Karan Johar promptly accepted Mahesh Bhatt's challenge
Filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt on Friday lent support to the Rice Bucket Challenge by distributing biryani packets among the needy at a programme organised here by Taj Falaknuma Palace, a hotel of the Taj Group.
Mr Bhatt challenged young filmmaker Karan Johar to participate in a similar charity programme.
"We challenge the film industry's young and talented filmmaker Karan Johar. We have lit a lamp here. You light a lamp there. That is the only way we can end the darkness from the country and the world," he said while talking to reporters.
The challenge was promptly accepted by Karan Johar, who tweeted soon after:
Mr Bhatt stressed the need to inculcate empathy towards the weak, saying the initiative has rekindled the great Indian tradition of sharing.
Taj Falaknuma in association with Sapna Iktara Foundation distributed 500 packets of biryani among the underprivileged near the Cancer Hospital at KBR Park.
Girish Sehgal, general manager, Taj Falaknuma, said the Rice Bucket Challenge is creating awareness about the need to help alleviate hunger by donating a bucket of rice.
The Rice Bucket Challenge is the Indian version of the famous Ice Bucket challenge of the USA.
It involves donating a bucket of rice to the needy and clicking a picture and posting it online to raise awareness.
Manju Latha Kalanidhi, who came up with the idea of the Rice Bucket Challenge, hoped that the participation of Mahesh Bhatt and support of major organizations like the Taj Group will give a boost to the initiative.