Popular Hollywood star Richard Gere is the vice president of the project 'The Heroes Project' which is aimed at driving away the menace of AIDS through publicity and awareness. The Heroes Project arranged an entertainment show on the night of 22nd October at Balayogi Stadium, Gachibowli. This function was attended by YS Rajasekhara Reddy, Richard Gere, Chiranjeevi, Kamal Hassan, Mohan Babu, Nagarjuna, Venkatesh, Sarath Kumar, Jaya Ram, Allu Arjun, Vishnu, Madhavan, Rajasekha, Vikram, Simbu, Radhika, Amala, Jeevitha, Revathi, Sumalatha, Shriya, Genelia, Sandhya, Sangeeta, Navya Nayar, Sada, Usha Utap, Vasundhara Das, RP Patnaik, Devi Sri Prasad, Prabhu Deva, Venu Madhav.

Chiranjeevi said, "I have participated in many functions. But it gives me immense satisfaction when I participate in any function that is meant for social service. Public should not show apathy towards AIDS and they should against AIDS disease. We should be proud of Ricard Gere who is taking this project all over the world."

CM YS Rajasekhara Reddy said, "The Government is taking all the steps to bring awareness in public about AIDS. It is nice to see celebrities and film stars participating in these functions very actively. The government has incorporated lessons on AIDS from 7th standard for the students. The youth should be taught lessons about morality issues. The illegitimate relationships are dangerous and one should stay away from such things."

Central Minister for Information and Broadcasting S Jaipal Reddy said, "Youth should maintain firmness by not getting lured into bad activities. Cinema is the most powerful media. It is nice to see stars participating in AIDS control campaigns."

Actor Kamal Hassan said, "One should not hate AIDS patients. They should be treated with compassions by fellow human beings."

Richard Gere said, "Around eight thousand people are dying of AIDS every day. AIDS is more dangerous than Tsunami. South Africa is where 35-40 per cent of the AIDS cases exist followed by India where one in every eight people is dying of the disease. The growth rate is only 2 per cent in India and if we all work together we can still contain it. AIDS patients should be treated with humanity."

The entertainment programs include dance performances by Shriya, Sada, Sangeeta, Devi Sri Prasad, Tarun, Vishnu, Prabhu Deva and Pooja. Devi Sri Prasad, RP Patnaiak, Malathi, Vasundhara Das, Sunitha Saradhi rendered film songs. Venkatesh and Venu Madhav did a comedy skit.