Iulia Vantur on 'special friend' Salman Khan: Great man with a good heart

December 5, 2016

Mumbai, Dec 5: When her new song with Himesh Reshammiya was launched at a suburban lounge last week, the first thing that everyone noticed about Iulia Vantur was her impressive Hindi. When we complimented her, her face lit up and she responded with 'Shukriya'. "I took Hindi classes. Of course, having people around me speak in Hindi all the time helped. I would practice Bollywood songs, and picked up the pronunciation," she explained.

salamlulThe Romanian beauty, better known here as Salman Khan's rumoured ladylove, is however clear that she doesn't intend to take up music professionally. "I do it for passion." She recalled speaking to Himesh for the first time after Salman made the composer hear out her rendition of 'Teri Meri Kahani' from 'Bodyguard' (2011). "It is actually a Romanian carol which I used to sing for my parents. Himesh felt my voice was divine. I didn't want to miss the opportunity of working with him. This song [Every Night and Day] is beautiful. He was waiting for the right composition to work with me," she added.

Talking about shifting base to India, she said that having worked for many years in Romania as an anchor, it is scary to start from scratch. "But, going back to basics is an experience worth having. It is never too late to reinvent yourself. No one from my home country can ever think of me as a singer. I'm happy about this new journey. Before coming to India, I was worried. But people here are so warm, kind and generous that now it feels like home."

Last month, Iulia's interview with the Romanian press, where she had spoken about 'adjustment issues with the Indian culture and mentality' was much talked about. But, she cleared the air, saying, "I love the vibe and energy of Mumbai and the people I have met so far have only made it better. It is warm and welcoming. They were just incorrect rumours. I am thankful to Salman for introducing me to this country. Every time I leave this place, I have tears in my eyes. It is a good thing that life has brought me back here."

Asked about her equation with Salman, Iulia, not heeding her publicist's advice to keep mum, asserted, "He is a very good friend and not just to me, but to everyone he meets. He is a great man with a good heart." Excited about returning to the screen after having featured in Ummbakkum (O Teri), she said, "The video [of Every Night and Day] is being planned. We are figuring out the story, but Himesh wants me in it."

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March 12,2020

Los Angeles, Mar 12: Hollywood superstar Tom Hanks has revealed that he and wife Rita Wilson have tested positive for the novel coronavirus.

The actor couple, currently in Australia to shoot for the pre-production of Baz Luhrmann's untitled Elvis Presley film, decided to get tested after they felt "a bit tired".

"Hey folks Rita and I are down here in Australia. We felt a bit tired, like we had colds, and some body aches. Rita had some chills that came and went. Slight fevers too. To play things right, as is needed in the world right now, we were tested for the coronavirus, and were found to be positive," Hanks said in a tweet.

The Academy-award-winning actor said the medical team had already taken over.

"The medical officials have protocols that must be followed. We Hanks will be tested, observed and isolated for as long as public health and safety requires," Hanks said.

"Not much more to it than one-day at a time approach, no? We will keep the world posted and updated. Take care of yourselves!" Hanks tweeted.

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March 21,2020

Mar 21: Singer Sonu Nigam has decided to extend his stay in Dubai as he believes travelling amid the coronavirus outbreak can put people around him at risk.

The singer was in the Himalayas earlier and wanted to come to Mumbai for a concert scheduled for March 6 but it got postponed due to COVID-19 pandemic.

He then decided to head to Dubai to be with his wife and son and has been there since a few weeks.

"I am fortunate that my wife and my son are in Dubai. My son studies here and I keep travelling here a lot, Dubai is like my second base. But my father, sister are alone in India. I wanted to come back to India and be at my father's side but I realised that if I do that, I'll be exposing him to the risk of me carrying this virus, who knows the extent of the danger," Sonu told

The 46-year-old singer said everybody is taking precautions and he wants to ensure that the health of those around him isn't at risk.

"I thought let's not outsmart the virus. I thought it's better for me to stay for a bit (till things go normal). Coming back to India, and then going in quarantine will still be a risk.

"I came to Dubai and I thought I'll be able to go back to India but I didn't know it's going to be such an issue eventually. But we are fine here."

On Friday, singer Kanika Kapoor become the first Bollywood celebrity to test positive for the deadly virus in the country and has said she is under complete quarantine and medical care.

The UP police later booked the singer for negligence and committing acts that are likely to spread disease dangerous to life after she attended at least three gatherings in Lucknow, including a party where political leaders were present.

When asked if his decision of staying back was in anyway related to what happened to Kanika, Sonu said that wasn't the case.

"The last time I was contemplating coming to India was on March 16 night, but thankfully my flight got cancelled. Then from March 17, there was this regulation from the government of India that you have to go on a self quarantine for 14 days, compulsorily. I decided I shouldn't take a chance. Being a potential carrier is the worst thing," he said

In Dubai, the singer said the family is taking extreme precautions.

"We all are being safe, staying indoors, not gathering with many people. Careless people shouldn't be around you at this point, people who are too brash, that 'oh nothing will happen.' I don't allow such people in my vicinity. I'm.very hygiene conscious anyway." said the singer.

Sonu said he will be conducting a live music concert on his social media on Sunday.

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News Network
June 2,2020

Kolkata, Jun 2: Artistes of the Bengali film industry are trying to get the best out of their creative side amid the lockdown, with many of them giving shape to innovative concepts and ideas to hook the audience.

A short film 'Grub Ne Bana Di Jodi', with RJ-actor Mir Afsar Ali in the lead, transcends boundaries to bring couples from around the world together on one platform, as they engage in discussions on food and culture.

The shot-at-home film, directed by Satrajit Sen, has Ali giving couples tasks to test their culinary skills.

"This is the time to try new concepts and that, too, without the usual technical support. There is no box office pressure, and people can take their own sweet time to watch the film on YouTube," he said.

Actor Vikram Chatterjee, who recently completed the shoot of 'Pabitra Puppies', a web series about seven friends bonding over video games, said it was an "altogether different experience" with no crew to assist him at home.

"The shooting process was complicated but we had a lot of fun. I was in Mumbai when the lockdown was imposed.

Coordinating with the director and other cast members wasn't easy, but this phase has taught us how to overcome challenges," Chatterjee said.

The series, also starring Sohini Sarkar and Saayoni Ghosh, will be streaming on Hoichoi soon.

Director Shieladitya Moulik's third outing on YouTube, amid the lockdown, has garnered good reviews.

The short film 'Eye Candy' tells the story of a blind couple who had been finding ways to connect with each other.

"I wanted to talk about long-distance relationships, and the problems faced by couples in the midst of the COVID-19 crisis, but not without a twist. I hope the viewers enjoy the short," Moulik said.

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