Big B, Kangana receive National Awards

May 4, 2016

New Delhi, May 4: Bollywood actor Amitabh Bachchan was on Tuesday accompanied by his family members to the 63rd National Film Awards ceremony here, where the megastar received the best actor honour for his role of a hypochondriac father in Piku.

Actor Kangana Ranaut too turned up with her father, mother, sister and brother to receive the best actress award for Tanu Weds Manu Returns.

Kangana

Veteran film actor and director Manoj Kumar was given the 47th Dadasaheb Phalke Award. Known for featuring in films with patriotic themes, Manoj Kumar presented a Sai Baba idol to President Pranab Mukherjee.

The 78-year-old looked frail in a wheelchair, but was in high spirits as he waved to the cheering crowd when he got on to the stage. The President honoured the cine icon, whose career began in 1957.

A five-member jury — Lata Mangeshkar, Asha Bhosle, Salim Khan, Nitin Mukesh and Anup Jalota — unanimously recommended Manoj Kumar for the prestigious award this year.

The Dadasaheb Phalke Award is given by the government of India for outstanding contribution to the growth and development of Indian cinema. The award consists of a Swarn Kamal (Golden Lotus), a cash prize of Rs.10 lakh and a shawl.

Bachchan’s moment

It was Big B’s fourth National award. His son Abhishek Bachchan, daughter-in-law Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, wife Jaya Bachchan and daughter Shweta Nanda turned up at the ceremony to cheer for the actor. His previous National awards were for his performances in Agneepath, Black and Paa. One of the most sought-after stars in Bollywood, the actor will next be seen in Te3n and Shoojit Sircar’s Pink.

Kangana’s father ‘proud’

Kangana’s father Amardeep Ranaut said it was a proud moment to see his daughter receive her third National Award from the President. “I am very happy. I am a proud father and it is a matter of great pride,” Mr. Ranaut said.

The 29-year-old actor stood out in a pink off-shoulder gown from Beirut-based Lebanese designer Georges Chakra. Kangana teamed her gown with a classic bob, which is similar to the look she will be seen sporting in her upcoming film Rangoon.

Unlike the traditional attire opted by Indian celebrities for such events, Kangana usually goes for international couture. She had opted for a dusty pink gown by India-born designer Bibhu Mohapatra at the 2014 National Awards where she was honoured for her role in Queen. Her first National award was in the best supporting actress category for Fashion. Underlining unity: Pranab

Lauding film-makers for making movies that truly reflect Indian character, President Mukherjee said India had never allowed divergence to create disunity as its people always found unity.

“We did never believe in exclusion, always in inclusion. We did never allow divergence to create disunity. We celebrated divergence because it always finds an underlining unity,” he said.

He expressed his gratefulness to Indian cinema and its doyens from past to present who are also contributing to make “Indian films truly reflective of Indian character of unity amidst diversity.”

Mr. Mukherjee also noted that the Indian film industry, though it has had its ups and downs, has made progress technologically and was also doing well financially.

The President said he had learnt that the domestic revenues of the film industry have risen to Rs. 138 billion in 2015, up from Rs. 126 billion the year before. Even the overseas revenues have grown from Rs. 8.6 billion in 2014 to Rs. 9.6 billion in 2015.

“I am very happy that this time there are a lot of newcomers, who have won awards and what makes it more special is that there are legends, living legends, like Mr. Amitabh Bachchan, who have been honoured too,” the President said.

Mr. Mukherjee said he sometimes marvelled at the varieties of Indian films, adding that managing India in itself was a challenge as it is country with 1.2 billion people who everyday speak 122 languages, 1,800 dialects, follow seven religions and belong to three major ethnic groups. It is a huge diversity living as one administrative system, under one Constitution and one national flag, he said.

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News Network
April 2,2020

New Delhi, Apr 2: Singer-songwriter Justin Bieber on Thursday announced that he is postponing all of his scheduled 2020 concerts for his 'Changes Tour' due to the global outbreak of coronavirus.

The singer took to Instagram and posted a statement on the platform to make an announcement in the regard.

"In light of the current public health crisis. And with the deepest concern for all those being affected. Justin Bieber will be postponing all currently scheduled 2020 dates for the changes tour," read a statement.

"While Justin -along with his band. Dancers and crew - has been hard at work preparing an amazing show. He has always put the health and well-being of his fans first and foremost," the statement further read.

The statement also said that the 'Cold Water' singer, "is anxiously awaiting the opportunity to get back out on the road and perform in a space that is safe for everyone."
Bieber asked all his fans to hold on to their tickets as the dates of the tour will soon be rescheduled.

According to the World Health Organisation, COVID-19 has affected over 8,27,419 people globally and has spread to almost 206 countries.

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Agencies
February 7,2020

Kochi, Feb 7: The younger brother of noted playback singer K J Yesudas was found dead in the backwaters near here, police said.

The body of 62-year old K J Justin, who had reportedly gone missing from his house in Thrikkakara near here on Tuesday evening was found floating in the backwaters near Vallarpadam Container Terminal on Wednesday, they said.

The relatives identified the body, police said adding it was later sent for autopsy at General Hospital here.

A General Hospital spokesperson said the body was handed over to his relatives on Thursday evening after autopsy was performed.

The funeral is expected to be held after the arrival of Yesudas from abroad, police sources said.

Police said the initial investigation suggested it was a case of suicide.

According to police, Jusin's relatives have informed the investigation team that he had been showing signs of suicidal tendency for the last one week as he was allegedly facing some financial problem.

His relatives were not available for comments.

Son of the renowned musician late Augustine Joseph, Justin is survived by his wife.

Justin had been a regular presence at popular ganamela programmes here in the past, sources said.

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News Network
June 19,2020

New Delhi, Jun 19: With the demise of Bollywood actor Sushant Singh Rajput stirring a debate on nepotism in the film industry, singer Sonu Nigam on Thursday spoke out on the "mafia" of the Indian music industry.

Nigam shared a 7-minute-long Vlog (video blog) on his YouTube channel where he is seen talking about roadblocks in the career of the newcomers created by big music labels and in turn urged them to be kind.

"I want to request everyone and especially our music companies to be kind because today an actor - Sushant Sigh Rajput - has passed away, tomorrow you can hear the same about a singer or a composer or a lyrics writer because unfortunately there is a bigger mafia in the music industry than the film industry," the 46-year-old musician said.

He then talks about how the young and struggling musicians are distressed because of the monopoly of "only two music companies" in the industry that rule and decide everything.

"I came into the industry years ago and at a younger age so I didn't fall in the trap but this new generation is going through a lot," he said.

"They are distressed because the composer would want to work with them, the producer and director would want to work with them but the music company would say 'no this is not our artist.' This is not right that the power is in just two hands - two music companies only - they will decide who will sing who will not sing," he added.

He then stressed on the fact that he is completely out of the music industry but the situation is very grim for the newcomers.

"I am out of it and neither do I have any wish to sing since the last 15 years, I am very happy in my own world but I have seen the frustration in the eyes, in the voice and in the words of new singers, new composers, new lyric writers," he said.

"They cry and if they attempt suicide you too will have to answer the questions. Be a little kinder please, to the newcomers because they are Gandharva (skilled singers), please be a little easy on them," he added.

Nigam then shared a personal experience and without naming anyone described how a powerful actor from the Bollywood industry had control over the music world too.

"It might happen with me that the song I am singing and the same actor who is being questioned these days would say 'don't make him sing' as he has deals with Arijit Singh. So, how can you use your power like that?" he said.

"You call me, ask me to sing, and then get my song dubbed. This is funny especially because I have been working since 1991 in Bombay, I have been working since 1989 in the music industry and if you do this with me then what will you do with the young generation," he added.

The 'Aal Izz Well' singer ended the Vlog urging the big music labels to be "a little more chill" and humane towards the younger lot and warned that the distress might cause the newcomers to attempt suicide.

"Guys you need to chill a little, be a little humane. Please don't torture the younger ones, please step into their shoes, they need you, they need your help, they need your kindness," he said.

"Even directors and producers are not happy because they are not being allowed to make the music that they wish to. This is not right. Creativity should not be only in two hands. Be kind so that more people do not suicide," he added.

The alleged suicide of Sushant Singh Rajput has led to a lot of controversies in the entertainment industry. The investigations in the matter are still underway.

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