Actor Zain Imam, who shot with Aftab last week, has undergone a test
BOMBAY TIMES (September 12, 2020)

Aftab Shivdasani took to social media to tell people that he has tested positive for Coronavirus. The actor, who is currently under home quarantine, wrote, “Recently, I started showing minor symptoms of a dry cough and a mild fever and I got myself tested for COVID-19. Unfortunately, the results came out positive and under the medical supervision of doctors and the authorities, I have been advised home quarantine. I request all those who may have come in contact with me recently to please get yourself tested just to be safe. With your support and good wishes, I will recover soon and be back to normal.”

Aftab, who had started shooting a project, Poison 2, in Lonavala, further added, “I can’t emphasize more the need to socially be distant, use masks and sanitisers as much as possible as it can save lives. We will win this together (sic).”

Talking about Aftab testing positive for COVID-19, Zain Imam, who was shooting along with him, said, “We returned to Mumbai on Wednesday. The following day we learnt about Aftab testing positive for COVID-19, and so, we underwent a test, too. I hope the results are negative. I am taking precautions and not stepping out. I had a few meetings lined up, which I have cancelled now.”

As Parth Samthaan’s disinterest on the set becomes evident following a reported resignation from the show, producer Ekta Kapoor searching for new Anurag Basu
Akash Bhatnagar (MUMBAI MIRROR; August 20, 2020)

Ever since Ekta Kapoor’s Kasautii Zindagii Kay returned after a four-month hiatus brought on by the Coronavirus-triggered lockdown, the soap has been in the news. After around two weeks of shoot, Parth Samthaan, who plays Anurag Basu, tested Coronavirus positive and the unit was forced into another shorter break. The actor joined the team from August 4, but soon rumours were rife that he had told producer Ekta that he wanted to opt out.

According to a source close to the development, Parth resigned the same weekend he returned. “His health is his priority right now. Also, he has a Bollywood film coming up and wants to concentrate on that,” says the source, adding that Ekta has been trying to persuade him to stay on, given the TRPs he has been raking in for her. “Recently, she even roped in a third person known to both to help her convince Parth to continue with the show. But he is not keen.”

The source informs that the actor’s lack of interest is evident on the set too. “In the last week alone, he didn’t turn up on two days, Saturday and Monday, and on Tuesday, he shot for just two hours. He isn’t even interacting with the unit much and keeps to himself,” the source shares.

Meanwhile, according to the source, Ekta has approached Zain Imam, Vijayendra Kumeria and Barun Sobti. Talks are also on with Vishal Aditya Singh, Harshad Chopda and Aashim Gulati to replace him. Zain played Yuvraj Luthra in Tashan-E-Ishq, Neil Khanna in Naamkarann and Kabir Mittal in Ek Bhram... Sarvagun Sampanna. Vijayendra became a household name as Suraj Rajvanshi in Udaan and Dev Parikh in Naagin: Bhagya Ka Zehreela Khel. Barun has done TV shows like Dill Mill Gayye, Baat Hamari Pakki Hai and Iss Pyaar Ko Kya Naam Doon? and a couple of films, Main Aur Mr Riight and Tu Hai Mera Sunday. Vishal was the second runner-up on Nach Baliye 9 and was in Bigg Boss last year. Harshad is best remembered as Cadet Ali Baig in Left Right Left, Anurag Ganguly in Tere Liye and Aditya Hooda in Bepannah while Aashim played Rehaan Khanna in Dil Sambhal Jaa Zara and the titular role in Karn Sangini.

The source concludes, saying, “Parth has found a huge following and Anurag is an iconic character. Ekta is clear that if he doesn’t stay and she can’t find a worthy replacement, she will end the show.”

Nikita Deb (HINDUSTAN TIMES; June 6, 2020)

Coronavirus pandemic and the subsequent lockdown in India led to the stalling of all things Bollywood in our country. But the one industry within Bollywood that continued functioning through it all was the indie music industry. Several singles were released on online streaming platforms through the course of this lockdown. And now, singer Mamta Sharma has also released a new single called Yaariyan. After the success of Yaara and Yaara 2, this will be the third song of this trilogy.

Sharma says, “It’s the kind of song that you instantly fall in love with. This is my second collaboration with the actor Zain Imam and I’m happy with the way it turned out. The song aims to cheer up people’s moods during this tough time and heal each other’s hearts.”

The song, which released on June 1, has already garnered over 5 million views on YouTube, and Sharma says that this is her way of returning the love that she got for both the Yaara songs.

The lockdown has been tough on a lot of us and Sharma says she has also been trying new ways to cope with it. “Since the lockdown has kept us within our home, a day seems longer than usual. Sometimes, it gets frustrating. One good thing that happened is that I have started practising the piano, which was long pending. I am also doing my vocal practice. Besides singing, the thing I love the most is cooking,” she says.

Sharma has also been doing some free hand exercises to keep herself fit. “But it’s not working since I am big foodie and I’ve been eating uncontrollably (laughs). I have come across almost all OTT channels and a lot of my time goes in searching and deciding what to watch. Even after doing so many things, the day still doesn’t get over. I just hope that a vaccine is discovered soon, and life gets back to normal,” concludes Sharma.