Celebrities from Bollywood and the south industries lit candles and lamps for 9 minutes at 9pm on Sunday, in support of PM Modi’s call to do the same. Modi had called the nation to turn off lights, and light candles, diyas or hold torches to show the nation’s resolve in fighting the coronavirus outbreak.
In Bollywood, the Bachchans, Anushka Sharma, Deepika Padukone, Ranveer Singh, Kartik Aaryan, Alia Bhatt and Karan Johar among others shared pictures of them holding handles.
Sharing a long post, Anushka wrote: “I light a diya every day for many years now. And as I light the diya I seek guidance, asking for the darkness in me to be dispelled. For many days since the turn of the recent events across the world, I have prayed to God to end the suffering of so many who are losing their lives without their families beside them, for the less-fortunate and the needy whose lives have turned upside down completely, for all the healthcare professionals who are working tirelessly & bravely to protect the lives of other beings, for those who are uncertain about their jobs and future. So tonight, I prayed extra for everyone and I lit diyas with the whole of India and we all prayed for each other. Prayers never go in vain.”
Together we stand and together we will come out of this dark phase. Till then stay strong, stay safe ✨ #9Baje9Minute pic.twitter.com/9b7AlWCjw7
— Akshay Kumar (@akshaykumar) April 5, 2020
Sharing a photo of a candle, Alia Bhatt wrote: “Light means so much. It’s hope, beauty, strength.. today it was unity.. But no matter where we are and what we are going through we must always try and keep the light within us alive.”
Telugu superstar Nagarjuna Akkineni, shared a picture with his family and captioned it: “Driving the darkness away.” Actors Mahesh Babu and Allu Arjun also shared pictures.
#StayHomeStaySafe #Solidarity #Unity #IndiaFightsCoronavirus 🙏🏻 pic.twitter.com/4LSSsfpVFa
— Rajinikanth (@rajinikanth) April 5, 2020
Sharing a picture with his wife Latha, Tamil superstar Rajinikanth tweeted, "#StayHomeStaySafe #Solidarity #Unity #IndiaFightsCoronavirus."
Fimmaker Vignesh Shivn shared a picture of actress Nayanthara holding a candle, and hoped the coronavirus outbreak would end.
Malayalam actor Mohanlal also shared a photo with his wife and son Pranav.
Actor Dulquer Salmaan also shared a picture and captioned it: “Standing in solidarity, unity and brotherhood’.
This was the second such mass activity undertaken by the citizens of the country after PM Modi's March 22 Janata Curfew initiative, where people clapped and clung utensils to express gratitude to those who have been providing essential services during this crisis.
