Taking into consideration the plight of several senior artistes, who are now out of films and without any family support, the Nadigar Sangam has planned to start an old-age home for senior artistes. The home will have all kinds of facilities including food, recreation area, library, and complete medical facilities, among others.
In an exclusive with DC, Vishal, the president of South Indian Artistes Association (SIAA), reveals his plans. “When we won at the SIAA elections, this proposal of building a living quarters for senior artistes and technicians of Tamil film industry was included in our agenda. In fact, when we started collecting the profile of our Sangam members to upload on our official website, we found that many artistes were in distress, without proper care from family members. Some were poor, some had health issues, — even some of those ,who have acted alongside the biggies, are now even without a shelter, which put the project in priority list.”
Ask him if he would approach the state government to support the cause, by say, giving a piece of land, tand he actor was quick to react — “As of now, I think we can manage taking support from our own community. Even as we sounded off the idea, actress Lalitha Kumari and one of the EC members of the association, graciously came forward to offer land for the purpose,” the Sandakozhi star discloses.
He also added that the home would be run on the contributions made by film personalities. When we contacted actress Lalitha Kumari, ex-wife of actor Prakash Raj, who is actively engaged in the welfare activities of the Sangam, she confirmed that she would be giving her piece of land situated at Mahabalipuram in ECR. “It was my long-time dream to construct a senior citizens home and run it. I come from a filmy family — my late dad was the yesteryear hero Anandhan, my sister ‘Disco’ Shanthi is well known and my brothers are also in the acting field. Now that I have got an opportunity to serve my ‘own’ family (read film fraternity), I was too glad to lend my land for them. Having travelled throughout south during SIAA’s elections, I have personally witnessed the sufferings of yesteryear artistes. It was troubling me.”
