Indian actor Sonu Sood has been named the number one South Asian celebrity in the world for his philanthropic efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic this year, in a first-of-its-kind ranking released in London. The 47-year-old Bollywood star beat off tough global competition to top the ’50 Asian Celebrities in The World’ list, which is published by UK-based weekly newspaper ‘Eastern Eye’.
“As the pandemic broke, I realised it was my duty to help my countrymen; it was an instinct that came from within,” said Sood, expressing his gratitude for the honour, which recognised his far-reaching efforts at transporting and helping Indian migrant workers during the Covid-19 lockdown. “Eventually, this was something I came to Mumbai for. It was my responsibility as an Indian, which I did. I think all the love of the people which I received was simply their wishes and prayers. Once again, I won’t stop till my last breath,” said Sood, who is behind box-office hits such as Dabangg and Simmba.
Eastern Eye entertainment editor Asjad Nazir, who compiled this list said that Sood deserved to win the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award because no other celebrity did as much to help people to stride through the coronavirus lockdown. Nazir said that the actor’s efforts that started as helping migrant workers go back to their native places evolved to “spectacularly philanthropic mission that made a difference to so many during the pandemic”. These efforts included paying for surgeries, donating food, setting up scholarships, advocating women’s rights and purchasing a tractor for a farmer so that his daughters could focus on their education.
Canadian YouTuber, social media star, comedian and TV personality Lilly Singh came in second for her “pathbreaking journey, remarkable output and entertaining audiences are most when they needed it”. Half-Indian British pop superstar, Charli XCX, was third for creating her masterpiece Mercury Music Prize-nominated album How I Am Feeling Now entirely during the lockdown and British Indian actor Dev Patel was fourth for his glass-ceiling shattering, colour-blind lead roles in The Personal History of David Copperfield and The Green Knight. Indian singer Armaan Malik came in fifth for his immense musical output that included barrier-breaking English language songs. Sixth-placed Priyanka Chopra Jonas remains the most famous Indian star in the world, while the rest of the top 10 includes pan-Indian star Prabhas (7), Hollywood power player Mindy Kaling (8), highest-placed Indian TV star Surbhi Chandna (9) and Pakistan-born Hollywood heavyweight Kumail Nanjiani (10).
