Better Late Than Never! Bollywood Finally Comes To The Rescue Of Those Affected By The Lockdown
The total number of positive coronavirus cases in India rose to 1024 on Sunday including 96 recoveries and 27 deaths. While actors from South part of the country were more than benevolent in extending a helping hand the Hindi film fraternity chose to help only in the way of spreading awareness and sharing stories of Quarantine.
According to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, the total number of positive coronavirus cases in India rose to 1024 on Sunday including 96 recoveries and 27 deaths.
Apart from the deaths because of the virus, many displaced migrant workers and daily-wage workers, who are the sole breadwinners for their families are struggling to feed their families.
While actors from South part of the country were more than benevolent in extending a helping hand, the Hindi film fraternity chose to help only in the way of spreading awareness and sharing their stories of Quarantine.
Even though it's said that when it comes to charity, laud who does but don't shame the ones who don't but Bollywood's silence was deafening. The rich and the powerful from the world over have been coming to do all they can and at this time, many started wondering- Where are the Khans and the Kapoors of Bollywood?
However, breaking the pattern, Bollywood's Khiladi Kumar became the first actor to actually show up, like always.
Actor Akshay Kumar on Saturday pledged to contribute Rs 25 crore from his savings to the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund (PMNRF) set up to fight against the novel coronavirus. The 52-year-old star took to Twitter to make the announcement.
"This is that time when all that matters is the lives of our people. And we need to do anything and everything it takes. I pledge to contribute Rs 25 crore from my savings to@narendramodi ji's PM-CARES Fund. Let's save lives, Jaan hai toh jahaan hai," the tweet read.
Soon, many started following his footsteps and the situation looked better than what it looked a few days ago!
1. Salman Khan- He set up a fund for daily-wage workers before PM's fund.
Bollywood superstar Salman Khan has pledged to financially support 25,000 daily wage workers from the film industry in the wake of the national lockdown, according to Federation of Western Indian Cine Employees (FWICE). According to FWICE president B N Tiwari, Salman via his Being Human Foundation reached out to their organization to help the workers.
"Salman's Being Human Foundation has come forward to help daily wage workers. They called us three days ago. We have about 5 lakh workers out of which 25,000 are in dire need of financial help. "Being Human Foundation said they will take care of these workers on their own. They have asked for account details of these 25,000 workers as they want to ensure that money reaches them directly," Tiwari told PTI.
2. Rajkummar Rao- Undisclosed amount to PM's Relief Fund and Zomato's Feed India Campaign
Actor Rajkummar Rao on Sunday voiced his support and donated to PM's Relief Fund, CM's Relief Fund and also to Zomato's Feeding India campaign to aid the battle against COVID-19.
3. Varun Dhawan- Rs 30 lakh to PM-Cares fund
BCCL
Actor Varun Dhawan on Saturday pledged to contribute Rs 30 lakh to PM-CARES Fund to help the battle against COVID-19. The 32-year-old star made the announcement on his Twitter handle where he assured that "we will overcome" this battle of coronavirus.
"I pledge to contribute 30 lakhs to the PM CARE fund. We will overcome this. Desh hai toh hum hain," the tweet reads.
4. Sabyasachi Mukherjee-Rs. 1.5 Crore: 10 million to PMNRF and Rs. 5 lakh to Chief Minister of West Bengal's Relief Fund
Ace designer Sabyasachi Mukherjee on Saturday pledged to donate Rs 10 million of personal funds to the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund (PMNRF) and Rs 5 million to the Chief Minister of West Bengal's Relief Fund to help the battle against COVID-19. The 46-year-old designer took to Instagram to share a written announcement of the contribution of the noble cause.
5. Shilpa Shetty-Rs 21 lakhs to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's PM-CARES Fund
The actor took to Twitter to make the announcement and also urged people to do their bit in the fight to combat the coronavirus outbreak. "For humanity, our country, & fellow citizens that need us; now is the time, let's do our bit.@TheRajKundra& I pledge 21 lacs to @narendramodi Ji's PM-CARES Fund," she tweeted.
6. Rapper Badshah- Rs 25 lakh to the PM-CARES fund
Indian singer and rapper Badshah on Sunday announced that he has pledged to donate Rs 25 lakh to the PM-CARES fund for the country's battle against COVID-19. The 'DJ Waley Babu' singer took to Instagram to make the announcement and also asked people to contribute their best for the cause. "I pledge to donate 25 lakh rupees to the PM-CARES fund. A small contribution towards strengthening our country's fight against the ongoing crisis. Together we will win. Jai hind!" read his post. Along with the post, Badshah also shared the details of the PM CARES fund and asked people to donate their bit.
7. Bhumi Pednekar-Undisclosed amount
Instagram
On Sunday, the actress pledged to contribute to the PM-CARES Fund. The 30-year-old actor shared the news of her willingness to support on Twitter and also urged everybody to contribute in whatever capacity one can "for those that are more vulnerable & in distress". "I pledge to contribute to the PM-CARES Fund. Be it supplies, food, essentials or the research that humanity needs right now our support matters. We need to stand up, In whatever capacity we can, for those that are more vulnerable & in distress@narendramodi#jaiho #IndiaFightsCorona," the tweet read.
8. Katrina Kaif- Undisclosed amount to PM CARES Fund and Maharashtra Chief Minister's Relief Fund
Actor Katrina Kaif on Monday announced that she will be making her contributions to the PM CARES Fund and Maharashtra Chief Minister's Relief Fund to help the nation combat the coronavirus outbreak.
The 36-year-old actor took to Instagram to make an announcement in this regard. "I pledge to donate to the PM CARES fund and the Chief Minister's Relief Fund Maharashtra," she wrote in the post. "Heartbreaking to see the hardship and suffering this pandemic has unleashed in the world," her post further read.
9. Anushka Sharma and Virat Kohli
Instagram
Indian skipper Virat Kohli and his actor wife Anushka Sharma on Monday pledged to extend their support to the PM-CARES and CM's Relief Fund of Maharashtra to combat the coronavirus threat in the country.
Taking to Twitter Kohli wrote, "Anushka and I are pledging our support towards PM-CARES Fund & the Chief Minister's Relief Fund (Maharashtra). Our hearts are breaking looking at the suffering of so many & we hope our contribution, in some way, helps easing the pain of our fellow citizens #IndiaFightsCorona."
10. Kartik Aaryan- Rs 1 crore to the PM-CARES Fund
On Monday, he announced that he is making a contribution of Rs 1 crore to the PM-CARES Fund for helping the country battle COVID-19. The actor took to Twitter to make the announcement and also urged people to do their bit.
"It is the absolute need of the hour to rise together as a Nation. Whatever I am, whatever money I've earned, is only because of the people of India; and for us, I am contributing Rs. 1 crore to the PM-CARES Fund," tweeted Aaryan.
"I URGE all my fellow Indians also to help as much as possible," he tweeted quoting Prime Minister Narendra Modi's tweet where he urged people to donate for the fund.
11. Nana Patekar- Rs. 50 Lakh to PM CARES fund
Patekar took to Twitter to announce that he has pledged a contribution of Rs 50 lakh to PM CARES fund. He has donated Rs 50 lakh on behalf of his NGO Naam Foundation to the relief fund.
¡°On behalf of @NaamFoundation we are contributing Rs. 50 lakhs towards hon' @PMOIndia @narendramodi Ji's initiative PM-CARES as support in India's fight against #COVID19,¡± the ¡®Krantiveer¡¯ actor wrote on the micro-blogging site.
12. Nick Jonas and Priyanka Chopra- Undisclosed Amount to various charities
Nick and Priyanka have extended their donations to various organizations and NGOs including Unicef and Prime Minister Narendra Modi¡¯s PM-Cares fund.
The actor said in a statement, ¡°So many people around the world need our support more than ever. It was important for Nick and I to donate to organizations that are helping low income and homeless families, helping doctors and first responders, feeding children, and of course, supporting the music & entertainment industry. They need your support too, and we would implore you to donate. No amount is too small, even if it¡¯s $1. Together, we can make a difference.¡±