Sanjana Sanghi helps Covid-impacted underprivileged children, families

Actress Sanjana Sanghi on Friday announced that she will help Covid-infected underprivileged children and their families.

She has joined hands with Save The Children to support such families, residing in remote parts of India. The mission, named “Protect A Million”, aims to reach one million affected underprivileged children and families across the nation.

“It is my honor to be joining hands with Save The Children, a century-old Global Child Rights Organisation in our mission to #ProtectAMillion. Together we will be providing Covid support in the form of oxygen, critical care, essential medicine, psycho-social support, and nutritional packages, to the most underserved and vulnerable communities which are children and their families in remote parts across 57 districts of India. Our aim is to reach One Million such children and families and we just can’t do this without you,” she said in an Instagram video.

She added: “Join me and save the children as we fight to protect the future and fight for hope. Every single penny, I promise you will better the life or save the lives of those for whom the basics like a thermometer, oximeter, a mask or medicine, are a huge, huge privilege. Let’s open our hearts up, like we already have, and Help each other and fight for the children of our country.”

She captioned the post as: “#ProtectAMillion | Save The Children We need all your help in helping us be able to provide critical relief to the most disadvantaged COVID-impacted children & families in the most remote parts of India. @savethechildren_india and I are on a mission #ToProtectAMillion such children & families and fight for them, as they fight for their lives. Your contribution, big or small will go the longest way in allowing us to make this uphill task a reality by allowing us to make the following reach them: -Oxygen -Critical Care -Essential Medicines -Testing Support -Nutritional Packages -Psychosocial support.”

Anushka and Virat’s Covid fundraiser effort surpasses target, raises over 11 crore

Actress Anushka Sharma on Friday shared that the Covid fundraiser she started with her husband, cricketer Virat Kohli, has surpassed its target, raising Rs 11,39,11,820.

Virat and Anushka started the fundraiser campaign on May 7. The couple collaborated with crowd-funding platform Ketto for the campaign #InThisTogether and donated Rs 2 crore towards the initiative. They had aimed to raise Rs 7 crore for Covid relief in India

On Friday, Anushka shared a note on Instagram that reads: “Thanks to all we have surpassed our target! Funds raised for Covid Relief. Rs 11,39,11,820. #inthistogether.”

“Truly amazed and humbled by the spirit of solidarity that you all have shown. We are proud to announce that we have raised more than our initial target and it will go a long way to save lives,” she added.

“Thank you for your overwhelming support in helping the people of India. This wouldn’t be possible without you. Jai Hind. #InThisTogether #ActNow #OxygenForEveryone #TogetherWeCan #SocialForGood,” Anushka further stated.

Asim Riaz drops debut rap song ‘Back to start’ on Eid

“Bigg Boss 13” star and model Asim Riaz dropped his debut track as a rapper on the occasion of Eid on Friday. Titled “Back to start”, Asim has written his debut song besides singing it.

Asim says he had the number with him since 2015 and wanted to polish it before putting it out there for listeners.

“We take a look around us and we see that everything is changing and so much of the good change is being embraced. I had ‘Back to start’ with me since 2015 and I wanted to polish it till I was ready to put it out there for the listeners,” he said.

“I’m very pumped that its release. My wish for everybody this Eid is to have the strength to embrace changes and hustle their way forward,” Asim added.

The rap number depicts his days of struggle, right from the start of his career, and is released under Sony Music India.

Divyanka Tripathi on being away from Vivek Dahiya for ‘Khatron Ke Khiladi’ shoot

Actress Divyanka Tripathi, who is currently shooting in Cape Town for the stunt-based reality show “Khatron Ke Khiladi 11” says that it was tough leaving her husband, actor Vivek Dahiya, at home.

The actress says this is the first time since they got married in July 2016 that they will be apart for so long.

“This is the first time after our marriage that I am leaving Vivek alone for so many days. We have got emotional many times. For the last week, we have been preparing ourselves for this day when I will leave for Cape Town. Leaving him and going makes me very sad,” she told.

The actress also adds that the family members of all contestants have been reluctant to let them leave the country amidst the pandemic.

“During the pandemic, it’s tough for family members to let us go. So, I think they are the biggest ‘Khatron Ke Khiladi’ for letting us go in this phase,” she says.

However, a part of her is also overjoyed at being given a chance to engage in something adventurous again.

“I am excited that I am going to do something that was pending for a long time. Before coming to Mumbai, I used to get a lot of chances to participate in adventurous activities. Since I came to Mumbai, I have just been working for the last 15 years. I have not touched this aspect of my personality for a while. It was a long-awaited opportunity,” she says, adding: “I used to participate in a lot of camps when I was a kid. I used to stay outside home in 10-day or 50 day-camps, so I was in the habit of staying alone. After coming to Mumbai, This is the first time I am going alone.”

On the deadly second wave of Covid, Divyanka says: “It is a tough time for the industry, but it is not limited to our industry. In any profession, they are going through a tough time. In fact, we, actors are used to it.”

“We are used to this pattern. When we are working, we do it rigorously and work for extended hours and schedules are erratic. But when we don’t have work, like between shows, we work on ourselves and that’s what we are doing. We are taking care of ourselves and our families. We are trying to stay safe because currently more than work, life is important. We are trying to be healthy mentally and keep doing activities at home or play games to distract ourselves and keep ourselves happy. During this time, mental health is important, and it is important to stay in touch with your loved ones at all times,” she concludes.

When Madhuri Dixit got emotional watching a dance dedicated to Saroj Khan and her

Actress Madhuri Dixit Nene was recently moved to tears by a performance honoring her and the late choreographer Saroj Khan, on the dance reality show “Dance Deewane”.

Madhuri celebrates her birthday on May 15, and contestants Pallavi Tolye and Siza Roy dedicated a performance of “Tabah ho Gaye” from the 2019 film “Kalank” to the actress for her special day, as well as ace choreographer Saroj Khan, who passed away last year on July 3.

Incidentally “Tabah ho gay”, as Madhuri said on the show, was her last collaboration with Saroj Khan, before the choreographer’s untimely death.

On seeing the performance, Madhuri had tears. Calling it a “brilliant performance”, she said: “Seeing you dance, it felt like I was watching her (Saroj Khan) perform. It was like seeing Saroj ji stand right in front of me. When you danced on ‘Tabah ho gaye’, which was my last song with her, the memories of her teaching me came rushing back. I remember that she would always reward a deserving performance with Rs 101. Today, on behalf of her, I would like to reward you both with Rs 101!”

“Dance Deewane” airs on Colors.

Raveena Tandon pens heartfelt note on mother’s birthday

Actress Raveena Tandon penned a note on the occasion of her mother Veena’s birthday on Thursday and shared it with fans on social media.

Raveena posted a string of throwback pictures of her mother on Instagram, besides a few where she poses alongside her mother.

“You’ve given me your best, but I still will never surpass the beauty That you are (heart and love emoji), inward and out. you made me and gave me all, I love you, mom! Happy birthday! #veenatandon #13th May 2021,” Raveena wrote alongside the images.

Raveena currently awaits the release of her upcoming film “KGF 2”. She will be seen playing Prime Minister Ramika Sen in the film. The film stars Kannada star Yash and Sanjay Dutt. Raveena will also make her OTT debut soon in the series “Aranyak”.

#ThalaivarVaccinated: Daughter tweets photo of Rajinikanth’s vaccination

Rajinikanth has been vaccinated for Covid-19 prevention. On Thursday, daughter Soundarya tweeted a photograph of the 70-year-old superstar getting the vaccine shot.

“Our Thalaivar gets his vaccine. Let us fight and win this war against Coronavirus together #ThalaivarVaccinated #TogetherWeCan #MaskOn #StayHomeStaySafe,” Soundarya wrote alongside her father’s photograph on Twitter.

In the photo, Rajinikanth sits wearing a mask on his face as he gets the jab on his left arm. His daughter stands next to him.

The photo has gone viral in no time, with fans sharing it using the hashtag #ThalaivarVaccinated. Fans are also saying Rajinikanth’s vaccination will encourage common people to get vaccinated.

Rajinikanth gets the jab at a time when several South stars and Bollywood celebrities are also getting vaccinated amid the ongoing deadly second wave of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Meditation helped Alicia Keys to be a good mother, partner, friend

Singer Alicia Keys said that meditation helped her a lot after she became a mom.

“Like so many new moms I was exhausted, but the depletion was more than physiological; my spirit was shot. I needed to do something so I could continue to be a good mother to my children, partner to my husband, and friend to myself,” she said, according to a report in femalefirst.co.uk.

Since she was so tired during those days, she slept off the first time she meditated but got better with time.

“I have to be honest: The first time I tried the meditation, I was so tired that I fell asleep. But the second time, I felt a little spark. I really liked the mixture of chanting, singing, and movement. Between the chanting and the singing and the rhythm and the meaning of these ancient words, I discovered a sense of peace and comfort,” she said.

She added that she was able to connect with herself better, too.

“I started to notice a richer connection with myself, and the ability to go deeper. After years of silence, I could hear myself, trust my instincts, know what I wanted, know what I needed and not feel so insecure.”

Keys has two kids — Egypt, 10, and Genesis, six.

Salman Khan appeals against piracy ahead of ‘Radhe’ release

Bollywood superstar Salman Khan on Wednesday posted an Instagram video urging fans to watch his new film “Radhe: Your Most Wanted Bhai” on the official pay-per-view platform where it releases on May 13, and not to resort to piracy.

In the video, Salman says in Hindi: “Many people work hard while making a film and I feel very sad when some people resort to piracy to watch it. I would ask for a commitment from all of you that please enjoy films on the right platform. This Eid will be about the audience’s commitment — no piracy in entertainment.”

“Radhe: Your Most Wanted Bhai” is Salman’s Eid release for 2021, and is scheduled to drop digitally on Thursday. The film directed by Prabhu Deva also stars Disha Patani, Jackie Shroff, Arjun Kanungo, and Randeep Hooda.

Parineeta Borthakur wants to participate in reality shows

Actress Parineeta Borthakur, who was last seen in “Gupta Brothers: Chaar Kunware From Ganga Kinaare”, is keen on participating in reality TV shows next. The actress says that she wants the audience to see how she truly is.

“After doing fiction shows on screen now, I want to introduce myself to my audience. And I feel reality TV is the best medium. Also, I want to challenge myself and try doing something I’m not comfortable with. I wish to do reality shows and by God’s grace it may happen soon,” she says.

While she feels that she might not make it till the end of “Bigg Boss”, she is keen on singing and dancing shows.

“I’m also a singer. So, if there’s any show on singing or dancing, I’m always on for the game. Apart from that, ‘Khatron Ke Khiladi’ seems interesting. ‘Bigg Boss’ is the most talked-about show but I feel I’m not someone who can survive there for long. I’m a little introverted, calm, and a fun-loving soul. Ugly fights and an arrogant environment make me very uncomfortable. But still testing my patience is not a bad idea,” she says.

Parineeta is known for her roles in shows such as “Ek Tha Raja Ek Thi Rani”, “Pritam Pyare Aur Who” and “Swaragini”.