Amitabh Bachchan urges support for flood hit Kashmir
On behalf of
the Indian film fraternity, Bollywood megastar Amitabh Bachchan Tuesday
appealed to all citizens to contribute to the cause of rehabilitating
the flood-ravaged Kashmir.
Big B is the front-runner of the
campaign "Hum Hain...Umeed-e-Kashmir", an initiative of the
entertainment industry, led by the Event and Entertainment Management
Association (EEMA), the Film and Television Producers Guild and Zee
Entertainment Enterprises Ltd (ZEE).
"When we see (the kind of
things that have happened in) Kashmir, Assam, Meghalaya or the Andhra
Pradesh cyclone... when we see these things, I feel that as an Indian,
whatever I am able to do for my nation, I must do," the 72-year-old said
here at a press conference.
Calling himself a "small member" of
the Indian film fraternity, the globally popular icon said that whenever
the country has witnessed a disaster, "the nation's film industry has,
without hesitation, tried to help people, and share their sorrows".
"During
45 years of my career, I have seen many such times when some disaster
has hit the country, and the film industry has stood united for the
cause and contributed towards it. I dedicate myself for this cause. I
will do as much as I can do for Kashmir," he said.
He added that
he feels "immense sorrow" to see the post disaster photographs of the
scenic land, which was once Bollywood's favourite destination to shoot.
Film
producer Mukesh Bhatt, president of Film and Television Producers
Guild, too was present at the occasion, which was also graced by Union
Minister of State for Sports and Youth Affairs Sarbananda Sonowal.
Bhatt said it's like "payback time" for the film industry.
"We
feel emotionally committed to that land, and we must come together to
help in its hour of darkness," Bhatt said of Jammu and Kashmir, which
was left devastated after floods hit the region in September.
Hence,
as part of the "Hum Hain...Umeed-e-Kashmir" campaign, a slew of
celebrities from the film and music world will come together to perform
for a charity concert, to be held at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium
here Saturday. They will also appeal their fans and the public to donate
generously for the cause.
From Gulzar, Vishal Bhardwaj, Sharmila
Tagore and Vidhu Vinod Chopra to Aamir Khan, Farhan Akhtar, Ranbir
Kapoor, Sonakshi Sinha, Sushant Singh Rajput and Parineeti Chopra --
various known names are lending their support to the effort.
Sonowal
said that on his part, he has waived off the stadium rental for the
event, which he will attend only after buying the tickets.
All money generated through sale of tickets, donations and sponsorships, will be given to select charities for relief work.
news by HT
