Amitabh Bachchan interview: ‘Why not use one’s celebrity status for a good cause?’

How did your involvement with UNICEF begin?
It’s been nearly a year since I’ve been involved with the pulse polio immunisation programme. I was moved when I saw pictures of prominent people attending camps, encouraging people to immunise children against polio. So when UNICEF approached me, I readily agreed. And from I’ve been told, the polio immunisation campaign has been highly successful with large turnouts at vaccination camps. Polio eradication is a very needy cause for India.
How will you be able to make a difference to the lives of children, not just here but also globally?
It’s up to UNICEF to decide the area of work. I believe there are several pockets in UP which require immediate attention. Obviously, if they choose to send me to places like Bosnia, Kosovo, or somewhere else it will be of no use for people won’t listen to me. India and maybe the Middle East are places I should be able to help.
Will you be able to do justice to the job given your acting commitments?
Initially I was apprehensive for I really don’t have the time. But things have been sorted out with them and planned accordingly.
You now join the likes of Audrey Hepburn, Roger Moore, Harry Belafonte.
I’m extremely honoured to become a goodwill ambassador for UNICEF. Several prominent people have served in the post before me and as an Indian as well as a member of the film fraternity I feel proud to be entrusted with the task.
Shouldn’t there be increased participation of celebrities over matters of social concern?
Definitely. Our film fraternity has always come forward when it comes to social awareness. If one has been bestowed with a celebrity status, why not use it for a cause? I have been part of several such causes like HIV, breast cancer.

Tags: UNICEF, Bosnia, Kosovo, Audrey Hepburn, Roger Moore, Harry Belafonte