Bollywood and govt answer Rahim Chacha's call for help - Times of India

MUMBAI: Actor and freedom fighter A K Hangal asked Bollywood for help on Wednesday, and in less than 24 hours the film industry and the chief minister answered.

Hangal, who has more than 200 films to his credit in a career that spanned nearly five decades, has been out of work for many years and is finding it difficult to meet his medical expenses. All through the day, TOI received calls from filmstars and directors who have promised to help the 95-year-actor financially. Maharashtra chief minister Prithviraj Chavan pledged Rs 50,000.

Jaya Bachchan, who worked with Hangal in at least five films including Guddi, where he played the role of her father , and Sholay said: “Please tell Hangal saabthat his daughter was not aware of his condition and I am really sorry about it. My office will be taking care of all his hospital expenses.”

Mithun Chakraborty, founder president of the Cine Artistes Welfare Trusta body set up by the Cine and TV Artistes Association (CINTAA )—said he has already asked the association to release funds for the senior actor. Hangal’s is not the only call for help. In the alleyways of tinsel town an older generation of out-of-work veteran actors , stuntmen and other crew members is finding it difficult to make ends meet.

Mithun said CINTAA has a trust in place to help actors. Dharmesh Tiwari, the president of CINTAA concurred and said the association has helped Hangal in the past. “We got a call from Hangal saab’s son Vijay a few days ago and the committee was scheduled to discuss his case on January 22. We will be sending a cheque of RS 50,000 or even more to him by Friday.”

Hangal’s son Vijay, a retired cameraman and photographer said Aamir Khan had offered to help his father in the past. Salman Khan, too, contacted Tiwari on Thursday to pledge his support. “Salman Khan was at a shoot, but he called up to find out what kind of help Hangal saab needs,” said Tiwari. Director Samar Khan is using a popular social networking site to spread the word, and by Thursday evening friends and fans had pledged about Rs 1 lakh. Tiwari said, “If the government can allot some land, we can use it as Hangal saab has suggested to build an old age home for artistes. Mumbai, which is the birthplace of Bollywood, is not paying any heed to us.”

Ranjan Thakur, the personal secretary to I&B minister Ambika Soni said, “The minister has spoken to Ramesh Sippy and the Film Federation and has asked them to keep us updated on the funds collected for A K Hangal. We are looking at the possibility of a long-term health insurance program for retired actors.”