Reshma Qureshi’s face was disfigured when her brother-in-law threw acid on her face to settle old scores, but that hasn’t scarred her soul.
She made her catwalk debut at the New York Fashion Week last year and hasn’t looked back since. Qureshi, who has become the face of the campaign to stop the open sale of acids in India, and other survivors will be celebrated on September 21 at a red-carpet gala in Dubai’s St Regis Hotel. Bollywood actor Sonu Sood, who spearheads the cause, says the Stardust Achievers Awards will celebrate real-life and reel-life heroes.
“I started this cause Saroj, named after my mother who was a professor, to bring awareness about the issue and to highlight the achievements made by them. They are real-life heroes who came up in life after that violent crime was committed against them. But they aren’t hiding, they are out there fighting brave battles. At the Stardust Awards night, we will also be honouring heroes from various fields like tennis player Sania Mirza, PV Sindhu who plays badminton” said Sood in an interview with Gulf News tabloid!.
The City of Life actor has joined hands with an NGO, Hothur Foundation, to bring attention to the cause of acid attack survivors.
But Sood, who recently turned producer with Shakti Sagar Productions, isn’t alone in waging this battle.
Stars including Tabu, Huma Qureshi and Farah Khan will attend the invite-only event.
“Even the entertainment that’s planned for the awards night will have the theme of celebrating the bravery displayed by acid attack survivors,” said Sood. But why did he choose Dubai to host his dream event?
“Dubai has been my lucky charm and my lucky city. I shot for such great films like City of Life, Kung Fu Yoga with Jackie Chan here. So Dubai was my natural choice,” said Sood.
