Hollywood actor Richard Gere was in Mumbai on Friday to raise awareness about AIDS and generate funds to combat it.

"I have to take a leadership role in combating the dreaded diseases," Gere said. "Very little has moved forward since my visit to India last summer. I thought that initiative to fight against AIDS has not continued in the manner in which it ought to continue. And, I feel that one of the reasons is that we have not touched the hearts of people on this issue."

Gere had come to attend a programme lined up with Indian celebrities, including Amitabh Bachchan, Jaya Bachchan, Lata Mangeshkar, Aamir Khan, Aishwarya Rai, Anil Kapoor and Akshaye Khanna.

In addition to that there will be performances by Anoushka Shankar, Shiamak Davar and Shaan, as well as a fashion show by Manish Malhotra. All the money generated from the event will be donated to Gere Foundation India Trust.

Gere has already donated US $50,000 for a new facility for HIV positive women and children. He has also promised that he would raise more money through his trust.

"I feel that the people in Mumbai are very generous. And more importantly, the celebrities in the city are also very generous," Gere said. "I would like to thank everyone, including the Government of India and the [Indian] industry for their spontaneous support through funds and time. The event will pave the way for several similar initiatives in other parts of the world."

GFIT identifies individuals and organisations that are pioneering new ways to promote social and economic progress. The foundation encourages collaborative partnerships, which create new models that can be replicated in areas with similar needs.

For the past few years, Gere has assisted the Naz Foundation, a non-profit organisation based in New Delhi dedicated to raising awareness and providing support to AIDS victims.

He established the Delhi-based Gere Foundation India Trust as in 1999. The trust is currently collaborating with the Elizabeth Glaser Paediatric AIDS foundation to organise a major AIDS fundraiser in Mumbai.

Recalling his first brush with the disease, Gere said, "I remember one of my friends told me in New York in 1987 that he was infected with HIV and I thought that it was a death sentence to him. But he is doing fine now after taking proper care."

Commenting on the "great work' of the Indian doctors in US, Gere said, "At least 30 per cent of the doctors in America are from India and therefore I feel that you all don't need Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates and me to address this issue. You all can address it yourselves."

He was referring to a US $100 million grant made by the Microsoft chief during a visit to India to fight the spread of HIV/AIDS.

Gere also said that he had spoken to CIPLA CEO, Y K Hameid about his cause, "He has promised new commitment to us and said that he will drugs available almost free to poor patients."

Anjali Gopalan, executive director of Naz Foundation said, "Unless we don't tackle the problem of AIDS together things will not change in India."