With the world at a standstill because of Covid-19, India’s Hindi film industry is seeing abandoned film sets, closed cinemas and movie stars with empty diaries. BBC Asian Network’s Haroon Rashid reports on the impact on Bollywood.
How has the Coronavirus effected Bollywood stars?
Akshay Kumar
In what can be called the biggest gesture by a B-town celebrity, Bollywood superstar Akshay Kumar, on Saturday, pledged to donate Rs 25 crore in the fight against the coronavirus pandemic. The development comes in the wake of netizens accusing Bollywood stars of not contributing to help those struggling with the Covid-19 crisis.
Shah Rukh Khan
SRK along with wife Gauri and business partners Juhi Chawla and Jay Mehta will be contributing to the PM-CARES Fund through their IPL franchise Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR).
Shah Rukh and Gauri will also make a donation to the Maharashtra CM’s Relief Fund through their film banner Red Chillies Entertainment.
Additionally, KKR and Khan’s NGO, Meer Foundation, will supply 50,000 Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to the Maharashtra and West Bengal governments for healthcare professionals.
Meer Foundation has also tied up with Ek Saath – The Earth organization to provide food to over 5500 families for a month in Mumbai. The ‘Swades’ star added that a kitchen will be set up to send out 2000 freshly cooked meals everyday to help households and hospitals.
Meer Foundation will also provide 3 lakh meal kits to 10,000 to underprivileged people and daily wage labourers daily in Mumbai, in association with the Roti Foundation.
In addition to this, SRK’s Foundation will also work with Working People’s Charter to provide essentials to over 2500 daily wage workers in Delhi for a month.
The Badshah of Bollywood also added that the Meer Foundation will provide support to 100 acid attack victims in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal and Uttarakhand.
Prabhas
As per a PTI report, the ‘Baahubali’ star donated a whopping Rs 4 crore towards Covid-19 relief.
Out of the donation amount, the ‘Saaho’ star pledged Rs 3 crore to the Prime Minister’s relief fund and Rs 50 lakh each to Chief Minister’s relief fund of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.
Saif Ali Khan and Kareena Kapoor
Bollywood couple Saif Ali Khan and Kareena Kapoor Khan, on April 2, announced that they will be donating money to the PM-CARES Fund and Maharashtra Chief Minister’s Relief Fund to help combat the coronavirus pandemic in the country.Kareena posted a statement on Instagram, saying that she, along with Saif and their son Taimur, have extended support to the two relief funds.
“We extend our support to the PM-CARES and Chief Minister’s Fund (Maharashtra). In times like these, every helping hand and every rupee raised, matters. Do help wherever possible,” the statement read.
Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh also pledged their support towards Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s PM-CARES Fund to help combat the coronavirus pandemic in the country.The ‘Padmaavat’ actors took to their social media handles to announce that they will contribute to the relief fund, and also urged fans to do their bit.
“In times like these, every bit counts. We humbly pledge to contribute to the PM-CARES FUND, and hope that you will too. We’re all in this together, and we shall overcome. Jai Hind,” the star couple said in a statement.
Sara Ali Khan
Sara Ali Khan also pledged an undisclosed amount towards the relief work in order to combat COVID-19 spread in the country.
“I pledge to donate to the PM CARES Fund and the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund (Maharashtra)… Every contribution counts, and solidarity is our only hope against this pandemic,” the “Love Aaj Kal” actor wrote on Instagram.
Vicky Kaushal
Vicky Kaushal said he was contributing Rs 1 crore to PM-CARES and Maharashtra Chief Minister’s Relief Fund.
“While I’m blessed enough to be seated with my loved ones in the comforts of my home, there are many who are not as fortunate…
“We are in this together and we’ll win this together. Let us all do our bit for a healthier and stronger future,” the “Uri: The Surgical Strike” star said.
Alia Bhatt
Alia Bhatt also pledged her contribution to the PM-CARES Fund and the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund (Maharashtra).
“At a time of great difficulty, while the nation is in lockdown, the central and state governments are working tirelessly to combat Covid-19. I salute the efforts of all those on the frontlines who are putting themselves at risk so the rest of us stay safe,” she wrote in a statement on Twitter.
Nana Patekar
On Monday, Bollywood actor Nana Patekar sent out a tweet along with a video message, announcing that he will be donating Rs 50 lakh to the PM CARES fund to support India’s fight against Covid-19.
In the video message, Patekar said that all Indians should let go of their differences and come together in the time of crisis. Patekar donated the amount on behalf of Naam foundation. He also urged his fans not to leave their homes and practice social distancing
Kartik Aaryan
The ‘Love Aaj Kal’ star took to Instagram to share his thoughts on the ongoing crisis and said said it’s the “absolute need of the hour” for people to come 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. I urge all my fellow Indians also to help as much as possible,” wrote Kartik.
Salman Khan
Bollywood superstar Salman Khan 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 organisation 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
Katrina Kaif
Actor Katrina Kaif announced on Monday 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. Kaif donated an undisclosed amount to PM CARES fund.
“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.
Diljit Dosanjh
Singer-actor Diljit Dosanjh pledged to donate Rs 20 lakh to lend support to the ongoing battle against the coronavirus pandemic.
I’m committed to donating 20 Lakh rupees to the PM-CARES Fund. Our Priority Now should be to help our country get through this tough time. #TogetherWeCan,” he tweeted.
Sonam, too, donated an undisclosed amount to those fighting the Covid-19 crisis.
Maharashtra Chief Minister’s Office sent out a tweet that appealed citizens to donate to the CM relief fund. Sharing the same tweet from CMO Maharashtra, Sonam wrote, “This is an excellent initiative. And I will be donating.”
Rajkummar Rao
Actor Rajkummar Rao on Sunday voiced his support and donated to PM’s Relief Fund, CM’s Relief Fund and also to Zomato Feeding India to aid the battle against COVID-19.
The 35-year-old star shared the news of his bit of share on Twitter and urged everybody to support in the possible ways one can.
“It’s time to stand together & to help our administration in this fight against Coronavirus. I’ve done my bit..Donated to #PMReliefFund #CMReliefFund and to #ZomatoFeedingIndia to help feed families in need. Please support in whatever way you can. Our Nation Needs Us. Jai Hind,” the tweet read.
Actor Varun Dhawan decided to step up and do his bit to help the nation fight the Covid-19 crisis.
Dhawan said on Saturday that he has pledged Rs 30 lakh as donation to PM-CARES Fund and Rs 25 lakh to Maharashtra CM’s relief fund.
Shilpa Shetty
After Akshay Kumar and Varun Dhawan, actor Shilpa Shetty Kundra on Sunday said that she has pledged to donate a sum of 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.
“Every drop in the ocean counts, so I urge you all to help fight this situation. #IndiaFightsCorona @PMOIndia,” she added.
Kriti Sanon
Kriti Sanon, who is best known for her roles in films like ‘Luka Chuppi’ and ‘Housefull 4’, too, did her bit to help the nation fight the pandemic.
Without revealing details about how much she will donate, Sanon urged followers to help the government.
“We all need to come together in this time of crisis! I pledge to contribute and do my bit! ????Guys.. Do whatever best you can.. small or big.. just contribute! It’ll save a life or help someone in need and eventually make India healthier,” Kriti tweeted.
Bhumi Pedneker 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.
Hrithik Roshan
The ‘War’ actor was one of the first celebrities to step up for those in need and make a significant contribution to help fight the crisis. As the number of coronavirus cases in India crossed the 600-mark, Roshan sent out a tweet, announcing that he had procured N95 and FFP3 masks for the BMC (Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation) workers and other caretakers.
The move was welcomed and lauded by netizens all over the country. The 46-year-old star also sent out a tweet, thanking Aaditya Thackeray, son of Maharashtra CM Uddhav Thackeray, for giving him an opportunity to help curb the spread of the pandemic.
In addition to actors, people’s representatives, cutting across the party lines also did their bit and made significant donations for Covid-19 relief.
Hema Malini
Veteran actress, Hema Malini, who is also the BJP MP from Mathura, released a whopping amount of Rs 1 crore from the MPLADS (Members of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme) funds for countering the virus.
Sunny Deol
Actor-politician Sunny Deol, who is known for his popular roles in films like ‘Gadar- Ek Prem Katha’ and ‘Yamla Pagla Deewana’, announced a donation of Rs 50 lakh from his MPLADS fund.
The Gurdaspur MP will use the funds for buying necessary medical equipment needed to fight the virus. “I am withdrawing Rs 50 lakh from MPLADS fund so Gurdaspur doesn’t have to face difficulty fighting this pandemic,” Deol wrote on Twitter.
So this was all about the effects of Covid-19 on Bollywood and the actors who are helping generously in this hour of need.
