Indian farmers | Bollywood | Big B | Anil Sharma | Andhra Pradesh | amitabh bachchan | Ab Tumhare Hawale Watan Saathiyon SHARE AND DISCUSS Tweet Amitabh Bachchan More Pics A zillion hearts beat for him. The question, though, is who does his heart beat for? Over 40-odd years, people across the country have followed Amitabh Bachchan's various avatars on screen and in the media. And he has impressed us as a Bollywood legend, television anchor, doting father and an even more doting grandfather. However, the one aspect that the actor has practically kept under wraps, is his role of a philanthropist.
Eight years ago, when the Big B was shooting for Anil Sharma's Ab Tumhare Hawale Watan Saathiyon in Vishakapatnam, he heard about the plight of farmers in Andhra Pradesh , and how many of them were ending their lives because they couldn't repay agricultural loans. The actor had, apparently, donated 11 lakh to clear the debts of nearly 40 beleaguered farmers.
This act, though, came to everyone's notice much later at a function held in AP. While Amitabh refused to attend the do, perhaps because he didn't want the limelight to be focused on his social work, a farmer stood up and said, "Let us clap so loud that the man who saved our lives may hear us in Mumbai.
" The reason why that chapter in the Bachchan book of philanthropy is being revisited is because we've learnt from a source that Amitabh's heart continues to beat for the kisan . Our source says, "Over the years, Amitabh has stayed in touch with an NGO, which has been working closely with rehabilitating farmers across India.
The actor has been doing his bit for this organization." The latest news is that the Big B has cleared the debts of over hundred farmers in the Wardha belt of Maharashtra.
While there is no confirmation on this from the Bachchans, it is believed that this time around the Bollywood actor has donated around 30 lakh. Repeated attempts to get a direct quote from Amitabh on his contribution to the cause failed.
However, the Big B told us, "I admit that I'm moved by the plight of farmers across India. What is disturbing is that farmers are committing suicide because of their inability to pay back loans of even 10,000.
When a farmer ends his life, he also orphans his family." The actor is even more distressed because he sees just how little it actually takes to save a life.
Says he, "People sometimes spend more than 10,000 on a meal. If this amount can be channelized to save someone's life, I would say, why not give it for a noble cause?"
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