Bollywood celebs urge fans to play waterless Holi this year

By Bollywood Hungama News Network -

March 26, 2013 - 2:24 AM IST

Bollywood is known for its lavish Holi parties over the years. Each year we see the Bollywood stars, who have painted a million dreams for their fans, dazzle in myriad colours. However, this year, the state of Maharashtra at large has been facing an unprecedented water shortage, with many villages in the state facing major drought.

Looking at this situation, many Bollywood celebs have come out urging their fans to play waterless Holi this year. Bollywood Hungama caught up with some of the B-town people to find out how they intend to spend the festival of colour this year.

Ajay Devgn: "Being closely involved in the cause of environmental conservation through my various ventures, I would definitely request all people to come together in saving water - one of the most precious resources we have today. In avoiding extensive water usage during Holi and small personal measures in our individual households, we can go a long way to conserve this necessary resource for our future generations. I have personally undertaken various initiatives at my home towards water conservation and appeal to everyone to pledge their support. At my farmhouse in Karjat, we use bore well water. I don't use water while playing Holi and use only gulal."

Imran Khan: "While I have personally always enjoyed playing Holi with water balloons, this year I think it would be very wrong to do so, considering the fact that we are facing a severe drought. Those of us in big cities never really face the brunt of water shortages the way people in rural areas do, and to waste water by throwing it around is the most insensitive thing we can do."

Esha Gupta: "Ideally when Holi started, people used to play with flowers. This is the traditional way of playing Holi. I myself played Holi with flowers back in Mathura. Moreover, Holi is a festival we should enjoy by having a meal with your loved ones and spend time with your family."

Priyanka Chopra: "The one thing I remember doing as a kid is using the colour crystals that used to come, I would put these crystals in the hair of anyone who came home. It was funny as because of this there would be colour running down them for weeks after holi."

Deepika Padukone: "It's nice to know that people are conscientious and aware of the water situation in our country and are playing waterless Holi to protect the environment. We can keep the spirit of the festival alive by using eco-friendly colors. As for me, I will be in Wai with my Chennai Express team for the festival."

Sujoy Ghosh: "I would say don't use water, but honestly I am not a very Holi kinda person, yet if we can save water we should do it. Besides people tend to say Holi comes once a year so you tend to go overboard, but try and remember to save and still have fun."

Amrita Rao: "Considering the drought situation in Maharashtra and that, farmers are really suffering the brunt of it; I think it definitely is our duty to save water as much as we can, not only during the festival but even in our day to day lives. We have to remember that every time we close the tap, we are saving water. So I would request everybody to try and play a dry Holi this time. In fact if we can replace water with flowers, we can make it more innovative and fun. Just like how the traditional Vrindavan bridge ka Holi is famous for its 'phoolon ki holi'. So let's add this new zing to Holi this time."

Vashu Bhagnani: "Honestly for the past 10 years I haven't played proper Holi. I am a very chandan lagaao, gulaal lagaao, kind of person. I seriously don't like this trend of balloon throwing. As for celebrating the festival, we have been doing so for years now, but from time to time we have to mellow down some things, and we have to do the same here too."

Some celebrities also tweeted to their fans to save water this Holi

Amitabh Bachchan: "Water shortage in Maharashtra ... and its only March. What will happen in Summer? Save water! Play a dry Holi!!"

Riteish Deshmukh: "Glad to see so many colleagues in DNA afterhours supporting #DryHoli -this holi we can be sensible n sensitive."

Sanjay Gupta: "So this year I will not be hosting my traditional Holi bash as always. The draught situation has to be acknowledged and adhered."

Richa Chadda: Happy Holi. Let's use water sensibly this time! And then find a real fix to the problem

Azmi Shabana: In kpng with tradition started by Abba celebrating Holi tmrw with organic colours and no water bcoz of Maharashtra drought

Bollywood celebs urge fans to play waterless Holi this year

Jackky Bhagnani: "As Holi is around the corner please do not waste water due to the drought situation in Maharashtra. One can still have fun :)"

Shekhar Kapur: "80% Indians have just half a bucket of clean water/day 2 cook food for d whole family. Are u really going to waste that playing Holi?"