Actor has sent a batch of 300 home to their villages and more will leave soon; calls his work during the pandemic the role of a lifetime
Akash Bhatnagar (MUMBAI MIRROR; August 19, 2020)

Sonu Sood became a real-life hero during the Coronavirus-triggered lockdown, sending thousands of migrant labourers from across the country and even abroad, back home. And the actor isn’t done yet. With the annual 11-day Ganesh Chaturthi festival starting on Saturday, he is now sending batches of migrant labourers from the city to their villages in remote areas of Maharashtra and Konkan so that they can be with their families. “Recently, some migrant workers who live in Lalbaug and behind the Siddhivinayak temple in Prabhadevi reached out to me with a plea. I organised buses for them with all the necessary permissions. The first batch of around 300 left five days ago and another batch will leave soon,” he informs.

Sonu, however, is quick to add that migrants also need jobs to survive and they have employed over a lakh through their Pravasi Rojgar initiative with another 10,000 interviews lined up over the next two days. “We are also evacuating medical students stuck in Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Russia and the Philippines. Till now, 11,000 have returned home through our initiative,” he says proudly, adding that they are also trying to connect labourers with doctors and helping them with school admissions and online courses.

Sonu’s two sons, Eshaan and Ayaan, are also contributing in their own ways. “They get a lot of messages on social media from people in need and we follow up on them. They have realised that there’s joy in giving back to the society,” he shares, saying that no matter when they step out, there are people waiting outside their home. “They stand by my side and listen to me speak to them and take care of their needs. I feel reassured knowing they will carry my good deeds forward when they grow up.” And will they follow him into films too? “It’s too early to take a call on that. I just tell them to work hard and focus on studies for now. When the time comes and they want to, I will be there for them too,” he responds.

Sonu’s bringing Ganesh home too but insists that the celebrations will be controlled this year but there will be more love. “We need to take care of ourselves given the times we are living in but it’s the family that makes a festival worth celebrating and I am lucky to have mine around me,” he avers. “And what’s more is I now have a family in every state. People send me pictures from their home and make me a part of their celebrations. I have done movies that earned big but this is the role-of-a-lifetime in the biggest blockbuster ever. Now, I realise that the reason I came to this city was to help these people.”

Sonu’s good deeds haven’t gone unnoticed. The actor informs, several makers and writers with scripts have approached him for a biopic. He hasn’t given the nod yet because “I feel it’s a bit too early”. However, a book on him, focusing primarily on his philanthropy during the pandemic will be published soon. And there are some offers from big filmmakers that he’s excited about. “They are different, larger-than-life, positive roles that I have always wanted to play. It’s heartening that the best of producers, directors and writers want to work with me today. But I have been so busy that I haven’t been able to read too many of these scripts because my mind is still preoccupied with this work. I have asked the makers for some more time to get back,” he signs off.

Sushmita Sen visits the city after 23 years. First as Miss Universe, and now to judge the pageant
Upala KBR (DNA; January 28, 2017)

After 23 years, Sushmita Sen will be in Manila, Philippines again. She was chosen as 1994’s Miss Universe in this city and she soon returns there for the grand coronation pageant on January 30. Her win was the first time India brought home the title. Comedian Steve Harvey is hosting the event and model Ashley Graham is hosting it backstage, while Filipino-Hawaiian vlogger Bretman Rock will be the Miss Universe red carpet host. In an exclusive chat, Sush shares her thoughts on visiting Manila 23 years on and more...

From a winner in 1994 to a judge this year, it must be an emotional return to Manila...
For me, the deciding factor was not just that I was being invited as a judge, but the fact, that I was being invited back to Manila, Philippines, to judge the competition! As I’ve mentioned on Instagram, this is ‘life coming full circle’, bringing us back together to celebrate ‘where it all began’. It’s been overwhelming to receive messages from Filipinos around the world, welcoming me back. This will be one emotional homecoming.

Why haven’t you visited Philippines in the last 23 years?
It has indeed taken me 23 years, despite the fact that I am someone who loves to travel, loves to dive — and Philippines has some beautiful diving sites — and yet somehow, hasn’t happened! I think that life, God’s plans and just the process of this journey of Miss Universe had to complete itself in this beautiful fashion, where I went from being a participant, a winner, to now a judge and it was all destined to happen in the Philippines! It is my home away from home.

Please continue…
It is the one place that has given me love, respect, adulation and this deep sense of belonging, for two decades now, transforming this generous foreign land into my second home. I often say this, that if one has the honour to win the ‘Miss Universe’ crown, there ain’t no better country than the Philippines to win it in, because you will be remembered and cherished and celebrated by generations to follow. I am living proof of that! I am very, very excited!

Are your daughters Renee and Alisah travelling with you?
No. I would have liked that, but I am a hands-on mother. I don’t have nannies running around my children looking after them. If my children travel with me, they come first.

Do you plan to stay back there for a short holiday?
I would have liked that, but this is an official visit. I will definitely go back for a more social visit with my kids at a later stage. On our next trip, I look forward to introducing my children to the country they feel very connected with.

MID-DAY (January 23, 2017)

Former Miss Universe Sushmita Sen has confirmed that she is on the judging panel of 65th edition of the pageant here.

The 41-year-old-model-turned-actress was crowned Miss Universe in Manila in 1994 and she said she is excited as well as overwhelmed to return to the pageant 23 years later. "Getting ready with a dancing heart! I am so excited, emotional and looking forward to returning home to the #Philippines after #23years... it's where it all began #manila1994 #missuniverse1994, " Sushmita posted on Instagram.

"Life comes a full circle, from winning Miss Universe, to having owned its Indian Franchise to now returning back to #Manila this time as a judge at the 65th Miss Universe pageant!! To all my #filipino friends who have been graciously asking... I can now confirm... yes! I am coming! Mahal Kita Philippines see you sooooooon."

Roshmitha Harimurthy will represent India at the Miss Universe pageant this year to be held on January 30.

Sanyukta Iyer (MUMBAI MIRROR; May 4, 2016)