Indian megastar Amitabh Bachchan was appointed by Former President Nelson Mandela as a 46664 Special Ambassador today. The appointment was announced by Chief Executive of The Nelson Mandela Foundation, Mr John Samuel at the screening of the film 'Yesterday' at the International Film Festival Of India. Mr Bachchan is widely known for his activism against HIV / AIDS in India, however, his global profile would add a new dimension to the 46664 campaign with exposure in additional communities around the world.

Mr Bachchan has already had discussions with the Nelson Mandela Foundation on the critical issue of the HIV/AIDS pandemic in Africa and India and will be endorsing anti-AIDS campaigns in both countries. Mr Bachchan’s appointment is the latest in 46664 Ambassador programme and joins other individuals such as Brad Pitt, President Bill Clinton, Will Smith and Oprah Winfrey, to support Mr Mandela to raise awareness of the fight to stop HIV/AIDS and funds for the Nelson Mandela Foundation, to help those infected and affected by the pandemic in South Africa.

Making the announcement at the screening of Yesterday on World AIDS Day is indeed appropriate as the film follows the plight of a rural woman who falls ill and discovers that she is HIV positive. Yesterday is produced by Anant Singh and directed by acclaimed director, Darrell James Roodt and stars Leleti Khumalo. The story of the film, 'Yesterday' is not unusual to India as it highlights issues that women in developing countries have to deal with and it celebrates the strength of women in the face of adversity and the stigmatisation of HIV / AIDS.

On accepting the appointment, Mr Bachchan said, “I feel privileged to have been invited by Madiba to be a 46664 Ambassador, a soldier, in this war against HIV / AIDS. It is a tragic disease that affects people the world over, including India which has an escalating HIV / AIDS problem. It is absolutely essential for all of us to do whatever we can to combat HIV / AIDS. We need to act together and we all must do more to educate ourselves, and our friends, about HIV / AIDS. We all must unite to help those already infected and affected wherever and whoever they are.”

Commenting on the appointment of Mr Bachchan, Mr Mandela said: “We are pleased to announce that Mr Amitabh Bachchan has agreed to serve as a Special Ambassador for this global HIV/AIDS awareness campaign. The Nelson Mandela Foundation and I are convinced that his message will reach those most at risk of HIV. But it is not only the message that will reach the young and the old – his ability to inspire us will encourage South African and people globally to stay HIV negative.” Mr Mandela concluded stressing that: “By working together, we can stem the tide of HIV/AIDS and ensure that those who are affected have access to counselling, care and support and treatment.”

Producer of Yesterday, Anant Singh commented, “We have a long association with Amitabh Bachchan who has become a close friend over the years. We also have a close relationship with the Nelson Mandela Foundation and Mr Nelson Mandela with whose support we produced the film, Yesterday. We are also thrilled that the film is being used as part of the world-wide 46664, anti AIDS campaign to raise awareness of the disease. We are honoured to be part of the critical fight against HIV/AIDS.”

Inspired by the vision & leadership of Mr Mandela, 46664 aims to raise awareness of the global HIV/AIDS pandemic, as well as funds, to help the Nelson Mandela Foundation to initiate, develop and support practical programmes for the prevention, testing, care and support for those infected and affected by HIV / AIDS in South Africa.

HBO Films will release Yesterday in North America and is also handling the worldwide distribution of the film. Yesterday is a Videovision Entertainment production in association with the Nelson Mandela Foundation, M-Net, The National Film And Video Foundation, Distant Horizon and was shot on location in KwaZulu Natal, South Africa. The music was composed by Madala Kunene and it is executive produced by Sudhir Pragjee and Sanjeev Singh, produced by Anant Singh and Helena Spring and written and directed by Darrell James Roodt.

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