From the common man to co-actors and well-wishers,contributions for the treatment of veteran actor AK Hangal have been pouring in So actor Amitabh Bachchan meant what he said. Just days after he pledged financial support for the treatment of ailing veteran actor AK Hangal,a cheque for Rs 5 lakh was delivered to his eldest son Vijay Hangals Santa Cruz apartment in Mumbai. Big B is not alone. Ever since news of Hangals worsening health was made public,a host of Bollywood celebrities,including Priyanka Chopra,Karan Johar,Arbaaz Khan,Pradeep Sarkar,among others,have been sending cheques to Hangals residence. I was drawing up a list of all those who have given money. Just today,I received a draft from the office of the Rajasthan Chief Minister,Ashok Gehlot, says 74- year old Vijay,who has been nursing his father for the past few years. Ever since Vijays wife passed away in 1994,he has been staying alone with his father in their second floor apartment. The amount of the relief money received ranges from Rs 50,000 to Rs one lakh. Besides stars,the Film Industry Welfare Trust has given a draft for Rs 50,000 and the Cine Artists Welfare Association,a cheque for the same amount. While relief is still pouring in,there has been help from fans and supporters of the 95-year-old Hangal too. I have been receiving money from random individuals who have given Rs 5,000- Rs 10,000 for my father. I am completely overwhelmed, says Vijay,who too is ailing. Hangals monthly medical expenses are in the region of Rs 15,000-Rs 20,000 and so far Vijay had been digging into his own reserves for paying off the expenses. But this also seems to be taken care of as Minister of State for Information and Technology,Gurudas Kamat has sent 12 separate cheques for Rs 25,000 each,to tide over the medical costs. Other contributors include the Asha Parekh Trust,Maharashtra Chief Ministers Relief Fund,and producer Gurudev Bhalla. I shall hopefully not need so much cash and will distribute the left over sum for charity purposes, adds Vijay.
