As flooding in Kerala worsens and the death toll reaching nearly 400, celebrities have urged fans to donate to the cause.
Mohanlal and Mammootty from the Malayalam film industry have each donated Rs2.5 million (Dh131,268) towards the Kerala Chief Minister’s Distress Relief Fund. The Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (AMMA) have also reportedly handed over a sum of Rs5 million in two instalments to the chief minister.
Meanwhile, Bollywood actor Amitabh Bachchan has expressed concern over the situation in Kerala. The 75-year-old actor took to Twitter and urged people to contribute to the relief fund.
“The devastation caused by incessant rain in Kerala is frightening! Hundreds and thousands of our sisters and brothers are in deep anguish!” Bachchan wrote. “We must do all we can to contribute as much as we can towards the needs of the people of Kerala. I have. You must too.”
Shah Rukh Khan’s Meer Foundation has donated Rs2.1 million to a relief group working with flood victims, while Jacqueline Fernandez has committed to donate Rs500,000 to Habitat for Humanity India’s Kerala Flood Relief Programme.
“I am deeply pained to see the devastation caused by the floods in Kerala. My heart goes out to the people in need and in order to help them, I have decided to donate to Habitat for Humanity India,” the actress said in a statement. “I am happy that they have undertaken their disaster response work in Kerala. I appeal to all my friends, fans and peers from the film industry to come and support our flood relief work for the people of Kerala.”
Filmmaker Priyadarshan and actor Akshay Kumar donated money to Kerala Chief Minister’s Distress Relief Fund. “Let’s together build back Kerala back to its glory again. No politics, no religion only humanity. Let’s stand together to save Kerala,” Priyadarshan tweeted.
Oscar-winner Resul Pookutty has thanked all the celebrities like Vidya Balan, Sonam Kapoor and Alia Bhatt who have contributed to the cause.
Other Bollywood celebrities including Karan Johar, Varun Dhawan, Hrithik Roshan, Shahid Kapoor and Anushka Sharma have also tweeted their support for the state and its people.
Roshan wrote: “The situation in Kerala is critical. Help is required. Please let’s come forward and do whatever we can. Our friends in Kerala need us right now. I have contributed a sum and I request you all to do whatever you can.”
Actor Sidharth Malhotra said he has contributed to the relief fund for the state and wrote, “Let’s all get together and show our unified strength for Kerala. Contribute however you can and donate any amount here. Pray for everyone in distress.”
South Indian actor Dulquer Salmaan tweeted a poster with emergency numbers.
“Urging and requesting the #nationalmedia to focus and draw attention to #KeralaFloods! Each day is looking more grim for millions,” he said.
Singer-composer Shankar Mahadevan has urged people to extend support to the Kerala flood victims.
Like a host of other celebrities, Mahadevan shared the helpline numbers and the bank account number of Kerala Chief Minister’s Disaster Relief Fund, appealing to the people to do their bit.
The Breathless singer took to his Twitter account and shared a video in which he can be seen talking about the problems the people of Kerala are going through and asking the citizens of the country to donate and lend support for the victims.
“As all of us know that Kerala is going through a very difficult time, people have lost their near and dear ones, people have lost their belongings and houses. So, as a citizen of this country we have to help them. I appeal to you please donate. Be it a little amount, but please donate. I am sure you all can make a difference.”
The Telugu film industry has also stepped up to do their bit to support the relief efforts. “People of Kerala will always occupy a special place in my heart for the unmatchable Love & Affection they shower. Their Love & the Loss is Unmatchable. But still I take the Honour to do my bit. I hereby pledge to donate 25,00,000 for the #KeralaFloodRelief,” tweeted Allu Arjun, who enjoys a huge fan following in Kerala.
