India’s First Children News Service’s Grand Launch

Celebs graced the occasion to extend their support towards the initiative

In what is believed to be a revolutionary move for India, Delhi- based NGO ‘Going To School’ under the platform of ‘Scrappy Kids’ launched India’s first children News Service called the Scrappy News Service on November 14th. The Scrappy News Service was launched on social video platform YouTube. Its grand launch in Mumbai had many noted guests and celebrities attend the event. 

The launch witnessed the presence of actor/ producer Dia Mirza and actor/producer Jackky Bhagnani who were seen interacting with the kids from the Scrappy News Service at the launch. 

The Scrappy newsrooms built completely out of scrap cater to the Children’s Scrappy News Service, a makeshift news service and news-talk-game show run by kids for kids, taking on India’s biggest problems and solving them with design-thinking and scrappy skills. Among the newsrooms set up in Mumbai, Bengaluru and across 14 places in Bihar, a list of innovative and interesting activities was planned for the newsrooms in Mumbai. 

Says 10-year-old child anchor Dheeraj, “We want to make sure adults sit up and take note of the issues we are addressing and begin to act on the same.”

Another 11-year-old child anchor Valeska says, “This is a new perspective. This is what we feel is important and feel the need to talk to people who we feel will bring about a change.”

The Mumbai newsroom has been set up at the scenic Worli Fishing village which the Scrappy team feels is the real Mumbai - what with the sea as the backdrop and the skyscrapers adjacent and of course, the fishing boats bobbing in the water. Along with our scrappy kids we will have Children and Musical Band from Akanksha Foundation, Yuwa Football Team, Mumbai Dabbawala’s, An performance by Dance Out of Poverty Kids and others speaking about the issue ‘No place to play’.

Lisa Heydlauff, Founder, ‘Going to School’ says, “Scrappy means to create something out of nothing to change the way things are. And the good news is that Scrappy News is all good news. It’s about what you can do to make the world a better place. It’s a revolution that says we have no time left, let children lead.”

Padmini Vaidyanathan, Director, ‘Going To School’, “Children's Scrappy News Service was created to showcase how kids think and how they can help in making the world a better place. It’s a children’s call to action.”

The Children’s Scrappy News Service launched simultaneously in Bengaluru and Bihar .

Actors on Endorsement spree

This year it has been a successful year for Hindi Cinema, as the movie have earned some great numbers. Not only the movies but also the audience have also appreciated the actors and given love to them. Many actors like Irrfan Khan, Varun Dhawan, Prabhas, Taapsee Pannu has given us the movies that we wouldn’t forget. It is not only the Indian Cinema but also the Brands those are loving the actors. The Brands have also supported the actors along with their movies, kept their positioning, as they deserve. Let us look at the actors who have major brand endorsement this year and who deserved to be the Face of the Brand.

Ranveer Singh – The dude, the man, the hunk and the notorious actor in Bollywood has made a quite a different mark on commercials. His charm has worked wonders for the brands for cars and condoms alike. He is different when it comes to brands as such. He has bagged approximately 7 to 8 brands lately

Irrfan Khan – The Piku actor has lately become a very popular face when it comes to endorsements, nevertheless many international brands have approached the actor for being their brand ambassodar. Irrfan has signed many brand endorsement deals this year. Irrfan is the first ever-Indian actor to be the brand ambassador for one of an International Financial Services Company. He has currently 6-7 brands in his bag and by the end of the year, he will probably receive more.

Taapsee Pannu – The Judwaa 2 actor has become one of the most popular faces in the endorsement world and has been approached by 14 brands this year, after her back to back success the brands are very keen on signing Taapsee as their brand ambassador but are blunt actress does not promote brand which are unethical to the society due to which out of 14 brands she has signed 8 brands as of now.

Alia Bhatt –  She is the youngest in the list. Yes, it is the Bhatt girl-Alia Bhatt who debuted in 2012 and the rest is history. Top brand endorsements have been assigned to her name. With so many achievements, it is the time for her to rejoice and go ahead with her future commitments. She has bagged 8 brands and more brands are looking forward to work with her.

Shraddha Kapoor -  The Aashique girl none other Shraddha Kapoor who is a popular face amongst the brands and  has been given the title of 'one of the most wanted names' in the endorsement world. She has signed many  leading brands and currently bags more than 6 brands.

Mika Singh and Rahul Vaidya rock the stage on The Drama Company

The recent episode of Sony Entertainment Television’s The Drama Company was hosted by Indian Idol fame Rahul Vaidya who welcomed Mika Singh with the other singers. A musical special episode where Mika Singh rocked the stage singing his popular songs whereas Rahul Vaidya made sure the audience had goose bumps with his performance. Sudesh Lehri who was Mika Singh’s body double made sure the audience moved with their beats and rhythms. Krushna Abhishek and Ali Asgar on the other hand made them guests laugh their hearts out with their hilarious comic acts.

Watch the episode of The Drama Company every Saturday and Sunday, 9PM only on Sony Entertainment Television!

Shilpa Shinde and Vikas Gupta turn friends?

Actor Shilpa Shinde seems to have won everyone's heart in the Bigg Boss 11 house, including contestant Vikas Gupta. Those who have been following the show, are aware of the bad past shared by Shilpa and Vikas. The two have left no stone unturned to trouble each other. Right from throwing tea on each other's clothes to not letting each other sleep and looking for ways to get at each other, Shilpa and Vikas have been an integral part of each episode.

However, Vikas chose to save Shilpa in a nomination task in the recent episode. He was asked to destroy his jacket, which was gifted to him by his family on Diwali, if he wanted to save her. And he did that! He also made Shilpa promise to work with him, once the show ends.

Shilpa, too, was in tears by the end of the task and even urged him not to destroy his jacket. At the end, she agreed to briefly work with him.

Meanwhile, when it was Shilpa's turn to save contestant Arshi Khan, she agreed readily. The actor had to destroy a picture of a tiger, gifted to her by her brother, and she did that without any hesitation. Not only has she been winning votes steadily, thanks to her kind and helpful nature in the house, but she also seems to be turning foes to friends!

Rohit Shetty receives the Most Stylish Star Filmmaker Award

Rohit Shetty is currently in celebratory mood with the success of Golmaal Again with the movie garnering a business of 200 crore. And quite recently, the filmmaker had another reason to rejoice as he was awarded with the ‘Most Stylish Star Filmmaker award at the Lokmat Most Stylish Awards. Rohit received the award from chief Minister Devendra Phadnavis’ wife Amruta Fadnavis.

Known for his style and dapper personality, there were no two doubts that he was the apt choice for this award. Dressed in a black pathani suit, he looked dapper as usual.