‘A debate on AIDS figures is irrelevant’

How did you become aware of the problem here?
Everyone knows. The problem you are probably facing is that the rest of the world does have figures about this thing, the rest of the world knows what the disease does. And it’s the same curve in every country. It’s not that India will not go through that same curve.

The last time you were involved in an AIDS fundraiser in New Delhi, it ended in controversy with Naz Foundation having problems with the manner in which the funds were ultimately distributed. What are you doing to avoid a similar situation now?
Yes, Suresh Jindal who is on the board of my foundation introduced me to people who could put that earlier event together. The controversy doesn’t matter, what matters is that people need help. But to ensure that there are no questions this time round, I will not be routing the money through any other organisation. The money this time will be routed through my own foundation, the Gere Foundation. I will be involved hands on.

The president of Jackindia (Joint Action Council Kannur India), has circulated a letter in the media contesting the figures you quoted for projections of HIV/AIDS incidence in India by 2010. He also says you were snide. Any reaction?
Firstly, that’s the likely figure if nothing is done to stem the epidemic, I clearly said that in the article. Second, I made it very clear in that article what the source of those figures were. They weren’t my figures. I expressed concern for these people who are our brothers and sisters. What’s snide about that? And as anyone who’s working in the field of HIV/AIDS will tell you, figures are not the issue, the point is that there’s a lot of people. There is very little difference between four million and eight million, ten or 25. It’s irrelevant. Don’t you think so?

Aren’t these the same figures (25 million likely infected by 2010, from the US National Intelligence Committee report) quoted by Bill Gates which irked our Health Minister so much?
I didn’t get that sense at all from Mr Sinha. What he said to me about Mr Gates was very positive.

So irrespective of what anyone says, neither you nor Gates is spreading what Sinha calls “an AID panic” in India?
Mr Sinha didn’t say that to me at all. He was only thankful to the many people who were willing to help. You’re trying to cause trouble. Why are you doing that? The tone of your questions is very trouble making. (At which point an NGO worker nearby talks about “the responsibility of the press to focus only on positive reports”, and Gere returns to his food.)

Isn’t what the Union Health Minister of the country says of significance? He is involved in the decision making process.
You know, when I was talking earlier about the coalition of people who actually want to help with the problem, I also meant the press. And if you are not here to help, then you are really part of the problem (still smiling). Do you agree?

Reporting what the Health Minister says is not creating a problem, it’s part of the job.
I told you what he said to me, I can’t comment on what he said to anybody else.

So with your commitment to HIV/AIDS and Tibet, how much time do you end up devoting to your career?
Oh, acting is still very much my job. If I don’t put a lot of time into that, I can’t do any of these other things.