MUMBAI:

Model-turned-actor Kelly Dorji’s presence at a Tibetan world-peace rally last week surprised many, but the actor with a Tibetan connection is unperturbed and says he will always support the cause.

“To begin with, I did it for aunt Gawa, Danny Denzongpa’s wife. She’s my father’s cousin. But I’d have attended anyway. It was to pray for world peace. I fully and strongly support the Tibetan issue, though I am not a political person,” Kelly said.

“I believe Tibet has been raped for 50 years. I’ve many relatives in captivity. When some Tibetans decided to not participate in the Olympics, the media suddenly woke up to the issue. Why? The Tibetan issue has nothing to do with the Olympics. Why are we mixing the two issues? The Olympics will happen regardless of Tibet.”

Kelly doesn’t believe Aamir Khan should stay away from the Olympics. “Hey, it’s a personal choice. If they want to be part of it they should. I wouldn’t hold it against them for one minute. Even the Chinese people... we should hold no grudges against them. They’re such lovely people, but the hangover from Communism lingers.” — HNS