Faded into oblivion

Jasmine Singh

This time it wasn’t the glycerin tears; he could barely look into the camera, a trick he was so familiar with, even as veteran actor Satish Kaul wiped the tears. Barely managing to sit as an assistant gave him support with his one hand, the images of him flashed on a news channel, struggling every minute in life; his condition certainly did not leave a good taste.

Soon after this, the Haryana Government came to his rescue as chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar offered Satish Kaul financial aid of Rs 2.50 lakh. This 60-year-old actor, who has been a part of various Hindi and Punjabi films — who once smiled on camera and was once much-appreciated - lies unclaimed and unnoticed in a hospital in Punjab.

Satish Kaul is not the one-odd case of actors or character artists who hit the highs of fame, only to be find themselves stranded on the road to misery. Actor Bharat Bushan died in his rented flat and did small-budget films during his last days. Achala Sachdev, Balraj Sahni’s Zohrajabeen, died a painful death. When she died in a Pune hospital, neither family nor friends were by her side. Does it make you wonder what has become of them and more so who’s responsibility were they? For the hundreds and thousands of artists, in the singing or acting world, in their bad times, who should be coming up to own them? The audience or the fraternity they belong to?

Unhappy state

Despite the reality check of what goes up will eventually come down comes handy in many situations, not everyone is prepared for it. Actor-singer Roshan Prince, who worked with Satish Kaul in Punjabi film Fer Maamla Gadbad Gadbad, calls it the worst thing that can happen to an artist. “After all the years that an artist gives to the industry, if they land in such a state, with none to even look up, it is definitely bad. I think Punjabi film industry should come forward and do the needful for Satish Kaul and many others who need us. Financial assistance is only a small step, ensuring that no-one is left in a sorry state is sure our responsibility.”

Who owns them?

Actor Pradeep Kumar of Tajmahal fame played a king in the film, and later died in absolute penury. In Punjab, popular Sufi singer Barkat Sidhu had to face the same state. Director Amit Prasher says an ‘old artistes’ society’ should be formed where houses on extremely subsidised rates should be given. “When I heard about how AK Hangal passed away, trying to procure medicines for himself and his son, a chill ran down my back literally. This can happen to us, to me. If today, I am making films and have my family around me, it’s great. What if tomorrow I don’t have anything? Where will I go?” Amit questions in real concern.

Please, come forward

Satish Kaul says he isn’t begging, but he wishes someone just comes forward to look after him and pay for the hospital. “I am divorced and my sister stays far,” he doesn’t delve on it much. “I landed in the hospital because I slipped and now I am being taken very good care at Gian Sagar Medical College and Hospital.” Dr Natasha Chopra, general manager, Media and Communication, Gian Sagar Medical College and Hospital, Banur, who is looking after Satish, feels something concrete should be done about such artists. “Nothing substantial has been done so far though. I think senior actors like Satish Kaul should be given some post in Cultural Affairs Department, wherein he should be given residence and a vehicle. It’s the least that can be done.”

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