water and kept in plastic bottles to pass off as handwash. ## While masks seem to be distant dream for lower rung workers in Film City, most daily wage workers make do with covering their mouths with handkerchiefs. ## For more and the latest news about Bollywood, stay tuned to us.

BY SACNILK

Mumbai, March 17 (IANS) As per notification issued by Indian Motion Pictures Producers' Association, Federation of Western India Cine Employees and other similar bodies, shooting for films, TV shows, digital shows and all other entertainment formats will be stopped between March 19 and 31 owing to the COVID-19 pandemic. While filmstars, filmmakers and other celebrities get to spend quality time with their families and also relax for a few days, what happens to the grassroots-level workers of the film industry, who get paid per day? What happens to technicians, spotboys, camera and crane operators, freelance makeup artists or hairstylists? ## Unfortunately, the picture is far from rosy for these people, and most of them are already worried. For most of them, one day's work -- which might last upto 16 hours -- normally means just a few hundred rupees, and a lot of them are the sole breadwinners of their families. Bollywood shutting down would mean even that paltry income will stop. ## Freelance hairstylist Snehal told IANS: "I am a single woman. I stay in a rented apartment and have to bear all my costs. If shoot stops for so many days, how will we survive? I don't have much savings to last for a long time." ## Snehal, a Mira Road resident, added: "Normally, hairstylists like us get around Rs 2,000 on a daily basis. Most of us get to work for 10 to 15 days a month. That's how the industry works. If you working a full month -- like in TV serials -- then you get Rs 1200 daily. If that also stops coming, how will we manage? As it is, there are too many people and too less work and it is not easy to get work. Due to the current situation, even pre-shoot meetings and auditions are getting postponed. If shoots do not start, we won't get work." ## As per the notification, shooting is expected to stop from March 19. Owing to panic, half of Goregaon's Film City had already stopped shooting by Tuesday, March 17. Most people declared they were in no mood to take risks. Celebrities as well as junior artistes are routinely absent from pre-scheduled shoots. ## Casting coordinator Prince Sheikh revealed: "I am casting for a mythological show right now but I am not getting good response from actors owing to this coronavirus scare. If earlier, a hundred people responded to an ad posted by me, now hardly 10 are turning up." ## Big stars have already started cancelling shoots. Reveals a source: "A couple of days ago, shoot for an advertisement was scheduled with an A-lister actress in Film City. She did not turn up owing to the coronavirus scare, and the entire shoot was cancelled. A celebrity can afford not to turn up, but if a technician, a spotboy, a lightman, a cameraman and a junior artiste does not turn up, they stand to lose their job. Junior artists get paid as less as Rs 300-400 and other workers get Rs 600-700 for working upto 16 hours." ## While shooting scheduled to be stopped for 13 days at a stretch, the lockdown could be extended depending upon circumstances. How will these people manage? Not coronavirus, but the question of running their households is right now the bigger concern for these people Bollywood's lower-rung professionals. ## For more and the latest news about Bollywood, stay tuned to us.

BY SACNILK

Mumbai, March 17 (IANS) Rashami Desai is doing her best to create awareness about coronavirus among fans. After giving advice to her followers on how to stay protected amid the ongoing situation, a video doing the rounds on the Internet shows the "Uttaran" fame actress getting her temperature checked before entering the set of her new show "Naagin 4".## The video was posted by celebrity photographer Viral Bhayani on his Instagram handle on Monday.## Rashami even commented a heart emoji on the video.## Producer Ekta Kapoor too commented. She said: "Till shoots end today. Naagin getting checked."## Rashami is playing the role of Shalaka in Naagin 4. Before this, she entertained the audience with her stint in "Bigg Boss 13".## For more and latest news about TV, stay tuned with us.

BY SACNILK

New Delhi, March 17 (IANS) It is human nature to look for a bit of comic relief even in the grimmest situations, and the ongoing coronavirus pandemic is no different. While the disease spreads, several celebrities, as well as netizens, have taken to social media to spread some joy with songs about COVID-19. These include popular names like Ali Zafar, Narendra Chanchal and Jaime Lever among others.## The peppy numbers talk about where disease starts from, about hygiene, the necessity of wearing masks, and emphasise on washing hands.## Here is the complete IANS dossier on songs that define an emerging genre that could perhaps be dubbed Corona Pop.## * Narendra Chanchal's coronavirus bhajan: Veteran devotional singer Narendra Chanchal's video of a bhajan on the virus at a recent Holi function has gone viral. The opening line of the song goes: Dengue bhi aaya, swine flu bi aaya, Chikungunya ne shor machaya, Khabre ki ki ho na, O kitthon aaya corona, Maiya ji, kitthon aaya corona (There was dengue, there was swine flu. Chikungunya created some noise, too. All of it made news, but where did corona come from).## * Jaime Lever's "Kolaveri di" recreation for COVID-19: Jaime recreated Dhanush's popular "Kolaveri di" number into "Why this corona disease?". The funny part is that the song starts with Jaime coughing and then she explaining that the disease began from Wuhan, China and then emphasises on washing hands and wearing masks. In the song later, Jaime also talks about the theatres and airports being shut. The video currently has 13,285 views on Instagram. She captioned her video: "WHY THIS CORONA DISEASE... CORONA DISEASE Song."## * Ali Zafar's "Ko Ko Coronavirus song": The video starts with Ali saying in Hindi that: "Right now, entire human race is fighting a crisis which we all have to fight". He then describes the virus as "upar se sharmeela lekin andar se shaitan ka saala". In the track, he says if one has symptoms should immediately should see a doctor. He then stresses that instead of shaking hands say hello from a distance and sacrifice social life for sometime. His video has 632K views on Instagram and he captioned it "Ko ko Coronavirus... se kaisay larna hai. Ghor se bhaee ka song suno."## *Cardi B's tweet turned into a rap track: A DJ named iMarkkeyz turned rapper Cardi B's COVID-19 warning into a song with a music video which went viral, reports iheart.com. iMarkkeyz, over the weekend, dropped a remix of the "Bodak Yellow" hitmaker's previous Instagram video where she spoke of her concern about the virus. "Coronavirus, Coronavirus, sh*t is getting real, sh*t is getting real, sh*t is real," Cardi is heard saying before the beat drops and she's heard speaking over a hip hop beat. The remix and its video went viral after its release with the rapper even reacting to it on Twitter. "At this point I want royalties," Cardi tweeted##

BY SACNILK

Madhubani (Bihar), March 17 (IANS) Amid the coronavirus scare in the country, a Bihar couple feted for world-famous Madhubani paintings is leading the efforts to use the art form on face masks to exhort the public to fight the dreaded disease.## Remant Mishra and his wife Usha, who has been felicitated for their contribution to the art form, said that artistes of Madhubani paintings in Jitwarpur village in the district have, through voluntary efforts, painted the face masks along with slogans like 'Save Humanity, Get Rid of Corona', 'Go Corona Go', etc.## Remant said that he would distribute 200 such face masks free of cost to artists and other members of the public.## Usha Mishra said that they purchased these masks with money from their own pocket and roped in local Madhubani artists to paint these. She said that the masks with Madhubani paintings and slogans were their contribution to the efforts to fight the coronavirus, which has so far claimed more than 7,000 human lives across the world.## She said that though the money they spent on the endeavor was not big, the message they intend to send across to the public was.## She said that the painted masks would be distributed among artists who travel far and wide to popularise their art. These masks will not only protect them but also help spread the message, Usha pointed out.## Remant has showcased his Madhubani painting skills in many government buildings and offices, including the government's Circuit House in Madhubani. He recently returned from Mauritius after holding training classes there.## Remant asserted that there was no need for the public to be afraid of coronavirus but to remain aware and alert. He said that he could paint more face masks in case someone purchased these for the purpose.## For more and latest news about Art and Culture, stay tuned with us.

BY SACNILK

Mumbai, March 17 (IANS) If you are missing your gym sessions due to coronavirus outbreak, don't worry. Actress Katrina Kaif has shared some amazing workout exercises you all can do at home, amid the COVID-19 lockdown.## Taking to her Instagram account, Katrina posted a couple of her workout videos. She is seen performing squats, pushups and situps along with her trainer Yasmin Karachiwala at her terrace.## "#WorkoutatHome Can't go to the gym so sharing the workout that Yas and I did at home. Stay safe and be active if u can## 1 Squat & Side Leg Lifts - 3 sets x 20 reps## 2 Reverse Lunge - 3 sets x 15 reps## 3 Situp - 3 sets x 20 reps## 4 Pushup - 3 sets x 15 reps (you can substitute with incline pushups or knee pushups)## 5 Plank to ‘T' - 3 sets x 15 reps## 6 Mountain Climbers - 4 slow and 15 tempo x 3 sets," Katrina wrote.## Katrina's workout videos come after the shutdown of gyms in several areas, including Delhi and Maharashtra, in the wake of coronavirus scare.## For more and latest news about Bollywood, stay tuned with us.

BY SACNILK

The Covid-19 shutdown has come as a totally unexpected blow for the entertainment industry as a whole, and the film industry in particular. There have been cinema shutdowns earlier but those were usually voluntary and planned, as a protest against some government high-handedness or unreasonable taxes and such.## All sectors will suffer including exhibition trade, studios, and the television and OTT platforms, not to mention actors not used to sitting idle. The film industry-related associations have decided to suspend all shooting activities starting March 19. So, there will be no new content.## For the film industry, it is a totally loss-making situation. The others, television, and OTT can still manage -- television with reruns and OTT with the content pool they already have. In fact, OTT may remain the only alternative available to those seeking a pastime.## What works against the cinema? It is a place of gathering, hence a complete no-no under the circumstances because coronavirus mandates no personal contact. The cinemas will continue to bear fixed costs like salaries to staff and property-related costs, even as all their revenue-generating will dry out. There will be no box office collections and, hence, no canteen and parking revenues. Add to this the advertising and auxiliary income from sources like ticket booking portals.## Although the closure of all activities related to entertainment has been put on hold till March 31 as of now, there is no certainty that work may resume after that. The way things stand, there are possibilities of further extension of the shutdown.## As a follow-up, all production offices, as well as studios, have closed down. Major production houses like Yash Raj Films, Dharma Productions, Nadiadwala, Viacom, and others have also closed their offices. All corporate houses in the film business have declared the closure of all their offices all over.## According to Brijesh Tandon, a prominent cinema chain holder from Delhi, while not all cinemas he controls have closed down, they are doing so gradually, because footfalls are limited. Also, how long can they keep screening the same feature week after week, as no new films are in the offing?## At this stage, it is not possible to put a finger on the losses the industry will incur.## As for the revenue loss at the box office, Atul Mohan, editor of the trade magazine, Complete Cinema, estimates it to be over Rs 100-125 crore per week.## It is rather ironic that the working class has all the time in the world with nothing to do and nowhere to go!## For more and latest news about Bollywood, stay tuned with us.

BY SACNILK

Mumbai, March 17 (IANS) Television actress Divyanka Tripathi's tweet amid the COVID-19 pandemic has come under flak on social media.## Divyanka, who is known for her role in "Yeh Hai Mohabbatein", had tweeted: "With such less traffic in Mumbai, it seems like an opportunity to quickly complete Metro, bridges and smooth roads."## The actress also shared a video showing how she found no traffic and hopes by the time the coronavirus threat is gone, the metro and road work will be completed as workers can now function without hassles, reports timesofindia.indiatimes.com.## The contention, however, did not go down well with social media users.## They found her tweet to be "insensitive" and asked her to delete the tweet.## One said: "Those laborers are also human beings. It is an emergency and safety is for everyone."## "As if the engineers & construction worker lifer not important .. such a vague & unrequired tweet at this moment," wrote another.## The third user said: "Please delete this tweet. It looks insensitive. Metro workers laborers are also human beings."## One more called the tweet "Insensitive" and asked her to "Delete this tweet".## For more and latest news about TV, stay tuned with us.

BY SACNILK

Los Angeles, March 17 (IANS) Singer Billie Eilish has scrapped all remaining dates of her current tour while urging fans not to be "stupid" amid the coronavirus pandemic.## The 18-year-old singer took to Twitter to follow up on her decision to postpone some shows last week, sharing that all her remaining "Where Do We Go?" North American tour dates would be rescheduled, reports aceshowbiz.com.## Eilish announced that her upcoming tour was rescheduled due to Coronavirus.## She made a more personal announcement on her Instagram Story timeline, telling followers to pay attention to guidelines from officials at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.## "Don't panic, but don't be stupid. It (coronavirus) is a really big deal right now and it is not a joke. I know because a lot of us haven't seen it with our eyes - what it's been doing and who it's been affecting - it's hard to understand that it's real. But it really is real, and I've seen a lot of young people out in the world, all over the place, going to the club or going to the beach, just going out and hanging out. It's really irresponsible," she said.## Eilish went on to note that the trend for "social distancing" is "everyone's responsibility" because people should consider the older, weaker people around them.## She also suggested fans stay inside as much possible and resist the temptation to buy up basic goods and toiletries in bulk: "Don't panic, there are enough supplies for people - don't hoard things."## For more and latest news about Hollywood, stay tuned with us.