Kavita Awassthi (HINDUSTAN TIMES; June 12, 2020)

After the limit put on withdrawals from the scam-hit Punjab and Maharashtra Co-operative (PMC) Bank last year, actor Nupur Alankar, who has been part of many TV serials, had to sell her jewellery to survive. But now, she is facing financial distress as her ailing mother needs hospitalisation. Alankar took to her social media to seek funds urgently, and that caught her good friend actor Renuka Shahane’s attention, who in turn posted details on her Facebook page.

When Shahane read Alankar’s post, she was stunned and spoke to Alankar to understand the situation. She contributed and also asked her if she could share the post on Facebook. Shahane says, “So many people across India are facing financial trouble, not just actors. I have known Nupur for years. She is a khuddar girl and her problem stems from the PMC bank. If she could access her fixed deposits, she would be okay. It is a horrible situation to be in and Coronavirus has added to her troubles. The lockdown has affected the entertainment industry in a huge manner as we can’t work from home. Most actors don’t ask for help publicly as there are NGOs and even religious charitable institutions that help out.”

Shahane is glad that things are looking up for Alankar, who informed her that she has been getting help from people and hopes to raise ₹6 lakh soon. The actor-director adds, “Many people feel ke actor hai and help maang rahi hai, which is embarrassing too, but not all actors earn in crores. The real situation is not true to the perception that once you are an actor, you are set for life. There is so much competition in the industry, and if they don’t manage their money in a smart manner, then it is a tough situation for many. Today, due to the lockdown, everyone is in a bad situation and while some might be fine for the time being, they are worried about their futures.”