For Independence Day, celebs salute soldiers with ‘#Saluteselfie’

Mumbai: From cinestars like Amitabh Bachchan and Shah Rukh Khan to sports icons such as Sania Mirza and M.S. Dhoni -- celebrities galore have lent support to '#Saluteselfie', a neutral social media campaign by the Reliance Group for India's 69th Independence Day.

The "#Saluteselfie", which was started on Aug 7, got more than 20,000 "salutes" in less than a week, with the first post by Amitabh Bachchan. One of the largest such campaigns, it has evoked 250 million impressions, with a reach of 65 million.

"Join us as we salute our brave armed forces who risk their lives to save our lives. Your salutes are reaching right up to the icy heights of Siachen. Take a SaluteSelfie and show your support," says a short video of the campaign.

The video is also being played at the DLF Promenade in the capital's southern quarters of Vasant Kunj, and at the Cyberhub in neighbouring Gurgaon in Haryana.

The "#Saluteselfie" campaign has been joined by many others like actors Priyanka Chopra and Aditi Rao Hydari, who have also shared photographs featuring themselves while saluting the spirit of the soldiers.

Here's what the celebrities had to say:

Amitabh Bachchan: #SaluteSelfie ... salute to our brave jawans (soldiers) that keep us safe, with their sacrifice.

Shah Rukh Khan: Salute to our Armed Forces, who selflessly risk their lives to protect our beloved country and our families. #SaluteSelfie.

Rishi Kapoor: Proud to be a part of the #SaluteSelfie movement.

Mahinder Singh Dhoni: #saluteselfie.

Saina Nehwal: Join me in saluting the real heroes of our country - our soldiers. #SaluteSelfie.

Virendra Sehwag: Take a #saluteselfie and make it ur profile picture. Salute our brave soldiers. Join me.

Sania Mirza: Thank you to the Indian Army for everything that they do and sacrifice for us so that we are safe.. #SaluteSelfie.

Priyanka Chopra: Respect. Pride. Gratitude... for the Indian Armed Forces! #SaluteSelfie #JaiHind #ArmyBeti.

Radhika Apte: Salute to the Army for selflessly risking their lives for our protection. #SaluteSelfie.

Shahid Kapoor: #SaluteSelfie acknowledging the selfless, brave heroes #IndianArmy https://instagram.com/p/6HP7xuBJpK/.

Aditi Rao Hydari: Thank you for every single day that you selflessly risk your life for our peace and happiness #SaluteSelfie.

Ronnie Screwvala: Salute to our armed forces. 68 years of national pride. #SaluteSelfie

Rakul Preet: Proud to be an Army kid!! Salute to all d brave men who serve day n night to protect us !! #SaluteSelfie

Preity Zinta: #SaluteSelfie Proud to be an Indian Army Brat Sare Jahan Se Accha, Hindusitan Hamara Jai Hind.

Nargis Fakhri: #SaluteSelfie Honoring the Brave and dedicated members of the Armed forces. #Respect #India #Serve&Protect.

Kriti Sanon: #SaluteSelfie A big salute to our nation's real selfless Heroes!! #IndianArmy #proudindian.

Masaba Gupta: My #SaluteSelfie in honour of the armed forces @Reliance_media proud to be a part of this campaign.

Karan Wahi: #SaluteSelfie a big thanks to all the heroes who lay their lives for us #indianarmy.