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Chennai, March 22 (IANS) Tamil movie director, producer, actor, play writer Visu, 74, on Sunday died here due to old age ailments.## Tamil Nadu BJP leaders condoled the death.## Born as M.R. Viswanathan and popularly known as Visu is noted for his family-centric movies.## He began his career as an Assistant Director under ace Director late K.Balachandar and later branched off on his own. He also hosted a couple of television shows.## Most of the movies directed by him revolved around joint families and the issues faced by them.## Some of Visu's popular movies are 'Samsaram Adhu Minsaram', 'Manal Kayaru', 'Dowry Kalyanam'.## In his condolence message, Tamil Nadu BJP President L. Murugan said Visu's death is a great loss for his family and for the art world.## Visu had joined BJP in 2016.## Former Union Minister and BJP leader Pon Radhakrishnan also condoled Visu's death.## For more and latest news about Kollywood, stay tuned with us.

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Mumbai, March 22 (IANS) The Bollywood film trade was excited when Ajay Devgn and filmmaker Indra Kumar declared they were returning with a new comedy after last year's superhit "Total Dhamaal", and now that film's title has been officially announced.## The film has been named "Thank God", and it will also feature Rakul Preet Singh and Sidharth Malhotra. According to a report in bollywoodhungama.com, the film is about a couple of goodnatured, goofy men who are out to reform society, and their hilarious adventures.## Reportedly, Indra Kumar has been scripting the project over several years.## The website quoted Rakul Preet as saying shooting for the film was to start on April 10, but the schedule has been pushed owing to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. If all is well, the makers are looking at the summer of 2021 for a possible release date.## The project was announced in December 2019, as a co-production between Ajay Devgn and T-Series.## "Total Dhamaal", the third part of the "Dhamaal" series, had grossed over Rs 150 crore upon release last year.## For more and latest news about Bollywood, stay tuned with us.

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Los Angeles, March 22 (IANS) Pop star Rihannas non-profit organisation, The Clara Lionel Foundation, has announced an emergency donation of $5 million (around Rs 37.8 crore) towards efforts to fight the COVID-19 pandemic. ## The charity announced through the singer's education and emergency organisation will aid associations such as The World Health Organization's COVID-19 Solidarity Response Fund, the International Rescue Committee. Direct Relief, Feeding America, and Partners in Health, according to a report in forbes.com. ## The donation will be used for research to develop vaccines and other therapies, towards research labs and protective gear for health workers, the maintenance of ICUs, the training of healthcare workers, and prevention and containment in countries. ## The website added that the money will also be used to support food banks that are serving at-risk communities in the US, and for the betterment of testing and care facilities in Haiti and Malawi, besides mobilising resources for Native Communities. ## "It doesn't matter who you are or where you're from, this pandemic will affect us all. And for the world's most vulnerable, the worst may be yet to come. Protecting our front line health workers and marginalized communities around the world requires getting ahead of it fast. The time to act is now," the group said in a statement. ## Rihanna lauched her non-profit organisation in 2012, in memory of her grandparents, Clara and Lionel Braithwaite. Other international celebrities who have contributed to the cause of fighting coronavirus include Hollywood couple Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds, singer Ciara and her husband, Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson, fashion designer Donatella Versace and her daughter Allegra Versace Beck. ## For more and the latest news about Hollywood, stay tuned to us.

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Lucknow, March 22 (IANS) Bollywood singer Kanika Kapoor, who tested positive for coronavirus a few days ago, stayed in the same five-star hotel here as the South African cricket team, who were in India for the ODI series against Virat Kohli and Co. which later got postponed. ## "There are reports that she dined in the hotel's buffet and also attended several guests in the lobby," an official was quoted as saying on Sunday. ## "She was living there at a time when the South African team was staying in the hotel for the ODI match, which eventually was called off. There is information that Kanika was seen briefly attending a news channel's annual conclave held at the hotel. Therefore, it is important to scan the CCTV footage and list those who came in contact with her." ## The Quinton de Kock-led South African cricket team were slated to play three ODIs in India but the series had to be postponed amid the outbreak of coronavirus pandemic. They came to Kolkata and travelled via Dubai to their respective destinations and have seen been on mandatory quarantine. ## Kanika has been criticised a lot by netizens for her irresponsible behaviour for not self-quarantining herself upon her return from London and then attending several parties in Lucknow. ## Her family members are now questioning the medical report which declared her as coronavirus positive. ## For more and the latest news about Bollywood, stay tuned to us.

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Mumbai, March 22 (IANS) From Amitabh Bachchan, Akshay Kumar, Hrithik Roshan and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan to Ajay Devgn, Varun Dhawan, Karan Johar and Hema Malini, a slew of Bollywood celebrities on Sunday took part in Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Janata Curfew clapping initiative, to pay tribute to all those who are working round the clock to eradicate COVID-19 from India. ## Akshay along with his neighbour Hrithik came out of their sea-facing houses to clap for the unsung heroes. ## Taking to his Twitter handle, he posted a video in which Akshay, Hrithik and producer Sajid Nadiadwala are seen banging plates. ## "5mins at 5pm :With my neighbours,taking a moment to appreciate those who do not have this luxury of staying at home & working tirelessly to keep us safe.Thank you to all the essential service providers for your selfless work?? #JanataCurfew #BreakCorona," Akshay tweeted. ## Amitabh Bachchan too paid respect to the people who continue working in important sectors such as health services. ## A video is doing the rounds on the internet in which Big B along with his son Abhishek Bachchan , daughter-in-law Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and granddaughter Aaradhya can be seen taking out a moment to ring a bell and clap for the people involved in fighting against coronavirus. ## Big B called Janata Curfew "an unbelievable success". ## "India has created HISTORY .. !! #JanataCurfew an unbelievable success .. and at 5 pm .. the entire country on their balconies roof tops gates and doors applauding the true heroes of the Nation .. NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE THIS !I AM PROUD TO BE AN INDIAN ## JAI HIND Flag of India," Amitabh tweeted. ## Actor Varun Dhawan posted a video on social media in which he is seen clapping along with his father David Dhawan, brother Rohit Dhawan and mother. ## "#JantaCurfew I salute the heroes fighting this virus. Everyone of my generation please look after ur elders . Stay at home House building. We will fight this. Maintain quarantine #SocialDistancingNow," Varun captioned the video. ## Sharing a video of him banging a thali at his balcony, veteran actor Anupam Kher thanked "to all those who tirelessly and selflessly helped others in the difficult times". ## Veteran actress Hema Malini , who blowed the shankh to salute the heroes, tweeted: "On a lighter note but also fully committed to Janta Curfew as well as the 5 mins of thanksgiving to all the medical personnel & all those who are doing so much to keep our country safe from the Corona - this is me practising blowing the shankh in deference to the PM's request." ## For more and the latest news about Bollywood, stay tuned to us.

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Mumbai, March 22 (IANS) As India is observes Janata Curfew on Sunday, Union Minister for the Ministry of Women and Child Development Smriti Irani encouraged netizens to participate in 'online antakshari' to fight boredom amid coronavirus lockdown. ## "We are a 130 crore family so tag karna mushkil hai ki next kaun gaana uthayega isiliye sing / tweet a song coz ye apni marzi wala #TwitterAntakshari hai," Smriti tweeted. ## Seeing her tweet, many celebs, including Karan Johar and Ekta Kapoor participated in the game. ## Filmmaker Karan Johar shared that antakshari is his favourite game to pass time. Not only this, he also mentioned his favourite song "Lag jaa gale". ## "Helloji! Antakshari is my favourite time pass activity! To main Zaroor contribute karna chahoonga... with my favourite song... ## Lag ja gale ... ke phir ye haseen raat ho na ho... Shayad phir is janam mein mulakat ho na ho... ab aapki bari," Karan wrote. ## Responding to Karan's song, Smriti took a humourous dig at him. ## She said that "lag jaa gale " is the wrong song during corona. ## For more and the latest news about Bollywood, stay tuned to us.

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Mumbai, March 22 (IANS) B-Town's high-flying stars have found a way to stay connected despite Janata Curfew. Although life outside has virtually come to a standstill, many among our Bollywood have fallen back on technology to catch up. ## Actress Katrina Kaif on Sunday posted a screenshot of a video call she had with Arjun Kapoor and Varun Dhawan, amid Janata Curfew. ## "Reunited.... our newly reformed 'club' with a very appropriate name '#isolated r us'@varundvn @arjunkapoor #togetherforever. #stayhome #selfquarantine #jantacurfew," she wrote on Instagram. ## Reacting to Katrina's post, Arjun commented: "I love that you have full network." ## Varun wrote: "Farmville." ## In the image, Katrina is seen smiling while Varun is seen lying on bis bed. On the other hand, Arjun is seen making funny faces. ## For more and the latest news about Bollywood, stay tuned to us.

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Mumbai, March 22 (IANS) Amid the coronavirus outbreak, actor Hrithik Roshan has appealed to the public to avoid travelling-- especially by train. ## Retweeting Ministry of Railways' tweet, Hrithik wrote: "It is seen that many people are still using the train and railway station. I would like to request people not to do this. Don't travel by train right now unless absolutely necessary." ## "Do not put yourself and your co-passengers at risk. The government is taking proactive steps. Support them," he further said. ## On March 21, the Ministry of Railways shared that it has "found some cases of coronavirus infected passengers in trains which makes train travel risky". ## For more and the latest news about Bollywood, stay tuned to us.

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Mumbai, March 22 (IANS) Bollywood veteran Amitabh Bachchan is impressed by the enthusiasm with which all of India has been observing Janata Curfew on Sunday, and following due health guidelines in the wake of coronavirus outbreak. ## Taking to his Twitter, Big B hailed the spirit of Indian citizens. ## He wrote: "One plea , one instruct, one invocation, one implore .. AND a nation is in discipline ! ## "WE OBSERVE A COUNTRY SHUT DOWN ! what an exemplary example we have set for the entire World .. for the safety of each other .. ## WE ARE ONE , WE ARE UNIQUE .. ## WE ARE INDIA..JAI HIND." ## Not only this, Big B even shared a video to show the lanes are empty and no one is coming out of their homes. ## "Marine Drive, Mumbai this morning... this is what 'National Discipline' means. Jai Hind, " Amitabh captioned the video. ## Before Janata Curfew, Big B along with other Bollywood stars, including Akshay Kumar, Alia Bhatt, Ajay Devgn, Madhuri Dixit and Ranveer Singh, came together for a special video to spread awareness about the novel coronavirus. ## For more and the latest news about Bollywood, stay tuned to us.

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Mumbai, March 22 (IANS) Star couple Saif Ali Khan and Kareena Kapoor Khan know the best how to keep their little kid Taimur entertained while abiding by Janata Curfew on Sunday, and staying indoors in the wake of coronavirus outbreak. ## Kareena shared a few photographs on her Instagram account in which we can see Saif and Taimur planting saplings in their house's balcony. ## Dressed in white kurta pyjama, the father-son are looking extremely adorable. ## "My boys doing their bit," Kareena captioned the images. ## The 'Jab We Met' actress even urged people to "make the world a better place" and "play their part". ## "Stay Home...Stay Safe. #JanataCurfew," she added. ## For more and the latest news about Bollywood, stay tuned to us.

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Mumbai, March 22 (IANS) Singer Kanika Kapoor, who tested positive for the novel coronavirus a few days ago, has been criticized a lot by netizens for her irresponsible behavior for not self-quarantining herself upon her return from London and then attending several parties in Lucknow. But there's a section of social media who have come in her support. Some of her friends have urged the trollers to show her empathy rather than slamming her.## For the uninitiated, Kanika, who is trained in Indian classical vocal music, is a popular Bollywood singer. She was born and brought up in Lucknow. At a young age of 18, she got married and shifted her base to London with her husband, Raj Chandok in 1997. The two met at Kanika's cousin's wedding.## After spending substantial time and giving birth to three children (two daughters, Aayana and Samara, and a son, Yuvraaj), Kanika separated from her husband and returned to India.## She made her singing debut in 2012 with the song "Jugni Ji", which was the remixed version of Pakistani Sufi song "Alif Allah". And then in 2014, she actually shot to fame with the song "Baby Doll" from the Sunny Leone-starrer "Ragini MMS 2". Later she went on to sing chartbuster songs like "Chittiyan Kalaiyan" and "Lovely".## "I think I have a deep relation with pain... I really have seen a lot in life and I am usually not a person to sit down and cry.## "I do not complain, and rather try to find a way to resolve things. Finally, when I was on the verge of giving up, God gifted me with the opportunity to sing 'Baby Doll'. So yes, then I had no reason to give up," Kanika had earlier told IANS.## There was also a time when Kanika thought of ending her life.## "It happens when you have no money, are going through a bad divorce, and the lawyers are squeezing you to the limit. Plus, you have three kids, who have been thrown out of school because you haven't paid the fees.## Then, you fall sick. You hit a low and feel that there is nothing left. But, at the time, I got a lot of support from my mother, my brother, and a few friends," she had said.## For more and latest news about Bollywood, stay tuned with us.

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Mumbai, March 22 (IANS) Playing the protagonist in the new web series "She" has been an exciting journey for Aaditi Pohankar. The "Lai Bhaari" fame actress plays the lead character on the show.## Aaditi's character in the Imtiaz Ali-scripted show is called Bhumika Pardesi. She is a lady constable who has to pose as a prostitute to help the police force nab a dreaded narcotics dealer.## "What I understood about Bhumika Pardesi is that she is a timid person going through the mundane rhythm of life, where she goes to work and comes back home. When she goes home, where she is with her family, she becomes her real life. She is melancholic, rather masochistic at times," the actress told IANS, describing her character.## The antagonist is a dreaded narcotics dealer named Sasya, played by Vijay Varma.## Talking about how the two characters are interrelated, the actress said: "Sasya is a catalyst in Bhumika's life in a strong way. As Bhumika goes ahead, she is just understanding herself. From being timid, she is realizing that it is okay to be what she is being now and it's okay sometimes to think about Sasya. Nobody is watching her."## In what way was becoming Bhumika a challenge for her? "Challenge is very subjective. It's so much fun! I don't like to go on those scary rides, I would rather go on that ride within my script. I would like to go and not look where I am going to reach but I still want to take that leap, and I want to keep falling down that valley till I feel free. And I feel free at times with that character. Like with Bhumika at times I was just sitting and it did work out very well," Aaditi replied.## "It was not very challenging but of course all the credit goes to Imtiaz sir (Ali) with the great rehearsals that we did, with the amount of talking that we did on it. And of course with Arif sir (Arif Ali, director) and Avinash sir (Avinash Das, director), it didn't feel like a challenge. It has been an exciting journey," she concluded.## Directed by Arif Ali and Avinash Das, the web series has premiered on Netflix on March 20.## For more and latest news about Digital Media, stay tuned with us.