FOLLOWING the recent terror attacks in Mumbai, leading Bollywood film maker Vikram Bhatt is launching a campaign to raise funds to rebuild the city’s iconic Taj Hotel, which was severely damaged during last week's atrocities.

Speaking exclusively to Raj and Pablo on BBC Asian Network’s ‘Love Bollywood’ Show over the weekend, Vikram talked about his campaign to get the public involved in restoring the Taj Hotel, by asking everyone in India to donate one rupee.

Said Vikram: "It's just something I thought of last night and the campaign is really in the early stages. I’m still working on a blue print – but the idea is simple, I think all of us in Mumbai should give just one rupee towards the rebuilding of that monument, whether you're rich or poor - all of us can afford that one rupee."

Vikram went on to give his reasons for wanting to start the campaign and why he sees the attacks on the Taj as attacks on India.

"The Taj is not just a hotel, it’s the heritage of the city," he said.

"The hotel was built in the time of the British Raj and it was one of the first icons of independent India.

"I think attacking the Taj is attacking the independence and sovereignty of our country and so I think every person in Mumbai should help to rebuild it as a sign of what we feel for our country – not that Mr Ratan Tata (chairman of the Tata Group that owns the hotel) doesn't have the money to build it again but because it's our heritage."

To hear the full interview log on to bbc.co.uk/asiannetwork and listen again OR download the podcast on:http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio/podcasts/lovebolly