Pakistan courts Bollywood stars to fight polio 23 Jun 2006 07:35:35 GMT Source: Reuter
MUMBAI, June 23 (Reuters) - Pakistan wants to use the glamorous appeal of top India's Bollywood stars to boost its anti-polio drive, an Indian newspaper report said on Friday.
The Times of India said Pakistan hoped to attract the biggest names in Bollywood -- Amitabh Bachchan, Shah Rukh Khan and Aishwarya Rai -- to help spread awareness about polio.
"Bachchan, Rai and Khan are household names in Pakistan and their presence to promote the polio vaccination programme will give it a huge boost," the newspaper quoted Rehan Hafiz, Pakistan's polio programme director, saying.
This, in a country where their films can't be screened legally.
But a 40-year ban on Bollywood films -- a legacy of decades of war and hostiity between the neighbours -- has not stopped Pakistanis from watching their favourite stars at home on satellite television or through a flourishing bootleg DVD industry.
Hafiz's office was also preparing to write to the stars. Last year, Pakistan made a similar request to Indian authorities, but the actors had other engagements.
India, Pakistan, Nigeria and Afghanistan are the only four countries where the polio virus is endemic. They spend millions of dollars a to eradicate the virus, but a lack of awareness, as well as fear, insecurity and lawlessness in remote areas hampers their efforts.