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Film producer Thammareddy Krishnamurthy dies at 93

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Popular Telugu producer Thammareddy Krishnamurthy passed away Monday. He was 93.

"He died early this morning due to some old age related issues at C.R Foundation home for the aged in Kondapur (Andhra Pradesh)," a family friend told IANS.

Born in 1920 in Chinapalaparru village in Krishna district, Andhra Pradesh, Krishnamurthy started his career with theatre.

He used to produce films under his home banner Ravindra Art Pictures and is known for producing several memorable Telugu classics such as "Lakshadhikari", "Bangarau Gajaulu", "Dharma Daata", "Zamindar" and "Doctor Babu".

He received the prestigious Raghupathi Venkaiah award in 2007.

He is survived by son Thammareddy Bharadwaja, a popular Telugu filmmaker.

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Children's Film Festival promises to be grand affair

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The Andhra Pradesh government is partnering with the Telugu film industry to conduct the 18th Children's Film Festival on a grand scale Nov 14-20 amidst the ongoing political turmoil in the state.

"We are taking steps to ensure that the festival doesn't face any hurdles. The government is handing over the responsibility of organising the festival to different chambers of Telugu film industry and we hope to make it a successful event," N.V Prasad, president, AP Film Chamber of Commerce, told IANS.

"Hyderabad has a reputation to keep because since its inception in 1995, the Children's Film Festival is being hosted by the city once in two years. However, due to the ongoing political agitation, lots of questions are being raised. We want to put to rest all those questions," he added.

The festival has already received entries from over 70 countries.

"We are on the verge of chalking out a plan of action. We have received so far over 800 entries from 72 countries. We are also expecting over 100 foreign delegates to grace the event. Over a lakh of school students are expected to attend the film festival," said Prasad.

"With so many children expected to attend the festival, we have to ensure that there is no security breach. Different committees are being set up to overlook hospitality, logistics, media relations and screening for the festival," he added.

As part of the festival, workshops on animation and screen writing are also being planned.

"Since it's a week-long festival, we want the children to make the best use of the opportunity. We are planning to organize workshops on animation, film appreciation and screen writing are likely to included," he said.

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Amyra Dastur likes the hospitality of Tamil industry

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Amyra Dastur, who is making her Tamil debut with upcoming romantic-thriller "Anegan" opposite Dhanush, says she liked the warmth she received from the industry while shooting for the film in Puducherry recently.

Amyra made her cinematic debut in "Issaq" opposite Prateik.

"Everybody is so respectable and hospitable in this industry. Everybody is so simple and shooting with them so much fun. Even when we were shooting outdoors, we didn't face any hassles with the onlookers. Everybody was very supportive on and off the sets," Amyra told IANS.

The 20-year old plays a modern-day south Indian girl in the film. She says she didn't have a problem with her costumes.

"I don't think I had any issue with the costumes after all these are Indian clothes. In south, people wear them differently, and therefore, all I had to was learn their way of wearing clothes," she said.

Directed by K.V Anand, "Anegan" also features Karthik, Atul Kulkarni, Ashish Vidyarthi and Jagan. It is being produced by AGS Entertainment.

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Southern film industry cashes in on hit pairs

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The film industry in southern India has a history of cashing in on a trend. From subjects to narrative style to technology, the industry has capitalised on everything that has clicked at the box-office. The latest trend seems to be casting a pair on the big screen more than once to reap benefits of such an association.

Nithiin Reddy and Nithya Menon, most bankable pair in the industry, have starred in two back-to-back Telugu blockbusters "Ishq" and "Gunde Jaari Gallanthayyinde" (GJG).

"I loved the chemistry between Nithiin and Nithya in 'Ishq'. I knew the pair would hit it off if I cast them again because I had a strong story to complement it. Luckily, it worked in our favour and audiences liked them too," GJG director Vijay Kumar Konda told IANS.

"The concept of a successful pair only works when the actors are backed by a strong script. Audiences don't pay money to merely come and see the faces of the actors. They want a good story to support the performances of their favourite pair," he added.

For Telugu actor Vishnu Manchu, who has paired up again with Hansika Motwani in an upcoming yet-untitled multi-starrer, it's the comfort factor with his co-star.

"Many believe that I opted to work with Hansika again because our previous collaboration turned out to be highly successful. But the truth is that I enjoy working with her. We have a lot of comfort between us and there is no room for ego," he said.

Vishnu and Hansika were previously seen together in Telugu romantic comedy "Denikaina Ready", which was a box-office success.

How often can a pair come together on screen?

Vishnu recommends it should not be two immediate films and there should a good time gap between the two releases.

"My last film with Hansika was in 2012. Soon after that, I started working for a different film, but we are shooting now for our next film that's expected to release towards this year-end. In essence, there has been a gap of at least one year and in between I'm doing another film," said Vishnu.

"When a pair features in two back-to-back films within a short span of time, it might affect the second film. This is because the audiences would have just seen the pair on posters, hoardings for the first film and when the second film comes out, it would still look like the earlier film," he added.

In Tamil, Arya and Nayanthara featured in 2010 hit "Boss Engira Bhaskaran". Following the success of this pair on screen, their lives were filled with linkups.

"Audiences loved Arya and Nayanthara as a couple so much that they wanted them to become real life couples. This continued for years and only doubled when the pair announced they will feature in a film together," a leading producer told IANS.

Arya and Nayanthara have teamed up again for Tamil romantic drama "Raja Rani" slated to release later this month.

"The makers of "Raja Rani" cashed in on the popularity of the pair by making them play a married couple in the film. Audiences would definitely flock to theatres to see them as husband and wife. No wonder even the first teaser of the film was featured on them when the film is a multi-starrer," he added.

Hansika and Silambarasan, who are dating each other, are busy shooting for Tamil films "Vaalu" and "Vettai Mannan"

"The pair recently revealed that they were seeing each other. This could very well work in favour of the film as audiences would want to see how their real-life chemistry get transformed on screen," said trade analyst Trinath.

Southern actress Swathi Reddy has teamed up for the second time with actors Nikhil Siddhartha and Jai in "Karthikeya" and "Vadacurry", respectively.

"I seriously don't know if something called a hit pair will guarantee success. It might work for a few films, but I believe the success of any film finally rests on its content and not on its lead actors," said Swati.

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'O heeriye' is unlike 'Paani da rang', 'Saddi gali': Ayushmann

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Actor-singer Ayushmann Khurrana has released his single "O heeriye" and says it is unlike his previous songs "Paani da rang" and "Saddi gali" which were more about heartbreak.

"This song is very special. 'Paani da rang' and 'Saddi gali,' there was a lot of catharsis behind those songs and lot of heartbreaks. This one (O heeriye) is a very happy and romantic song," the 29-year-old said here at the launch of the single.

The song's tagline says "However messy it is...always be in love."

Ayushmann says being messy is the real fun in love.

"Love can be messy, always. If you are in a steady relationship, there is no fun without being messy and that's part of life, it's all fun," he said.

He has composed this song together with his long-time friend Rochak Kohli.

Talking about his film projects, he is currently shooting for Yash Raj films' untitled project with Sonam Kapoor and also has a biopic of a freedom fighter lined up.

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Amol Gupte impressed with Saqib's performance in 'Hawaa Hawaai'

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Filmmaker Amol Gupte, who is working with Saqib Saleem in his next film "Hawaa Hawaai", is impressed with the actor's performance.

"Frankly, I was not prepared for it, but I am proud to have Saqib on board. Whatever little we have shot has left me impressed," Gupte said in a statement.

Saqib plays the prominent character of a skating coach in the film and is getting himself trained for the role.

The actor feels honoured to work with Gupte and says: "Amole and I spent a lot of time together before the shoot so that I could become familiar with his style of filmmaking."

Saqib, who made his Bollywood debut in 2011 with film "Mujhse Fraaandship Karoge", has also played lead role in "Mere Dad Ki Maruti", made by Y-Films, an arm of Yash Raj Films.

He also worked with filmmaker Karan Johar for his 20-minute film in "Bombay Talkies". When asked about his career graph so far, he said: " I am lucky to have had the opportunity to work with path-breaking directors so early in my career.

"I had watched 'Stanley Ka Dabba' and wanted to be a part of Gupte's kind of cinema. As an actor, I am hungry for diverse roles and my sole aim is to learn as much I can from him," he added.

"Hawaa Hawaai" is slated to release April 18, next year.

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Google honours Subbulakshmi on 97th birth anniversary

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Google Monday dedicated a doodle with instruments like the tabla, the dholak, and a lady playing a tanpura to honour Carnatic vocalist M.S. Subbulakshmi, known for her mellifluous voice, on her 97th birth anniversary.

Born in Madurai, Tamil Nadu, Subbulakshmi was the first musician to be awarded India's highest civilian honour, the Bharat Ratna, in 1998.

Subbulakshmi made her film debut in 1938 with "Sevasadanam" and she was also known for her humanitarian work.

She died in 2004 at the age of 88.

There were reports that admaker-cinematographer-filmmaker Rajiv Menon was planning to make a biopic on the legendary singer and that he was in talks with Vidya Balan to play the lead.

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Overwhelmed Vivek thanks audiences for 'Grand Masti' success

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Actor Vivek Oberoi, who is basking in the success of "Grand Masti", is happy that despite being panned by the critics, the adult comedy has been accepted by the audiences.

For him, the most cherishing fact is that despite having bold content, men and women equally liked the film.

"As far as the film is concerned, our audiences are our stars. The kind of response that our audiences have given in terms of houseful shows and whistles, it's mind blowing," Vivek told reporters Sunday while interacting with audiences at Gaity Galaxy theatre here.

"Not only the men but women also came to watch the film in single theatres and multiplexes. People from every corner of the country came in to watch the film," he added.

Made at a budget of Rs.35 crore, it raked in more than Rs.40 crore in the first weekend of its release.

Directed by Indra Kumar, it also features Riteish Deshmukh, Aftab Shivdasani, Karishma Tanna, Manjari Phadnis, Bruna Abdullah, Kainaat Arora and Sonalee Kulkarni.

"It's been a universal acceptance by the people and we love you. Thank you so much to audiences," he said.

Vivek, who was accompanied by Kumar and co-actor Aftab, credited the director for the film's success.

"Only a director like Indra Kumar can do it because he has the perfect balance of walking that fine line between making it funny and not disturbing or upsetting (viewers)," Vivek said.

"I think because of this combination, 'Grand Masti' also has done well," he added.

What is the best compliment you have got so far for the film?

"The best compliment is that everybody is asking when you are making third part of 'Masti'? That's the best compliment," Vivek said.

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Glad Ayushmann not over-the-top romantic: wife Tahira

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His romantic number "Paani da rang" may be high on romance and fetched Ayushmann Khurrana a lot of awards, but his wife Tahira says that in real life he is not a very expressive and romantic person.

"Beyond the screen he is a real person. I don't think anyone sings for a girl like this in real life. So he is a very real person and I am in love with the real Ayushmann. I am happy he is not over-the-top romantic," Tahira said here at the launch of Ayushmann's single "O Heeriye".

Ayushmann and Tahira are childhood lovers and they have know each other since he was 16. She says Ayushmann hasn't composed any special song for her yet.

"He has not composed any song for me yet. I am still waiting for the song that he composes specially for me, but otherwise he has sung a lot of songs for me," Tahira said.

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B-town wishes happy Onam to all

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Be it any festival, our Bollywood celebrities are among the first ones to wish everyone. On the occasion of Onam Monday, actors like Neha Dhupia, Manoj Bajpayee, Anupam Kher and several others ent out greetings to everyone.

Neha, who was born and raised in Kerala, is looking forward to the week-long festivities.

"I was born and raised in Kerela and this day would always mean a week long of festivities! Happy Onam friends!" she tweeted.

Here's what others had to say on microblogging site:

Ayushmann Khurrana: Happy Onam, especially to Neha Dhupia - sardarni born in Kerala. And thanks for the wishes.

Manoj Bajpayee: Happy Onam to all of you! Be happy and peaceful!

Anupam Kher: Happy Onam to all. Love, happiness and peace always.

Aditi Rao Hydari: Onam!!! Happy happy to you all - now where is the Onam Sadya (traditionally a vegetarian meal served on a banana leaf)? Paruppu Sadam (a typical South Indian variety rice recipe) with ghee! yummy!

Ronit Roy: Here's wishing all my friends in south and from the south a very Happy Onam.

Madhur Bhandarkar: May god bless you and the colour and lights of Onam fill your home with happiness and joy. Have a happy Onam.

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I thought of quitting 'Jhalak..': Drashti Dhami

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Television actress Drashti Dhami, who won "Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa 6", says there was a point when she thought of quitting the show.

Drashti was balancing television soap "Madhubala - Ek Ishq Ek Junoon" along with "Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa". The work pressure was so high that she told her choreographer, Salman Yusuf Khan, that she wants to quit.

"I did think of quitting. There was a time when I started getting low scores. The amount of energy, which I was trying to put into my performances, was not showing," Drashti told IANS in a telephonic interview from Mumbai.

"After a month and a half, there is no physical strength left. It is only mental strength. I was so tired, I told Salman that I want to quit. He was shattered," she added.

"But I knew, I would not give up...I know myself," she added.

The 28-year-old described winning the show as a "larger than life" feeling.

"It is a proud moment. It is larger than life feeling. But I am very tired and really zoned out right now," she said.

Asked about her joining other reality shows, Drashti said right now her priority is "Madhubala".

"I will concentrate on 'Madhubala' as I haven't given it too much time. As far as other reality shows are concerned, I don't know what I will do. As of now, I just want to rest and rejuvenate myself," she said.

Drashi-Salman team won the trophy as well as Rs.50 lakh prize money.

"I have no idea what I will do with the prize money as of now, lets see," Drashti said.

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Wish I'd changed end of 'Kal Ho Naa Ho': Karan Johar

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Filmmaker Karan Johar's "Kal Ho Naa Ho" left many teary-eyed, thanks to the sad conclusion of the 2003 film. Now when he watches superstar Shah Rukh Khan dying on the hospital bed, Karan wishes the film ended in a different way.

The 41-year-old, who made his directorial debut with "Kuch Kuch Hota Hai" in 1998, admits that he made mistakes and conclusion of "Kal.." was one of them.

"Every film is a new mistake. When I see 'Kuch..', now I feel what a ridiculous story, when I see 'Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham', I think it is 35 minutes too long, 'Kal..', I wish I had changed the end..., 'Student of the Year', I wish it had more of emotional intensity. So, every film is a new mistake," Karan told reporters post press show of "The Lunchbox" here.

The son of late producer Yash Johar said that his father had a major role in changing the conclusion of "Kal Ho Naa Ho" that also stars Saif Ali Khan and Preity Zinta.

"It was my father's decision to show him (Shah Rukh) lying on the hospital bed. I was ending it far more differently, but he said 'Agar bada star ho toh usko marte huye dekhna chahiye, audience ko rona hai', (if it's a big star, we should show him dying as the audience wants to cry)," said Karan, who will direct another film next year.

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Anti-Terrorist Front honors John Abraham for 'Madras Cafe'

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Maninder Sign Bitta, President of the Anti-Terrorsist Front,Hasmukh Thakur, President - Maharashtra, ATF and Sanjeev Gupta, the President - Mumbai of Anti-Terrorist Front, honored actor John Abraham by conferring the ‘Pride of the Nation’ award on him for his role in Madras Café – a film that highlights the Rajeev Gandhi assassination on16 September, 2013 at New Delhi .

“John is a big actor. It takes courage to portray something as offbeat as his character in the film. Such efforts deserve to be recognized and honored in order to promote the spirit of national integration, brotherhood and to fight terrorism in all its forms,” said Sanjeev Gupta, at the heels of the program.

Bitta, the President of the ATF was all praise for the actor. “Abraham has made a courageous attempt to unravel the conspiracy behind the assassination of Rajiv Gandhi," he said. The film "Madras Cafe" recalls the series of events in the 80s and early 1990s woven around the Sri Lankan civil war and the subsequent assassination of then Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi.

John Abraham said he was exploring making a movie on Havaldar Abdul Hamid, who was awarded the Param Vir Chakra posthumously following the 1965 Indo-Pak war. "Abdul Hamid made the supreme sacrifice during the war. His story is awe-inspiring. I will definitely try to make a movie on his life," Abraham said during the function that was titled ‘Zara Yaad Karo Qurbani’.Bitta added that there remains scope for an "unbiased enquiry to expose the conspiracy" which resulted in the death of Rajiv Gandhi.

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Sharman becomes an army officer

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Actor Sharman Joshi will be seen playing an army officer in his upcoming film, War Chhod Na Yaar. Sharman made special preparations with his look to fit a young captain’s look. The film’s director Faraz Haider wanted Sharman to get a crew cut to make the character look real.

“Sharman was given a crew cut to fit the young Captain look, unlike many Hindi films where heroes who play army officers keep longish hair”, says a source. Haider admits that he gave Joshi the brief that he should adapt the personality of an officer. “When I first narrated the script, Sharman got excited about donning a new look. Apart from working on his physique, I advised him to groom himself to look like a very authentic army man,” Haider says. “Sharman had long hair and I was concerned about his hairstyle because he had to carry a style similar to an army officer. After a few days, he called me to say that he is coming to meet me in my office. And there was my hero standing in front of me with a perfect crew cut, which showed his involvement with his character and the film,” Haider added.

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Akshay Kumar launches India’s first Hindi fashion channel

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To keep up with the age of contemporary advances, Akshay Kumar and Ashvini Yardi’s production banner Grazing Goat Pictures recently launched ‘Grazing Goat Digital’. The first venture to emerge is the YouTube channel ‘FOMO Fashion On My Own’, India’s first Hindi fashion channel which lets trend-conscious women transform into a glamorous avatar without having to step into a salon.

The fashion channel will cater to women aged between 15 and 34 and will provide them with the latest trends, tips and tricks of the fashion trade. The channel broadcasts step-by-step tutorials on such subjects as hair styling tips, make up tutorials, getting the look of your favourite celebs and more. The channel will be broadcasting videos in Hindi and English, and will upload new episodes every Monday.

Commenting on the launch of their new digital channel, Grazing Goat Pictures co-founder Ashvini Yardi said, “Grazing Goat Digital is proud to present FOMO Fashion On My Own, India’s first Hindi fashion channel in association with YouTube, targeted at women not only in metros but even in smaller towns who have the fashion sense but not the required facilities at their disposal. FOMO will be catered in Hindi to reach a wider audience and will also available in English. It’s not very cost effective for women to visit a salon each time they desire a particular look hence they can watch it anywhere at any time and still manage to look a million bucks!”

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Cyber cops rescue Evelyn Sharma from errant website

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The Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani actress Evelyn Sharma has heaved a sigh of relief, with Cyber Crime Cell of Lucknow Police, Uttar Pradesh, taking up her case on war footing. Following swift action by the cops, the website has publicly apologized and removed all objectionable content.

“Honestly, we did not expect such speed from the cops in resolving the matter. But Mr Dinesh Yadav, nodal officer and head of Cyber Crime Cell in the city was cooperation personified,” reveals Evelyn’s publicist Dale Bhagwagar, who filed the complaint on behalf of the actress.

Evelyn was facing constant persecution through falsities in articles by a Lucknow-based website bollygupshup.org run by one Gagan Deep Mishra alias Akash Deep Mishra, when she complained to the cyber cops.

Within a span of a week, the website repeatedly attacked the actress with different statements, incorrectly claiming that she had undergone plastic surgery, was part of a film titled Joker, as well as put up a false age, on the pretext of picking content from Wikipedia and IMDB, without verification.

Moreover, it ‘tagged’ Evelyn on her Twitter account in the web links of these articles containing the fabricated information, in an apparent attempt to intimidate the actress on social media.

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Working with Sunny Deol will be a treat: Arshad Warsi

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Actor Arshad Warsi says it will be treat to work with a "calm and pleasant" person like Sunny Deol, with whom he is teaming up for the first time in upcoming action comedy "Bhaiyyaji Superhitt".

"Shot with Sunny Deol yesterday (Tuesday) for the first time. What a fabulously calm and pleasant person he is. It's going to be a treat working with him," Arshad posted on microblogging site Twitter Wednesday.

The 45-year-old has acted in comedy films like "Golmaal" series, "Hulchul" and "Maine Pyaar Kyun Kiya", "Munna Bhai M.B.B.S." and "Lage Raho Munna Bhai".

"Bhaiyyaji Superhitt" is being directed by Neeraj Pathak. It also features Preity Zinta, Ameesha Patel, Mithun Chakraborthy and Shreyas Talpade.

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Shahid makes Amitabh groove

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Shahid Kapoor, a flexible dancer, made megastar Amitabh Bachchan shake a leg or two to the tune of "Agal bagal", a song from the former's forthcoming release "Phata Poster Nikla Hero".

Shahid and his movie's co-star Ileana D'Cruz made a promotional visit to the set of game show "Kaun Banega Crorepati 2013", hosted by Big B.

"Shahid showed off his dance moves on 'Agal bagal' and asked the superstar to join him. He also taught Amitabh the signature move which the host effortlessly copied. Shahid even danced to 'Dhating dhating'," said a source from the channel.

The episode featuring Shahid and Big B doing a jig will be aired Sep 20 on Sony Entertainment Television.

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Sharman wants hunger relief for country

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Actor Sharman Joshi has urged people to take an active part in eradicating hunger in the country.

The actor lent support to World Hunger Relief, an initiative by Smile Foundation and Yum! Restaurants India, towards the cause. He said that programmes like these encourage everyone to improve the community in which they live.

"As responsible members of society, it is upon us to take initiatives to eradicate hunger in India. Programmes like the World Hunger Relief encourage us and other corporates to serve the community in which we operate," Sharman said in a statement.

"I have pledged my support to this initiative and urge all consumers to join in the noble cause," added the "3 Idiots" actor.

On the big screen, the 34-year-old will next be seen in Faraz Haider's "War Chod Na Yaar".

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Grazing Goat Pictures launches online channel

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Grazing Goat Pictures, a film production company co-owned by Bollywood actor Akshay Kumar and Ashvini Yardi, has entered the digital medium with the launch of Grazing Goat Digital. Its first venture is a Hindi fashion channel on videosharing site YouTube.

The channel, FOMO - Fashion On My Own - aims to cater to women aged between 15 to 34. It will help trend-conscious women transform into glamourous divas without having to step into a salon.

It will broadcast step-by-step tutorials on subjects such as hairstyling tips, makeup tutorials, getting the look of your favourite celebrities and more.

"FOMO will be catered in Hindi to reach a wider audience and will also available in English. It's not very cost effective for women to visit a salon each time they desire a particular look hence they can watch it anywhere at any time and still manage to look a million bucks," Yardi said in a statement.

Grazing Goat Pictures house ventured into film production with the 2012 movie "OMG - Oh My God!".

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