Indian actor Sonu Sood has been named the number one Asian
celebrity on the planet for 2020. The talented Bollywood star
beat off tough global competition to top the first of its kind
50 Asian Celebrities In The World list, which is published by
UK based Eastern Eye newspaper. He ranked ahead of global
stars, including from Hollywood, the music industry,
television, literature and social media, for his inspiring
philanthropic work throughout the Covid-19 pandemic. “Thank
you, Eastern Eye, for recognising my efforts. As the pandemic
broke, I realised it was my duty to help my countrymen, it was
an instinct that came from within. Eventually, this was
something I came to Mumbai for, it was my responsibility as an
Indian which I did. I think all the love of the people, which
I received was simply their wishes and prayers who I helped.
Once again, I won’t stop till my last breath,” said Sonu Sood.
The top 50 list celebrating Asian stars who shone the
brightest in 2020, is based on those who did good work, made a
positive impact, broke boundaries, shattered glass ceilings,
gave hope, did philanthropic deeds or were just inspiring in
their own unique way. There was also big public input as
millions of posts were generated by social media users
nominating their favourite star of the year.
Eastern Eye entertainment editor Asjad Nazir, who put together
the list explained that no celebrity did more to help others
during lockdown than Sonu Sood and said: “What started off with
the big-hearted Bollywood star helping impoverished migrant
workers stranded by lockdown get back home evolved into a
spectacularly philanthropic mission that made a difference to
so many during the pandemic. Whether it was paying for
surgeries, donating food, setting up scholarships, campaigning
for women’s rights, or buying a new tractor for a farmer, so
his daughters could study and not plough a field, super Sonu
helped in countless ways in 2020. He fully deserves The Jean
Hersholt Humanitarian Award, which is handed out by the
Academy Awards.”
Canadian YouTuber, social media star, comedian and TV
personality Lilly Singh came in second for her pathbreaking
journey, remarkable output and entertaining audiences most
when they needed it. Half-Indian British pop superstar Charli
XCX was third for creating her masterpiece Mercury Music Prize
nominated album How I Am Feeling Now, entirely during lockdown
and British actor Dev Patel was fourth for his glass-ceiling
shattering, colour-blind lead roles in The Personal History of
David Copperfield and The Green Knight.
Indian singer Armaan Malik came in fifth for his immense
musical output that included barrier breaking English language
songs. Sixth placed Priyanka Chopra continued being the most
famous Indian star on the planet. The rest of the top 10 are
the biggest Pan-Indian star Prabhas (7), Hollywood power
player Mindy Kaling (8), highest placed Indian TV star Surbhi
Chandna (9) and Pakistan-born Hollywood heavyweight Kumail
Nanjiani (10). “Whether it was philanthropy, breaking
boundaries, inspiring others, trending across social media,
crossing new frontiers, creating really great work or
inspiring a new generation, many South Asian stars shone
brightly and became beacons of hope, during a crushing year
when it was needed more than ever. They are celebrated in this
list,” said Asjad Nazir.
The youngest in the list is 18-year-old Canadian newcomer
Maitreyi Ramakrishnan (22), who starred in successful Netflix
series Never Have I Ever. The oldest is 78-year-old Bollywood
legend Amitabh Bachchan (20), who once again did great work on
film and TV, helped humanitarian causes, beat Covid-19 after
contracting it and carried on destroying ageism. The highest
placed author is the Booker Prize nominated Avni Doshi (31).
The highest placed Pakistani is Sarwat Gilani (21) and the
highest ranked Bangladeshi is the country’s first comic icon
and social media influencer Raba Khan (27).
Others in the list include Ayushmann Khurrana (11), Geraldine
Viswanathan (13), Diljit Dosanjh (14), Shehnaaz Gill (16),
Jameela Jamil (18), Pankaj Tripathi (23), Asim Riaz (25),
Masaba Gupta (32), Saloni Gaur (36), Steel Banglez (37),
Dhvani Bhanushali (42), Iman Vellani (44), Helly Shah (47) and
Anoushka Shankar (50).
The full list is published in Eastern Eye newspaper on
December 11.
Follow
comments feed
