Veteran actress Shagufta Ali reveals she is a cancer survivor, has no money for eyesight and diabetes treatment; CINTAA promises help

By Tanmayi Savadi

on July 05, 2021 07:43:15 PM

Avid TV watchers must have at some point watched Shagufta Ali perform beautifully in shows. From Saans to Sanjivani: A Medical Boon, Madhubala – Ek Ishq Ek Junoon and Bepannaah, the actress has been working in films and TV for nearly 36 years. Despite being a trusted actress, Shagufta has been out of work for almost 4 years. Talking to an entertainment portal, she told that she is facing a financial crisis and it is becoming difficult for her to manage medical expenses.

Shagufta revealed that she has been keeping unwell for the last 20 years. She further added that she survived third stage cancer and not many knew about it. "I was diagnosed with Breast cancer and it was at the third stage. I had to go through major surgery to remove that lump. I took chemotherapy which was like getting a new birth every time but I was so dedicated to my work and my responsibilities towards the people I was taking care of that on the seventeenth day of my surgery I traveled to Dubai with a cushion on my chest to shoot for my show," Shagufta revealed.

Shagufta said that due to a major accident, her bone into into 2 pieces and she has to live with a steel rod in her hand. When life was testing her, things got difficult when she was diagnosed with diabetes 6 years ago. "Because I witnessed a lot of things much earlier in my life which people usually witness after the age of 65, my health condition has worsened. Diabetes has affected my feet very badly. I have this numbness in my fit and in between, I used to have terrible pain. My sugar level shoots up because of my stress level. And now it has affected my eyes also and for that I have to go through this treatment," Shagufta stated.

Calling the last 4 years "worst period of my life," Shagufta told the portal, "I have sold my car, jewelry and I have been traveling in auto rickshaws if I am going out to the doctor. It's been very hurtful to me because I have been a self-made person. I had no support when I came to this industry and whatever work I have done, I got on merit. I need immediate financial help and also work to survive. I was really confused, honestly If I should come out and ask for help. But I am in need as I have nothing left to sell now. I have taken a loan from the people which I have to repay. Other than that I have to pay house EMI's, medical bills, and other things. The liabilities and responsibilities don't end. Nobody is going to wait until I am going through a financial crisis so let's wait. They want the money."

The 54 years old said that her mother also needs immediate medical attention as she also has diabetes, arthritis and a knee problem. Apart from this, the actress is getting treatment done for her eyesight and diabetes. "I don't have money for that either," she shared. An emotional Shagufta stated, "I had been taking care of the education of my cousin's kids for all these years but for the last four years I have not been able to help them either. I have been helping my relatives from when I was earning to my father's side but now I am not in a position to help bhaut baatien suni pad rahi hai. As they feel I am loaded with money and don't want to share now which is absolutely not true."

The actress revealed that Sumeet Raghavan, Neena Gupta and Sushant Singh were helping her when needed. She appealed to people for help. She said, "I want financial help and also work. I hope that people will understand my situation and come ahead to support me."

Soon after Shagufta's heartbreaking story went viral, Senior Joint Secretary of CINTAA (Cine & TV artistes association) Amit Behl told a leading daily, "We will talk to Shagufta, even visit her. The first issue is to solve her anxiety. And, we shall ask her what she needs. The only thing here is that she is a former committee member of CINTAA, but let me be clear here that does not debar us from coming into the picture. Whatever she needs, we shall raise that amount through the actors enlisted with us currently and contribute even on a personal basis. We follow the Trade Union laws."

(Source: SpotboyE/Times Of India)