Kisna comes to the aid of tsunami victims

All know what wonderful and appreciable work Vivek Oberoi is doing in the tsunami-hit state of Tamil Nadu. Vivek’s latest release Kisna is also not far behind.

At the premiere of the film on Friday in Pune, Kisna opened with a pledge and commitment of raising donations for tsunami-victims worldwide with Pune donating Rs 80 lakh at the world premiere even as the curtains came down on the third Pune International Film Festival.

Mayor Dipti Chaudhri handed over the cheque of Rs 80 lakh to Union Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel.

Speaking on the occasion, the Mayor said that they were targetting to raise a total of Rs one crore and efforts were on to raise Rs 20 lakh more.

The entire cast of Kisna from Vivek, British actress Antonia Bernath to debutant Isha Sharwani were present on the occasion.

And it wasn’t only in India where the Subhash Ghai - directed flick came to the aid of tsunami victims.

On Saturday in London, Kisna raised Pound Sterling 10,000 for the Prime Minister’s relief fund. Following a press preview of the film in a West End Theatre, a charity dinner was held at the Mint Leaf restaurant in Haymarket. At the star-studded event, attended by the cast of Kisna , along with Ghai, the film’s costumes were auctioned to raise funds.

Steel tycoon LN Mittal bought Kisna’s jacket for Pound Sterling 1,000. Vivek’s flute was bought by B4U’s Gokul Binani. Gopi Hinduja first bid for the flute, but after being redonated several times by others, Binani became the final bidder.

Antonia’s famous white dress fetched the highest bid. It was bid for thrice and finally went for more than Pound Sterling 2,000. Moni Varma of VT rice first bid for it for Pound Sterling 1,000 and then donated it. Gandhi Oriental Foods, bid another Pound Sterling 700 for the dress and finally Sagars bought it for another Pound Sterling 400.

Another prominent Indian Ashok Tandon bought Kisna’s sword. Ghai was accompanied by Vivek, Isha and Antonia.

The event also had a somber note to it. It marked the recent demise of Amrish Puri , for whom a one-minute silence was observed.

The English version of Kisna is expected to be released later this year.