Bollywood actor Irrfan has lent his support to theatre personality and social activist Prasanna's Badanawal Satyagraha and National Convention for Sustainable Living. The Badanawal Satyagraha gives a call: 'Do not build smart cities; build sustainable villages.'

The actor says, "I have known Prasanna for a time. When he approached me with the idea, I immediately said yes to him. I have always believed in the idea of self-sustenance and this movement explores it on a large scale. The satyagraha will have a broad base and include all organisations working towards sustainability into this campaign. Sustainability in agriculture, environment, labour, gender, language, folklore, culture and education, along with khadi and handlooms."

Irrfan asserts, "If we don't support our own craft and industries, we will end up aping everything from the West."


He further advises villagers against migrating to cities in search of greener pastures. Instead, the villages have to be self-sufficient and the rural folk should not migrate to cities that are already jam packed with people. "If they leave the lands, they are left with nothing," says Irrfan who will next be seen in the Amitabh Bachchan starrer Piku.