Exclusive - Shri Krishna actor Sunil Nagar on facing financial crisis: My account balance has gone nil; I need monetary help for a surgery

Senior actor Sunil Nagar, who has done some of the popular TV shows like 'Shri Krishna', 'Om Namah Shivaay', 'Mahabali Hanuman', 'Qubool Hai' and has also been part of many hit films like 'Chatur Singh Two Star', 'Phantom', 'U R My Jaan' is going through financial crisis. The actor has been out of work since the last 17 months because of the pandemic and is in dire need of monetary help. During an exclusive interview with ETimes TV, Sunil, who played Bhishma Pitamah in the mythological series 'Shri Krishna' opened up about his financial woes. During the chat, he revealed that he has exhausted all his savings and needs financial help for expensive dental surgery. (Photo: Instagram)

I have gone financially nil. I have exhausted all my savings as I have been out of work for close to 17 months now. I haven’t worked since December 2019 so I have ended up using all my savings in paying rent and daily expenses. I have not paid rent for the last 5 months for the flat where I am staying right now. Thankfully, the owner is very understanding and he knows the moment I start working I will clear it. A few days ago, I got an offer to sing at a restaurant where they were also taking care of my day-to-day expenses, but due to lockdown that has also shutdown. I don’t have any savings left now. I have got a medical issue now which actually started during the pandemic. It started around 8 months ago. I had pain in one of my teeth and I got treated for it then it shifted to other teeth. (Photo: Instagram)

The pain started getting unbearable and the doctor advised me to undergo a surgery but I ignored it as It needed time and money. The doctor had warned also that if you don’t get treated for the infection it will shift to other teeth. Now two teeth in front and back need surgery and they have broken because of the infection and I am in immense pain. I told my doctor it is not possible for me to have a surgery as I don’t have money. The surgery will cost me around Rs 70-80,000 and I can’t afford it. (Photo: Instagram)

I have cut down all my needs and daily expenses. There were many things which I would eat earlier when things were good, but when I had no work to save money I started cutting down on my needs and have been just surviving on basic things. I need some money to survive. Because of the teeth problem, I am not able to take up any work because my front teeth have chipped and are half broken. I am in desperate need of money. (Photo: Instagram)

I was misquoted by the publication that my family has abandoned me. My wife and I got divorced 10 years ago and that too mutually. My son is a teenager. He is just 18 years old. How can he support me financially? They have nothing to do with my current situation. I sold my house 10 years back and I have been staying in Naigaon in a rented flat. I haven’t sold my flat because of any financial crisis. (Photo: Instagram)

CINTAA is trying hard for me but they have their own protocols and guidelines to follow. They are trying to help me but I don’t know when it will happen. I have submitted all my documents to the CINTAA people and they are looking into it. They already have so many cases to look into it. They know I am a senior actor and have been a member since 1999. They know my problem and they even contacted NGOs who can help me. (Photo: Instagram)

A couple of days ago I had shared my problem with one of my friends who works as a casting director and he put my problem on social media with my image and bank details. Initially, I was very angry with him but later I understood his intentions behind doing so. It is working my favour because I got Rs 3000 from somebody from Bengaluru. I don’t know that person but I am assuming that someone must have seen my post and must have thought to help me. Three thousand is a big amount for me right now. (Photo: Instagram)