In the wake of Aamir Khan, Bollywood icon Amitabh Bachchan has now stepped up to offer support to veteran actor A K Hangal who is now ill and in financial trouble
"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 cyberworld - the net and the social net," Amitabh wrote on his blog.
"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.
Having worked with Hangal in "Abhimaan", "Sholay" and "Sharabi", Amitabh admits that he's disturbed to learn of the 95-year-old's unfortunate plight.
"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.
Adding further, "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, presently lives with his son Vijaya, 75, in his ground floor flat in Saraswati Apartments, Santacruz East. Unable to afford the mounting medical bills, the father-son duo are reduced to choosing between food and medication now.
"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 cyberworld - the net and the social net," Amitabh wrote on his blog.
"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.
Having worked with Hangal in "Abhimaan", "Sholay" and "Sharabi", Amitabh admits that he's disturbed to learn of the 95-year-old's unfortunate plight.
"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.
Adding further, "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, presently lives with his son Vijaya, 75, in his ground floor flat in Saraswati Apartments, Santacruz East. Unable to afford the mounting medical bills, the father-son duo are reduced to choosing between food and medication now.
