10 Most Charitable Celebrities Of Bollywood
Image: priyankachopra / Instagram
It is a known fact that Bollywood celebrities influence millions of people all around the world. They have fans who look up to them for inspiration and follow their examples in many ways. While they are mostly admired for their acting, they are respected more when they give back to society in whatever way possible. With the fame and fortune they possess, they are at liberty to help causes that they believe in. While paparazzi usually share gossip about them, it is equally important to shed light on the difference that they make in society. Here is a list of celebrities who not only work for recognition but also for a cause:
1. Deepika Padukone
Besides being an actress with exceptional talent, Deepika Padukone is also generous at heart. In a country where mental health is still considered a taboo topic, the actress was strong enough to open up about her fight against depression and the importance of mental health. She is the founder of The Live Love Laugh Foundation that aims to raise awareness about mental wellness. She launched the campaign #DoobaraPoocho in association with the NGO Indian Psychiatric Society for which she became the brand ambassador. She was a part of the World 10K Bangalore Marathon, which raised money for over 80 NGOs. Apart from all this, Deepika adopted a village in Maharashtra called Ambegaon as a part of the Greenathon initiative by NDTV.
2. Priyanka Chopra
Another celebrity star who has her own foundation is the Quantico actress, Priyanka Chopra. The foundation is called Priyanka Chopra Foundation For Education And Health which provides education to underprivileged children. She has been a goodwill ambassador for UNICEF since 2006 and is a registered organ donor. She is also a member of the Save The Girl Campaign. It might come as a surprise to you to know that Priyanka adopted a lioness and tigress at Birsa Biological Park. The actress is also environmentally conscious and has made donations to clean the Banks of the Yamuna River in Agra.
3. Shah Rukh Khan
The King of Bollywood is not just known for his romantic gestures but also for his big heart. Shah Rukh Khan is a member of the board of directors of the Make A Wish Foundation that creates life-changing wishes for children with a chronic illness. Most of you know that his IPL team KKR won the trophy in 2014, but what you don’t know is that he donated the winning cash prize of 15 crores entirely to the welfare of cancer patients in Mumbai and Kolkata. He also established a children’s wing in Nanavati hospital in Mumbai. Shah Rukh also helps raise funds for various NGOs from time to time including the Indian Ocean earthquake victims in 2004 and the National Centre For Promotion of Employment for Disabled People proving that he has a big heart.
4. Akshay Kumar
Akshay Kumar not only does films that are socially relevant but also contributes to society in several ways. He started a mixed martial arts school to teach women self-defense for free. He also donated 90 lakhs to farmers’ families in Maharashtra who committed suicide because of droughts. Known for his humility, the actor also contributed Rs. 1 crore towards Chennai’s flood relief programs and recently partnered with the Home Minister to develop an app that will help the families of martyred soldiers financially.
5. Nana Patekar
This actor believes in living a very simple life. He has been donating 90% of his earnings to charity for the last 30 years and lives in a 1BHK in Mumbai. He regularly contributes to the welfare of farmers and their families. Apart from this, he has also adopted a few villages to make them model villages.
6. Aishwarya Rai Bachchan
The gorgeous Miss World is also big on charity. She started a foundation called Aishwarya Rai Foundation which aims to help the poor and needy. She has also pledged to donate her eyes to the Eye Bank Association of India.
7. Vidya Balan
Known for her dynamic roles, Vidya Balan not only takes up movies with social relevance but also contributes towards the betterment of society. She is known for the phrase “Jaha soch waha Shauchalay” and is a supporter of hygiene and sanitation. She is the brand ambassador for the Clean India campaign which aims to provide clean drinking water and sanitation for India.
8. John Abraham
The hotshot John Abraham is known for his love for animals. He is an active member of PETA and donates large amounts to the cause. John’s Brigade for Habitat is his foundation which provides shelter for the needy. He is associated with many other charities and donates large amounts of money to them. He doesn’t like publicity when it comes to the donations he makes and likes to do it as silently as possible.
9. Shilpa Shetty
You would be surprised to know that the actress donates 90% of what she makes in movies to charity and only keeps 10% for herself. Shilpa Shetty won the reality television show Big Brother in 2007 and donated the entire earnings of Rs. 1 crore to the AIDS awareness campaign. Known for her yoga and fitness lifestyle, Shilpa Shetty is also closely associated with PETA and Act Against Bullying.
10. Rahul Bose
Not many people know about this actor’s charitable heart. In 2007, Rahul Bose became a part of the Oxfam Global Ambassador, making him one of the first celebrities in Bollywood to join this cause. The Oxfam Global campaign works to provide rehabilitation to people living in Andaman and Nicobar who have been affected by their harsh climatic conditions. He is also closely associated with the World Without Discrimination campaign.
These are a few celebrities to give back to society through a cause that they believe in. Kudos to them for contributing to the world with the resources they are blessed with. Who is your favorite celeb from our list? Let us know in the comments below if we’ve left out any of your favorite Bollywood stars who stand up for a cause.
