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The online concert ‘I for India’, organized to raise funds for those affected by the coronavirus pandemic in India, has brought together both Hollywood and Bollywood stars to perform from their homes and engage their viewers across the continents. The benefit reportedly raised Rs. 3.75 crore ($496,025).
Lakhs of people on Sunday watched more than 70 of the country’s biggest celebrities – including Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and cricket team captain Virat Kohli – in the “I for India” show, broadcast on Facebook Live.
Indian celebrities were joined by international stars such as actor Will Smith and rock legend Mick Jagger for the five-hour online concert to raise funds for people affected by the novel coronavirus, which has affected almost 3.5 million people globally. India has reported over 42,000 COVID-19 cases so far and is looking to ease lockdown measures.
This ❤️ https://t.co/8BSCm6oowH
— Dia Mirza (@deespeak) May 4, 2020
During the concert, Will Smith and Mick Jagger spoke about the problems faced by rural migrant workers, who have been stranded without work in cities following the sudden nationwide lockdown imposed since March 24 to contain COVID-19.
“They and their families may be going hungry. Please give what you can,” said Jagger. Shah Rukh Khan, who was in the forefront, sang for the fundraiser, while Priyanka Chopra urged fans to donate to the fund,which has been the initiative undertaken by some of the biggest names in Indian entertainment and Facebook to put together a home-to-home fundraiser GiveIndia.
GiveIndia is India’s largest giving platform with reach across 23 states. It is associated with over 100 NGOs, working on-ground to support the required interventions with prevention, healthcare infrastructure, livelihood support and essentials for people in need.
The four-hour long concert will be live globally on Facebook (www.facebook.com/Facebookindiapp) on Sunday, 3rd May 2020 at 7:30pm IST featured performances and personal messages from more than 85 Indian and global stars. I for India’s Fundraiser is active on Facebook and people can donate via https://fb me/IforIndiaFundraiser.
In the long and eminent list of personalities from the Indian film industry such as Aamir Khan, A R Rahman, Farhan Akhtar, Zoya Akhtar, Aishwairya Rai Bachchan, Alia Bhatt, Ustad Amjad Ali Bangash, Russell Peters and others.
