New Delhi: Issues like poverty, malnutrition and sex trafficking concern Bollywood actress Chitrangada Singh, who feels that if saleable names from the Indian film industry like Aamir Khan and Shah Rukh Khan support such causes, they can bring about a positive change in society.
"Bollywood is very strong in India and even Indians anywhere in the world follow the film industry. So I definitely feel if stars as big as Aamir or Shah Rukh support a cause, they will generate a lot of media interest and, so, will create awareness," Chitrangada told in an interview.
"Media is so strong these days. So, media and celebrities should come together and make a difference. Yes, media and films are both a business at the end of the day, but they should also take some time for these kind of causes. It will do good to the society," she added.
Chitrangada was recently in the capital to support a petition to stop sex trafficking of children and young people, launched by cosmetic brand 'The Body Shop' and 'ECPAT', a network of organisations and individuals working together to eliminate the commercial sexual exploitation of children.
The 28-year-old dusky beauty, who made her debut with Sudhir Mishra's Hazaaron Khwaishein Aisi in 2003, says celebrities must take upon themselves the task of voicing social issues so that it instigates people to discuss.
"John (Abraham) and Preity (Zinta) support many causes and many others support other causes...there is no social cause which is less or more. Children's education, their health and sanitation...these are all important issues, but sex trafficking... it's like children are being used as animals - sold and bought in the markets. It's ridiculous," she said.
"Girls are being sold for Rs.500 in the interiors of Bengal... within half an hour you can get a girl. There is a lot of disparity between rich and poor. We celebrities can stand in plush malls and hotels and give interviews, but the reality is very sad. We should do something more."
"Bollywood is very strong, so when they talk of something, people get to know of those issues and as long as people talk about it, change will happen," she added.
Chitrangada, who is married to golfer Jyoti Randhawa, has shifted base from Delhi to Mumbai to pursue her film career, and says she is loving the Indian entertainment capital.
"It's been great. Work is good and as long as work is great, Mumbai is great for me! My next project Yeh Saali Zindagi is finished and releasing in November. I have two other announcements which I will let the producers make," she said.
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