Why celebs supported Anna Hazare?

They say there is always another side to every story.

As we see the 'face of the nation', Anna Hazare getting open support from various Bollywood celebs, it makes us wonder what brought them to the center stage of this political uprising. B-Town bigwigs Aamir Khan, Raju Hirani and Om Puri were present at the Ramlila Maidan, Delhi, while others like John Abraham, Vidya Balalan, Sonu Nigam, Kailash Kher, Shreyas Talpade, Celina Jaitley, Udita Goswami et al, were supporting Anna's fight against corruption directly or indirectly in various cities.

So, what's the agenda behind the celeb support for Anna? Are these stars cutting a piece of cake for themselves? Says Kailash, "When you see these stars, it's visible that they are fake, that they are fooling people and are doing it for the sake of free publicity. I have never seen people changing colors like that." But then he diplomatically adds, "In India the system breaks you and your spirit. And this makes people think why should I initiate a process. With Anna taking such a strong stand, it has given people hope to fight for a cause, something to fall back on when they want to take a stand against something."

There also surfaces a subtle divide within the hitherto united 'big family' - the Hindi film industry. Even as Anupam Kher, (who played the ideologically upright headmaster in Saaransh) came out to support Anna, the man who made the movie and his former mentor, filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt opposed Anna's stance. On one hand, we had Aamir making his positive presence felt, and Salman's bodyguards beat up Anna supporters on the other.

While Amitabh Bachchan and Shekhar Kapur openly supported Anna on microblogging sites, Shabana Azmi and Javed Akhtar were skeptical and Ram Gopal Varma even pretended ignorance about Anna! And then there were some who suddenly resurfaced from almost anonymity (like Raja Bundela, Sambhavna Seth, Raghubir Yadav) to ensure that they championed the most talked about cause of the moment. With their movies up for release, you could see some star casts in the front row of the protest rallies.

There was John Abraham breaking "dahi handis of corruption"as he put it during Janmashtami celebrations, Vishal Dadlani and Raghu Ram bragging about their 'participation in the Mumbai rally to support Anna' on social networking sites, and Vidya Balan, Shreyas, Bipasha, Udita and Celina in their Anna topis, Rakhi Sawant berating Team Anna, Jacquiline Fernandez refusing to support Anna - every celeb wanted a piece of Anna.

But do these celebrities really need to be out there in what it is being called the common man's revolution? Udita says, "I feel celebrities should stay away from the entire campaign. If this is a common man's uprising then it should remain like that and with Bollywood celebrities appearing on stage, the focus inadvertently shifts to the glamour they automatically bring in." But the ways and the cause is again appreciated and supported, she says, "It has definitely made a difference as we in India have become used to bomb blasts, but a man fasting has stirred the whole nation."

Opportunity knocks only once on your God forsaken door and it's wise to make use of it. However, to say that exactly that's what is happening will be drawing your own conclusions, but also there is no smoke without fire. Anna is surely fighting for one cause we all have got affected with at least once in our lifetime and actress Shital Shah sums it up best when she says, "I am happy that Anna managed to raise a very pertinent issue and sensitize the masses to it. What team Anna has come up with may not be foolproof and it would require some time on the part of everyone to bring out a bill that is in the best interests of the country." Chips in Celina, "Sometimes a change needs a revolution and the stand against corruption has brought every citizen of this country together just like we stood against the British. Celebrities supporting a good cause is important because we are all in our own ways role models to someone or the other. Mostly the youth in India needs the correct motivation."

With the impact of Anna being all-permeating at the moment, for many celebrities, it was also a chance to be in the arclight once again, so they seized the day to get every Anna's worth of publicity that can only help them professionally in the long run.

(With inputs from Soumitra Das)

Aamir Khan in Ramlila Maidan with Anna Hazare to Support him

Today, Aamir Khan in Ramlila Maidan with Anna Hazare to Support him.

Aamir, who left Mumbai on Saturday morning, was expected to break his ramzan fast at the Ramlila Maidan with other Anna supporters.

Aamir's appearance is likely to give a boost to Anna's movement.

Aamir is believed to be the brain behind Hazare's call to the people to protest outside MPs' homes for a strong Lokpal Bill. The actor, reportedly, also wrote to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, urging him to give in to Hazare's demands.

Earlier in the day, famous playback singer Sonu Nigam also visited Ramlila Maidan and met Hazare. He enthralled the crowd with his songs.

Anna Hazare fervour takes over Bollywood events

Mumbai: The Anna Hazare wave seems to be sweeping through Bollywood events as well.

When Chief of Army Staff V K Singh met film personalities on Wednesday evening to talk about their role in redesigning India, the discussion apparently diverted to a debate on corruption and how to fight it. "We ended up discussing Anna Hazare and corruption that are the current hot topics of the nation," film distributor Shyam Shroff said. Even the music launch of Mumbai Chi Porgi Mona on Tuesday looked like an Anna show. Film writer Dilip Thakur said, "I have never seen a film event where the national anthem was sung. Jagjit Singh, who was the chief guest at the event, walked in wearing a 'Mee Anna Hazare' cap."

Bollywood veterans claim that the formation of the Janata Party and V P Singh quitting the Congress were the two other political events that overshadowed the tinsel town world.

Thakur added, "Bollywood is often blamed for shirking social responsibility but Anna Hazare's fight against corruption has brought everyone together and express his views on it."

There have been events where actors Dev Anand and Naseeruddin Shah declined to comment on Anna. A source said, "They didn't want their show to turn into an Anna Hazare event and so, they avoided making any statement. But in every production office and film set, all that people can talk about is when would Anna break his fast.''

Although cinema halls are showing low occupancy and it is not related to Anna Hazare Vishal Anand, head of operations of Fun Cinemas said, the mood for entertainment is definitely not buoyant right now. The movies at the box office is not going to strong because of lack of strong content and secondly the mind space of people is being occupied with what is happening around them and with Anna Hazare's fast. People in some way or the other have connected with the movement .''

Movies will get a strong starting with Eid and release of Bodyguard and hopefully there will be a headway in talks to make it a double celebration for all of us.''

B'wood reacts on Anna Hazare's arrest

Bollywood has once again in support of Anna Hazare and criticized the government for arresting him.

Bipasha Basu vents her anger on social networking site, she tweets, "Anna Hazare needs to be supported to kill the 'Demon' called 'Corruption' that is eating up our Country

Anupam Kher is sad on Anna's arrest, he tweets, " Anna Hazare, Kiran Bedi and Arvind Kejriwal arrested even before they reach JP park. Saddest day for Indian Democracy."

Shabana Azmi tweets,``We condemn the arrest of Anna Hazare and his team and the ban on the proposed fast. Right to protest peacefully is a democratic right.''

Photographer Atul Kasbekar too tweets, ``You may not agree with Anna ideology or his methods. That's fine. But you cannot take away his right to peaceful protest.''

Farhan Akhtar who always been vocal about his political views tweets,``The Indian citizen has the right to protest peacefully. Anna's arrest is unconstitutional and shows symptoms of an authoritarian mindset.''

The government apparently has arrested Anna Hazare fearing violence. But director Shekhar Kapur says,``There was no threat of violence, there was none last time. People are thronging to Delhi to support agitation against corruption.''

Vishal Dadlani tweets, "They've arrested Anna Hazare. Bad move, Government. BIG mistake! You've made yourselves look dictatorial, and Anna, even more of a martyr! Presenting Anna's draft to parliament is the right course forward, and his arrest is very wrong. Joining the protest at Azad Maidan today."

Javed Akhtar tweets, "I have had certain reservations about Anna's method but his arrest can not be condoned. It is undemocratic ,unacceptable."

Minissha Lamba writes, " Happy I-Day India! Gr8 goin by ARRESTING #AnnaHazare.. Show d world how ready we r 2be a superpower! India NOT Shining "

Ayesha Takia refuses to speak on Anna Hazare

The actress was all for fashion on Day 1 of the Lakme Fashion Week.

Ayesha Takia who was down with flu still came all the way to watch her designer friend Archana Kocchar's show on day one of the Lakme Fashion Week in Mumbai.

Ayesha was accompanied by her mother and sister. Clad in a black anarkali designed by Kocchar, the actress stayed away from making any comments on Anna's crusade against corruption.

"I would not like to make any political statement" was her reply as she refrained from making any comments on the issue.

The actress who did look a tad weak due to the fever seems to have mellowed down.

We remember Ayesha had lashed out at Raj Thackeray and his party, the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS), for attacking her father in law Abu Azmi in the Maharashtra legislature for taking his oath as a legislator in Hindi about a year back.

Guess the actress didn't want to leave any room for any kind of 'political' controversy this time around!

Meanwhile 'Fashion' actor Arjan Bajwa revealed he will be going on a candle march today evening to support Anna Hazare.

Om Puri does a Anna Hazare

There are many belief systems across the globe, but not all of them are good. The Khap panchayat in Indian villages follows one such custom, which has been killing young couples in the name of honour for years now.

Actor Om Puri and producer-director Ajai Sinha (Ananda Film & Tele Communication Pvt Ltd.), who feel strongly about this issue, have come together to voice their thoughts through their movie Khap. "Someone has to take the first step to end this. I am not waiting for somebody to wake up one day and that is why I have stood up against it," says Om.

Ajai, who's the director of the film, says the primary motivation behind making this movie was not just success or monetary gain. "It's for awareness among the youth. I have made this movie to make our country wake up and notice that while we might just fuss over everyday life, there are still customs like Khap in villages that don't let people live their lives their way." The film has got no political support because the topic is sensitive and no politician wants to be associated with it. "It doesn't matter if anyone supports us or not," says Om. "We know that we have made the right movie. If Anna Hazare can stand alone, fight against corruption and make the nation realise the importance of it, I am sure we can do the same here. Even if we get support or not, the fight against the Khap panchayats from our side is on!" he signs off.
The movie releases tomorrow with a hope that it's the first step towards eradicating this inhuman custom.

Aamir is backing Jan Lokpal bill: Team Anna

Bollywood actor Aamir Khan has extended his support to Jan Lokpal bill, a statement from Team Anna said Wednesday.

In reply to a questionnaire framed by India Against Corruption, the banner under which the Jan Lokpal movement is being held, Aamir Khan has agreed to many of the group's demands, including that the prime minister be brought under the purview of the Lokpal.

In the options given on the questionnaire, the actor chose: "I feel this issue is non-negotiable. This is the right time to demand and pursue wholeheartedly."

The actor also agreed to including higher judiciary, MPs' action in parliament, merging the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in Lokpal, inclusion of lower bureaucracy, appointment of Lokayukta (ombudsman) through the same act and maximum punishment up to life imprisonment.

"He also categorically said that Lokpal should be empowered to remove corrupt public/government servant. He should also be responsible for protection of the whistle blowers and witnesses," the statement said.

After the meetings between civil society members and the government on formulating the Lokpal bill went sour, Anna Hazare has been warning the government that he will go on a fast once again if the civil society's version of the anti-graft Lokpal bill, the Jan Lokpal bill, is not tabled in parliament's monsoon session.

The civil society has been conducting public meetings to garner support for their Jan Lokpal bill.