in top Gere

[Guest guest]

in top Gere

RUCHIKA MEHTA. TIMES NEWS NETWORK [ THURSDAY, JULY 08, 2004 01:47:45

AM]

Gere in Delhi for an interactive forum of the Gere

Foundation - Make Art/Stop AIDS - arranged by his brother

Gere? It's not an everyday thing. And we knew that getting a one-on-

one with the man wouldn't be an everyday thing. A long wait and much

jostling around later, we were right there - in a seat right next to

this Hollywood actor and gentleman. So far so good. What followed

during the two-hour programme was a constant knocking on 'Mr Gere's'

shoulder to pick his thoughts on AIDS, India, the movies and, yes,

Bush.

Gere - even at 55 -is still a contender for People

magazine's 'Sexiest Man Alive', which he was in 1999. Not least

because his objectives are clear. We bring you insights into Gere's

mind-space.

HOLLYWOOD VERSUS BUSH

" I belong to a country where we were stymied for eight years by a

President who couldn't say the word 'AIDS' in the elected House. Why

aren't Hollywood artistes doing something about the state of affairs

in the US? Of course we are. The whole of Hollywood wants the ouster

of President Bush. Neither is he concerned about people, nor can he

connect with them. "

THE ACTOR FACTOR

" I have Emperor Zehender ; Shall We Dance ? with ; and

Bee Season , due for release this year. "

In Emperor Zehnder , Gere plays a photographer dedicated to snapping

penguins in their natural habitat. Apparently, Gere is putting

himself through a tough regime on the sets of Shall We Dance ? by

brushing up on his ballroom dancing skills with the help of

competition-winning dancers and his co-star Ann Walter.

A GANDHIAN MOVEMENT, GERE STYLE

" The biggest lie is the separation between artistes, celebrities and

the public. Isolation is a lie. We want to be part of you; please

let us be so. India is the most meaningful place to make a start and

a difference. I see tragedy in India and see the opportunity... so I

am here. It is this Gandhian movement of going from village to

village and people to people that will drive the cause, my cause. "

Gere uses his stardom to promote his causes -AIDS and Tibet. A

follower of the Dalai Lama, the actor has been involved in campaigns

to free Tibet from Chinese rule. Gere and Goldie Hawn have jointly

offered $1 million to improve the condition of Tibetans living in

exile in Dharamshala.

THE INDIAN CONNECTION

" Oh, it's a very long connection. I am a Buddhist and India is home

to Buddhism. Shakimuni came from here, it can't get closer. I also

visit the Dalai Lama in Dharamshala quite often. Moreover, I love

India and, as part of the Gere Foundation, I have to be here to

promote the cause of AIDS. "

IN AID OF THE AIDS-AFFECTED

" The Gere Foundation is involved with promoting awareness about

AIDS. There are funding and infrastructure problems, but the new

Indian government seems more focussed. We have to work on the

mindset for stigma - and this will be done through basic education

and by encountering women. "

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/770066.cms?