Bollywood praises Arjun Reddy star Vijay’s award auction plan
Telugu actor Vijay Deverakonda, the star of Arjun Reddy (2017), has caused a sensation after stating that he’d auction his Best Actor trophy in Filmfare Awards South 2018, won for the film, and donate the money to the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund. The decision is being praised by several Bollywood personalities we’ve spoken to.
Vijay, 29, tells us, “It’s my first award and I’m really proud to have received it. My dad wanted to be an actor and he couldn’t become one, and he knows what a proud moment it is for us all… The award’s life would increase if it goes one more step, instead of just sitting on my shelf.”
Commenting on the decision, actor Richa Chadha, who has won several awards for her performance in Masaan (2015), says, “I look up to friends like (lyricist-writer) Varun Grover and (director) Neeraj Ghaywan, who donated their money from the National Award for Masaan, for relief work for distressed farmers. What Vijay has done is an encouraging act.”
National Award-winning film-maker Onir feels that Vijay’s act is all the more admirable because he is a “youth icon” and stars like him “inspire so many people”.
Actor Juhi Chawla, who began winning awards very early in her career, calls this “a very sweet initiative”. She adds, “People look up to us, as celebrities, to contribute to society, and Vijay’s gesture has definitely won hearts. But to each to his own.”
Veere Di Wedding star Shikha Talsania, who has gained a huge youth fan following with this movie, believes that this award auction is “a unique way of engaging people to contribute for a cause”. She adds, “It’s admirable to see people stand by their cause. It encourages the rest to follow suit.”