GOAT India Tour: Messi leaves fans, celebrities mesmerised; gets signed India jersey from Tendulkar

Mumbai: Argentine football icon Lionel Messi with cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar during an event held as part of his ‘G.O.A.T. India Tour 2025’ at the Wankhede Stadium, in Mumbai on Sunday, December 14, 2025. (Photo: IANS)

Mumbai, December 14 (IANS) He came, he saw, and he conquered hearts -- all in one hour. In one Messi-merising hour spent at the iconic Wankhede Stadium as part of his GOAT India Tour 2025, Lionel Messi interacted with cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, some current India and former football players, film stars, celebrities and politicians.

By the time he left, exactly one hour after making a grand entry into the stadium at 5.30 pm, the crowd was satisfied, unlike his 20-odd-minute appearance in Kolkata, which left ardent fans fuming and led to chaotic scenes, including rioting by some angry fans and forced the West Bengal government to initiate a judicial inquiry.

Mumbai was the third stop on his GOAT India Tour 2025, and the Argentine World Cup winner spent the most time with the fans after making a brief appearance at the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata and a slightly longer stay at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Uppal.

He spent some time talking to Tendulkar with the help of his translator. Tendulkar presented his signed India jersey and was seen pointing to the No 10 on the back, a number he shared with the Argentine great. Tendulkar also addressed the gathering, talking to them initially in Marathi and then switching to English, telling them that his meeting with Messi would be among the memorable moments he spent at the Wankhede.

Mumbai: Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis with Argentine football icon Lionel Messi during an event held as part of the latter’s ‘G.O.A.T. India Tour 2025’ at the Wankhede Stadium, in Mumbai on Sunday, December 14, 2025. (Photo: IANS/CMO)

In an iconic moment, the crowd chanted for Messi's name alongside that of Tendulkar and Luis Suarez, who, along with Rodrigo, are accompanying Messi on this GOAT India Tour 2025. Through Messi, the crowd also tried to send a message to FC Barcelona for a visit to Mumbai, chanting 'Barca, Barca'.

On the occasion, Chief Minister Fadnavis officially launched the Project Maha-deva, of which Bollywood star Tiger Shroff is a mentor and brand ambassador. Project Maha-deva plans to provide transformative support for school-going boys and girls players from the state and help them realise their football dreams. The Chief Minister, in his address, informed Messi & Co, the details of the project and hoped that one day players from this project would rule the football world just like the Argentine legend has done. The Maharashtra government has picked 16 players as an initial intake in the Maha-deva project.

Mumbai: Former cricketer Harbhajan Singh with Argentine football icon Lionel Messi during an event held as part of the latter’s ‘G.O.A.T. India Tour 2025’ at the Wankhede Stadium, in Mumbai on Sunday, December 14, 2025. (Photo: IANS/instagram/@harbhajan3)

Messi reached the Wankhede at around 5.30 pm, around 30 minutes later than what was scheduled. But he looked more relaxed and ready to mingle, at times pointing out to the security personnel and officials the areas of the ground he would like to go to. He came from the nearby Cricket Club of India (CCI) where he participated in a programme promoting Padel and reportedly played some time with businessman Parth Jindal of JSW Sport.

He reached the Wankhede Stadium halfway through the Celebrity Football Match involving India XI, versus Mitra XI, which involved Bengaluru FC players like Sunil Chettri, Rahul Bheke, Jayesh Rana and Ashutosh Mehta, along with India woman star Bala Devi.

Messi shook hands with the two teams and posed for photographs with them. After that he took a lap of the stadium, kicking footballs into the crowd to carry home as mementoes of his visit. Suarez and Rodrigo joined him in the lap of order. Messi also kicked a ball with school kids from the Maha-deva project and also interacted with them.

Mumbai: Argentine football icon Lionel Messi with Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and actors Ajay Devgn, Tiger Shroff and others during an event held as part of his ‘G.O.A.T. India Tour 2025’ at the Wankhede Stadium, in Mumbai on Sunday, December 14, 2025. (Photo: IANS)

After reaching the make-shift stage, Messi was welcomed by Fadnavis and his wife and presented a GOAT Tour jersey to the Chief Minister. He also posed for photographs with Bollywood stars Tiger Shroff, Ajay Devgn, and Dino Morea.

After a lengthy interaction with Tendulkar, Messi left the stadium to attend some more events as part of his whirlwind tour of the city. He is scheduled to attend a celebrity fashion show where he is likely to auction some signed jerseys and mementoes.The Argentine football captain is scheduled to depart for Delhi on Monday morning. GOAT India Tour: Messi leaves fans, celebrities mesmerised; gets signed India jersey from Tendulkar | MorungExpress | morungexpress.com

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Dharmendra discharged from hospital, ambulance departs from actor’s home

(Photo : IANS/apnadharmendra/insta)

Mumbai, (IANS) Veteran actor Dharmendra, who was on ventilator support at Breach Candy Hospital in Mumbai, has been discharged from the hospital.

According to hospital sources, the veteran actor was discharged earlier today. An ambulance was seen leaving Dharmendra’s residence. His family, however, remained tight-lipped about his current health condition. As per the latest reports, the ‘Sholay’ actor has been shifted home for further treatment.

On Wednesday, Bobby Deol was spotted leaving Breach Candy Hospital around 7 a.m., following a speeding ambulance. He was seen arriving at home along with the vehicle. It is being reported that the Juhu area near Dharmendra’s residence is now under heavy police surveillance.

The 89-year-old actor was admitted for medical observation and moved to the ICU on November 10. His wife, Hema Malini, and daughter, Esha Deol, shared that he was stable and on the road to recovery. Esha’s statement read, “My father is stable & recovering. We request everyone to give our family privacy. Thank you for the prayers for papas speedy recovery. (sic).”

Meanwhile, Hema Malini took to social media to denounce the false reports of Dharmendra’s death, describing them as “unforgivable” and “highly irresponsible.” She wrote, “What is happening is unforgivable! How can responsible channels spread false news about a person who is responding to treatment and is recovering? This is being extremely disrespectful and irresponsible. Please give due respect to the family and its need for privacy.”On November 11, Sunny Deol’s team provided an update on the actor’s health, stating that he is recovering well and responding positively to treatment. They urged everyone to keep him in their prayers for continued health and a long life. “Sir is recovering and responding to treatment. Let’s all pray for his good health and long life.” Dharmendra discharged from hospital, ambulance departs from actor’s home | MorungExpress | morungexpress.com

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Kate Middleton debuts new lighter locks

The Princess of Wales has seemingly debuted a new hair colour as she was spotted with lighter locks on her way to Sunday church service in Balmoral, the Daily Mail reported.

The Prince of Wales took the wheel as he drove his family, including Princes George and Louis, as well as Princess Charlotte, to Crathie Kirk - with Catherine, 43, beaming as she sat in the passenger seat.

The princess appeared to have coloured her hair a few shades lighter as her cascading tresses looked more blonde than ever before.

Accompanying their parents, Princess Charlotte, 10, cruised in the back seat with her brothers, Prince George, 12, and Prince Louis, seven, who wore matching outfits for the occasion.

Along with the Waleses, King Charles III and Queen Camilla, as well as The Princess Royal, were also seen heading to Crathie Kirk to spend part of their Bank Holiday weekend at the church.The monarch began his annual summer holidays at Balmoral last week, where he has been joined by several other members of the Royal Family to enjoy their break. custom title

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Selena Gomez talks about her hope to have children 'one day'

Los Angeles,  (IANS) Singer-actress Selena Gomez has talked about her desire to “one day” have children.

The actress had posted an Instagram Story celebrating her role on the Wizards of Waverly Place sequel series, Wizards Beyond Waverly Place.

“Alex Russo is a mommy,” she wrote, referring to her character.

“Hopefully one day that’ll be me.” She included a clip from her final episode on the series, reports people.com.

In the series’ two-part finale, it was revealed that Alex is the mother of Billie Russo played by Janice LeAnn Brown.

After the episode aired, Gomez and Brown spoke about their on and off-screen bond.

“It was very emotional, especially for me and her after the table read,” Brown, 15, said in an interview on Disney Channel’s YouTube page.

“We were just puddles,” Gomez said.

Before the show’s release, Gomez opened up about her connection to Alex Russo on the August 7 episode of Jake Shane’s Therapuss podcast, calling the reboot a "new, refreshing take" on the series. She reflected on what it's been like returning to "an older version of Alex."

The character "ultimately shaped who I am, because I feel like I am Alex," Gomez said.

In a March episode of the Jay Shetty Podcast, Gomez and her now-husband Benny Blanco said that they can't wait to start a family together. The couple tied the knot on September 27 in California.

"I don’t know what will happen, obviously, but I love children," Gomez said in March.

"I love making (children) laugh; they're just so sweet. So absolutely, when that day comes, I’m so excited for it.”

Blanco at that time chimed in to add that when Gomez sees children, she will “immediately go to the kids and have these conversations for hours with the kids.”"When you started doing this you were a kid and that was your way to connect to people and I feel like you still feel like you have that obligation to connect with young kids," he pointed out. You shaped so many young people’s lives, whether it was Barney, Wizards (of Waverly Place)... you’re still finding your way to do that." Selena Gomez talks about her hope to have children 'one day' | MorungExpress | morungexpress.com

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Leonardo DiCaprio shares fond memories of working with Diane Keaton

Los Angeles, (IANS): The Oscar-winning actor Leonardo DiCaprio is recollecting his fond memories of working with the late actress Diane Keaton.

The 50-year-old actor, who starred in 1996's ‘Marvin's Room’ with the actress, paid tribute to the late Academy Award winner following the news of her death on Saturday, reports ‘People’ magazine.

Sharing a photo of himself and Keaton seemingly taken around the time of filming some three decades ago, Leonardo DiCaprio wrote on his Instagram Stories, "Diane Keaton was one of a kind. Brilliant, funny, and unapologetically herself. A legend, and icon, and a truly kind human being. I had the honor of working with her at 18. She will be deeply missed”.

As per ‘People’, Keaton played Bessie, the aunt of DiCaprio's troubled teen character, Hank, in the Jerry Zaks-directed drama, whose star-studded cast also boasted Meryl Streep and Robert De Niro.

And Leo certainly stood out to Keaton even decades later, as she complimented his "beauty" on Instagram back in November 2021, though it involved a hilarious (yet flattering) mix-up. It all began when she posted a slideshow video of famous celebrity men with the caption, "Male beauty”. In a voiceover, Keaton provided commentary for each image, kicking off her collection with a picture of whom she thought was Leo.

"Talk about beauty, Leonardo DiCaprio", Keaton narrated over a black-and-white image of a young man staring at the camera. "Give me a break. I knew him when he was a kid”.But Reese Witherspoon chimed in to good-naturedly correct Keaton, writing in the comment section of her post, "Diane, the first one is my son”. While Keaton thought she was posting an image of a young Leo, the ‘Annie Hall’ actress was apparently really showing her followers a picture of Deacon Phillippe, Witherspoon's then-18-year-old son with ex-husband Ryan Phillippe. Keaton replied to the ‘Morning Show’ star with a surprised emoji while Witherspoon, now 49, simply wrote back a laughing emoji. Leonardo DiCaprio shares fond memories of working with Diane Keaton | MorungExpress | morungexpress.com

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Priyanka Chopra Jonas’ African holiday is all about wildlife, good food

Mumbai, (IANS) Actress Priyanka Chopra Jonas is sharing what her life has been like, “lately”. On Saturday, the actress took to her Instagram, and shared a bunch of pictures from her vacation in Africa.

The pictures show the actress enjoying her holiday, gorging on some lip-smacking food, shedding the extra pounds in the gym, capturing the wildlife in her lens, sitting under the night sky, and enjoying some breathtaking views.

She simply wrote in the caption, “Lately”. The actress geo-tagged Africa in her location. She also shared an overhead shot of the Nile river in Africa.

The River Nile, which runs through several countries in East and North Africa, is regarded as the longest river on Earth, running nearly 6,700 kilometers from its source in Lake Victoria to its mouth in the Mediterranean.

Earlier, the actress celebrated 16 years of her film ‘Kaminey’, and reminisced about how the film became a turning point in her career after Vishal Bhardwaj offered her the role in the film.

She took to Instagram, where she shared a string of stills from the film, which stars Shahid Kapoor in a dual role and is set against the backdrop of the Mumbai underworld. The actress recalled how the role of Sweety Bhope was offered to her while she was filming ‘Dostana’ in Miami.

“Sweety Bhope. I was filming for Dostana in Miami, Florida with @tarun_mansukhani directing and @bachchan and @thejohnabraham starring. One cool evening after we wrapped up the shoot , I saw a missed call from Vishal Bhardwaj. What?? I had wanted to work with him forever and never thought he would cast me because of my ‘commercial’ image at the time”.

She added, “He said he’d like to come see me, and he did. To Miami. I remember him telling me the story and I said, ‘Well, she has approximately 8 scenes’. And he said, ‘With us working on it, it will end up being so much more. Trust me’. And I did, he promised he would make something incredible for me after this in appreciation for doing the part”.The actress also said that she was just “greedy to work with him”. Priyanka Chopra Jonas’ African holiday is all about wildlife, good food | MorungExpress | morungexpress.com

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Preity Zinta expresses gratitude to her ‘guru mitr’ for guiding her ‘spiritual journey’

Mumbai, (IANS) Bollywood actress Preity Zinta wished all on Happy Guru Purnima and also expressed her gratitude to her “guru mitr” Acharya Ashok Diwedi for guiding her spiritual journey.

Preity took to Instagram, where she shared a photograph of herself sitting next to her guruji. The picture has the geotag of Varanasi.

For the caption, Preity wrote: “Happy Guru Purnima to all of you who celebrate it. Guru Purnima is a day in honour of one’s chosen spiritual teacher or guru so I wanted to take this opportunity to acknowledge & wish my Guru Mitr - Acharya Ashok Diwedi ji / Guru ji for helping me navigate & understand my spiritual journey.”

She thanked her teacher for understanding and guiding her.

“Thank you for understanding me, for befriending me and guiding me to seek answers for questions I cannot comprehend. Thank you for your large heart & your humour and for helping me seek a part of me I never knew existed. Love & respect always.”

Earlier on Father’s Day, the actress has shared a picture of her husband Gene Goodenough walking in the woods with their twins Gia and Jai.

Preity and Gene got married in February 2016 at a private ceremony in Los Angeles. It was on November 11, 2021, the couple welcomed their twins, a baby boy named Jai and a baby girl named Gia, via surrogacy.

On the work front, Preity is all set to make her comeback in the Hindi film industry after a long gap with filmmaker Rajkumar Santoshi's directorial 'Lahore 1947'.

The film was officially announced last October, garnering attention for its star-studded cast and promising storyline.She was last seen in the 2018 film “Bhaiaji Superhit”, an action comedy film directed by Neerraj Pathak. The film features an ensemble cast including Sunny Deol, Preity G Zinta, Arshad Warsi, Ameesha Patel and Shreyas Talpade. Preity Zinta expresses gratitude to her ‘guru mitr’ for guiding her ‘spiritual journey’ | MorungExpress | morungexpress.com

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After Taylor Swift Visits Children's Hospital, Her Fans Donate Tens of Thousands to Patients

Majesty with her new friend Taylor Swift – credit Shaneka Holloman, via GoFundMe

GNN loves seeing celebrities channel their influence for good, and there are few better at it than America’s undisputed sweetheart of sweethearts.

Taylor Swift, having recently concluded the record-breaking Eras tour, visited Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital in Florida.

Passing between rooms in a lithe sage-green dress, she touched the hearts of the children undergoing treatment for life-threatening illnesses including cancer and cardiomyopathy.

It was on June 12th that Shaneka Holloman, the mother of a 7-year-old transplant recipient and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy survivor, Majesty, received a phone call asking if her daughter would like to come to a “function.”

One can only imagine her surprise.

“ She touched her hair to make sure Taylor was real,” Holloman told the USA TODAY Network. “I didn’t know what to say. I didn’t know what to do. This is Taylor Swift, America’s sweetheart.”

The two talked for around 15 minutes, after which Majesty asked if she could have Swift’s phone number. The event swept across “swifty” socials, and soon, a GoFundMe set up by Holloman to fund Majesty’s treatment had received thousands in donations. At publishing time it has surpassed $16K.

Two other GoFundMe efforts received the Swift bump: two-year-old Aaliyah and 10-year-old Zoe, both of whom are currently enduring treatment for brain cancer, with Zoe being the victim of neuroblastoma for seven years.

Zoe and Swift at Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital – credit, Monica Franco De Villa, via GoFundMe

  Swift visiting Aaliyah at Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital – credit, Crystal Mortensen, via GoFundMe

For the former, Swift autographed an Eras tour concert booklet—a gift which her Aaliyah’s mother Crystal Mortensen put up on an online store for sale at $500. A swifty, or Taylor Swift fan, bought it, recognized who was selling it, and told the family to keep it.

Donations in increments of 13, which is Swift’s favorite number allegedly, raised almost $60,000 of the $100,000 goal, which would cover the entire treatment panoply for Aaliyah.

Zoe, who is still undergoing treatment, has received $23,000 in donations to her GoFundMe, many of which arrived after “one of the kindest human beings” visited her.

“Undeniably one of the kindest human beings I have ever had the privilege of meeting,” said Dr. Jill Whitehouse, the chief of surgery who posted a photo with Swift after her visit in a note on the GoFundMe.

“Thank you #taylorswift for making dreams come true for all of our patients, families, and staff.

After Taylor Swift Visits Children's Hospital, Her Fans Donate Tens of Thousands to Patients

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Shilpa Shetty relishes the taste of authentic desi Gud in Punjab

Mumbai, (IANS) Bollywood actress Shilpa Shetty shared a delightful moment from her trip to Punjab, where she relished the authentic taste of desi gud.

Known for her love of traditional Indian delicacies, Shilpa took to her Instagram handle to showcase her experience, embracing the sweet, natural goodness of the local treat. In a video posted on her Instagram handle, the ‘Dhadkan’ actress could be heard saying, “In Punjab, in the fields of sugarcane... wow, fresh sugarcane and fresh jaggery. Can you believe this? And this is Gur Gur... oh wow, look at that, this jaggery is the real jaggery. It has ajwain, fennel, sesame – there is no adulteration. Wow, I speak in Punjabi, it’s amazing, this is completely pure. We should always have this after dinner when in Punjab. Always buy jaggery from here. I’m on a jaggery high!.”

Sharing her video of savoring the rich flavor of authentic desi gud, Shilpa wrote in the caption, “It’s a “Gud” day in Punjab #SundayBinge(ing) on this yummy gud#PunjabDiaries #TravelDiaries #Foodie.”

Shilpa Shetty’s SundayBinge is a fun and engaging concept that the actress introduced to promote a healthy, balanced lifestyle while still enjoying indulgent treats. On her SundayBinge series, the actress showcases how she enjoys her favorite comfort foods, like pizzas, chocolates, and traditional Indian sweets, in moderation. The idea is to enjoy these guilty pleasures on Sundays without feeling guilty and maintain a healthy approach to eating throughout the week.

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Yesterday, on the occasion of Holi, the Hungama 2 actress shared a video of her grooving to the peppy Holi track “Balam Pichkari” from the film ‘Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani.’ Shilpa, drenched in colors, showed off her cool dancing moves alongside her son Viaan.

For the caption, she wrote, “Wishing everyone a very happy and safe Holi! Let’s celebrate Holi with love, joy, and positivity. Stay safe, and be mindful of our furry friends #HappyHoli.”

Shilpa Shetty Shilpa Shetty relishes the taste of authentic desi Gud in Punjab | MorungExpress | morungexpress.com

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Abhishek Bachchan: Bollywood Legacy Meets Modern Versatility!

Abhishek Bachchan, a name synonymous with Bollywood royalty, has carved his own distinct path in the Indian film industry. From his lineage to his own filmography, here's a look at the life and career of this versatile actor.

Born into Bollywood Stardom

Born in 1976, Abhishek Bachchan comes from a legendary cinematic family. His father, Amitabh Bachchan, is one of the biggest stars in Indian cinema history, and his mother, Jaya Bachchan, is a respected actress. Despite this legacy, Abhishek has always strived to create his own identity in Bollywood.

Early Days: Finding His Footing

Abhishek Bachchan's acting career began in 2000 with the film "Refugee." While the movie did well commercially, the initial years of his career saw a mix of successes and failures. He persevered, showcasing his talent in diverse roles, from the intense portrayal of a conflicted youth in "Yuva" (2004) to the comedic charm in "Bunty Aur Babli" (2005).

Critical Acclaim and Commercial Success

Abhishek Bachchan's dedication paid off. He earned critical acclaim for his performances in films like "Sarkar" (2005), "Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna" (2006), and "Guru" (2007), receiving three consecutive Filmfare Awards for Best Supporting Actor.

He also achieved commercial success with films like the action franchise "Dhoom" (2004-2013) and comedies like "Dostana" (2008) and "Bol Bachchan" (2012). His production venture, the critically acclaimed "Paa" (2009), even earned him a National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Hindi.

Beyond Acting: A Multifaceted Talent

Abhishek Bachchan is not just an actor. He is a successful entrepreneur, co-owning the Pro Kabaddi League team Jaipur Pink Panthers. He's also a dedicated family man, married to actress Aishwarya Rai Bachchan since 2007.

A Legacy in the Making

Abhishek Bachchan's career continues to evolve. He has embraced digital platforms, starring in well-received web series like "Breathe: Into the Shadows" (2020). Despite facing challenges and comparisons to his legendary father, Abhishek Bachchan has carved a niche for himself in Bollywood. Gossips4fans - Bollywood, Hollywood and Tollywood Latest Information for you: Abhishek Bachchan: Bollywood Legacy Meets Modern V.

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Shahid Kapoor: Cinema should show things that are not possible in real life

New Delhi: Actors Shahid Kapoor and Kriti Sanon pose for photos during the promotion of their upcoming film 'Teri Baaton Mein Aisa Uljha Jiya' in New Delhi on Thursday, Feb 01, 2024. (Photo: IANS/Anupam Gautam)

1st February 2024

Mumbai, February 1 (IANS) Bollywood actor Shahid Kapoor, who is gearing up for his upcoming film ‘Teri Baaton Mein Aisa Uljha Jiya’, has said that cinema should present stories that people in real life might not experience.

The actor said that the subject of his film might be something that hasn’t yet happened in real life but that, he confidently said, will connect with the audience.

New Delhi: Actress Kriti Sanon poses for photos during the promotion of her upcoming film 'Teri Baaton Mein Aisa Uljha Jiya' in New Delhi on Thursday, Feb 01, 2024. (Photo: IANS/Anupam Gautam)

‘Teri Baaton Mein Aisa Uljha Jiya’, which also stars Kriti Sanon, follows the story of a computer engineer, played by Shahid, who falls in love with a humanoid robot, played by Kriti.

Talking to the media on Thursday, Shahid said, “When ‘Mr. India’ was released, nobody in the audience thought of something like that but it did well, it’s one of our iconic films. We didn’t ask the makers that ‘this is not possible in real life, so we should not attempt telling a story like this’. One of the earlier blockbusters of Arnold Schwarzenegger is ‘Terminator’, the audience connected with it and that’s how it became a franchise. He also played a futuristic robot in the film.”

He further mentioned, “There are many films like that in Indian cinema as well, the best example is the Rajinikanth-starrer ‘Robot’. I feel, in cinema we should show those things that are not possible in real life. The audience only cares if a film is well-made, if it is the audience does show its love for the film.” Shahid Kapoor: Cinema should show things that are not possible in real life | MorungExpress | morungexpress.com:

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John, Jacqueliene, Sunny, Raveena call for stricter laws to end cruelty against animals

New Delhi, May 27 (IANS) Animal abuse has reached a crescendo, with many cases remaining unreported. Ardent animal lovers such as John Abraham, Sunny Leone, and Jacqueliene Fernandez have voiced their opinions and called for "stricter laws" to safeguard the four-legged friends.

From February to May, numerous cases of animal abuse have been reported, including running over animals, throwing them from great heights, starving, beating, and using them for entertainment.

The most recent case was reported from a society in Greater Noida, where a stray dog was thrown from the 15th floor of a residential tower. The remains were found outside the building by a resident on May 11.

Bollywood star John Abraham, who is a doting dad to his fur babies, Sia and Bailey, stated that the surge in “cruelty to animals deeply wounds our collective conscience.”

“It’s a stark reminder of the urgency to take action. Let’s unite in vigilance, reporting every instance of animal abuse and supporting grassroots organisations at the forefront of the fight for animal rights,” John told IANS.

Stricter laws must be implemented for the perpetrator, he said.

“Governments must not falter; they must implement stringent penalties to deter perpetrators and invest in comprehensive educational programmes to foster empathy and reverence for all life forms, and we all must do what we can to safeguard our community animals,” he said.

In India, the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960, outlines punishments for animal cruelty, including penalties such as a maximum fine of Rs 50 for convicted first-time offenders (although the IPC prescribes stronger punishments), according to People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA). However, enforcement of these laws varies, as many cases go unreported.

Actress Sunny Leone said that the alarming rise in animal abuse cases is an affront to shared humanity.

“The government holds the key – it must enforce strict laws that leave no room for impunity. As individuals, we can each play our part by reporting any acts of cruelty to the police,” she told IANS.

Empathy should be taught to children at an early age.

“Children should be taught to be kind to animals to help them grow into adults who will be kind to everyone. Together, we can build a world where every animal is treated with the dignity and respect they deserve,” she said.

Jacqueliene Fernandez told IANS: “We, as individuals, have a great deal of power to create change by using our voices to stand up for animals by opening our doors to animals in need. The government must also prioritise animal protection by introducing legislation to safeguard animals and ensuring its robust enforcement to build a future where all members of our society, whatever the species, is able to live in peace."

Actress Raveena Tandon, who is vocal about animal rights, told IANS that, as a society, we must not turn a blind eye when animals are suffering at human hands.

“We must be vigilant neighbours, keeping a watchful eye and speaking out against any form of abuse. By reporting acts of cruelty, we send a clear message: animal abuse will not be tolerated,” she told IANS.

Raveena added: “Research shows that people who commit acts of cruelty to animals are often repeat offenders who move on to hurting others, including humans, so it’s imperative for the safety of all of society – humans and other animals alike – that perpetrators are caught and punished to the greatest extent of the law.”

On how to minimise abuse, Sachin Bangera from PETA India, said: “We collaborate closely with local enforcement agencies, offering rewards, registering first information reports, and mobilising our activist network to identify and apprehend those who hurt or neglect animals.”

“Through our concerted efforts, we leave no stone unturned in holding animal abusers accountable for their actions.” John, Jacqueliene, Sunny, Raveena call for stricter laws to end cruelty against animals | MorungExpress | morungexpress.com

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Reality TV show contestants are more like unpaid interns than Hollywood stars

Country singer Adley Stump, a former contestant on NBC’s hit reality show ‘The Voice,’ performs at an Air Force base in Washington state. Joint Base Lewis McChord/flickr, CC BY-NC-SA David Arditi, University of Texas at Arlington

In December 2018, John Legend joined then-newly elected U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez to criticize the exploitation of congressional interns on Capitol Hill, most of whom worked for no pay.

Legend’s timing was ironic.

NBC’s “The Voice” had just announced that Legend would join as a judge. He would go on to reportedly earn US$14 million per season by his third year on the show. Meanwhile, all of the participants on “The Voice,” save for the winner, earned $0 for their time, apart from a housing and food stipend – much like those congressional interns.

The fall 2023 TV lineup will be saturated with low-cost reality TV shows like “The Voice”; for networks, it’s an end-around to the ongoing TV writers and actors strikes.

Whether it’s “The Voice,” “House Hunters,” “American Chopper” or “The Bachelorette,” reality shows thrive thanks to a simple business model: They pay millions of dollars for big-name celebrities to serve as judges, coaches and hosts, while participants work for free or for paltry pay under the guise of chasing their dreams or gaining exposure.

These participants are the unpaid interns of the entertainment industry, even though it’s their stories, personalities and talent that draw the viewers.

Dreams clash with reality

To conduct research for my book, “Getting Signed: Record Contracts, Musicians, and Power in Society,” I interviewed musicians around the country.

The book was about the exploitative nature of record contracts. But during my research, I kept running into singers who had either auditioned for or participated in “The Voice.”

On “The Voice,” singers compete on teams headed by a celebrity coach. Following a blind audition and various elimination rounds, the live broadcasts begin with four teams of five members apiece. These 20 contestants spend months working in Los Angeles and are provided with only their room and board. Each week, at least one player is eliminated. At the end of each season, the winner receives $100,000 and a record contract.

While some viewers might see reality shows like “The Voice” as launching pads for music careers, many of the musicians I spoke with were disheartened by their experiences on the show.Contestants audition for ‘The Voice’ ahead of its 24th season.

Unlike “American Idol,” where a number of winners, from Kelly Clarkson to Jordan Sparks, have made it big, no winners of “The Voice” have become stars. The closest person to “making it” from “The Voice” is the controversial country singer Morgan Wallen, who was infamously dropped by his label and country radio following the emergence of a video of him using a racial slur. And Wallen didn’t even win “The Voice”; in fact, he barely made it past the blind audition.

Former contestants repeatedly told me that the television exposure did little to help their careers.

Prior to joining the show, many of the musicians were trying to scratch out a living through touring or performing. They put their developing careers on pause to chase their dreams.

However, the show’s contracts have stipulated that contestants cannot perform, sell their name, image and likeness, or record new music while on “The Voice.” (The Conversation reached out to NBC to see if this remains the case for the current season, but did not receive a comment.)

This leaves the 20 finalists with no means to sell their music, even as they spend up to eight months competing. When the show’s losers return to performing, many of them have little new material to promote. By the time they drop a new single or album and announce a tour, some of them told me that they had lost a good portion of their following.

There is one group of people who receive meaningful exposure from these shows: the coaches and judges. Several singers, such as Gwen Stefani and Pharell Williams, have used “The Voice” to jolt their stagnating music careers. While earning millions as coaches and judges, these stars even use the show to promote their music – something the contestants themselves are barred from doing.

Paying these contestants is feasible. If Legend earned $13 million instead of $14 million, that spare million dollars could be dispersed to half of the contestants at $100,000 apiece – an amount that’s currently only reserved for the winner of the show. Cut the salaries of all four coaches by $1 million apiece, and it would free up enough money to pay all 20 contestants $200,000 each.

A gold mine for networks

“The Voice” is far from the only reality show to take advantage of the genre’s low overhead costs.

Over the past two decades, shows featuring Americans looking to buy houses or remodel their homes have exploded in popularity. HGTV cornered this market by creating popular shows such as “House Hunters,” “Flip or Flop” and “Property Brothers.”

Viewers might not realize just how profitable these shows are.

Take “House Hunters.” The show follows a prospective homebuyer as they tour three homes. Homebuyers featured on the show have noted that they earn only $500 for their work, and the episodes take three to five days and about 30 hours to film. The show’s producers don’t pay the realtors to be on it.

The low pay for people on reality TV shows matches the low budget for these shows. A former participant wrote that episodes of “House Hunters” cost around $50,000 to film. Prime-time sitcoms, by comparison, have a $1.5 million to $3 million per episode budget.

Sidestepping the unions

That massive budget gap between reality TV and sitcoms is not simply due to an absence of star actors.

Many scripted television shows are based in Los Angeles, where camera crews, stunt doubles, costume artisans, makeup artists and hair stylists are unionized. But shows like “House Hunters,” which are filmed across the country, will recruit crews from right-to-work states. These are states where employees cannot be compelled to join a union or pay union dues as a condition of employment. For these reasons, unions have far less power in these states than they do in places traditionally associated with film and entertainment, such as California and New York.

That’s one reason why TV production started moving to Atlanta – what’s been dubbed the “Hollywood of the South” – where shows like “The Walking Dead” and “Stranger Things” have been filmed.

But in my research, I also learned that Knoxville, Tennessee, has become a reality TV mecca. Like Georgia, Tennessee is also a right-to-work state. In Knoxville, many working musicians join the city’s low-paying entertainment apparatus by taking gigs working on TV and film production crews in between shows and tours.

At a time when TV writers and actors are on strike, it is important to understand that the entertainment industry will try to exploit labor for profit whenever it can.

Reality TV is a way to undercut the leverage of striking workers, whether it’s through their lack of unionized actors, or their use of nonunionized production crews.

Contestants, casts and crew members are starting to catch on. Many reality TV participants have said that they feel like strike scabs, and Bethenny Frankel of “Real Housewives” is reportedly trying to organize her fellow reality performers.

Preying off contestants who are desperate for exposure, reality TV might just be the next labor battle in the entertainment industry.

As John Legend put it, “Unpaid internships make it so only kids with means and privilege get the valuable experience.”

Reality TV does the same to aspiring actors, musicians and celebrities.

David Arditi, Associate Professor of Sociology, University of Texas at Arlington

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.

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Actor Sonu Sood tops UK's 2020 celebrity list for charitable efforts during pandemic

DEC 09, 2020 LONDON: Indian actor Sonu Sood has been named the number one South Asian celebrity in the world for his philanthropic efforts during the course of the COVID-19 pandemic this year, in a first-of-its-kind ranking released in London on Wednesday. The 47-year-old Bollywood star beat off tough global competition to top the ''50 Asian Celebrities in The World'' list, which is published by UK-based weekly newspaper ''Eastern Eye''. It celebrates artists who made a positive impact with their actions or were inspiring in their own unique way and involved public input, with several social media posts collated for nominations. "As the pandemic broke, I realised it was my duty to help my countrymen; it was an instinct that came from within," said Sood, expressing his gratitude for the honour, which recognised his far-reaching efforts at transporting and helping Indian migrant workers during the COVID-19 lockdown. "Eventually, this was something I came to Mumbai for. It was my responsibility as an Indian, which I did. I think all the love of the people which I received was simply their wishes and prayers. Once again, I won''t stop till my last breath," said Sood, who is behind box-office hits such as ''Dabangg'' and ''Simmba''. ''Eastern Eye'' entertainment editor Asjad Nazir compiled the list. He said Sood was a deserving winner because no celebrity did as much to help others during lockdown. "What started off with the big-hearted Bollywood star helping impoverished migrant workers stranded by lockdown get back home, evolved into a spectacularly philanthropic mission that made a difference to so many during the pandemic," said Nazir. "Whether it was paying for surgeries, donating food, setting up scholarships, campaigning for women''s rights, or buying a new tractor for a farmer so his daughters could study and not plough a field, super Sonu helped in countless ways in 2020. He fully deserves the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award, which is handed out by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences," he said. Canadian YouTuber, social media star, comedian and TV personality Lilly Singh came in second for her "pathbreaking journey, remarkable output and entertaining audiences most when they needed it". Half-Indian British pop superstar, Charli XCX, was third for creating her masterpiece Mercury Music Prize nominated album ‘How I Am Feeling Now' entirely during lockdown and British Indian actor Dev Patel was fourth for his glass-ceiling shattering, colour-blind lead roles in ''The Personal History of David Copperfield'' and ''The Green Knight''. Indian singer Armaan Malik came in fifth for his immense musical output that included barrier-breaking English language songs. Sixth-placed Priyanka Chopra Jonas remains the most famous Indian star in the world, while the rest of the top 10 includes pan-Indian star Prabhas (7), Hollywood power player Mindy Kaling (8), highest-placed Indian TV star Surbhi Chandna (9) and Pakistan-born Hollywood heavyweight Kumail Nanjiani (10). "Whether it was philanthropy, breaking boundaries, inspiring others, trending across social media, crossing new frontiers, creating really great work or inspiring a new generation, many South Asian stars shone brightly and became beacons of hope, during a crushing year when it was needed more than ever. They are celebrated in this list," added Nazir. The youngest in the list is 18-year-old Canadian newcomer Maitreyi Ramakrishnan (22), who starred in the successful Netflix series ''Never Have I Ever''. The oldest is 78-year-old Bollywood legend Amitabh Bachchan (20), who once again did great work on film and television, helped humanitarian causes, beat COVID-19 after contracting it. The highest-placed author is the Booker Prize nominated Avni Doshi (31). Copyright © Jammu Links News,  Source: Jammu Links News

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COVID-19: Amitabh Bachchan discharged from hospital

Mumbai: Bollywood legend Amitabh Bachchan who was recently tested positive for coronavirus has been released from hospital after recovering from the virus, the actor said on Sunday.

“I have tested CoVid- have been discharged. I am back home in solitary quarantine. The grace of the Almighty, blessings of Ma Babuji, prayers & duas of near & dear & friends fans EF .. and the excellent care and nursing at Nanavati made it possible for me to see this day,” Bachchan wrote on his Twitter account.

However, his son Abhishek Bachchan, who has tested positive for COVID-19 is still receiving treatment in Nanavati hospital in Mumbai. Source: https://timesofoman.com/

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Jaya Bachchan, Aishwarya Along With Daughter Test Negative For COVID-19

Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], July 12 (ANI): Actor Jaya Bachchan and her daughter-in-law Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, along with daughter, Aradhya, tested negative for COVID-19, confirmed BMC Mayor Kishori Pednekar on Sunday.

The COVID-19 tests for Aishwarya, Jaya and other family members were conducted after veteran actor Amitabh Bachchan and son, actor Abhishek Bachchan, tested positive for the disease yesterday.

Pednekar further informed that the health of both father and son was currently stable.

The 'Don' actor is reported to be in a "stable" condition with "mild symptoms" after testing positive for coronavirus on Saturday.

Amitabh has been admitted in the isolation unit at Mumbai's Nanavati Super Speciality Hospital. The actor has confirmed that he will keep updating via Twitter.

His son, actor Abhishek Bachchan also tested positive for COVID-19 last night, according to separate tweets by the two.

The 77-year-old actor also requested those, who have been in "close proximity" to him in the last 10 days to get tested for the deadly virus.

Abhishek too tweeted, shortly afterwards, about the news and urged all to stay calm and not panic. (ANI) Courtesy:  http://www.businessworld.in/

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Big B conveys gratitude to well-wishers for blessings, love and prayers

• Mumbai, Jul 17 (IANS): In his latest tweet, Amitabh Bachchan has expressed gratitude to fans and well-wishers for their blessings, love and prayers.
• He mentioned how he has been receiving good wishes and prayers on "all possible social media", adding that hospital "protocol" was "restrictive", so he couldn't say more.
• "T 3596 - I receive all your blessings and love and prayers for our well being .. on sms, on whatsapp, on insta on Blog .. and all possible social media .. my gratitude has no bounds .. Hospital protocol is restrictive, i cannot say more .. Love," tweeted @SrBachchan.
• Big B ended his tweet with emojis of folded hands and the heart sign.
• Also on the tweet numbered T 3596, Big B posted a picture of deities, along with the Sanskrit chant: "Tvameva mata cha pita tvameva; tvameva bandhush cha sakha tvameva; tvameva vidya dravinam tvameva; tvameva sarvam mama dev dev (you are my mother and you are my father; you are my friend and you are my companion; you are knowledge and you are wealth; O lord you are everything to me)."
• Big B and son, actor Abhishek Bachchan, tested Covid-19 positive and were hospitalised last Saturday. A day later, Abhishek's wife Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, and daughter Aaradhya also tested positive and were hospitalised.
• The Bachchans are admitted to Nanavati Hospital. Big B's wife Jaya Bachchan has tested negative. Source: https://www.daijiworld.com/

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Aishwarya Rai, daughter hospitalised days after testing Covid-19 positive

• Actor Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and daughter Aaradhya Bachchan on Friday were shifted to a city hospital, almost a week after they were tested positive for Covid-19.
• Aishwarya, 46, and eight-year-old Aaradhya were diagnosed with coronavirus on Sunday, a day after the actor's father-in-law, megastar Amitabh Bachchan, and husband Abhishek Bachchan tested positive for the Covid-19.
• The mother-daughter duo was self-quarantining at home till now. "Both Aishwarya and Aaradhya were admitted to Nananvati hospital today. They are fine," hospital source told PTI.
• Aishwarya needed medical attention, another insider said.
• Since his diagnosis, Amitabh has been regularly updating his admires about his health on social media.
• In happy times, in times of illness, you our near and dear, our well wishers, our fans have ever given us unstinting love , affection care and prayer .. we express our bountiful gracious gratitude to you all .. in these circumstances hospital protocol, restrictive, the screen icon tweeted on Friday evening.
• According to Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), coronavirus cases in Mumbai rose to 98,979 with 1,228 new patients being reported on Friday.
• Death toll due to the pandemic rose to 5,582 with 62 new fatalities being recorded. Source: ttps://www.business-standard.com

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‘Emotional’ Dilip Kumar receives Padma Vibhushan at home

Veteran actor Dilip Kumar and his wife Saira Banu along with Bollywood actress Saysha at his residence in Mumbai . (Photo: PTI)

The actor was to receive it at Rashtrapati Bhavan on April 8, 2015 but he could not due to his ill health Describing legendary actor Dilip Kumar as a “precious gem,” Union home minister Rajnath Singh on Sunday, presented him the Padma Vibhushan award at the thespian’s residence in suburban Bandra for his contribution to the Hindi cinema spanning over six decades. The 93-year-old veteran, who shot to fame with Naya Daur, Jugnu, Andaz and Devdas, was presented a medal, certificate and shawl by Mr Singh in the presence of the actor’s 71-year-old wife Saira Banu. Governor C. Vidyasagar Rao, chief minister Devendra Fadnavis and Mr Kumar’s family members and close friends were also present during the small ceremony. Mr
Kumar, in a black suit, could barely open his eyes and was helped by Ms Bano when the national honour was conferred on him. On receiving the award, he expressed his happiness and got emotional at the recognition, Ms Banu told this newspaper. The veteran actor has given sterling performances in over 60 Hindi films. He was to receive the award at a ceremonial function at Rashtrapati Bhavan on April 8, 2015 in New Delhi, but he could not attend the ceremony due to his ill health. “Dilip Kumar has created such a niche for himself over the last 40-50 years, that almost every artiste regards him as a role model. He is a  ‘precious gem’ of not just the cinema world but entire India,” the home minister said. He was speaking after presenting the Padma Vibhushan award. Ms Banu expressed pleasure over the honour on behalf of the veteran actor. “It has been a momentous occasion for the family and we are happy that India’s home minister Rajnath Singh, came to Mumbai to present the award,” she said. Born as Muhammad Yousuf Khan in Peshawar (Pakistan), Mr Kumar made his debut as an actor in the film Jwar Bhata produced by Bombay Talkies in 1944. He starred in films of a variety of genres such as the swashbuckling Aan (1952), the comical Azaad (1955), the historical Mughal-e-Azam (1960) and the socially conscious Ganga Jamuna (1961).‘ Source: The Asian Age

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Sanjay Dutt to be freed from jail by March 7, 2016

Pune: Incarcerated Bollywood actor Sanjay Dutt, whose five-year sentence for his involvement in the 1993 Mumbai serial blasts was confirmed by the Supreme Court in March 2013, will be freed from prison by March 7, 2016, official sources said here on Tuesday. The sources indicated that barring last-minute glitches, Sanjay would be released by March 7 after completing the remaining 42-month period of his sentence. Dutt was acquitted of terror charges under the TADA, but found guilty of possessing illegal arms, acquired ostensibly to protect his family during the communal conflagration that engulfed Mumbai after the demolition of the Babri Mosque on December 6, 1992. Following the apex court orders, his bail was cancelled and he was ordered to surrender within four weeks, which he complied with on May 16, 2013 and was lodged in Arthur Road Central Jail. A week later, he was shifted to the Yeravada Central Jail, Pune, where he has been lodged since then and has earned the reputation of being a well-behaved inmate. Of the five-year sentence, the actor had already served 18 months as an undertrial and was required to undergo another 42 months, which is now on the verge of completing. In between serving time, Dutt was granted either parole or furlough on various grounds, attracting a lot of criticism from various quarters, while some prominent personalities demanded his release from jail. Source: ummid.com, Image

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