Dharamsala, July 15: Tibet activist and Hollywood’s most famous Buddhist, Richard Gere, will be shooting for his next movie in Leh, Ladakh, next month, according to a media report.
The story of the movie revolves around Tibet and Buddhism, a subject which is very close to his heart, Times of India reported.
The movie will include Bollywood choreographer Rajeiv Khinchi.
“This will be my debut in Hollywood. I’m totally excited about it. Richard Gere will visit India next month to shoot for the film in Ladakh. He’s been involved with various causes, especially that of the Tibetans,” Rajieve says.
“Unfortunately, we didn’t get permission to shoot in Tibet, so the shooting will take place in Ladakh, in the middle of August. I’ll be doing the choreography for the dance scenes in the movie,” he adds.
So, what’s the name of the film? “We can’t disclose that right now,” comes a prompt reply from him.
Richard Gere is a practicing Buddhist and an active supporter of the Dalai Lama. A persistent advocate for human rights in Tibet; Gere is a co-founder of the Tibet House, creator of The Gere Foundation, and he is Chairman of the Board of Directors for the International Campaign for Tibet.
Because he strongly supports the Tibetan cause, Chinese Communist authorities have banned him from entering China. Gere was also banned as an Academy Award (Oscars) presenter in 1993 after he used the opportunity to condemn the Chinese government’s rule over Tibet.
In September 2007, Gere called for the boycott of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games to put pressure on China to make Tibet independent. He also starred in a politically themed pro-Tibet Lancia commercial featuring the Lancia Delta.
