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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Agencies
February 5,2020

Chennai, Feb 5: Income Tax sleuths on Wednesday raided top Tamil film actor Vijay's residence here besides conducting simultaneous searches at several premises linked to a film production house, movie financier and distributors in connection with suspected tax evasion.

The searches, which began in as many as 38 locations in Tamil Nadu, were still on and unaccounted cash of about Rs 25 crore was seized from the premises of a Tamil film financier who had faced allegations of intimidation and arm-twisting to recover money, official sources told PTI.

Also, several documents indicating substantial tax evasion has been seized, sources added.

Vijay, who was away in Cuddalore district for a film shoot, was apprised by authorities about the searches and he was en route to his residence here, they said.

So far nothing has been recovered from the actor's house and the inmates were cooperating with authorities in conducting the searches, sources said.

Raids were also on in the premises of the production house that had made Vijay's hugely successful recent Tamil movie 'Bigil.'

Further details are expected after completion of searches which is likely to continue tomorrow.

The State police has been providing security for carrying out the searches.

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News Network
April 4,2020

New Delhi, April 4: Extending a helping hand to curb the spread of coronavirus, superstar Shah Rukh Khan and wife Gauri Khan have offered their personal office space in Mumbai for quarantine purpose for children, elderly and women.

The information was tweeted by the official Twitter handle of BMC (Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation) on Saturday that thanked the couple for the gesture.

"Stronger together. We thank Shah Rukh Khan and Gauri Khan for offering their 4-storey personal office space to help expand our quarantine capacity equipped with essentials for quarantined children, women and elderly, Indeed a thoughtful and timely gesture!" the tweet read.

Earlier the 54-year-old superstar and his group companies had pledged to donate to a number of relief funds, including the Prime Minister's Citizen Assistance and Relief in Emergency Situations (PM-CARES) fund and the Maharashtra Chief Minister's Relief Fund to combat the coronavirus.

The 'Devdas' actor had taken to Twitter on Thursday and shared that his companies -- Kolkata Knight Riders, Red Chillies Entertainment, Meer Foundation, and Red Chillies VFX -- are taking several initiatives to support the relief efforts.

The Padma Shri awardee also announced that his initial efforts will be focused on three cities -- Mumbai, Kolkata and New Delhi, "with the realisation that this is a start and we stand ready to contribute in whichever way possible going forward".

Meanwhile, India's tally of coronavirus positive cases rose to 2,902, said the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare on Saturday.

Out of 2,902 cases, 2,650 are active cases and 184 have been cured or discharged or have migrated. The total number of deaths reported due to the disease rose to 68 on Saturday.

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Agencies
August 5,2020

New Delhi, Aug 5: Playback singer S P Balasubrahmanyam on Wednesday confirmed testing positive for COVID-19 with 'mild' symptoms.

The 74-year-old musician shared the information through a video message posted on his official Facebook page.

In the video, the singer detailed about having a little "discomfort" for two days, stating he had chest congestion along with cold and on-off fever, which led him to get tested for the virus.

However, he also mentioned that he could have stayed at home in self-quarantine, as advised, but did not want to put his family in danger, and hence got admitted by his own choice, to recover quickly.

"I am in good hand, I am in good health. Nobody has to worry about this. The fever has subsided, and in two days I'll be discharged and I'll be home. Thanks for the concern," he said in the video message.

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