MUMBAI: Hollywood icon Richard Gere's experience with a group of 21 year old Indians is not one which he will forget for a long time.
On NDTV's India Questions, anchored by Prannoy Roy, which pits feisty Indian students against politicians and film stars of fame and repute, Gere will be facing a young group this time round. The show will be aired on 22 January at 10.30 pm.
The show has youngsters asking pertinent questions to this celluloid icon of millions. The college students inquire about Gere's personal life, show interest in his art and religion and raise issues related to Gere's on-going campaign on AIDS awareness in India. "The group that gathered to grill Gere was confident and respectful, but not one bit over-awed by Gere's movie persona. They were very sharp kids who asked some tough questions, and Richard, for his part, was gracious and very eloquent in answering whatever was hurled at him," says Roy.
The program explores Gere's commitment to Heroes, a project that has him working with the government to educate the public about AIDS. The show also holds plenty of light moments for its discerning viewers. Gere comes up with the names of his favourite movies and also discusses his toughest roles and after some incessant urging from a young lady from the audience, Gere shares his thoughts on Indian women and confesses to an inclination for them!
Much to the delight of his young interviewees, Gere gets on to the floor after some time, only to boogey the 'Chicago'-way. The show ends magnificently when the youngsters bully Gere for a Bhangra instead!