Mani lashes out at those critcising public donation drives
The actor believes that the kind actions of celebrities are being unfairly labeled as "cheap publicity stunts"
Actor Mani, recently brushed off those that have been criticising the public display of charitable drives during the coronavirus lockdown. The Sub Set Hai actor drew parallels between reactions over when celebrities publicly display their glamourous lives and when they promote social causes.
"As pop culture celebrities when we share posts of our material wealth - our show ratings, our wardrobe, our holidays - it is labeled as 'trending'. However, when we try to use our fame to do some good, it is unfairly labeled as "cheap publicity stunt". When celebrities flaunt their wardrobes, their cars, their dogs or their homes, it's trendy, tasteful, cute and stylish. But when they try to do something good, so others can follow suit or join their drive, it's suddenly cheap publicity!" the actor wrote in the caption as he shared a picture of ration bags intended for COVID-19 affectees.
https://www.instagram.com/tv/B-pBCBDpmGY/?utm_source=ig_embed
Mani went on to add that him and his wife were dumbfounded on the backlash they received on social media over their donation drive.
"In this lockdown when we saw the plight of the starving daily wage worker, Hira and I started a small donation drive at our place with the funds we had and put it up on Instagram we got a backlash, we just couldn't understand!" he said.
The actor justified him putting pictures up of the couple's charitable activities so that the audience can refer needy families to them as to make their donation drive effective.
"We put up pictures on Instagram so whoever knew anyone deserving could contact us and refer that needy family. However, after a week we started running out of funds and appealed to others to join in. We also encouraged fans to start similar donations in their areas because our reach was limited," he said.
Mani further exclaimed that nowhere has the couple posted pictures of the affectees receiving donation since they don't want to embarrass them. "We didn't put up pictures with the people who we were donating to, we didn't show queues of deserving white-collar workers at our place. We don't even go down to meet the people who come to our doorstep, so we don't embarrass them and they don't feel that we are doing it for publicity. And yet we are disliked for it," he said.
The actor concluded the note by saying that he and his wife will continue to help out others despite the negativity.
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"As pop culture celebrities when we share posts of our material wealth - our show ratings, our wardrobe, our holidays - it is labeled as 'trending'. However, when we try to use our fame to do some good, it is unfairly labeled as "cheap publicity stunt". When celebrities flaunt their wardrobes, their cars, their dogs or their homes, it's trendy, tasteful, cute and stylish. But when they try to do something good, so others can follow suit or join their drive, it's suddenly cheap publicity!" the actor wrote in the caption as he shared a picture of ration bags intended for COVID-19 affectees.
https://www.instagram.com/tv/B-pBCBDpmGY/?utm_source=ig_embed
Mani went on to add that him and his wife were dumbfounded on the backlash they received on social media over their donation drive.
"In this lockdown when we saw the plight of the starving daily wage worker, Hira and I started a small donation drive at our place with the funds we had and put it up on Instagram we got a backlash, we just couldn't understand!" he said.
The actor justified him putting pictures up of the couple's charitable activities so that the audience can refer needy families to them as to make their donation drive effective.
"We put up pictures on Instagram so whoever knew anyone deserving could contact us and refer that needy family. However, after a week we started running out of funds and appealed to others to join in. We also encouraged fans to start similar donations in their areas because our reach was limited," he said.
Mani further exclaimed that nowhere has the couple posted pictures of the affectees receiving donation since they don't want to embarrass them. "We didn't put up pictures with the people who we were donating to, we didn't show queues of deserving white-collar workers at our place. We don't even go down to meet the people who come to our doorstep, so we don't embarrass them and they don't feel that we are doing it for publicity. And yet we are disliked for it," he said.
The actor concluded the note by saying that he and his wife will continue to help out others despite the negativity.
Have something to add to the story? Share in the comments below.