I react to AIDS as a concerned citizen: Nandita Das

If you are sensitive to life, you will react emotionally to anything that you think is wrong. So naturally if it's about saffronisation of politics, Gujarat carnage, violence against women, gender inequality or lack of awareness about AIDS and HIV, I react to it. That's the way I have always been. It has been my philosophy in life.

Sometimes I get this feeling that I am involved with too many concerns. Or so, my 'so-called' well wishers in the industry tell me. But what the heck! I see myself more as a concerned citizen and not just an actress or a social activist. So when you see me react to something, it is because I'm terribly upset and angry about it.

I don't claim to know a lot about AIDS. But yes, I do feel strongly about how we treat HIV positive people and those who are living with the virus. Why do we feel that 'they' who have the virus are bad people? Why do we always have this notion that The HIV virus will never affect us? That it is only the sex workers and labourers who are at risk?