By Justin Rao and Komal Panchamatia Mumbai, May 12 () Big ticket releases such as Amitabh Bachchan's "Gulabo Sitabo" may bypass theatres and premiere directly on digital platforms, being seen as a potential saviour for the film industry in a year marred by the COVID-19 pandemic and uncertainty over when cinemas will open.Faced with the question of going "direct to digital" or waiting for theatres to open after the situation improves, many filmmakers and production houses are exploring the option of heading to streaming platforms, industry insiders said.Shoojit Sircar's Amitabh-Ayushman Khurrana starrer "Gulabo Sitabo", Anu Menon's eponymous biopic on math genius Shakuntala Devi, with Vidya Balan in the title role, as well as "Chehre", another Amitabh film, are among the films likely to be released soon on a streaming platform."The deal of releasing 'Gulabo Sitabo', a quirky comedy set in Lucknow, and 'Shakuntala Devi' on Amazon Prime Video has been locked. The official announcement for both the films is most likely to be made this week," a source close to the streamer told .Ronnie Lahiri, producer on "Gulabo Sitabo", neither confirmed nor denied reports when reached out to him but asked journalists to wait for an official statement.An insider on the team of "Shakuntala Devi" also did not comment about the film's digital release."Chehre" producer Anand Pandit said a digital release was under consideration."Given how the lockdown is panning out, a digital release for 'Chehre' is being mulled," Pandit said, adding they would wait till the first week of June to take a final call.India has been under lockdown since March 25 to curb the spread of the novel coronavirus.The one official announcement was the release of Nawazuddin Siddiqui's film "Ghoomketu", which streamed on ZEE5 last week. Most other plans are shrouded in secrecy with officials reluctant to come on record. But the list of 2020 films which will be released on streaming platforms is long, said insiders. Top on the list is "Laxmmi Bomb", featuring Akshay Kumar and backed by Fox Star Studios, which has reportedly been picked up by the recently launched service Disney+Hotstar. However, Hotstar representatives maintained a "no comment" stance as did producer Tusshar Kapoor.The movie, directed by Raghava Lawrence, was scheduled to be released on May 22 in theatres. That is unlikely to happen with no signs of cinema theatres opening even if the lockdown ends.The other 2020 releases -- Varun Dhawan-starrer "Coolie No 1", "Jhund" with Bachchan and Jahnvi Kapoor's "Gunjan Saxena" -- are also likely to head to different OTT platforms.Kiara Advani-starrer "Indoo Ki Jawani", co-produced by Nikkhil Advani and Bhushan Kumar, is also reportedly looking for a digital release.However, Advani said the film is currently being edited "despite physical constraints" and the team is optimistic it will be ready "very soon"."We are exploring all possible avenues. Nothing stands confirmed or committed. As soon as we are clear about the way ahead, we will make a statement," he said.Bhushan's T-Series' has two other films, "Ludo" and "Jhund".While questions sent to Bhushan on the slate of his films were left unanswered, a source from the production house confirmed that T-Series is planning to release its films digitally and talks are currently on.There are also some producers who want to wait it out.Producer Jackky Bhagnani, who was looking forward to the theatrical release of "Coolie No 1" on May 1, said he is not thinking about films right now. "Let us overcome this crisis and we will announce in happier times," Bhagnani said when asked about whether he was looking at releasing the film digitally.Reliance Entertainment said it will wait to release two of this year's most awaited films – Akshay starrer "Sooryavanshi" with "83", fronted by Ranveer Singh. The team will wait for the lockdown to be lifted and release these movies in theatres."We will first complete the film then we will wait. If six or nine months down the line the situation becomes much worse we will take a call at that time. There is no hurry. Same is the case with 'Sooryavanshi' and our other films," Reliance Entertainment Group CEO Shibashish Sarkar told last month.Irrfan Khan's last film "Angrezi Medium" headed to OTT platforms soon after its theatrical release as the lockdown led to cinema halls being closed. "There is a lot of big money involved. Also, if you release on OTT you cannot release it in theatres… If you release a film in theatre it will come on satellite as well as digital later," said trade analyst Taran Adarsh.Last week, the Multiplex Association of India (MAI) appealed to studio partners, producers, artistes and content creators to support the cinema exhibition sector by holding their films and releasing them in theatres once they reopen.The statement followed reports that several films were looking at a direct to digital release amid the lockdown.The combination of "pent-up demand" and the promise of new movies would boost film business and contribute massively in reviving the industry, the association said."The collective, social experience of watching films on the big screen needs to be preserved and it can be done so only with the collective support of all stakeholders," the statement from the body read."One can't say the film will lose or gain from a digital release, because when you release a good film in theatres, sky is the limit," Adarsh added KKP/JUR RDS MINMIN

Lockdown impact: Big ticket films likely to skip theatres and go 'direct to digital'

<ul><li><keyword id="685487" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Spotify">Spotify</keyword> is looking to fix its underwhelming subscriber growth in the US by expanding into what the company calls ‘rest of the world’ markets, including Japan, Israel, South Africa, Australia and India. </li><li>A report by Variety indicates that the online music streaming service with be available in India by early next year. </li><li>Despite Spotify’s hurdles in securing music rights in India, it seems to have secured music rights from the majority of music labels in the country, including T-Series.</li></ul>In March, the largest paid streaming service in the world, Spotify, hinted at the possibility of entering the Indian market. It appears that it’s well on its way, having secured music rights from major music labels in India, <a href="https://variety.com/2018/digital/news/spotify-india-launch-free-trial-1203032894/">Variety</a> reported citing sources. In fact, its launch for India is scheduled within the next six months. Spotify also has plans to extend its usual 30-day free trial period in India, an unusual move considering it didn’t make an exception for launches in Vietnam or South Africa. Currently, Spotify is only available in Europe, North America and South America. Its expansion plans go beyond just introducing the platform in India but also include what it has termed the ‘rest of the world’ markets including Japan, Israel, South Africa and Australia. As of September, Spotify had eight million subscribers in the ‘rest of world’ markets with the <a href="https://www.gsmarena.com/spotify_arrives_in_13_arab_countries-news-34209.php">inception</a> of its streaming service across 13 new markets in the Middle East and North Africa. India, as one of the three largest music markets that Spotify is yet to penetrate, has the potential drastically expand its subscriber base since it is home to nearly 1.3 billion people. However, the company has faced criticism for its growth being unable to justify the company’s increasing costs. Daniel Ek, the CEO of Spotify, has <a href="https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/why-spotify-needs-to-up-its-game-outside-of-europe-and-the-americas-and-is-making-big-bets-to-do-so/">maintained</a> that the increase in operational costs will increase profits in the long run along with the number of subscribers. The importance of Bollywood The Stockholm-based company’s campaign in India hasn’t been the <a href="https://www.ft.com/content/ff5e69ec-8ec8-11e8-b639-7680cedcc421">smoothest ride</a>. In an attempt to secure music right for Spotify, the company approached the artists directly, which led to major record labels threatening to hold off on rights altogether. Despite the push-back, Spotify continued to acquire music rights. It may not have necessarily gotten the largest labels on board, but it has managed to make deals with the majority. That being said, Bhushan Kumar from T-Series has <a href="https://www.livemint.com/Consumer/ZMPgWAxD1oTVlwU1pYsLhL/Spotify-is-said-to-secure-rights-to-booming-Indian-music-mar.html">confirmed</a> that they are working on a deal with the online music streaming service while others like Sony Music have declined to comment on the issue. It’s key for Spotify to acquire rights to Bollywood music because music from Bollywood films account for <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/cheriehu/2017/09/23/how-india-the-global-music-industrys-sleeping-giant-is-finally-waking-up/#321afecf30bf">more than half</a> of the sales in the country. Even on Saavn, a local music streaming platform recently acquired by Jio and merged with Jio Music, folk and devotional music have the most traction.

Spotify plans to launch in India in the next 6 months — and with an extended 30-day trial period for Indian users

<ul><li>Prime Minister Narendra Modi's thanked Alia Bhatt, Aayushman Khurana, Madhuri Dixit, Tata Group, Coal India and others for their contribution to <keyword id="8972802" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="pm-cares">PM CARES</keyword>.</li><li>Prime Minister Narendra Modi's mother Heeraben Modi donates ₹25,000 from her personal savings to PM CARES Fund</li><li>Around 2,56,000 employees from India's largest bank, State Bank of India (<keyword id="13222" type="CITY" weightage="20" keywordseo="SBI">SBI</keyword>) have decided to pledge their salary to Prime Minister’s Citizen Assistance and Relief in Emergency Situations (PM-CARES) Fund. The total sum amounts to ₹100 crore.</li><li>The Indian Farmers Fertiliser Cooperative Limited (IFFCO) has decided to donate ₹25 crore.</li><li>The National Agricultural Coorperative Markering Federation (NAFED) had donated ₹5 crore.</li><li>Jindal Steel and Power (JSP) made a contribution of ₹25 crore.</li></ul>Prime Minister thanked Alia Bhatt, Aayushman Khurana, Madhuri Dixit, Karan Johar and others from the film fraternity is a tweet for their support towards the newly-formed Prime Minister’s Citizen Assistance and Relief in Emergency Situations (PM-CARES) Fund. 
	<div type="twitter" handle="narendramodi" handlename="Narendra Modi" image="http://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/1134082549041393672/QbihPzrL_normal.png" favoritecount="13613" retweetcount="1904" status="Every effort counts, every contribution matters. I thank leading film personalities @MadhuriDixit, @bhumipednekar,… https://t.co/F7vuQhM66c" createdat="1585674560000" id="1245035461761892352"></div>



 He also threw a shout out to government-owned enterprises like Coal India, the Ministry of External Affairs and the Wives Welfare Association for showing leadership and compassion during the Coronavirus outbreak and their collective contributions to the fund. 
	<div type="twitter" handle="narendramodi" handlename="Narendra Modi" image="http://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/1134082549041393672/QbihPzrL_normal.png" favoritecount="8771" retweetcount="1449" status="Rising to the occasion for a healthier India, showing leadership and compassion. Thank you @IRSAssociation,… https://t.co/aNAtCljd5h" createdat="1585674521000" id="1245035300323094528"></div>



 Modi also acknowledged Tata Group's contribution of ₹500 crore and thanked Ratan Tata for his gesture. 
	<div type="twitter" handle="narendramodi" handlename="Narendra Modi" image="http://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/1134082549041393672/QbihPzrL_normal.png" favoritecount="14410" retweetcount="2658" status="Admirable commitment to service and national development shown by the Tata Group. I welcome their gesture of contri… https://t.co/aOGpLbO9Z4" createdat="1585674828000" id="1245036586548359168"></div>



 List of everyone who donated to PM CARES Fund Modi's mother, Heeraben Modi, who is currently 95 years old, donated ₹25,000 from her personal savings to PM CARES. In an interview, Modi once said that Heeraben was the pillar in his life and has played a crucial part in his success. <div type="image" title="baimodi_edited" msid="74915240" hostid="261" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Prime Minister Narendra Modi&amp;#39;s mother Hiraba donates ₹25,000 from her personal savings to PM CARES Fund&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div>

 The Dalai Lama also announced that he's announced that he will donating to PM CARES through the Dalai Lama Trust, although he did not disclose the amount. "As a token of my sympathy and support, I am making a donation from Dalia Lama Trust to the PM CARES Fund set up to provide relief during crises such as this," he said. Employees from India's largest bank, the State Bank of India (SBI) have also pledged to donate two days' salary to the PM-CARES Fund. The collective effort from around 2,56,000 employees with amount to ₹100 crore. The Indian Farmers Fertiliser Cooperative Limited (IFFCO) is donating ₹25 crore to PM-CARES as well as conducting ground donation drivers in villages across the country. In Delhi, the National Agricultural Cooperative Market Federation of India (NAFED) wrote out a cheque of ₹5 crore to the fund. India's richest man <keyword id="3820" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Mukesh-Ambani">Mukesh Ambani</keyword> is also in the mix having pleded ₹500 crore ($66.4 million) to PM-CARES through his company, <keyword id="6355199" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="reliance-industries">Reliance Industries</keyword>. In comparison, Ambani's net worth is a whopping $39.9 billion. According to the company, this money will go towards sponsoring 5 million free meals over the next 10 days. PM cares donations by celebrities Actor Anushka Sharma and Cricketer <keyword id="6354486" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="virat-kohli">Virat Kohli</keyword> pledged their support earlier today, March 30 to help "ease the pain of fellow citizens." 
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	<div type="twitter" handle="AnushkaSharma" handlename="Anushka Sharma" image="http://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/1195210447172952064/oZyMahy-_normal.jpg" favoritecount="23321" retweetcount="1616" status="Virat and I are pledging our support towards PM-CARES Fund &amp; the Chief Minister's Relief Fund (Maharashtra). Our he… https://t.co/CU9SVN2Jda" createdat="1585546272000" id="1244497382684819458"></div>































 Actor Kartik Aryan also took to Twitter to announce that he is pledging ₹1 crore in fight against Coronavirus in India. 
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	<div type="twitter" handle="TheAaryanKartik" handlename="Kartik Aaryan" image="http://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/1192821355013644290/R0duNRKC_normal.jpg" favoritecount="20197" retweetcount="4005" status="It is the absolute need of the hour to rise together as a Nation. Whatever I am, whatever money I’ve earned, is onl… https://t.co/w0U6rgk9Fd" createdat="1585546614000" id="1244498818600558595"></div>































 T-Series Bhushan Kumar announced that the company has pledged ₹11 crore to the PM-CARES Fund on March 29. Kabir Singh producer Murad Khetani also stepped forward to pledge ₹25 lakh to the PM-CARES Fund and another ₹25 lakh to the Maharashtra Relief Fund. 
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	<div type="twitter" handle="itsBhushanKumar" handlename="Bhushan Kumar" image="http://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/1225348487979552773/z5jQsEiP_normal.jpg" favoritecount="13220" retweetcount="3026" status="Today, we are all at a really crucial stage &amp; it’s extremely important to do all we can to help. I, along with my e… https://t.co/8Is8pjyQnD" createdat="1585460086000" id="1244135893834682369"></div>





































 <keyword id="2823" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Akshay-Kumar">Akshay Kumar</keyword>, known for his blockbuster hits like Kesari, Pad Man, and Hera Pheri, pledged to donated ₹25 crore from his savings to the newly formed Prime Minister’s Citizen Assistance and Relief in Emergency Situations Fund (<a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/india/news/narendra-modi-announces-new-fund-pmcares-for-people-to-donate-towards-govt-fight-against-coronavirus/articleshow/74863818.cms">PM-CARES</a>). 
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	<div type="twitter" handle="mrsfunnybones" handlename="Twinkle Khanna" image="http://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/896049725241081857/8VCRlpsy_normal.jpg" favoritecount="77162" retweetcount="15535" status="The man makes me proud. When I asked him if he was sure as it was such a massive amount and we needed to liquidate… https://t.co/5u2aD72fd9" createdat="1585399438000" id="1243881516855447554"></div>









































 Actor Sonam Kapoor followed a more subtle approach by lauding the initaitive and confirming that she will be be making a donation. However, did not disclose the amount. 
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	<div type="twitter" handle="sonamakapoor" handlename="Sonam K Ahuja" image="http://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/1145948449193566208/SvvELvMl_normal.jpg" favoritecount="1646" retweetcount="84" status="This is an excellent initiative. And I will be donating. 🙏🏽🇮🇳 https://t.co/xpLAzalhgg" createdat="1585453373000" id="1244107734754025474"></div>



































 Others like Priyanka Chopra and husband Nick Jonas, Sara Ali Khan, R Madhavan and Katrina Kaif followed the same approach. PM CARES donations by singers Punjabi singer Guru Randhawa announced a ₹20 lakh pledge and asked people to “help each other” during these trying times. His contemporary Diljit Dosangh, also pledged to donate ₹20 lakh. 
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	<div type="twitter" handle="GuruOfficial" handlename="Guru Randhawa" image="http://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/1239256783408906240/iMVG7uJ3_normal.jpg" favoritecount="3936" retweetcount="961" status="I pledge to contribute Rs 20 lacs from my savings to @narendramodi sir’s PM-CARES Fund. Let’s help each other 🙏🏻 I… https://t.co/n7J308xt7d" createdat="1585402078000" id="1243892590467936256"></div>
















 PM CARES donations from sportsmen From the sporting arena, Indian cricketer Suresh Raina is donating ₹52 lakh but only ₹31 lakh is going towards the PM-CARES fund. The other ₹21 lakh is going to Raina’s home state, Uttar Pradesh, towards the chief minister’s Disaster Relief Fund. "That's a brilliant fifty," Modi responded to Raina's contribution. Soon after, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) also pledged ₹51 crore to the fund. 
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	<div type="twitter" handle="ImRaina" handlename="Suresh Raina🇮🇳" image="http://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/1227208077415288832/dQloczSs_normal.jpg" favoritecount="74231" retweetcount="14567" status="It’s time we all do our bit to help defeat #COVID19. I’m pledging ₹52 lakh for the fight against #Corona (₹31 lakh… https://t.co/UCOQ5EFiRI" createdat="1585397402000" id="1243872976883376130"></div>
















 
























 Pledge campaigns for donations to PM CARES Organisations like PhonePe and Motiwal Oswal are also doing their part during this time of crisis. The online payments platform PhonePe has launched a ₹100 crore pledge campaign in which they will add ₹10 to everyone’s donation. "This will inspire and enable a number number of Indian to donate to PM-CARES," according to Modi. 
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	<div type="twitter" handle="PhonePe_" handlename="PhonePe" image="http://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/1228394203421372416/4X3QZazb_normal.jpg" favoritecount="261" retweetcount="102" status="Join our #100CrorePledge &amp; donate to the PMCARES FUND using contactless UPI payments. Remember no contribution is t… https://t.co/b6Z4yD3rMh" createdat="1585405072000" id="1243905146087542785"></div>









































 Paytm, the online payment platform led by Vijay Shekhar Sharma, followed suit with its own ₹500 crore pledge. 
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	<div type="twitter" handle="vijayshekhar" handlename="Stay Home, Stay Safe" image="http://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/813598012173754368/MnHjJnCv_normal.jpg" favoritecount="18358" retweetcount="3731" status="We at @Paytm are aiming ₹500 crore towards PM CARES Fund. Not just when you donate on Paytm, we will add up to ₹1… https://t.co/vPXt3hlqAO" createdat="1585412377000" id="1243935786338115584"></div>





































 Indian companies donate to PM CARES Banking magnate Uday Kotak announced that he will be donating ₹25 crore out of his own saving and another ₹25 crore on behalf of Kotak Mahindra Bank. "It's time to protect lives and livelihood," he said. 
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	<div type="twitter" handle="udaykotak" handlename="Uday Kotak" image="http://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/532114039342505984/y0x0ooJy_normal.jpeg" favoritecount="6454" retweetcount="1199" status="It is time to protect Lives and Livelihood. Jab Jaan hai to Jahaan hai. https://t.co/AhKb1Yr8n1" createdat="1585468385000" id="1244170700589395968"></div>
















 L&amp;T, the Mumbai-based multinational, also announced a donation of ₹150 crore in addition to setting aside ₹500 crore to support its 1,60,000 contract workers. Pradeep and Pankaj Rathod from the Cello Group, known for its glassware, bottles and tiffin-ware, donated ₹3.5 crore to the fund. "Such support from the world of commerce and industry is extremely valuable," said Modi. The online stock trading platform, Motilal Oswal, is donating ₹5 crore to the PM-CARES Fund. According to Oswal, “Health is wealth.” Jindals' JSW Group, led by Sajjan Jindal, contibuted over ₹100 crore to the national Coronavirus fund to help in the relief efforts. 
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	<div type="twitter" handle="MrMotilalOswal" handlename="Motilal Oswal" image="http://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/1124698615153340418/_rnyIAMp_normal.jpg" favoritecount="1430" retweetcount="321" status="At this time when all of us need to help our fellow Indians in whatever way we can, @MotilalOswalLtd pledges to con… https://t.co/AehKZpINC6" createdat="1585403586000" id="1243898914681393157"></div>









































 
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	<div type="twitter" handle="ParthJindal11" handlename="Parth Jindal" image="http://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/531456067004542976/gW2LzOKD_normal.jpeg" favoritecount="4382" retweetcount="1093" status="Chairman of the @TheJSWGroup and chairperson of @JSWFoundation Papa @sajjanjindal and Ma @SangitaSJindal have dec… https://t.co/8JFTWpUs5E" createdat="1585463852000" id="1244151689713778689"></div>





































 The ayurvedic consumer goods company Patanjali, founded by Baba Ramdev, has given ₹25 crore to the PM CARES Fund and set up five quarantine centers for those who have testing positive for Coronavirus. Indian tech giant Infosys, will be donating ₹100 crore through the Infosys Foundation, the company's arm for philanthropic efforts. Branches of government doing their part National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) officials are putting up one day's salary towards PM CARES. Coal India Limited (CIL) has pledged ₹220 crore and NLC India has promised ₹25 crore. All of Indian Railway's employees have pledged one day's salary to the newly-formed Prime Minister’s Citizen Assistance and Relief in Emergency Situations (PM-CARES) Fund, according to union minister Piyush Goyal. Collectively, the contribution will amount to ₹151 crore from Indian Railways Ministry. Similarly all of the employees of the Airport Authority of India (AAI) collectively raised ₹20 crore to do their part during the crisis. 
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	<div type="twitter" handle="AAI_Official" handlename="Airports Authority of India" image="http://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/877857676109033472/JvXlewA7_normal.jpg" favoritecount="1345" retweetcount="391" status="#AAI employees raised ₹20 cr as an initial contribution to the #PMCARES Funds to fight the menace of #COVID19. Coll… https://t.co/WytKLioEsX" createdat="1585463322000" id="1244149467294486533"></div>





































 Indian President Ram Nath Kovind has also pledged one month of his salary towards the fund that will help fight the Coroanvirus pandemic in India. 
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	<div type="twitter" handle="rashtrapatibhvn" handlename="President of India" image="http://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/921303478684790784/FLIFCZxh_normal.jpg" favoritecount="9652" retweetcount="1341" status="President Ram Nath Kovind pledges to donate one-month salary to PM-CARES Fund to help the nation tide over the cris… https://t.co/EH8czooIw7" createdat="1585462054000" id="1244144145914003458"></div>




































 The Indian Administrative Services (IAS) Association is contributing ₹21 lakh and has encouraged its members to donate a day’s salary as well. 
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	<div type="twitter" handle="IASassociation" handlename="IAS Association" image="http://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/1070320942784557056/LsgH95pr_normal.jpg" favoritecount="3322" retweetcount="839" status="@IASassociation decides to contribute Rs. 21 lakhs to the PM-CARES Fund as its initial contribution to combat COVI… https://t.co/GLjNRfMpYw" createdat="1585395546000" id="1243865190803750912"></div>









































 Members of other branches of the government like the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) are also donating one to two day’s salary in the fight against Coronavirus in India. Officials from the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) have also pledged one-day's salary to PM-CARES. 
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	<div type="twitter" handle="iamkash_kr" handlename="Kashyap Kadagattur 🇮🇳" image="http://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/1166388395318247424/PPqGxPF4_normal.jpg" favoritecount="141" retweetcount="29" status="We in CRPF contributed our one day's salary to PM Relief Fund. Some of us contributed two day's salary as we felt w… https://t.co/veZ0nYlprM" createdat="1585400917000" id="1243887720067297281"></div>









































 Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CIBC) has pledged to donate ₹8 crore, and the Sports Authority of India has promised ₹76 lakh. See also: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/india/news/narendra-modi-announces-new-fund-pmcares-for-people-to-donate-towards-govt-fight-against-coronavirus/articleshow/74863818.cms">Narendra Modi announces new fund for people to donate towards govt fight against coronavirus</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/india/news/ratan-tata-donates-500-crore-for-covid-19-for-testing-kits-and-protective-gear-for-health-workers/articleshow/74862906.cms">Ratan Tata donates ₹500 crore for Covid-19 for testing kits and protective gear for health workers</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/startups/news/zomato-collects-1-5-crore-in-17-hours-to-feed-daily-wagers-who-are-out-of-work/articleshow/74806506.cms">Zomato collects ₹1.5 crore in 17 hours to feed daily wagers who are out of work</a>

PM Modi thanks Alia Bhatt, Tata Group, Aayushman Khurana and others for supporting PM CARES

The first poster of Omang Kumar’s upcoming movie Sarbjit was launched in the national capital yesterday. The event was attended by actress Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, who plays Sarabjit’s sister Dalbir Kaur in the movie, along with Nitin Gadkari and Amit Shah, eminent politicians from BJP. 
 
First, it was <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/Randeep-Hoodas-transformation-for-Sarbjit-would-give-Christian-Bale-some-tough-competition/articleshow/50867953.cms">Randeep Hooda’s look in the movie</a> that had created news, because apparently, Hooda had lost 18kgs for his role in just 28 days. And now, Aishwarya’s de-glam avatar in the movie is creating a stir in the industry, as she looks desolate and yet determined to get her brother back. 
 
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-cards="hidden" data-lang="en">
	
		Presenting the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SarbjitPoster?src=hash">#SarbjitPoster</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/RandeepHooda">@RandeepHooda</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AishwaryaRaiBachchan?src=hash">#AishwaryaRaiBachchan</a> produced by Bhushan Kumar T-Series Films <a href="https://t.co/ZrMPFw2yUC">pic.twitter.com/ZrMPFw2yUC</a>
	— TSeries (@TSeries) <a href="https://twitter.com/TSeries/status/704335167196794883">February 29, 2016</a></blockquote>
 
The poster shows Rai in spectacles and sporting gray hair, while in the background, we can see Hooda, as Sarbjit, in the prison waiting for justice. 
 The movie has been directed by Mary Kom fame Omang Kumar, and also stars <keyword id="6366549" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Richa-Chadda">Richa Chadda</keyword>, last seen in <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/Yearender-2015-Best-Bollywood-posters/Masaan/slideshow/50390656.cms">Masaan</a>, as Sarbjit’s wife. 
 
A few months back, a few images showing Aishwarya as Dalbir Kaur had leaked online, but those pics couldn’t give us a clear idea of what her character would be like. Guess, a clear picture is worth more than a thousand words. 
 
Talking of the resemblance that her character from Sarbjit bears to the real Dalbir Kaur, we didn’t find much satisfaction there, and coming from <keyword id="1193899" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Omung-Kumar">Omung Kumar</keyword>, who had successfully transformed Priyanka Chopra into a girl from Mongolian face for playing <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/Box-Office-Mary-Kom-Delivers-A-Big-Punch/articleshow/42041970.cms">MC Mary Kom in her biopic</a>, this is a bit disappointing. 
 
Here is how Dalbir Kaur actually looks like. 
 
 
 
Let’s hope that even though her character is not made to look like the real Dalbir Kaur, Aishwarya does justice to her role and we get to see the pain that Dalbir Kaur went through via her expressions. 
 
<a href="http://quintype-01.imgix.net/thequint%2F2015-06%2Fbdf8a8b5-8176-4a2f-b65a-16bb3cadfbd6%2FDalbir.jpg?auto=format&amp;q=60&amp;w=976">Image source</a>

Aishwarya Rai Bachchan has never looked so visibly depressed before

The trailer of Mary Kom fame director Omung Kumar’s next directorial venture, <keyword id="6472960" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="100" keywordseo="Sarbjit">Sarbjit</keyword>, is out, and we couldn’t be more thrilled. Based on the life (and death) of Indian inmate <keyword id="168716" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Sarbjit-Singh">Sarbjit Singh</keyword> Attwal in a Pakistani jail, the movie stars <keyword id="16675" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Randeep-Hooda">Randeep Hooda</keyword>, <keyword id="62992" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="richa-chaddha">Richa Chaddha</keyword>, and in what should have been her comeback, <keyword id="6366471" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Aishwarya-Rai">Aishwarya Rai</keyword> Bachchan. 
 
The story of an Indian farmer Sarbjit Singh, who was accused of being an Indian spy and was locked in Pakistan jails for 23 years, is an emotional one for sure, and it goes without saying that the director would have required the perfect mixture of expressions and emotions for this story to look real on screen, and by the looks of it, Kumar has managed to do just that. 
 
The trailer starts with <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/Aishwarya-Rai-Bachchan-as-Dalbir-Kaur-in-Sarbjit/articleshow/51209005.cms">Dalbir </a>(played by Rai) frantically looking for her brother in the fields of Punjab, who, unbeknownst to her, has been locked inhumanely in a sweatbox, suggestively in Pakistan. Right then comes the flashback, showing Dalbir in all her glory, living a good life with his happy-go-lucky brother Sarbjit (Hooda), his wife Sukhpreet (Chaddha) and his kids. 
 
In Pakistan, Sarbjit is accused of being a terrorist responsible for five bomb blasts, and is given the name of Manjit Singh, to which he very painfully shouts and disagrees. <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/Randeep-Hoodas-look-for-Sarbjit/articleshow/50867953.cms">Commendable job</a> there, Hooda. 
 
When Dalbir comes to know that her brother has been sentenced to death, she starts her battle for justice, which goes on for more than two decades, during which Sarbjit is shown to have been tortured, living in a small cell. The scene where he is seen complaining about him having to eat, sleep, and relieve himself all in one place tells us how difficult it is for prisoners like him, who are not even considered to be humans by the authorities. 
 Enters <keyword id="2475899" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Darshan-Kumar">Darshan Kumar</keyword>, who impressed everyone with his role of a selfless husband wanting to see his wife make her dreams come true in <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/Box-Office-Mary-Kom-Delivers-A-Big-Punch/articleshow/42041970.cms">Mary Kom</a>. Playing a Pakistani lawyer who is willing to take up Sarbjit’s case for the sake of humanity, he fits the role to the T. 
 
Red Fort and India Gate serve as the location where Dalbir sits with her entire family and supporters to protest for her brother’s release. We also get to see the emotional reunion of the siblings in the jail, his tiff with other inmates, and the trailer ends with Aishwarya addressing a Pakistani crowd with anger for being, and having always been, back-stabbers. 
 
Obviously, the movie would not release in Pakistan, but some movies are meant to show the truth, and one has to compliment Rai for breathing life in the role of a brave but helpless sister, who in the end, didn’t get the justice she deserved. 
 
Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, who is considered to be one of the most beautiful women on the planet, has often impressed audience and critics with her acting skills, and when she took a five-year long sabbatical to start a family and raise her daughter Aaradhya, it was only a matter of time that she made her comeback and impressed everyone again. 
 
However, her comeback vehicle <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/Jazbaa-Official-Trailer-A-Tad-Too-Dramatic-For-A-Thriller/articleshow/48683042.cms">Jazbaa </a>couldn’t do much to bring her back to the hearts and minds of cine-goers, but this movie will prove to be substantial for her career and might reestablish her image as one of the leading actresses of India. 
 
Produced by Vashu Bhagnani and Bhushan Kumar, the movie releases on 20th May 2016. 
 
Watch the trailer here:

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