Veteran actress Shagufta Ali, who has appeared in several films and TV shows in a career spanning 30 years, has been struggling for the past four years due to lack of work.
The 54-year-old popular actress, who has featured in TV shows like Bepannaah, Saath Nibhana Saathiya, Veera and Sasural Simar Ka, revealed that she is facing major financial crunch and health crisis. The actress who herself is suffering from diabetes and other ailments is also taking care of her aging mother without any source of income.
Even after selling all her assets, Shagufta is struggling to pay the medical bills for the last 3-4 years.
“I have sold my car, jewelry and I am traveling in auto rickshaw to go to the doctor. This has been very painful for me as I have been a self made person. When I came into this industry, I had no support and whatever work I have done, it has been done on the basis of merit. I need immediate financial help and also work to survive,” she told Spotboye in an interview.
In another interview with ETimes TV, the actress shared that 20 years back when she was doing the hit show ‘Saans’, she was diagnosed with breast cancer. Shagufta opened up about her battle with breast cancer and said, “I was diagnosed with breast cancer 20 years ago and had to go through 9 chemotherapy sessions. I am a stage III breast cancer survivor.”
The senior actress is now hoping to get financial or work related help so that she can take care of her mother and herself, “Work has always come to me. I have been offered shows but sometimes budget issues come up. Yes, sometimes everything gets finalized and I am suddenly told that the role has gone to someone else. Sometimes I am told that the channel has replaced me or the production house has replaced me. That’s why I get to hear ridiculous things. Right now I need more financial help than medical help. Because my mother and I are already undergoing treatment and we have our doctors, it’s just that we have There is no financial aid. So for medical aid we need financial help. Right now work and financial help is more important.”
When asked if she reached out to her producers and co-workers for help and if anyone helped her, Sagufta told various media outlets, “I am very close to Neena ji (Neena Gupta) and I told her to do so. He did help me first, and so did Sumeet Raghavan and Sushant Singh. I am grateful to him. And now Sinta has also reached, and I will discuss the matter with them.”
Meanwhile, the Cine and TV Artists Association (CINTAA) told The Times of India that they would approach Shagufta Ali, a former CINTAA member, for financial assistance. Speaking to TOI, CINTAA senior joint secretary Amit Behl said, “We will talk to Shagufta, even go to meet him. The first issue is to address his concern. And, we will ask him what he needs.” The only thing here is that he is a former committee member of CINTAA, but let me make it clear here that that doesn’t stop us from getting into the picture. Whatever he needs, we will give that amount to the actors currently listed with us. and will also contribute on individual basis. We follow trade union law.”
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