Anupam Kher, Neena Gupta among others come together in Zee Theatre's initiative to support the theatre community
The theatre experience is a unique blend of storytelling, live performances, and a grand stage that form the setting of many an encore. Working silently backstage is a battery of support staff and technicians who are an indispensable part of the creative process. Today, many of them are struggling as they find their livelihood impacted by the pandemic and the ensuing lockdown. In a bid to support them, Zee Theatre has partnered with the Give India Foundation to raise funds for them to pull through these challenging times.
Eminent theatre personalities like Anupam Kher, Neena Gupta, Rakesh Bedi, Makarand Deshpande, Divya Dutta, Aahana Kumra, and Shikha Talsania, among others, have joined this mass fundraising campaign and pledged their support to urge people to donate to the theatre community. These stalwarts are part of a specially created campaign video where they talk about the importance of the support staff and technicians and how they are an inextricable part of the theatre experience. Actor and lyricist Amitosh Nagpal penned a special poem to convey the industry's unified sentiment. The campaign video will run on Tata Sky Theatre, Airtel Spotlight, Dish TV and D2H Rangamanch Active.
Watch the video here and click the link to donate
Chief Creative Officer of Zee Special Projects Shailja Kejriwal says, "This month-long fundraising initiative is to raise money for theatre support staff who find themselves without any source of income and unlikely to get any relief in the coming months. It is extremely heartening to see that our initiative has received the support of such stalwarts. Our aim at Zee Theatre is to support the fraternity, the generous donations will go a long way to help them during these trying times."
Veteran theatre & film actor Anupam Kher added, "When Zee Theatre approached me to be a part of this fundraising initiative, it took me no time to say yes. I share a deep and personal connection with the theatre. No theatrical production is complete without the help and presence of the technicians and support staff. Their survival is vital for our community. I would request everyone to donate generously."
Another fine actor who is part of the campaign, Neena Gupta says, "I feel fortunate to be able to help colleagues from the theatre world who are struggling to make ends meet during this tough time. Many of the support staff and technicians are worried and helpless because of the uncertainty surrounding the reopening of theatre halls. I want to commend Zee Theatre for this wonderful initiative and taking this step towards helping the theatre community. Through this initiative, we want to reach out to people across the country and urge them to donate."
Priyanka Prakash, Head of Online Giving at GiveIndia, said: "Every working community has been affected during the pandemic, especially those whose work is hands-on and earn for the hours they put in. It is really good to see everyone looking out for each other. Zee Theatre's fundraising campaign to help those who are dependent on live performances for their income shows deep compassion and we at GiveIndia wholeheartedly support it."
Zee Theatre's #ForTheLoveOfTheatre campaign is now live. All you have to do is give a missed call on '9595673673' and you will receive the donation link.