Cops set up helpline for movie theatres as MNS threat looms

October 20, 2016

Mumbai, Oct 20: MNS's attempts to mount pressure against the release of Karan Johar's Ae Dil Hai Mushkil are being countered, thanks to a special helpline set up following a meeting between film producers and top cops in the city on Tuesday.

mnsAt the meeting with director-general Satish Mathur, Mumbai police chief DD Padsalgikar and joint commissioner Deven Bharti, film-makers had sought protection against threats of vandalism by Raj Thackeray's party , which has warned movie halls not to screen the Johar film featuring Pakistani actor Fawad Khan.

The helpline was created to tackle the situation. It directly connects with the crime branch and has been shared with all single screens and multiplexes.

As a result, when Thackera y's supporters trooped into Metro Cinema to holler slogans and hand out a letter against the release of the film, the police promptly swung into action. The action was backed up by some tough-talking by the chief minister. Replying to a question on MNS's attempts to block the release of the film,Devendra Fadnavis said, " Anyone found taking the law into their hands will be dealt with firmly ." He pointed out that police had taken strict action and arrested 12 of the MNS members who walked into Metro cinema. He said they have been sent to judicial custody till November.

On Tuesday evening, Johar had attempted to reach out to the protestors by putting out a video statement in which he spoke of the cordial times between the two nations when the film was shot and made a promise not to engage with Pakistani "talents" in the future while reiterating his love for the country . It led to a rush of reactions on social media, some sympathising with him for having to buckle under pressure and some questioning his intent, even as MNS stubbornly stuck to their stand.

Authorities at the Multiplex Association of India refused to comment on Wednesday's events, but Mukesh Bhatt, president of the Film & Television Producers Guild of India, expressed anguish that their efforts to make peace with the MNS seem to have cut no ice.

Director Shyam Benegal wondered why people need to constantly prove their patriotism."I feel sad that he (Johar) had to make a statement like that... When you are born here, live here or make a livelihood here, you are going to live all your life in your country.You are an important and successful member of society ."

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News Network
May 8,2020

London, May 8: Actor Florence Pugh says the most terrifying aspect of starring in the upcoming superhero film "Black Widow" was doing the Russian accent.

In the Marvel Cinematic Universe's stand-alone film, the Oscar-nominated actor plays Yelena Belova, a sister-figure to Scarlett Johansson's Natasha Romanoff/ the titular Black Widow who was trained in the Red Room.

"I was scared because my Russian accent was going to be out there and I didn't know what it sounded like.

"I'm also playing a character who no-one's seen before but they've read about her. I didn't know whether people were going to hate me!" Pugh told ELLE UK for its June issue.

The 24-year-old actor also said the idea of joining the MCU itself was quite "daunting".

"When you think of Marvel, it's big and daunting. Especially being a relatively small actor to look at it and go, 'Oh! I'm going to be a part of this', that's a big decision," she said.

"Black Widow", which was scheduled to hit the theatres on May 1, will now release on November 6 due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Directed by Cate Shortland, the film also stars David Harbour and Rachel Weisz.

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Agencies
March 24,2020

Los Angeles, Mar 24: In a bizarre video shot from her rose petal filled bathtub, pop star Madonna has called the coronavirus pandemic "a great equaliser".

The music icon said the virus doesn't discriminate between rich and poor.

That's the thing about COVID-1. It doesn't care about how rich you are, how famous you are, how funny you are, how smart you are, where you live, how old you are, what amazing stories you can tell.

It's the great equaliser and what's terrible about it is what's great about it. What's terrible about it is that it's made us all equal in many ways, and what's wonderful about is, is that it's made us all equal in many ways, Madonna said in the video while having a milky bath in tub full of roses.

The 61-year-old singer, who had to cancel two of her concerts in Paris due to coronavirus outbreak, also referenced her 1995 song Human Nature in the video saying we are all going down together .

According to the Johns Hopkins coronavirus tracker, the death toll from the virus globally has risen to 14,641 with 336,000 cases reported in 173 countries and territories.

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News Network
May 10,2020

Mumbai, May 10: Nearly a month after recovering from the coronavirus, actor Zoa Morani says she has donated her blood plasma to do her bit in helping the patients currently suffering from the novel virus. The actor, who was quarantined and kept under medication in April, also urged those who have recovered from COVID-19 to donate their plasma.

"Donated my blood today for the Plasma therapy trials at Nair hospital. It was fascinating! Always a silver lining I suppose. The team there was so enthusiastic and careful. There was a general physician on standby just incase of emergency and the equipment brand new and safe (sic)," Zoa wrote on Instagram on Saturday.

She thanked the doctors for taking care of her and hoped patients benefit from the donation.

"All #Covid19 recovered people can be a part of this trial, to help others covid patients recover! I hope this works #IndiaFightsCorona. They even gave me a certificate and Rs 500. Wont lie, I felt super cool today (sic)," she added.

Zoa, along with her sister Shaza and father, producer Karim Morani had tested positive for coronavirus in April. All three were discharged from the hospital after testing negative last month.

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