Patna University professor NK Choudhary (in white shirt) and other varsity employees sit on a hunger strike on the university premises and (right) aspiring actors and actresses at the audition at Vishwa Samvad Kendra in Patna on Friday. Pictures by Jai Prakash and Deepak Kumar

Patna, April 8: On Friday, if you were in Patna, high chances were you would either be cheering the budding actors or raising slogans in support of Anna Hazare.

While thousands of aspiring actors and actresses gathered at Vishwa Samvad Kendra to display their Bhojpuri acting skills, even more people turned up at various venues in the city in support of social activist Anna Hazare, who is sitting on a fast-unto-death demanding a stringent anti-graft law.

People from all spheres, including schoolchildren, college goers, couples (married or otherwise) turned up at the talent hunt, organised to give budding actors and actresses a chance to showcase their talent on the big screen.

The selected ones would be given a chance to act in Bhojpuri films and serials. The contestants were allowed to speak only in Bhojpuri.

Kiran Shan, a budding actor who came from Samastipur, said: “I always wanted to become an actress but after getting married I did not get a proper platform. Today I am a mother of three children but the spirit of acting has not gone down. My husband encouraged me to come for this audition. I hope to make the most of this opportunity.”

Aman Kumar, a student of Bihar Art Theatre, said: “In Bihar there is hardly any opportunity to work in films. The ones who have high aspirations go to Delhi or Mumbai to get a break. This audition has given us an opportunity to showcase our talent.”

The programme director of the talent hunt show, Kamlesh Kunti Singh, said: “There are a number of reality shows that are going on air. Through this auditions, we want to showcase the talent Bhojpuri film industry has.”

War on corruption

Beating the budding actors in number were the budding activists, who, in support of their “new-found” hero Anna Hazare, marched in hordes and protested against corruption “rampant in the country”.

Professors off classes

Patna University (PU) teaching fraternity today took to the streets in support of the activist.

Vinay Kant, a professor of PU, today came out in support of Hazare and took part in the daylong hunger strike called by N.K. Choudhary, another PU professor. Choudhary, however, was not sure if Hazare’s protest could solve anything. “It is premature to say whether Hazare’s fast would solve any problems, but it has definitely created a hope over despair among Indians,” Choudhary said.

The daylong agitation by teachers meant classes were suspended for the day in most university colleges. Another day of college gone to protest, this time by professors, students keen to finish syllabus could only hope for resumption of classes from tomorrow.

Students out too

If teachers come, how can students be far behind?

Pupils from various schools and their seniors in colleges held placards in support of the veteran social activist. Students formed human chains and held protests.

Students of Prarambhika school went one step ahead and wrote letters addressing the President Pratibha Patil.

Divyangana Shree, a student of Class IX from the school, said: “I am supporting Anna Hazare in his campaign to end corruption. We lit candles in his support.”

Vice-principal of the school, Smita Chowdhary, said: “In all, 396 letters have been written, all addressed to the President of India. The campaign was started two days ago and today the letters have been sent to New Delhi.”

Seems like the entire state is out to wipe out corruption. Will the leaders concede to their demand?