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March 24, 2020. This date changed every the lives of citizens of India. The Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, announced a complete lockdown due to the rapid and alarming spread of COVID-19 or Coronavirus, which was first found in China in 2019. Malls were shut, theatres were sealed and people confined to their homes thought it wasn't really a matter of worry. But what followed next was unimaginable. People were stuck at home for months together as the COVID-19 graph saw dramatic inclinations daily and work from home became a normal thing.
It's been 365 days since the start of the nationwide lockdown that left many people jobless, brought daily wage workers on the streets and disrupted the entire Indian economy. On this occasion, PeepingMoon takes a trip down memory lane to look back at how Bollywood celebrities used their social media to keep our and their spirits high. From social awareness initiatives to starting YouTube channels and penning poems, B-Towners knew how to entertain their fans.
Initiatives/ Series
From raising awareness to spreading cheers, Bollywood celebrities used their voices for the right cause. Take a look:
Family
Celebrities like Amitabh Bachchan, Ranbir Kapoor, Alia Bhatt, Priyanka Chopra Jonas, Diljit Dosanjh, Rajinikanth, Mohanlal, Mammootty, Chiranjeevi, Shiva Rajkumar, Prosenjit Chatterjee and Sonalee Kulkarni came together for a unique short film titled Family. Watch it here if you missed it out!
Presenting ‘Family’, a made-at-home short film featuring @SrBachchan, #Rajnikanth #RanbirKapoor @priyankachopra @aliaa08, #Chiranjeevi @Mohanlal, #Mammootty, @meSonalee @prosenjitbumba #ShivaRajkumar & @diljitdosanjh.
Supported by #SonyPicturesNetworksIndia & #KalyanJewellers. pic.twitter.com/menuDz808H— sonytv (@SonyTV) April 6, 2020
Lockdown With The Johars
Let's admit, Karan Johar and his children-Yash and Roohi brought a smile to our faces with their brutally honest and fun series titled Lockdown With The Johars. From roasting their father to fat-shaming him, commenting on his wardrobe and much more, Yash and Roohi were a delight.
Deepika Padukone's mental health initiative
During the lockdown, Deepika Padukone joined hands with Instagram for an initiative titled Wellness Guide. It aimed to keep people inspired during the tough times and helped them with recommendations, tips etc. Deepika curated the guide along with her organisation, The Live Laugh Love Foundation.
Kartik Aaryan's Koki Poochega
Kartik Aaryan started his own chat show titled Koki Poochega during the lockdown. The actor, who is known as Koki at home, aimed at spreading awareness about the virus and other issues by interviewing COVID-19 warriors including doctors, policemen, social workers and people who have defeated the virus. The chat show was lauded by Ekta Kapoor, Alia Bhatt and several other Bollywood celebrities.
I For India
On May 3, 2020, celebrities across the globe united for a virtual concert titled I For India. A fundraiser concert, I For India was streamed on Facebook and featured performances and personal messages from 85+ Indian and global stars. Indian actors like Shah Rukh Khan, Madhuri Dixit, Priyanka Chopra Jonas, Akshay Kumar, Aamir Khan, Alia Bhatt, Ranveer Singh and others participated.
Lockdown On Domestic Violence
Amid the lockdown, cases of domestic violence were on a rise. Taking this into consideration, Bollywood celebrities like Karan Johar, Madhuri Dixit, Anushka Sharma, Virat Kohli, Vidya Balan and others came together to express concern over the global surge in cases of domestic violence. They extended support to the initiative titled Lockdown On Domestic Violence.
Let's put a #LockdownOnDomesticViolence!#Dial100 @CMOMaharashtra @DGPMaharashtra @AUThackeray @aksharacentre @imVkohli @MadhuriDixit @karanjohar @vidya_balan @FarOutAkhtar @ImRo45 @RahulBose1 @M_Raj03 @deespeak pic.twitter.com/4vFSbXifng
— Anushka Sharma (@AnushkaSharma) April 19, 2020
5 Baje, 5 Minute & 9 Baje, 9 Minute
On March 22, 2020, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the first Janta Curfew. He requested the citizens of India to stand in their balconies and cheer for the COVID-19 warriors for their efforts. He asked everyone to either clap, blow a conch shell or use utensils to make noise at 5 pm for 5 minutes. Celebrities came out in full support and shared videos on social media.
Again, on April 5, 2020, the PM asked people to either light a candle, diya or flash a torchlight in their balconies. Extending support to this initiative, Bollywood showed up in large numbers.
Dil Se Thank You
Akshay Kumar, Ajay Devgn, Ayushmann Khurrana, Shahid Kapoor, Anil Kapoor, Alia Bhatt, Karan Johar, Raveena Tandon, Ekta Kapoor and other Bollywood celebrities stepped forward to thank the Mumbai police for their dedication and efforts to keep the city protected amid the lockdown. They expressed gratitude using the hashtag Dil Se Thank You.
There’s an army of people working day and night to keep us safe, our families safe. Lets together say #DilSeThankYou to them because that’s the least we can do. @mybmc @MumbaiPolice pic.twitter.com/ANf1ynTP09
— Akshay Kumar (@akshaykumar) April 9, 2020
Thank you @MumbaiPolice ♥Words cannot express our love and gratitude. Let's stay home for them. #TakingOnCorona https://t.co/mO6yjmIZlM
— Alia Bhatt (@aliaa08) April 9, 2020
Dear Mumbai Police, you are known as one of the BEST in the world. Your contribution to the COVID-19 pandemic is unparalleled. Singham will wear his Khakee and stand beside you whenever you ask. Jai Hind, Jai Maharashtra @CPMumbaiPolice @MumbaiPolice
— Ajay Devgn (@ajaydevgn) April 9, 2020
Akshay Kumar and R Balki's ad campaign
Akshay Kumar and R Balki teamed up for a special ad campaign for the Government of India to raise awareness about the post lockdown responsibilities for every individual. The ad highlighted that one shouldn't be afraid of COVID-19 and should take necessary care while stepping out.
Sonu Sood's Ghar Bhejo
Reel-life villain Sonu Sood became the real-life hero during the lockdown. The actor not just sent migrants back home but did a lot for those in need. From elderly citizens to children, Sonu was there for all.
Salman Khan's Being Haangryy initiative
During the lockdown, Salman Khan, who was at his Panvel farmhouse, started his own food truck to supply meals to the underprivileged. The food truck was originally designed for his upcoming film Radhe: Your Most Wanted Bhai. Reportedly, every day around 1000 ration packets were prepared in a Bandra restaurant named Bhaijaan. 500 packets in the morning and 500 packets in the evening were distributed in the slums, railway stations, hospitals and other areas of Mumbai.
Thank you @Beingsalmankhan bhai for being there and silently doing something which is needed,service to mankind is service to the almighty!!!Jai Ho!!! I shall surely try and do my bit following the lockdown norms and request our Fanclub family to practice the same #BeingHaangryy pic.twitter.com/nOeQncO9Er
— Rahul.N.Kanal (@Iamrahulkanal) May 6, 2020
Songs
Siddhant Chaturvedi- Dhoop & Agar ye duniya khul gayi toh?
Salman Khan- Pyaar Karona
Phir Jagmagayega Hindustan ft. Hina Khan, Nakuul Mehta and others
Muskurayega India ft. Akshay Kumar, Kriti Sanon, Ayushmann Khurrana, Vicky Kaushal and others
Channels
Veteran playback singer Asha Bhosle launched her own YouTube channel on May 13, 2020. In a statement, she said, "Over the years, I've been asked by many people to pen down my thoughts, experiences and emotions but I just didn't have the time. Now, that I am at home, I decided to record my experiences of 86 years and maybe some of them may entertain people, make them think or just have a good time and a laugh."
On April 20, 2020, Salman Khan also started his own YouTube channel to connect with his fans. He released three songs- Pyaar Karona, Tere Bina and Bhai Bhai. "Finally hamara YouTube channel shuru ho gaya hai, jaiye aur mera naya gaana dekhen aur enjoy karein," he tweeted with the link of Pyaar Karona.
Finally hamara YouTube channel shuru ho gaya hai, jaiye aur mera naya gaana dekhen aur enjoy karein. #PyaarKaronahttps://t.co/ihrH8607yB@SajidMusicKhan @wajidkhan7 @adityadevmusic @hussainthelal @abhiraj21288 #SaajanSingh
#StayHome #Lockdown #NewMusic #IndiaFightsCorona— Salman Khan (@BeingSalmanKhan) April 20, 2020
In April last year, Zareen Khan followed the same footsteps. In a statement, the actress said, "My YouTube channel will be all me - it won't just showcase my life as an actress but also emphasize on other aspects of my life. This is who I'm in real. This is just a chance for me to connect with my fans and for my fans to know who Zareen really is, as a person."
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