Category: Celebrity

Actor Sonu Sood, who was lauded for his efforts to send migrants home safely during lockdown last year, dismisses allegations that he pulled off the entire operation using funds provided by a particular political party…writes Yashika Mathur.

“I could do all this because I was not associated with any political party. Otherwise I would have had to ask 100 questions before doing a job like this. Since it was my decision to connect with people and help them, I was able to reach out. Whatever I did, was not about caste or religion. I reached out to people across society. I have been connecting with people a lot over the past year,” Sonu tells IANS.

“I have been in this industry over the last 20 years and have done over 100 movies, but to reach out to every single person who loves me has not been possible. I think I have thoroughly enjoyed playing the real-life hero. This is not a film, but surely the almighty is the director,” he adds.

Questions were raised and theories floated over how he managed to send lakhs of people home on his own.

“I remember when I started this mission, Chandraprakash Dwivedi, director of my (forthcoming) film ‘Pritviraj’, told me people would want to bring me down, given the path I had chosen. The problem with the world is that people cannot see something right happening. When they see that, they question why this is happening, why is someone there to help others? But it fades off because there is no truth or spine to it. It wont stop me from doing what I am doing. It is a journey which I started with millions. There will be few who will not like it but I hope that one day they also become part of this journey,” he says.

The actor woke up to the news on Tuesday that some people in Telangana have started a free ambulance service in his name.

“The service they have started is so beautiful. This is an ambulance service that is free of cost in Telangana and it is spreading across to Andhra Pradesh. I will also be helping them now, since it is a facility a lot of people would need. They will also start a toll free number especially for this. When they told me this, I was speechless. Since, I am associated with ILAAJ India Initiative, I know how difficult it is for people to get medical service. I would like to it to be a pan-India service,” says Sonu.

How does he feel when people hail him as a real life hero? “I miss my parents more, every single day when people say I am the national hero. I wish they were here to see this. They are my guiding angels. Lot of people and young kids are affected. I used to get pictures clicked as an actor. Lately, people tell me their children want to become like me and that makes me feel very happy,” he says.

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 Indian cricket team captain Virat Kohli and his wife Anushka Sharma were on Monday blessed with a baby girl.

“We are thrilled to share with you that we have been blessed with a baby girl this afternoon. We thank you all for your love, prayers and good wishes,” Kohli informed on Monday through a statement on his social media handles.

“Anushka and the baby are both healthy and we are feeling beyond blessed to start this new chapter of our lives. We hope that you can respect our privacy at this time,” he added.

In August last year, the couple had shared the news that they were expecting a child. Taking to Instagram and sharing a picture, both of them had written: “And then, we were three! Arriving Jan 2021.”

Anushka and Kohli had tied the knot in December 2017 in Tuscany, Italy.

Kohli returned home from Australia after taking part in three ODIs, three T20Is and first Test of the ongoing four-match series.

The Border-Gavaskar Trophy is currently tied at 1-1, with the final Test slated to begin from Friday at The Gabba in Brisbane.

Kohli is expected to be seen in action next against England, who will be touring India for a full-fledged tour, comprising four Tests, five T20Is and three ODIs, beginning February 5.

Also Read-Farhan reaffirms his commitment to work

Actor-filmmaker Farhan Akhtar is overwhelmed with the love that he got on his birthday, and says the love reaffirms his commitment to work hard and come out with films that can resonate with all.

Farhan turned 47 on Saturday, and saw friends and fans extend good wishes for the actor.

“Thank you all so much for your birthday wishes yesterday .. it not only makes the day special but also reaffirms my commitment to work hard and bring you films that can resonate with you. Lots of love and hope you have a beautiful 2021. Big hug,” Farhan tweeted on Sunday.

On the work front, he will soon be seen in “Toofan”.

The teaser images of Farhan’s beefed-up frame to transform into an on-screen boxer have raised curiosity of fans.

Director Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra returns with his second sport-base subject with Farhan after the 2013 hit “Bhaag Milkha Bhaag”. The film also features Paresh Rawal, Mrunal Thakur and Isha Talwar.

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Actor and humanitarian Sonu Sood says that 2020 has been a tough year, and was like a reality check for us. Sood, who authored the book ‘I Am No Messiah’, says that it taught us to put others before us and to keep out families closer to us than ever.

“2020 has been a tough year. But I am happy and I feel blessed that I got the chance to help so many people. The year was like a reality check for us. It taught us to put others before us and to keep out families closer to us than ever. It gave me the opportunity to interact with so many people. I feel like we are one big happy family now. Going ahead, I hope we continue to be kind and compassionate beings.

“I wouldn’t like to look at it like that. While I’m happy to have the support and love of so many people from all around the country, I don’t see it as a pressure on me. I will keep doing what I’ve been doing with the same vigour. My parents have always told me that with success and privilege comes responsibility. I am always going to remember their words. The love that I have received has only motivated me to keep working hard and being there for people to the best of my ability,” Sood told IANSlife.

In his memoir, ‘I Am No Messiah’, Sonu combines the extraordinary experiences of his journey from Moga to Mumbai. Honest, inspirational and heart-warming, this is the story of Sonu Sood and of the people whose lives he continues to transform. Sonu’s memoir, co-written with veteran journalist and author Meena K Iyer, which was released recently is being well received by readers from across India. A number of people whose life Sonu has touched, NGOs and various institutions are coming on board to support the book.

During the nationwide lockdown, imposed in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic, when a wave of poverty-stricken migrants set out on foot to make their arduous journey back home, the value of seva, service to mankind, instilled in him by his parents, spurred Sonu Sood into action. From taking to the streets and reaching out to the stranded, to setting up a dedicated team and making arrangements for national and international transport, Sonu managed to help thousands of helpless and needy workers. Thus, began his ‘Ghar Bhejo’ programme, carried out like a humanitarian mission. Chartered flights, buses and trains were sanitized and paid for. Distress calls from all over the world were answered. Soon, the movement snowballed into a campaign for providing jobs, medical facilities and educational aid to workers.

Sonu says, “While 2020 has been a challenging year in many ways, it has offered me an opportunity to reach out to millions of people and connect with them directly. During the course of this journey, I have learnt and gained a lot from them. I have shared my experiences in my memoirs I Am No Messiah, and it is heartening to see the support the book is receiving not just from book readers but various organisations and institutes who truly believe in our efforts to help people during these difficult times.”

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Telugu superstar Allu Arjun has garnered a following of 10 million on Instagram and has thanked his fans for being there as his strength.

Arjun posted a video montage on Instagram. The clip features all the videos and pictures he has shared on the portal.

“Thank You All for the Love . Thank you for being there as my strength. Truly touched and humbled by your blessings,” he wrote as the caption.

On the professional front, Arjun has recently announced his next film directed by Koratala Siva.

He also shared the first poster of the film, tentatively titled “AA21”, on the photo-sharing website. In the poster, two boys can be seen standing near a shore and gazing at a village.

The film is scheduled to release in early 2022. Other details related to the film are still under wraps.

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Bollywood actress Kriti Sanon has shared a video on social media, where she is seen riding a motorbike. The song Hairat from the 2010 film Anjaana Anjaani plays in the background.

“Four wheels… Move the body…Two wheels…Move the soul.. P.S. I always wanted to ride a bike with this song playing in the background!” Kriti captioned the clip.

The actress is all set to start shooting for the upcoming film Bachchan Pandey starring Akshay Kumar.

She has also finished shooting for her next with actor Rajkummar Rao for Abhishek Jain’s upcoming comedy Second Innings. The film also stars Paresh Rawal and Dimple Kapadia, and is scheduled to release next year.

Kriti’s other upcoming film is Mimi, Laxman Utekar’s film that casts her as a young surrogate mother alongside Pankaj Tripathi, Sai Tamhankar, Manoj Pahwa and Supriya Pathak.

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Aliaa Bhatt ,Ranbir Kapoor and Neetu Singh arrives at Jaipur Airport to celebrate New Years in Rajasthan , December 29,2020 (photo: Pallav Paliwal/Asianlite)

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