Bollywood plans concert for earthquake relief
Noreen Aslam

BOMBAY—Popular Bollywood actor Sanjay Dutt says he plans to organize a concert, featuring Indian and Pakistani movie stars and singers, to raise money for the earthquake victims in both countries.
“They (Pakistani actors) had come to India to help us raise funds for the tsunami relief, and now we need to do something for the earthquake victims,” Dutt said in an interview on Thursday on the independent New Delhi Television channel. Details were being worked out, he said.
The 7.6-magnitude quake on Saturday smashed towns and villages, mostly in Kashmir, the Himalayan region divided between India and Pakistan. More than 35,000 are believed to have been killed in Pakistan and at least 1,358 in Indian-controlled Kashmir. Dutt had organized a concert in February to raise funds for victims of the Dec. 26 tsunami which killed more than 10,000 people in India.
He said he was following the example set by his father, Sunil Dutt, an actor-turned-politician who was known for organizing charity events. Sunil Dutt died following a heart attack in May. Sanjay Dutt, an action hero who has starred in dozens of hit Hindi-language movies, said he would also appeal to India’s more than 1 billion people to donate one rupee (about 2 US cents) each to help the earthquake victims.
Meanwhile, the popularity of Bollywood actors in Pakistan is well known, and among Indian stars, Salman Khan and Shah Rukh Khan head the list of hot favourites across the border. For the last few months, Pakistani organisers have been trying to rope in either Salman or Shah Rukh for a concert. Technically, Salman has agreed, but the only problem is the star’s security. When Saif Ali Khan and Katrina Kaif went to Pakistan for a show recently, they were unable to perform because of the poor security arrangements.
Sponsors cautious. Now Sohail Khan’s event management company has been approached with a proposal for a mega show with Salman and other artistes. But this time, the sponsors want to be extra sure of the security provided to Indian artistes. Salman was unavailable for comment, but his Man Friday, Nadeem said, “The show is aimed at strengthening Indo-Pak ties. The organisers were offering professional security, but the sponsors asked for security at a level provided to the president in Pakistan.”
The event is being planned for a few months later, either in December or January next year, as a big show takes at least two to three months to put together. Salman not scared “Salman bhai is cool about going to Pakistan, no matter what the security. Depending on the availability of his dates, he is ready to go at the first opportunity. He thinks we are making much ado about nothing. Woh kehta hai, ‘Koi kya karega, kha jayega kya?’” added Nadeem. Elaborated Sohail, “There has been not one, but a lot of enquiries from Pakistan. There are lots of people there who want Salman to come and perform. They call, they talk, but nothing progresses beyond that.”
SRK or Salman? Talks are still on, said Nadeem. “Bahut time se baat chal rahi hai. Dekhen kya hota hai. It can materialise soon, provided the people concerned at this end are satisfied about the security and safety factor. I see either Salman or Shah Rukh going - it is unlikely that both of them will be invited together. Going by their immense popularity, pandemonium will break loose otherwise.” Charity do cancelled Salman Khan hasn’t performed in Pakistan before. Plans were afoot for Sushmita Sen and Salman to visit Lahore for charity shows in April this year - but those too fizzled out.