Thousands of people come to Mumbai every day with the dream of becoming a member of the Hindi film industry. Some people don’t even get a chance, while some people get that golden opportunity, but they don’t make it big and become unemployed after their achievements.
Such is the life of veteran art director Leeladhar Sawant, who is also a recipient of the Dadasaheb Phalke Award. Even after dedicating 25 years to Bollywood, the artist is facing financial crisis.
Leeladhar Sawant, who has been honored with one of the most prestigious awards of the Indian film industry, lives with his wife Pushpa Sawant in a village called Jaulka in Washim district of Maharashtra.
In his career spanning over two decades, Lilladher has set the stage for some of Bollywood’s most iconic films. To his credit more than 117 like Shah Rukh Khan’s ‘Deewana’, Sunny Deol’s ‘Ziddi’, Akshay Kumar’s ‘Main Khiladi Tu Anari’, Madhuri Dixit’s ‘100 Din’, Govinda’s ‘Husband’, ‘Anari No 1’ Movies are included.
Lilladher’s wife Pushpa spoke to ANI about the art director’s struggles and difficulties.
Pushpa spoke to ANI and revealed that most of her savings have gone into the medical treatment of the veteran art director, who had suffered two brain hemorrhages in the past and also had two bypass surgeries.
“I request all the actors with whom she has worked to help her. She has had 2 bypass surgeries and 2 brain hemorrhages,” Pushpa told ANI.
Lilladher’s wife also claimed that Govinda was recommended by her husband to ‘Hatya’ director Kirti Kumar so that the actor could get a job in the film.
Lilladher and his wife have a daughter who is married. They also had a son, who died of cancer a few months after their marriage.
The veteran art director’s wife shared that currently her husband cannot even speak properly due to surgery. The awards received by him are presently adorning the house and he daily sweeps the dust off those awards.
Pushpa further said that there was a good phase which has passed. Presently the couple is living on the rent they get from the tenant residing in their house.
Pushpa urges those who know and love Leeladhar Sawant to come forward to help the legendary artist.
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