Big B, Dharmendra and Yash Chopra to attend 16th Lions Gold Awards

By Bollywood Hungama News Network -

January 12, 2010 - 5:27 PM IST

Big B, Dharmendra and Yash Chopra have confirmed their presence at the 16th Lions Gold Awards. Heralded by the Lions Club of SOL - Mumbai, the second largest club in the world, the proceeds of the awards will be sent to a senior citizen home in Karjat. To be held on Jan 14th 2000 hrs IST onwards, the awards will see a bevy of film personalities walk the red carpet and will be Webcasted LIVE on Bollywood Hungama.

Big B, Dharmendra and Yash Chopra to attend 16th Lions Gold Awards

We spoke to Raju Manwani, Multiple Council Chairman, Lions Club, to get an idea of what to expect from the Lions Gold awards this year.

The Lions Gold Awards is in its 16th year. What's special this time around?

The 16th Lions Gold Awards are really special for us because it is the first time Mr. Amitabh Bachchan, Yash Chopra and Dharmendra will be attending. Besides, the attendance from the film industry is very good. Secondly, the media, including Bollywood Hungama have also connected very well with us. We thank you for planning to webcast this event Live. That way our message will reach people all across the world.

Your awards are unique because instead of private pockets, the proceeds go to charity.

Yes. All the funds raised through sponsorship of the event will be donated to our Senior Citizens Home at Karjat, which is a cause connected to our heart.

See, we have lots of permanent and ongoing projects like providing shelter for the poor, classrooms for villagers, etc. We also organize cataract surgery camps for people who can't afford it. The money from the annual awards is used for this.

We also organize cataract surgery camps for people who can't afford it. The money from the annual awards is used for this

There seems to be a long list of Bollywood celebs in attendance this year.

Yes. Besides Mr. Amitabh Bachchan; Hrithik Roshan, Vidya Balan, Omi Vaidya (of 3 Idiots fame), Sonu Nigam, Sharman Joshi, Mahie Gill, Govinda, Madhur Bhandarkar, Satish Kaushik, Anupam Kher, Salim - Sulaiman and others have confirmed attendance.

How are the awards different from other industry awards?

Unlike nominations and a jury in case of the other awards, ours is a declared award based of voting by 46 thousand members of our Lions Multiple (group).

We have adapted the 'Go Green' theme this year because we are worried about global warming

The 92 years young, Lions International is spread across 205 countries and the Lions Club of Sole Mumbai, which is organizing the awards, is ISO 9002:2009 certified. It's also the second largest club in the world.

You have a Green theme for the awards this year.

We have adapted the 'Go Green' theme this year because we are worried about global warming. All our projects and 300 clubs have stopped using plastic bags and religiously following it.