Sanjay Dutt to miss mum's fundraiser

Farhan Akhtar, Ritesh Sidhwani and Arjun Rampal's Rock On!! For Humanity concert takes place at the MMRDA grounds in the city today. The proceeds will go to various NGOs and the Nargis Dutt Foundation (NDF) of which Namrata, Sanjay and Priya Dutt are the trustees. Though Priya and Namrata will attend the show, Sanjay will be missing. The actor had also not attended the NDF fundraiser in New York in August this year.

Dutt's business manager and CEO of Sanjay Dutt Product-ions, Dharam Oberoi says, "Maybe everything was organised at the last minute. If Sanju was here, he would have gone. Right now, he's in New Zealand for work and will be coming back next week."

Priya Dutt's husband, Owen Roncon of Oranjuice Entertain-ment, who is organising the event says, "Unfortunately, Sanju is away in South Africa but he's been in touch with Priya. When I told him about the concert, he asked us not to wait for him. But he's feeling bad that he's unable to attend. Apart from being actively involved in causes, rock music is Sanju's passion. Hrithik Roshan, Shahrukh Khan, Bipasha Basu, Javed Akhtar, Shabana Azmi and Zayed Khan are expected to attend while Saif will jam with Parikrama along with Farhan's Rock On!! band, Magic."

Owen adds, "This is the first time that so many bands are coming together on such a large scale. The NDF has been active in Bihar and has set up relief camps including a makeshift pediatric hospital. Priya has already visited Bihar thrice. Touched by Priya's work. Farhan put the concert together."

Farhan adds, "Arjun, Ritesh and I have got so much love and appreciation for Rock On!! from everyone that we thought it was a good time for us to channelise this love back towards people who needed it. We had do something for flood-affected Bihar. Arjun, Ritesh and I will also take turns at visiting the NDF camp."

According to Farhan, SRK and Hrithik will also ask people to donate via SMSes. "There will be an online portal for those who can't make it the concert but would like to donate." The concert will also feature acts by Shankar-Eshaan-Loy, Shaan, Kunal Ganjawala and bands like Pentagram, Parikrama, Pin Drop Violence, Dream Out Loud, Shaa'ir & Func, Rabbi, and Kailasa.

The Bachchans (Amitabh, Abhishek and Aishwarya Rai) were expected to attend but will be unable to. The Big B is still recuperating from his illness while AbhiAsh are in Kerala shooting for Mani Ratnam's film. Amitabh Bachchan says, "I had committed to the event and to perform as well. Unfortunately, with my setback in health, I shall have to keep away but I support the cause and have also contributed to it separately. Abhishek and Aishwarya are in Kerala and will be unable to attend."