Chennai, April 18 (IANS) The DMK leadership has instructed its cadres to be extra cautious in four Lok Sabha constituencies where the BJP-led NDA is reported to enjoy an edge.

As per state police intelligence, the NDA has an advantage in the Dharmapuri, Theni, Tirunelveli, and Vellore Lok Sabha seats.

While in Dharmpuri and Theni, the NDA candidates are from PMK (Sowmiya Anbumani) and the AMMK (T.T.V. Dhinakaran), respectively, BJP legislature party leader Nainar Nagendran is in the fray from Tirunelveli in south Tamil Nadu, and New Justice Party leader A.C. Shanumgam is contesting on a BJP ticket from Vellore.

Sources in the DMK told IANS that the party President and Chief Minister M.K. Stalin has directed party General Secretary and state Water Resources Minister S. Duraimurugan to be in touch with the lower-level functionaries of the party in these four constituencies.

Duraimurugan’s son, Kathir Anand, is contesting from the Vellore Lok Sabha seat.

The DMK leadership, according to information, also has its eye on the Coimbatore, Kanniyakumari, Virudhunagar, and Nilgiris seats, where the BJP candidates are state President K. Annamalai, former Union minister, Pon Radhakrishnan, filmstar-turned-politician Raadhika Sarathkumar and Union Minister L. Murugan, respectively.

With hours only remaining for the polls, the local workers of the DMK are visiting all the homes in the four constituencies where the state police intelligence has given an edge to the BJP and NDA, and in the latter four seats also, the DMK is not taking any chance and is meeting the voters one last time.

Talking to IANS, Duraimurugan said: "This is a routine for the DMK. We are a cadre party and know our strengths and weaknesses, and in some constituencies, we are taking some extra caution. However, we are expecting a sweep and win all the 39 seats of Tamil Nadu and one seat of Puducherry."

--IANS

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Mumbai, April 18 (IANS) Newly engaged couple Aditi Rao Hyadri and Siddharth were seen attending a special screening of MAMI Select, a collection of films shot on iPhone, in Mumbai on Thursday.

The pictures from the event show Aditi wearing a black off-shoulder top with floral work and matching trousers. Siddharth was dressed in a black T-shirt, a denim shirt, and denim trousers.

Aditi and Siddharth got engaged secretly at a temple in Telangana last month.

They began dating after working on the 2021 film 'Maha Samudram'. However, the two always kept their relationship away from the public eye.

Meanwhile, other celebs who attended the special screening included Kiran Rao, Jim Sarbh, Shobhita Dhulipala, Mouni Roy, Vijay Varma, and Zoya Akhtar.

--IANS

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New Delhi, April 18 (IANS) It is important to keep your liver healthy for the better functioning of the body, and because symptoms often remain hidden until the disease has progressed to an advanced stage, requiring surgery or transplantation, with the unfortunate potential for fatal outcomes, said doctors here on Thursday ahead of World Liver Day.

World Liver Day is observed every year on April 19 to raise awareness about the diseases related to the liver.

A concerning trend in recent years is the rise of fatty liver disease, which is increasingly affecting individuals as young as early teenagers. According to health experts, sedentary lifestyles, coupled with the consumption of unhealthy, and fatty junk food, have contributed to this alarming phenomenon.

"Liver diseases can stem from various factors, including the consumption of unclean or contaminated food, excessive alcohol intake, and unsafe medical practices such as the use of unsterile needles in injections, hospitals, and blood transfusions. Regular liver function tests are essential to monitor the health of the liver and detect any abnormalities early on," Dr. Naveen Ganjoo, a Consultant Hepatologist, at Aster RV Hospital, told IANS.

Data from the World Health Organisation shows liver disease ranks as the tenth most common cause of death in India. While early detection and intervention are paramount in combating liver diseases, often the symptoms remain hidden, leading to worse outcomes.

Dr Monika Jain, Chief of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, Sri Balaji Action Medical Institute told IANS that jaundice, characterised by a yellowish discoloration of the eyes and skin, serves as a prominent indicator of liver dysfunction.

"Additionally, patients may experience itchy skin, abdominal swelling resembling fluid accumulation in the stomach, and swelling of the feet, all indicative of underlying liver issues. Anorexia, or loss of appetite, further underscores the physiological repercussions of fatty liver disease, emphasising the need for comprehensive screening and preventive measures to mitigate its progression."

Other signs and symptoms of acute liver failure include pain in the upper right abdomen, often a sign of liver inflammation or enlargement. Nausea and vomiting are common symptoms, accompanied by a general sense of feeling unwell, known as malaise, the doctor said.

Further, liver disease also plays a role in infertility and bone health.

"Being an immunocompromised state, the doses of medications for liver disease have to be decreased and all the medicines are also not safe to be continued during pregnancy. Patients who have prolonged liver diseases might have problems while they try to get pregnant also," Dr Meenakshi Ahuja, Senior Director, Obstetrics and Gynaecology in Fortis La Femme, told IANS.

Dr Ahuja added that in vitro fertilisation (IVF) could be an option in such cases.

Bone diseases in chronic liver disease (CLD) patients have also emerged as a serious concern. Various factors such as nutrition, hormones, and genetics contribute, and inflammation remains a persistent trigger for bone diseases in CLD patients.

"There is an intricate interplay between chronic liver disease (CLD) and metabolic bone complications. 'Hepatic osteodystrophy' encompassing osteomalacia and osteoporosis, is found in advanced liver disease, leading to heightened bone fragility and reduced mass. Osteoporosis, reminiscent of senile osteoporosis, emerges from an imbalance in bone formation and resorption, notably observed in liver cirrhosis and cholestatic liver diseases, posing a critical concern for liver transplant recipients," said Dr Deep Kamal Soni, Consultant, Gastroenterology at Indian Spinal Injuries Centre.

Preventive measures and lifestyle modifications like adopting a balanced and nutritious diet, engaging in regular exercise, and screening for Hepatitis B and C, can be key to maintaining liver health, said the doctors.

--IANS

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Mullanpur, April 18 (IANS) Left-handed batter Rilee Rossouw replaces an out-of-form Jonny Bairstow as Punjab Kings won the toss and elected to bowl first against Mumbai Indians in match 33 of IPL 2024 at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh Cricket Stadium on Thursday evening.

[7:14 PM, 4/18/2024] Niharika Ians: Both teams have four points from six matches, but due to net run rate, PBKS are at eighth place, while MI are at ninth position. With the league phase nearing the half-way stage, this makes Thursday’s clash a very important match for MI and PBKS to win and keep themselves in contention to enter the playoffs.

With regular captain Shikhar Dhawan out due to a shoulder niggle, Sam Curran will continue leading the side. Curran added that uncapped Indian batter Atharva Taide has also dropped out of the playing eleven as a tactical change.

“Keeping up with the trend of the tournament (on electing to bowl first). It is not nice to lose the close games but we are doing a lot of things right,” said Curran.

Thursday’s match will also see Rohit Sharma becoming just the second player after MS Dhoni to play 250 matches in the IPL. MI skipper Hardik Pandya said his playing eleven is unchanged and was a good toss to lose for him as he was itching to bat first.

“We don't judge (our performances), couple of times we had the game in our grasp and didn't finish the game, IPL tests you, when the game is not over it is not over. We just take it game by game, go out there and give our 100 percent. Every individual should commit to the team's goal and once we do that, the results will be seen,” he said.

Playing XIs

Mumbai Indians: Rohit Sharma, Ishan Kishan (wicketkeeper), Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya (captain), Tim David, Romario Shepherd, Mohammad Nabi, Gerald Coetzee, Shreyas Gopal and Jasprit Bumrah

Substitutes: Akash Madhwal, Nuwan Thushara, Kumar Kartikeya, Piyush Chawla and Naman Dhir

Punjab Kings: Rilee Rossouw, Prabhsimran Singh, Sam Curran (captain), Jitesh Sharma (wicketkeeper), Liam Livingstone, Shashank Singh, Ashutosh Sharma, Harpreet Brar, Harshal Patel, Kagiso Rabada and Arshdeep Singh

Substitutes: Rahul Chahar, Harpreet Bhatia, Shivam Singh, Rishi Dhawan and Vidwath Kaverappa

--IANS

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Mumbai, April 18 (IANS) Director Sandeep Reddy Vanga, who delivered the Ranbir Kapoor-starrer blockbuster ‘Animal’ last year, doesn’t take criticism lightly.

The director has slammed actor Adil Hussain for his remarks on the 2019 film ‘Kabir Singh’ starring Shahid Kapoor in the titular role.

Adil had told the YouTube channel AP Podcast that he agreed to do Kabir Singh without reading the script, calling it the only film he regrets being a part of.

“That's the only film in my life that I did without reading the script, without watching the Telugu movie it was based on. I went to see ‘Kabir Singh’ in Delhi and after 20 minutes, I just walked out. The only film that I have regretted doing to date is ‘Kabir Singh’ because I think it is misogynistic and makes me feel small as a human being,” Adil said.

Vanga took to his X handle on Thursday and shared a clip from the interaction with Adil, saying he will replace Adil’s face in the film with the help of artificial intelligence.

“Ur 'belief' in 30 art films didn't get as much fame to you as ur 'regret' of 1 BLOCKBUSTER film did. I regret casting you, knowing that your greed is bigger than your passion. Now I'll save you from shame by replacing Your face with AI help. Now smile properly," Vanga posted.

--IANS

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New Delhi, April 18 (IANS) Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy on Thursday claimed that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) will hardly win 12-15 Parliamentary seats in the southern states in the Lok Sabha polls.

Speaking at a rally while campaigning for Congress leader Adoor Prakash in Kerala's Attingal, Revanth Reddy said that the grand old party will win all 20 LS seats in Kerala, while it will bag at least 14 out of 17 LS seats in Telangana.

On the BJP expressing confidence of crossing 400 seats, Revanth Reddy said even BRS president and former Telangana chief minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao while campaigning for last year's Assembly polls had claimed that he would win 100 seats but could bag only 39 seats.

Revanth Reddy said that "similarly, the BJP is trying to confuse people, but people are intelligent and they are going to teach a lesson to the party".

KCR has recently said that the Congress government in Telangana will not last more than a year "as nobody knows who will join the BJP and when".

"We don't know, the Chief Minister (Revanth Reddy) himself may jump to the BJP," he said.

KCR said while they want the Congress government to complete its five-year term, considering the recent developments, he doubts if it will last more than a year.

He also said that all surveys showed that the Congress would not get more than two Lok Sabha seats in Telangana.

--IANS

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Chandigarh, April 18 (IANS) Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee president Amarinder Singh Raja Warring on Thursday expressed disapproval over BJP’s Ludhiana candidate Ravneet Bittu claiming the Congress never respected former chief minister Beant Singh, who was killed in a bomb blast in Chandigarh in 1995.

Warring questioned the use of Beant Singh’s image in the BJP’s election propaganda by Bittu, a rebel Congress MP.

The PPCC chief told the media here, “Beant Singh epitomized national leadership and commanded admiration nationwide. Revered as a symbol of peace, his sacrifices resonate across the nation. However, the use of his image for political gain by his grandson (Bittu), now aligned with the BJP, is regrettable and disrespects the sacrifices of Beant Singh.”

Warring added, “Bittu's defection to the BJP has already cast a shadow over Beant Singh’s legacy, and his actions continue to tarnish the distinguished memory of the former chief minister. Such actions are likely to dishearten the spirit of Beant Singh. The Congress has always kept Beant Singh in high regard, claims by Bittu about his statue being removed from Congress Bhavan Chandigarh are all false. We respect our leaders and martyrs, unlike Bittu who has disrespected his own grandfather.”

“It’s imperative to refrain from exploiting the legacy of his grandfather for political advantage, and Bittu should understand it. The people of Punjab recognize and reject such tactics. The valour of our martyrs demands reverence, and any attempt to undermine it will not find favour with the public,” he added.

--IANS

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Solapur (Maharashtra), April 18 (IANS) A man attired as 'Yamraj', the Hindu God of Death, and riding the deity's preferred mount, a buffalo, reached the Collectorate on Thursday to submit his nomination as an Independent candidate for Maharashtra's Madha Lok Sabha constituency

Ram Gaikwad, garbed in a gold-and-black robe and dhoti, a gleaming golden headgear with two protruding curved white horns and toting a shining mace, announced that he would contest the LS polls from Madha to enter the Parliament with the aim of saving the country from the menace of corruption, poverty, unemployment and other ills.

He claimed that he was donning the role of 'Yamraj' to "finish" off corruption in the country, ensure Maratha quotas, prevent the misuse of central investigation agencies by the government against political rivals, the politics of hacking and breaking political parties, self-centred politics, etc.

Gathering plenty of interesting glances from passers-by, who stopped to see the unusual spectacle, the handle-bar moustache sporting candidate’s arrival was heralded from quite a distance as over a hundred of his supporters lustily cheered and raised slogans in his support.

As his buffalo, guided and controlled by a couple of aides, reached the Collectorate office, Gaikwad alighted with aplomb, cast a menacing glance around and then stomped inside to submit his nomination papers.

In case his nomination is accepted, then 'Yamraj' Gaikwad will lock horns-cum-mace with two powerful contenders – Bharatiya Janata Party’s sitting MP Ranjitsinh Naik-Nimbalkar and Nationalist Congress Party-SP's Dhairyasheel Mohite-Patil, who quit the BJP last week to join Sharad Pawar's party.

Though it was labelled as a ‘publicity gimmick’, Gaikwad’s arrival as ‘Yamraj’ not only made waves but managed to garner much attention though most decided to keep a safe distance from the God of Death.

--IANS

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Chandigarh, April 18 (IANS) Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee president Amarinder Singh Raja Warring on Thursday expressed disapproval over BJP’s Ludhiana candidate Ravneet Bittu claiming the Congress never respected former chief minister Beant Singh, who was killed in a bomb blast in Chandigarh in 1995.

Warring questioned the use of Beant Singh’s image in the BJP’s election propaganda by Bittu, a rebel Congress MP.

The PPCC chief told the media here, “Beant Singh epitomized national leadership and commanded admiration nationwide. Revered as a symbol of peace, his sacrifices resonate across the nation. However, the use of his image for political gain by his grandson (Bittu), now aligned with the BJP, is regrettable and disrespects the sacrifices of Beant Singh.”

Warring added, “Bittu's defection to the BJP has already cast a shadow over Beant Singh’s legacy, and his actions continue to tarnish the distinguished memory of the former chief minister. Such actions are likely to dishearten the spirit of Beant Singh. The Congress has always kept Beant Singh in high regard, claims by Bittu about his statue being removed from Congress Bhavan Chandigarh are all false. We respect our leaders and martyrs, unlike Bittu who has disrespected his own grandfather.”

“It’s imperative to refrain from exploiting the legacy of his grandfather for political advantage, and Bittu should understand it. The people of Punjab recognize and reject such tactics. The valour of our martyrs demands reverence, and any attempt to undermine it will not find favour with the public,” he added.

--IANS

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Chitrakoot (Uttar Pradesh), April 18 (IANS) Uttar Pradesh will soon get its first-ever glass skywalk bridge, which will be set against the picturesque backdrop of Tulsi Waterfalls in the Markundi range of the Chitrakoot forest division.

Built from a fusion of glass and steel, this marvel of engineering takes the form of Lord Ram's revered bow and arrow, thereby symbolising strength and valour.

According to reports, this bridge promises to redefine the landscape of eco-tourism in the region. This ambitious project aims to elevate the allure of Chitrakoot.

Drawing inspiration from Bihar's renowned skywalk glass bridge in Rajgir, Uttar Pradesh's glass skywalk is poised to captivate visitors with its blend of aesthetic charm and structural brilliance.

The bridge, said sources, will be inaugurated after the Lok Sabha polls.

Complementing the breathtaking vistas of the waterfall, the surrounding area has been transformed into a verdant oasis known as 'Kodand Van', which will provide visitors with a tranquil retreat amidst nature's splendour.

Built by the esteemed Ghazipur-based Pawan Sut Construction Company, the bridge stands as a testament to collaborative effort and visionary planning.

Originally known as Shabri Waterfall, the cascading beauty that serves as the foundation for the glass skywalk was recently christened Tulsi Waterfalls by the state government.

Offering both aesthetic appeal and structural integrity, the bow-and-arrow-shaped bridge spans an impressive length of 25 m towards the abyss and boasts of a width of 35 m between its sturdy pillars. With a robust load capacity of 500 kg per square metre, the bridge ensures safety and comfort for visitors eager to embark on this thrilling adventure.

--IANS

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New Delhi, April 18 (IANS) Indian wrestlers Deepak Punia and Sujeet Kalkal have been stranded at the Dubai airport since Tuesday, because of heavy rains, while enroute to Kyrgyzstan’s Bishkek for the 2024 Paris Olympics qualifiers, sources said.

Speaking to IANS, sources close to wrestlers said that the duo will take flight at 11pm on Thursday and their chances of participation in the tournament is 50-50.

"They have been there for the past two days. Hotels are all full so they are sleeping on the floor at the airport. Their chances of competing in the qualifiers is 50-50. Maybe they will reach Bishkek just before the start of the weigh-in, only if they manage to leave Dubai late tonight."

The Asian Wrestling Olympic Qualifiers in Bishkek is scheduled to kick-start from April 19. There will be a total of 36 Paris 2024 quotas on offer in 18 weight divisions in Bishkek.

India has fielded seventeen wrestlers.

This qualifier will be the penultimate opportunity for Indian grapplers to secure a quota for the Summer Games. The World Qualification Tournament in Turkey, scheduled in May, will be the final wrestling qualifiers.

Indian squad:

Men’s Greco-Roman: Sumit (60kg), Ashu (67kg), Vikas (77kg), Sunil (87kg), Nitesh (97kg), Naveen (130kg)

Women’s freestyle: Vinesh Phogat (50kg), Anshu Malik (57kg), Mansi (62kg), Nisha (68kg), Reetika Hooda (76kg)

Men’s freestyle: Aman Sehrawat (57kg), Sujeet (65kg), Jaideep (74kg), Deepak Punia (86kg), Deepak (97kg), Sumit (125kg)

--IANS

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A Delhi court on Thursday

New Delhi, April 18 (IANS) A Delhi court on Thursday sent Chanpreet Singh, accused in the excise policy case, to judicial custody till April 23 after the probe agency said that he is a key person involved in the transfer and use of the proceeds of crime generated out of the Delhi excise policy scam. He was produced before the court on the expiry of his previously granted Enforcement Directorate (ED) custody.

The ED had sought his 14-day judicial custody alleging that "Chanpreet Singh is closely associated with co-accused persons and suspects such as Vijay Nair, Rajesh Joshi, and others. Chanpreet Singh is a cash handler on behalf of the Aam Aadmi Party in the Goa elections who received Rs 45 crore approx in cash through hawala operators and then distributed to the vendors, survey workers, and volunteers, etc., who were working for the AAP campaign in Goa".

Singh was arrested under Section 19 of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) on April 13.

During the custodial interrogation, the ED claimed that his multiple statements were recorded.

“He is found to be giving evasive replies and concealing information during the custodial interrogation,” the ED said.

The federal probe agency while seeking his judicial custody told the court that Singh had been interrogated and questions were asked on the findings of the investigation. It is still investigating the matter to trace the proceeds of crime and involvement of the arrestee and other persons in the offence of money laundering.

“The arrestee was confronted with the statements of different witnesses and other co-accused who have revealed the role of the arrestee,” the agency said.

The agency also reserved its right to take further custody of Singh during the permissible period, if required.

--IANS

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Mumbai, April 18 (IANS) Bollywood actress Kiara Advani, who will be soon seen in the Telugu political action thriller ‘Game Changer’ has a penchant for baking.

The actress took to her Instagram on Thursday and shared a video of baking a cake and garnishing it with biscuits and choco chips, wearing a black T-shirt, a blue striped shirt, and a pair of denim.

She wrote in the caption, “Baking with my favourite snakk (sic)."

On the work front, the actress will soon be seen sharing the screen with Telugu star Ram Charan in ‘Game Changer’. The film directed by S. Shankar features Ram Charan in a triple role, leading an ensemble cast of Anjali, S.J. Suryah, Jayaram, Sunil, Srikanth, Samuthirakani, and Nassar.

The actress also has 'Don 3' in the pipeline, which has Ranveer Singh in the titular role.

--IANS

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Mumbai, April 18 (IANS) Known for serving iconic fashion looks, actress and fashionista Sonam Kapoor on Thursday dropped a series of pictures from a new photoshoot, leaving fans in awe of her outfits.

Sonam, who enjoys 35.2 million followers on Instagram, shared photographs from her recent photoshoot.

In one picture, Sonam is wearing a golden coloured outfit with a multi-coloured long cape. The second snap shows her wearing a body hugging black gown with long sleeves.

The 'Delhi-6' actress is sporting a bright blue outfit in the third picture. The last snap shows her wearing a black long satin coat and matching stockings.

The post is captioned as: "Brightening up the world, one outfit at a time."

One user wrote: "Fashion icon for a cause", another said: "Slayyyyy."

A fan said: "fabulous."

On the work front, she was last seen in 2023 crime thriller movie 'Blind', directed by Shome Makhija.

--IANS

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Mumbai, April 18 (IANS) The makers of Sanjay Leela Bhansali's debut web series -- ‘Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar’ -- on Thursday dropped the character promo of Adhyayan Suman as Nawab Zoravar.

The show transports the viewers to the 1940s, into the lives of the courtesans filled with love, betrayal, power, and the fight for independence.

The character introduction promo shows Adhyayan in a drunk state wearing a golden kurta with courtesans dancing around him.

"Which courtesan will beguile me today? I am a Nawaab... Debauchery is my pastime and birthright. The only thing that matters is Zoravar must always be entertained," the actor says in the promo.

The post is captioned as: "Apne Nawabi Shauq Poore Karna Uska Haqq Hai - Bas, Zoravar Ka Dil Behalna Chahiye."

The series starring Sonakshi Sinha, Manisha Koirala, Richa Chadha, Aditi Rao Hydari, Sanjeeda Sheikh, and Sharmin Sehgal in lead roles will release on Netflix on May 1.

--IANS

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Mumbai, April 18 (IANS) The actors of 'Aangan Aapno Kaa'-- Waseem Mushtaq and Yash Pandit share a common interest in music, and in between the shoots, the duo jam on 80s and 90s Bollywood songs.

The show is a story of the Sharma family led by Jaidev Sharma (Mahesh Thakur) and his three daughters - Deepika (Neetha Shetty), Tanvi (Aditi Rathore), and the youngest daughter, Pallavi (Ayushi Khurana).

While onscreen, the three daughters are taking charge and navigating their intense challenges, it is their reel husbands who have taken the responsibility of creating a lively atmosphere on the sets.

Tanvi's husband Rakesh (Yash) and Deepika's husband Varun (Waseem) are music lovers. While Waseem had auditioned for 'Indian Idol', Yash comes from a family of popular singers. His younger sisters Shraddha and Shweta are Bollywood playback singers.

In between the shoots and break time, Yash takes out the guitar, and they jam on the 80s and 90s Bollywood songs - a genre that both absolutely love. Cheering with them are their co-actors Samar Vermani, Ayushi, Neetha, Aditi, Kashish Duggal and Sonali Naik, among others.

Talking about the same, Waseem said: "Music has been my passion since my school days, and I've carried it with me through every stage of life. From college band days to making cover songs over the years, it's always been a part of me."

"On film sets, it's incredible to see my co-actors like Yash and others share that love for singing. We often find ourselves jamming together, turning those hectic shooting schedules into moments of relaxation and joy. Our connection goes beyond being co-actors; Yash is like family to me," he shared.

Waseem added: "We share not only music but also indulge in shayari and ghazals together. There are times when I even tell my father, with whom I used to sing ghazals, that I won't sing them with anyone other than Yash."

Yash shared: "Both Waseem and I have a passion for singing, so it's natural for us to break into songs together. Our co-actors like Neetha, Kashish, Ayushi, Ankit, and everyone from Aangan Aapno Kaa often join us to listen to our impromptu jam sessions."

"It's all about masti and fun during our shoot breaks - a perfect way to unwind amidst the hustle and bustle of filming," he added.

'Aangan Aapno Kaa' airs on Sony SAB.

--IANS

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