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oi-Sanyukta Thakare

Bollywood actor Ayushmann Khurrana has been roped in as UNICEF's celebrity advocate for promoting and supporting its initiative to end violence against children in India. Ayushmann has joined the campaign with David Beckham, who works on the same initiative globally.

On Friday, Ayushmann posted a video on Instagram in which Dr Yasmin Ali Haque, UNICEF Representative in India, welcomed Khurrana as member of the campaign. Dr Haque said, "I am delighted to welcome Ayushmann Khurrana as a UNICEF celebrity advocate. He's an actor who challenges the boundary of every role he plays. And now he is here to challenge all of us to do more to ensure every child has a safe and bright future."

Ayushmann is set to promote rights #ForEveryChild, and said in the video that he is concerned about all those children who never get to experience a safe childhood, the rights of the most vulnerable children so that they grow up as happier, healthier, educated citizens in nurturing environments free from violence." Expressing his excitement to work on the campaign he said, "I believe that everyone deserves the best start in life. As I watch my children play in the safety and happiness of our home, I think about all the children who never get to experience a safe childhood and grow up with violence at home or outside."

Talking about Ayushmann's future contribution, Dr Haque added in the video, "He will bring a sensitivity, passion, and a powerful voice for every child, with a specific focus towards ending violence against children. Ayushmann's support will help increase awareness about this important issue, especially now with Covid-19 heightening the risk of violence and abuse against children due to the extended lockdown and the socio-economic impacts of the pandemic."

On the work front, Ayushmann Khurrana will be collaborating with filmmaker Abhishek Kapoor for the first time for an untitled romantic drama, which also stars Vaani Kapoor in the lead role.

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