BY IANS NEWS

Mumbai, April 6 (IANS) Amid the ongoing lockdown due to the coronavirus crisis, the Cine And TV Artistes' Association (CINTAA) has appealed to A-list members as well as masses to pitch in with rations and funds as a donation for daily wage workers.## CINTAA is an autonomous body registered under the Indian Trade Union Act.## "Since CINTAA has a very limited corpus, we are not a cash-rich association. Our charitable sister trust, the Cine Artist Welfare Trust (CAWT) is also running out of funds," said actor Amit Behl, Senior Joint Secretary & Chairperson Outreach Committee CINTAA.## "We have appealed to all our members and A-listers to start helping us by donating ration and some funds. We have also circulated the account number and IFSC of Cine Artist Welfare Trust giving them the benefit of 80G certificate," Behl added.## The responses have already started pouring in. There are many many of CINTAA's senior and well-established actors who are also sending their appeal videos.## CINTAA has also approached the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting and the Government of Maharashtra, urging them to request the broadcasters to release payments in times of crisis.## "Generally, there is a 90-120 day cycle where payments are cleared," said Behl.## Meanwhile, the association has pledged to help its members in need. They have been making and distributing ration packets, also, Rs. 2000 per member based on the actual needs is also being compensated.## "The start has happened. We are trying our best to help our members," Behl added.## Stay tuned...

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New Delhi, April 6 (IANS) Irrfan Khans "Angrezi Medium" released at a time when the COVID-19 pandemic was starting to hit India, resulting in the closure of theatres around the country. Now with the film finding its way onto the digital medium, the team of the movie got a chance to reunite, virtually, and watch it together.## The film had its world digital premiere on Disney+ Hotstar VIP on April 6.## The "Angrezi Medium" cast got emotional with the digital medium bringing them together -- despite the distance and lockdown.## Irrfan and Radhika Madan were joined by Kiku Sharda, Pankaj Tripathi, Deepak Dobriyal, Ranvir Shorey as well as Dinesh Vijan and Homi Adajania during the video chat. Irrfan, however, didn't come in front of the camera during the video chat.## Directed by Homi Adajania, "Angrezi Medium" revolves around a father-daughter relationship, played out by Irrfan and Radhika. It also features Dimple Kapadia and Kareena Kapoor Khan. The film is presented by Jio Studios and Prem Vijan and is a Maddock Films production.## Talking about the film coming on a streaming service, Kareena said: "Naina is always going to be a special character for me. But more importantly, as an artist, it is fascinating to explore new mediums to reach audiences. I can't wait to catch ‘Angrezi Medium' on Disney+Hostar VIP -- the film is a sure shot cure for these isolation blues."## To this, Deepak added: "At a time like this, it's very important for all of us to stay home and stay safe. But we hope to keep you entertained during this process and I am extremely excited that ‘Angrezi Medium' is now out on a digital platform. This movie is very close to my heart and has worked with Irrfan bhai yet again is a joyous feeling."## Stay tuned...

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Mumbai, April 6 (IANS) Singer Mika Singh, and his neighbor and actress Chahatt Khanna worked on a new single titled "Quarantine love" during the lockdown period that started last month due to the COVID-19 pandemic.## While Mika has lent vocals to the song, the "Bade Achhe Lagte Hain" actress features in the video.## "Mika and I had plans of collaborating for a long time, but nothing had materialized. But now that we are just homebound and we are neighbors, we thought of creating something exciting," said the actress.## "It was just the two of us who shot it and we had taken all the precautions while shooting it. It was super fun and I am sure everyone is going to love the outcome," she added.## They are planning to unveil the track this week.## Meanwhile, Chahatt, who was last seen on the big screen in "Prassthanam", has been putting up her photos and videos on Instagram.## Stay tuned...

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Mumbai, April 6 (IANS) Akshay Kumar, Ayushmann Khurrana, Tiger Shroff, Kartik Aaryan, Ananya Panday, Kriti Sanon, Rajkumar Rao, and Taapsee Pannu are among a slew of Bollywood celebrities who feature in a new song, "Muskurayega India", which aims to boost people's spirits in the fight against the novel coronavirus.## Sung by Vishal Mishra, the track's video begins with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's speech.## Rakul Preet, Sidharth Malhotra, and cricketer Shikhar Dhawan are also part of the song.## In the video, the actors can be seen urging Indians to spread smiles.## Akshay took to Instagram and shared the link of the song. "All we need is a united stand. Aur Phir #MuskurayegaIndia! Do share with your family and friends," he wrote.## "Muskurayega India" has been presented by Jackky Bhagnani's JJust Music in association with Akshay Kumar's Cape of Good Films.## Stay tuned...

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Mumbai, April 6 (IANS) Actor-model-fitness enthusiast Milind Soman suggests meditation for peace of mind in these times of COVID-19 stress, often triggered off by all the rumors, speculations and fake news emanating about the disease.## "So much conflicting information online. So much uncertainty. What will the world be like in a few months? What about the virus. What about the economy. Let's not overthink this. Go with the flow. Whatever shape the world takes, we must be prepared. Our minds must be prepared. Strong. And centered," Milind wrote on Instagram.## "Meditation, if practiced for as few as 10 minutes each day, can help you control stress, decrease anxiety, improve cardiovascular health, and achieve a greater capacity for relaxation," added the 54-year-old.## He also offered suggestions about how to perform meditation for those who do not know.## Milind wrote:## "How to Start Meditating?## Set a timer. Start with 5 mins.## Put on Music that you find calming.## Sit or lie down comfortably in a quiet place.## Breathe normally through your nose, with your mouth closed. Focus on your breath, as you inhale and exhale. If you notice your mind being distracted by thoughts, gently bring it back to the breath."## Stay tuned...

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Mumbai, April 6 (IANS) Actor Priyank Sharma has made his relationship with "Bigg Boss 11" housemate Benafsha Soonawala official with a mushy photo online.## In the photo, the two are seen cozied-up, with Priyank's lips on her cheek. He simply captioned it: "Confirmation", with a red heart emoji.## Benafsha also used the same image and got a little music for the caption. She used pop star Justin Bieber's song lyrics for it. She wrote: "Can't nobody keep me like you, Call it unconventional, My love is habitual."## This might be their "confirmation" photo, but they have often taken to Instagram to post their photos which made their fans speculate about their relationship long ago.## The duo was seen sharing screen space during their stint in the "Bigg Boss 11" house in 2017. Even after the show, they took their friendship ahead of and now it has finally resulted in an official relationship.## Benafsha had made her film debut in 2019 with "Chopsticks".## Last year, when IANS asked her about being romantically linked to Priyank, she had said: "We are just friends and will always be buddies."## Stay tuned...

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Mumbai, April 6 (IANS) Actress Sara Ali Khan has tips for her fans to beat lockdown boredom -- especially the Monday blues during the ongoing COVID-19 lockdown.## Taking to Instagram, Sara posted a throwback dance rehearsal video. What's more, the budding actress seemed to be in a poetic mood, rhyming her advice in the caption.## "Monday motivation...Sara's suggestion- dance edition... Revisit any previous tradition... Riyaaz, training, repetition... It'll all come to fruition... And of course- I must mention In this ‘quarantine' any routine will help your condition.#sarakishayari #QuarantineKiTayari #stayhome #staysafe," she wrote.## Reacting to the post, a user commented: "Much needed motivation."## Another one commented: "Beautiful and amazing."## On the work front, Sara will be next seen opposite Varun Dhawan in the remake of "Coolie No.1". She will also be seen sharing screen space with Dhanush and Akshay Kumar in "Atrangi Re".## Stay tuned...

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Mumbai, April 6 (IANS) Actress Kajol has come up with an innovative way to tell her fans how to spend time at home during the coronavirus lockdown. She recently took to social media and shared a series of pictures of herself to give netizens meaningful advice in a humorous way.## Sharing a picture of herself and actress Madhuri Dixit Nene taking a selfie together, Kajol wrote: "Stay connected with your friends through video calls."## Responding to the tweet, Madhuri said: "Absolutely Kajol, staying in touch with your friends is so important to keep yourself sane during this time!"## She also posted a still of her from her movie "Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge" in which she's seen reading a book.## "Read... it increases knowledge," she captioned the image.## On the work front, Kajol recently wooed the audience with her short film, "Devi". Now she will be seen in Netflix's film "Tribhanga".## Stay tuned...

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Mumbai, April 6 (IANS) Rapper Badshah has been facing plagiarism charges on social media lately over his new single "Genda Phool" after netizens pointed out portions of the song have been lifted from the popular Bangla folk hit of the seventies, "Boroloker biti lo", created by veteran Bengali artiste Ratan Kahar. Now, Badshah has finally reached out to the impoverished Kahar via video call, promising him recognition and monetary aid.## The rapper called on Kahar on Friday night and also promised to meet him as soon as the lockdown is over, according to a report in news18.com, which added that the rap star's team has taken down Kahar's bank details over the phone.## Another report in Bengali daily Ei Samay claims that not just monetary help, Ratan Kahar will also be given his due recognition for his creation.## "I have had a detailed discussion with Badshah about Ratan Kahar. Even though the video has already been released, it will be edited and Kahar's name will be mentioned as co-lyricist. This will be done in addition to monetary help, Badhsha has told me," Dipankar Roy from Badshah's team told Ei Samay.## "Genda Phool", with a music video featuring Bollywood star Jacqueline Fernandez, has been trending ever since release.## Stay tuned...

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Mumbai, April 6 (IANS) Trolls have been having a field day ever since Bollywood veteran Amitabh Bachchan started sharing posts related to COVID-19. The iconic actor is yet again being trolled on social media after he posted a fake #9pm9minutes satellite image of India.## Amitabh on Monday took to Twitter, where he re-tweeted a picture, which he claimed was a satellite picture of India during the #9pm9minutes activity planned by PM Narendra Modi, had appealed to the nation to switch off all lights of houses on April 5 at 9 PM for 9 minutes.## Bachchan shared the photo by captioning it: "The World sees us... we are ONE.."## Moments after the actor's tweet went viral, social media users started trolling him for sharing yet another "fake WhatsApp forward" on social media.## One user wrote: "Koi phone lelo sir ke hath se (please someone takes away the phone from sir's hand)."## Another wrote: "Whatsapp ruined the celebs by unmasking them and exposing their superlative levels of stupidity."## A user said: "Seriously?"## A netizen requested him to "uninstall WhatsApp".## "You need to quit those WhatsApp groups and stop following some handles," another tweeted.## This is not the first time Big B has been trolled over his twitter posts.## He was earlier criticized for sharing a video where he claimed flies can spread COVID-19.## Also, during the Janta curfew announcement by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Big B had tweeted to support the contention that vibrations from clapping and blowing conch shells would reduce or destroy the potency of the coronavirus because it was "Amavasya". The theory was heavily panned on social media.## Stay tuned...

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Mumbai, April 6 (IANS) Actress Bhumi Pednekar is giving social distancing tips to hundreds of children in Madhya Pradesh via video calls.## She said: "The terms social distancing and self-isolation needs to be hammered into the minds of every individual of this vast country because such things are a privilege in a densely populated nation like ours. I decided that I will speak to all the children and the faculty and authorities of the institute through video calling facilities to discuss COVID-19 and the threat it poses to every one of us."## Bhumi has been supporting Abhyudaya Ashram, home, and school for abandoned, socially backward and underprivileged children, including girls rescued from prostitution for nearly three years now.## The Morena-based school was established in 1992 to fight the prostitution of girls in the valley and has expanded into housing boys too. The school looks to open up job opportunities for the children thus empowering them and also providing a better future to them.## She added: "I have been speaking to each and every member of the ashram and telling them about the do's and don'ts at this time of crisis."## The "Pati Patni Aur Woh" actress says she intends to keep as many of my near and dear ones safe and protected.## "I'm hoping they will spread this message within their communities. The risk is high currently and we all have to do our bit to battle coronavirus and stop it from spreading further," she said.## On the work front, Bhumi will next be seen in "Dolly Kitty Aur Woh Chamakte Sitare" directed by Alankrita Shrivastava. The film also stars Konkana Sen Sharma.## Stay tuned...

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Mumbai, April 6 (IANS) Filmmaker Vidhu Vinod Chopra's "Shikara", set against the backdrop of the Kashmiri Pandit exodus from the Kashmir Valley in 1990, released in February but he has been wanting to tell a story on the incident for long.## "I have wanted to tell the story of Kashmiri Pandits exodus for over a decade. I am glad I could finally bring this untold story of our exile to life with this film," said Chopra, who once had a home in Kashmir.## "Shikara" follows the story of Shiv and Shanti, two Kashmiri Pandits, chronicling their survival through 30 years of exile.## "Through 'Shikara', we aimed at spreading the message that there would be no hope left if all love is lost. It is a tale of resilience and love, in the direst of circumstances. Something we all need an extra dose of now," he said.## Directed by Chopra, the film stars newcomers Aadil Khan and Sadia in the lead.## "Shikara" has made its digital premiere on Amazon Prime Video.## Stay tuned...