Celebrities feel for a cause too,says Imran Khan

To this,Hirani pointed out that the onus for properly using the leverage a celebrity brings them also lies with the organisation using them: “NGOs should do more than just ask celebrities to lend their name,they should know how to take the relationship forward fruitfully.” Bajaj summed it up by saying that a balance had to be maintained. “The relationship between a cause and a celebrity is symbiotic. It turns parasitic when the celebrity gains more out of it than the cause. That has to be prevented.”

The debate took an interesting turn when the link between social and political responsibility was discussed. Referring to actor Aamir Khan’s face-off with the Gujarat government on the Narmada dam rehabilitation issue,Panag pointed out that while people expect celebrities to take on social responsibilities,political statements are frowned upon. “Indian celebrities are expected to be politically correct at all times. The problem is that we’re just not used to celebrities making political statements,when in fact,that goes hand-in-hand with social awareness.”

The panellists unanimously agreed that change has to come from the grassroots. Khan pointed out,“A person may watch a video that encourages people to go out and vote,but ultimately,that person will exercise his right to vote only if he feels deeply motivated to do so. A dozen celebrities won’t change his mind,if he feels nothing for the cause.”