Dil Raju Pays Pavala Shyamala’s Hospital Bills!

The last few years have not been kind to Pavala Shyamala, who has been a supporting actress in Telugu cinema since 1985. Recently, she was turned away from a hospital due to a lack of funds and was found on the streets by the police. But producer Dil Raju stepped in to clear all her medical bills and help put her on the road to recovery.

Speaking exclusively to this writer, Dil Raju described the gesture as a small attempt to help a distressed actor. “We need to do a lot more for the actors and technicians who have fallen on hard times. The film industry is not kind to those who are not in the limelight,” he said.

“I have heard that Lalita Pawar, reputed veteran actress of Hindi cinema, died alone. Her body was discovered only 4-5 days after her death. This should not happen. For us, it is nothing big. But for those who get such assistance, it is life instead of death.”

Noting that the problem was not limited to the film industry, he asserted, “every sector neglects the aging and ill. Journalists… do they have any pension or financial guarantee? We as a society need to take better care of the aged.”