'Slumdog Millionaire' star donates movie fee to Plan

Anil Kapoor at the campaign launch in India in 2006

14 January 2009: Anil Kapoor, who stars in the critically-acclaimed film ‘Slumdog Millionaire’, has donated his entire fee for the movie to Plan’s Universal Birth Registration campaign in India.

Kapoor, one of the best-known actors in the Indian film world, has been involved in promoting the campaign since its launch 2 years ago.

Campaign ambassador

In an interview with the Times of India about his latest role, Kapoor was asked about his plans to return to India in the near future.

He told the reporter: “I will be in Delhi soon – I have a press event for Plan India, an organisation for education of children. I’m an ambassador for the cause of registering each and every child’s birth in India.

“It’s not just lip service. In fact, the entire remuneration that I got for the film is going to this cause. Before we started shooting, I had made an arrangement with the filmmakers that all of the money I earned from the film would be donated to this organisation and this cause. The first cheque has already come in.

“Koi soch nahi thi [I didn’t even have to think about it]. It was just an instinctive decision, and I took it.”

Protecting children

It is estimated that 36% of births in India go unregistered. Without a birth certificate, access to health care, education and other services is limited, and unregistered children are more vulnerable to abuse and exploitation.

In the last year, Plan’s projects in India have resulted in the registration of 111,279 children and the issue of 57,402 birth certificates.

As well as raising awareness of the importance of registration in the national media, the campaign has worked with governmental bodies to improve the provision of guidance to parents through medical centres.

Making a difference

At the launch of the Plan campaign in 2006, Anil Kapoor said: "I have received a lot of love and affection from people and helping this cause is one of the most meaningful ways in which I can repay and make a contribution to society."

Read more about Plan's Universal Birth Registration campaign achievements.