Tollywood actor Rakul Preet Singh on Sunday participated in a fundraiser titled #FitnessUnplugged, which was held at the Gachibowli stadium in Hyderabad.
The event, which began with Rakul, accompanied by trainers on stage, spoke about the importance of fitness. This was followed by a press meet, and breakfast with the actor, which was auctioned.
The bidding for the auction closed at 8 pm on Saturday. All proceeds from the bid go to charity, to help rape survivors.
In an interview to idreampost, Rakul Preet spoke about what made her organize the fundraiser and support the cause.
"Had it been like any other fundraiser, I would be required to be at the venue just for couple of hours and we wouldn’t know how the funds are going to be utilised after donating it to a charity. So, it was my idea to use these funds to help rape survivors and we’ve done some serious ground work to zero in on five such minors, who were sexually abused," Rakul told the website.
Rakul went on to add, that the team worked extensively and pulled many strings, before she could meet the five girls privately.
"I spent 4 hours talking to each one of them. Their stories move you beyond imagination and you just feel like keep talking to them and see if you can make them smile, at least once,” she added.
Rakul has been known to take up causes in the past.
In February this year, she sold vegetables at KPHB market opposite Manjeera Mall in Hyderabad, to help collect donations for the Chennai Floods.
Many celebrities also took to Twitter to extend their support to Rakul's latest event.
Join @Rakulpreet in helping the victims #FitnessUnplugged #HelpRapeVictims #StopRape pic.twitter.com/nVXfNbZPnq
— Pranitha Subhash (@pranitasubhash) November 18, 2016
Guys pls help @Rakulpreet with this great cause !!! #fitnessunplugged #helprapevictims #stoprape Spread the word. pic.twitter.com/doA7alZ0Q6
— SONAL CHAUHAN (@sonalchauhan7) November 18, 2016
Proud of @Rakulpreet
— Chinmayi Sripaada (@Chinmayi) November 18, 2016
She is raising funds for rape survivors. Please support. pic.twitter.com/EgfSd6IjmQ
@23_rahulr Thankuuu
— Rakul Preet (@Rakulpreet) November 18, 2016
Join @Rakulpreet in helping the victims #FitnessU nplugged #HelpRapeVictims #StopRape pic.twitter.com/CeBKHcSSj6
— Sudheer Babu (@isudheerbabu) November 18, 2016
Let's all support this. High time someone did something about this disgusting topic. Great going Rakul. @Rakulpreet pic.twitter.com/4NER6C3avz
— Akhil Akkineni (@AkhilAkkineni8) November 17, 2016
#FitnessUnplugged event press meet with our Angel @Rakulpreet :) @thegreatfans #HelpRapeVictims pic.twitter.com/Lk8wvzRsVp
— RAKULISM (@Rakulism) November 20, 2016