Didn't raise asset naming issue to gain favour: Rishi Kapoor

June 26, 2016

New Delhi, Jun 26: Actor Rishi Kapoor, who had kicked up a storm by criticising the practice of naming the major assets of the country after Gandhi-Nehru family, has claimed he did not rake up the issue to gain political favours from the Modi government.

RishiThe 63-year-old actor, in a series of tweets, had criticised the Congress party for naming public assets after Gandhi-Nehru family members.

"I have no aspirations to become a politician, nor did I say this to please the ruling party. I was neither trying to impress anybody, nor do I seek Padma award or Rajya Sabha membership," Kapoor said, while replying to Rajat Sharma on India TV show "Aap Ki Adalat".

The actor said he respected the Gandhi-Nehru family but was not in the favour of naming national assets after a single family.

"Don't we have eminent people who built cities and our great country. The Kapoor family has been a supporter of Congress every time, but the issue is that sycophants in the party are trying to name all public assets to please the family," he said, adding Delhi alone had 64 assets that were named after the Gandhi-Nehru family.

When asked about his recent praise of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Kapoor said, "I feel whatever Modiji is saying is correct. My only request to him is that he should fulfill his promises soon. I am patiently waiting and I am hopeful he would definitely fulfill."

The actor was trolled on Twitter after his comments with some people calling him a "Modi-bhakt' but Kapoor said he is fine with the moniker.

"Yes, I am a Bhakt (worshiper), but a Bhakt of God. I do not know what connotation this word has nowadays, but yes, if so be it, yes I am."

The actor was also all praise for HRD Minister Smriti Irani for her "emotional and courageous speeches".

When asked about not getting a Padma award during the Congress regime, Kapoor said only people with close connections in Delhi are awarded.

"Yes, I learnt this after working for 44 years. Now even the age of getting an award is over. But my regret is that even Shammi Kapoor was not honoured. It's sad. In our government, a person is awarded only if one has a pull in Delhi. They don't give awards to deserving person," Kapoor said.

The episode featuring Rishi Kapoor will be telecast tonight at 10pm on India TV and a repeat telecast scheduled for tomorrow at 10am and 10pm.

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July 18,2020

Mumbai, Jul 18: Filmmaker and Yash Raj Films (YRF) chairman Aditya Chopra on Saturday recorded his statement with the Mumbai Police in connection with actor Sushant Singh Rajput death case, an official said.

Police have sought information about a contract signed between Rajput and YRF from Chopra who visited Versova police station this morning and left after four hours, the official said.

The "Chhichore" actor, 34, was found hanging at his apartment in Mumbai on June 14. No suicide note was found from the spot by the police.

The police are investigating allegations that professional rivalry, besides clinical depression, drove the actor to suicide.

Police are also trying to understand the reason behind Rajput ending his contract with YRF, the official said.

Earlier, the police had recorded statement of YRF's casting director Shanoo Sharma.

The police had recorded statements of 34 persons, including Rajput's family members and close friends like actors Rhea Chakraborty and Sanjana Sanghi, in connection with the case.

Maharashtra Home Minister Anil Deshmukh on Friday dismissed the need for a CBI probe into the death case of Rajput, saying the Mumbai police are capable of handling the matter.

On Thursday, Rhea Chakraborty demanded a CBI inquiry to understand what "pressures" prompted Rajput to take the extreme step of suicide.

Rajput starred in films such as Shuddh Desi Romance', Raabta, Kedarnath and Sonchiriya. But his most prominent role came as cricketer Mahendra Singh Dhoni in the biopic, MS Dhoni: The Untold Story.

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June 30,2020

Mumbai, Jun 30: Actor Aamir Khan on Tuesday issued a statement and confirmed that some of his staff members have tested positive for COVID-19, while the rest of his family members have tested negative.

Khan also announced that he was taking his mother for a COVID-19 test and urged his fans to pray for her test to come out as negative.

The '3 Idiots' star put out the statement on Instagram and said, "This is to inform you that some of my staff have tested positive. They were immediately quarantined, and BMC officials were very prompt and efficient in taking them to a medical facility."

Thanking the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) for their precautionary steps, he added, "I would like to thank the BMC for taking such good care of them, and for fumigating and sterilising the entire society."

Informing about the health of his family members, the 'Thugs of Hindostan' actor added, "The rest of us have all been tested and found negative," and informed that, "Right now I am taking my mother to get her tested. She is the last person in the loop. Please pray that she is negative."

Thanking the BMC, and hospital authorities for their swift prompt, he added, "I would, once again, like to thank the BMC for the prompt, professional and caring manner in which they helped us. And a big thank you to Kokilaben Hospital and the doctors, nurses and staff there. They were very caring and professional with the testing process."

Aamir also urged his fans to be safe amid the coronavirus outbreak.

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May 30,2020

Mumbai, May 30: Actor Vaani Kapoor on Saturday said she will go on a virtual date with five people as part of an initiative to raise money for daily wage earners, who have been affected due to the nationwide lockdown implemented to rein in coronavirus.

Vaani has teamed up with actor Arjun Kapoor's sister Anshula Kapoor’s online fundraising platform, Fankind, to raise funds for daily wage workers.

Vaani and Fankind have come together to provide five of her fans a chance to go on a virtual date with her - by donating to provide food to daily wage workers.

“As human beings, we will need to come forward and support as many people as possible in need due to the coronavirus pandemic in our country. I’m doing my bit to support the daily wage earners of our country and their families who are in dire situations given the lockdown.

“My activity, in which five lucky winners can have a virtual date with me, will see us collect funds to help feed them and their families across the country," Vaani said in a statement.

Earlier, Arjun too supported the initiative to help daily wage earners.

According to the press release, the funds will go to GiveIndia, a non-profit organisation, which will provide hot cooked meals to wage earners and their families. Each meal costs Rs 30 and will be delivered in various areas of Maharashtra, Bangalore, and Chennai.

A.T.E. Chandra Foundation has also come on board and will be adding 25 percent of the total donation value collected as a matching amount, thereby multiplying the impact, the release said.

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