On hearing that veteran actor A.K. Hangal is going through financial crisis due to old-age related ailments, Bollywood superstar Amitabh Bachchan has offered help. He said that he would render immediate support and help. “It has been sad and unnerving to learn today of the dire condition of one of our most devoted and dedicated character artists of the Industry, Mr AK Hangal. I came to know of this through the kind offices of the cyber - the net and the social net. I have now initiated my office, sitting some distance, to render immediate support and help. As individuals, as fraternity, as humans, that is the least we can do,” he wrote on his blog. Amitabh said that it's sad to see veteran actors on their knees due to unavoidable circumstances. “My prayers and wishes for Hangal Saheb. May he recover soon and without the worry and concern of where the next medication is going to come from,” he added. Earlier, celebrities like Jaya Bachchan, Aamir Khan and Salman Khan have offered help to the actor. Maharashtra Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan had given Rs. 50,000 and film associations like Cine Artistes Welfare Trusta and Cine and TV Artists Association (CINTAA) have promised financial support to the actor. Hangal, who has acted in over 125 films, is in deep financial crunch, as he has been bed-ridden due to old-age-related ailments. His monthly medical bill is over Rs.15, 000. This has forced his son Vijay, 75, who worked in Bollywood as a still photographer but gave up his work due to back problem, to approach CINTAA for help.
After Aamir Khan, megastar Amitabh Bachchan has come forward to offer support to ailing veteran actor A.K. Hangal, who is languishing in penury. "It has been sad and unnerving to learn today of the dire condition of one of our most devoted and dedicated character artists of the industry, Mr A.K. Hangal. I came to know of this through the kind offices of the cyber - the net and the social net," Amitabh wrote on his blog bigb.bigadda.com. "I have now initiated my office, sitting some distance, to render immediate support and help. As individuals, as fraternity, as humans, that is the least we can do (sic)," he wrote. The 68-year-old has worked with Hangal in "Abhimaan", "Sholay" and "Sharabi", and Amitabh admits that he's disturbed to read about the 95-year-old's condition. "It has always been disturbing to read and learn of such occurrences. I do not wish to mention names here, for they are individuals that were idolised and revered in their prime, and bringing up their condition now is an act that would seem most demeaning to them and to their stature," he said. "Life's stories have been overloaded with vivid descriptions of unfortunate circumstances. Circumstances that have brought the greats down to their knees. It is shocking and most undesirable to comment on it, but a quiet yet considered action for their good, is what I would want to get involved in. And I do. My prayers and wishes for Hangal Saheb." Hangal, a professional tailor-turned-actor, currently lives with his son Vijaya, 75, in his ground floor flat in Saraswati Apartments, Santacruz East. He is unable to afford his mounting medical bills as he suffering from old age related problems. The father-son duo together have a medical bill of over Rs.15,000 per month and now have to practically choose between spending on food and medication.
At the music launch of his upcoming comedy film Ready, Bollywood superstar Salman Khan charmed the film’s ladies, Asin and Zarine Khan, in his own unique way.
