"Pakeezah" fame yesteryear actress Geeta Kapoor, who has been allegedly abandoned by her son, is getting support from some members of the Hindi film industry. In April, her son brought the 58-year-old actress to SRV Hospital in suburban Goregaon to treat her fluctuating blood pressure. He apparently left the hospital on the pretext of withdrawing money from an ATM and never returned.
Two producers from the industry -- Ramesh Taurani and Ashoke Pandit -- have come forward to offer financial aid to the ailing actress.
"I read in newspapers about her condition and felt extremely bad. So, I went to the hospital. Ramesh Taurani and I took care of the bill and will see to it that the bills will be cleared," Pandit told PTI.
Pandit says so far they have paid "nearly one lakh rupees" and will be taking care of the rest of the medical bill too.
Geeta, whose son is said to be a choreographer, has worked in films such as "Pakeezah" and "Razia Sultan".
Pandit says he is currently looking for a good old-age home for the actress so that she could stay there once she is discharged from the hospital.
"Paying the bill is a minor thing, my main aim is that she gets back her dignity, honour and fights back. Her son is still at large and the police will look into that... She is still in hospital and might be discharged in perhaps another two-three days. Her health is fine now."
The producer says in such cases one has to obtain a 'No Objection Certificate' as the family can hold him responsible if anything happens to the actress.
He also spoke to Deven Bharti (joint commissioner of police, law and order), who assured him to not worry about that.
Pandit, however, says it is heartbreaking for him to see that Geeta still thinks her son hasn't gone anywhere and will come back for her.
"The family has disappeared, the son has switched off his phone. The saddest part is, she is still calling out his name, and says 'my son might be just downstairs, he can't go anywhere.' It's heartbreaking for me to see that."
When contacted, police said a complaint hasn't been filed yet.