Subhash K Jha (DNA; March 9, 2016)
Kalpana Lajmi, who has directed critically-acclaimed films like Ek Pal and Rudaali, is today at 62, Kalpana is in desperate need of financial aid for a serious kidney ailment. She used up all her savings to look after her mentor and companion Bhupen Hazarika in his dying days, and now is all but forgotten. Shockingly, the biopic on slain actress Priya Rajvansh, which Kalpana was supposed to direct, has quietly passed on to another director. A sure sign that the film industry has forgotten her.
In this hour of need only a few close friends like Neena Gupta, Ila Arun and Soni Razdan are there by Kalpana’s side. In fact, Soni, we came to know, is trying to organise a fund for Kalpana’s treatment along with Mukesh Bhatt, Kulmeet Makkar and Vinta Malik.
Says Soni, “Kalpana is dealing with a kidney illness and has to undergo regular dialysis. That’s quite daunting. But she is being very strong about it. Kalpana is determined to get well.”