Every time a humanitarian crisis struck us many of our Bollywood celebrities rose to the occasion and used their status and influence to impact the lives of millions of people.
When the devastating pandemic wreaked havoc with people desperate for medicines, oxygen, hospital beds, several reel superstars from Sonu Sood, Amitabh Bachhan and Anushka Sharma to Shah Rukh Khan, Priyanka Chopra, Sawara Bhaskar and Rohit Shetty came forward to do their bit.
In these trying times, a number of our reel heroes turned good Samaritans to extend their support and championed the cause of the people either as individuals or as part of charity organizations.
This Independence Day, let's take a moment to cheer for the actors who proved they are not only our reel superstars but our real-life heroes as well
Sonu Sood
'Sonu Sood', a name we don't think anyone would ever forget, because of the manner in which stepped forward to help the needy during the Covid-19 pandemic. The actor who's known for his villainous characters, not only helped migrants but also made sure that everyone who needed any kind of help gets it. From arranging a plane for a Covid positive patient to sending a tractor to a farmer and facilitating online classes of students, Sood has gone all out to support people.
Priyanka Chopra Jonas
Priyanka Chopra Jonas lived abroad with her husband Nick Jonas, but India is in her heart. Priyanka managed to raise approximately ₹22 crores through the contributions made by her fans and people across the globe. She reportedly utilized the funds by procuring around 500 oxygen concentrators, manpower for 10 vaccination centers, and 422 oxygen cylinders. She made an emotional appeal to America to help India in the fight against Covid.
Akshay Kumar
Not just during Covid-19, actor Akshay Kumar has never shied away from contributing towards the welfare of the people. Be it floods in Bihar or Kerala or the pandemic, Akshay has always come forward to help. Akshay not only donated 25 crores To PM CARES fund but also donated 3 crores to BMC and 50 lakh to help artists hit by the Covid pandemic among many others.
Shah Rukh Khan
Shah Rukh Khan too came forward to do his bit & help the government in its efforts to combat the coronavirus pandemic. He & his companies Kolkata Knight Riders, Red Chillies Entertainment, Meer Foundation and Red Chillies VFX contributed to a number of relief funds, including the Prime Minister’s Citizen Assistance and Relief in Emergency Situations fund and Maharashtra chief minister’s relief fund, among others. SRK also gave his office building for the Covid-19 relief purpose
Amitabh Bachchan
Bollywood megastar Amitabh Bachchan too came forward to help the needy. He not only arranged several buses for the migrants but also went on to donate funds, oxygen concentrators & beds for hospitals during the pandemic. Big B while sharing updates about his charitable efforts said he is not seeking praise assuring everyone that help is actually being provided.
Anushka Sharma
Anushka Sharma and Virat Kohli initiated a campaign called In This Together, in collaboration with Ketto to raise money to support the Covid relief work. They donated ₹2 crores and raised ₹5 crores in donations to help combat the pandemic.
Rohit Shetty
Filmmaker Rohit Shetty pitched in to contribute towards the Covid-19 relief work. He donated 250 hospital beds to Guru Tegh Bahadur COVID Care Centre in Delhi. He also donated ₹51 lakh to the Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) to help the daily wage workers of the entertainment business amid the coronavirus pandemic.