Mani Ratnam presented with Icon award at London Indian Film Festival

July 25, 2015

London, Jul 25: Acclaimed Indian film director Mani Ratnam, known for his films like Roja, Bombay and Dil Se, has won the Icon award at the Bagri Foundation London Film Festival for his outstanding contribution to cinema.

Icon awardReceiving the award at the closing night of the festival on Friday night, Ratnam said "I am honoured and humbled to receive this icon award. I think that Indian cinema is at the threshold of a new era, and the Bagri Foundation London Indian Film Festival is a showcase of this next generation.

"I am sure that future awards will be won by some of the bright young talent that is coming up." Ratnam also gave a rare Screen Talk masterclass at the BFI Southbank, with Peter Webber (Girl With a Pearl Earring), was part of the festival.

Bollywood actress Manisha Koirala won the Spirit of Inspiration award from Sun Mark Ltd for her outstanding work in supporting the earthquake appeal in Nepal. "We admire Manisha's work in cinema where she was known for taking on difficult roles and her support for social causes and for those who have no voice and whose message needs to be spread," the Foundation said.

Delhi-born actor Suraj Sharma, whose lead role in film Umrika helmed the festival, was the recipient of the festival's Outstanding Young Talent award. "The festival has been so kind, awarding me it's first outstanding young actor award and opening the festival with our film Umrika! The response for our film has been better than we could ever imagine. My gratitude goes out to the festival for doing such a great job!" said Sharma.

Satyajit Ray Short Film Award in association with the Bagri Foundation went to Khargosh (Rabbit), while Lebara Play Audience award went to Nachom-la Kumpasar (Let's Dance to the Rhythm). The Bagri Foundation London Indian Film Festival's Lebara Play audience award was a very close race this year, with Fox's Indian National Award winning feature Kaakkaa Muttai (The Crow's Egg) by M Manikandan pipped to the post by sleeper festival super-hit Nachom-ia Kumpasar, directed by Bardroy Barretto, a film about Goan Jazz and its impact on Hindi film music.

The film was so popular with audiences that additional screenings had to be added at Cineworld cinemas during the festival, to cope with demand.

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News Network
April 12,2020

Los Angeles, Apr 12: Pop star Rihanna has asked her fans, who are demanding her to release her new album soon, to back off as her prime focus right now is doing her bit in saving the world from the coronavirus pandemic.

The Grammy winner was one of the first Hollywood personalities who pledged support towards the relief efforts in fighting the COVID-19 outbreak.

Rihanna has been teasing new for quite some time now and eager admirers got an earful from her during an Instagram Live. Her last studio album was 'Anti' which was released in 2016.

Taking a swipe at US President Donald Trump, the Barbadian singer said, "If one of y'all ask me about the album one more time when I'm tryna save the world, unlike y'all president....on sight."

Rihanna's non-profit organisation Clara Lionel Foundation (CLF) and Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey recently donated USD 2.1 million each to help victims of domestic violence in Los Angeles during the COVID-19 stay-at-home order.

Also CLF and and rapper Jay-Z's Shawn Carter Foundation donated USD 2 million to support undocumented workers, the incarcerated, homeless and elderly populations, and children of frontline healthcare workers in Los Angeles and New York City amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Earlier, Rihanna, through CLF, also donated USD 5 million to support Direct Relief, Partners In Health, Feeding America, the International Rescue Committee and World Health Organization's COVID-19 Solidarity Response Fund as they continue to fight the pandemic in the US, the Caribbean and Africa.

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News Network
March 4,2020

New Delhi, Mar 4: Miss World 2017 Manushi Chhillar, who is all set to make her acting debut opposite Akshay Kumar in Prithviraj, says she's has always been interested in history.

"While growing up, I was really interested in history, the tales of grand kingdoms and larger than life historical heroes. I had always been fascinated with the story of Prithviraj and Sanyogita and life came to a full circle for me when I was offered this film," Manushi said.

Directed by Chandraprakash Dwivedi, Prithviraj is based on the life and heroism of the king Prithviraj Chauhan. It stars Akshay in the title role while Manushi plays Sanyogita, the love of his life.

For Manushi, being offered Prithviraj by Aditya Chopra was a sweet coincidence. She reveals, 'While growing up, I was really interested in history, the tales of grand kingdoms and larger than life historical heroes.'

The glamourous girl, who has been voted the most desirable woman in the recent past, reveals that she is 'blessed' to be playing the role of the gorgeous Rajput princess.

'When I was given the narration of the film, I had a smile on my face thinking that I’m listening to a story that I had been most interested about reading in school. Prithviraj and Sanyogita is a fascinating story and a beautiful chapter in the history of India and I’m blessed and fortunate to have got the opportunity to bring Princess Sanyogita’s story to life,' she says.

Manushi’s Bollywood debut is being directed by Dr Chandraprakash Dwivedi who directed the biggest television epic 'Chanakya', based on the life and times of the most influential political strategist of India, and the multiple award-winning Pinjar.

'Prithviraj' will release worldwide in Diwali 2020.

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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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