Charithra Chandran spoke to NME at this week’s Together For Palestine concert, where she opened up about the need to defy backlash for supporting the cause, and shared hope for the future. Watch our video interview above.
The Alex Rider, Bridgerton, Star Wars and Fight Or Flight star was one of many hosts who gave impassioned speeches on stage at London’s Wembley Arena earlier this week (Wednesday September 17). It was for the show organised and curated by Brian Eno that saw huge performances from Damon Albarn, Paul Weller, Rachel Chinouriri, Yasiin Bey, and more, alongside guest speakers including Eric Cantona, PinkPantheress, Richard Gere, Benedict Cumberbatch, Florence Pugh, and Nicola Coughlan.
The event raised just under £1.5million for the ‘Together For Palestine Fund’, which will be distributed to Palestinian-led organisations such as Taawon, Palestine Children’s Relief Fund and Palestine Medical Relief Service.
The concert came just a day after a UN commission inquiry concluded that Israel had committed genocide in Gaza. Israel continues to deny accusations of genocide or war crimes.
Asked about being involved in Together For Palestine, Chandran replied: “There’s no choice. I have a platform. There are people that are dying, and I have to use my platform to speak out and advocate for those who need it.”
Reaching out to creatives and artists that might be fearful of sharing their support for Palestinians, Chandran said: “You can always join us. There’s always time and it’s never too late. I understand fear and reservations, but you’re speaking out may save lives.
“I haven’t faced nearly as much backlash as other artists, but you end up being part of a community of like-minded people. What’s backlash when there are people dying?”
A concert for this cause on this scale may have seemed unimaginable in years gone by, but Chandran said that it was a sad indictment of the state of affairs.
“It’s tragic that it’s reached a critical mass where what is happening can’t be denied, and that it is in fact a genocide and attempts at ethnic cleansing,” she argued. “Not good things, but hopefully we can do some good through this.”
Spotlighting the connection between music, culture and political change, Chandran added: “Art is able to influence people. It can inform, it can soothe and it can provide hope. Hope will save us, and we need to continue to be hopeful. No matter what. There has to be change and there will, but we just have to keep fighting.”
Check out all of what went down at the Together For Palestine concert here, and visit here to donate to the Together For Palestine fund.