After championing the cause of Bihar flood victims, Bollywood actress Neetu Chandra is all set to raise funds for the welfare of physically challenged and visually impaired in the state capital.
The actress hails from Bihar. She has earned fame through her films such as Garam Masala, 123 and Traffic Signal. Chandra was in the city on a two-day visit.Chandra along with the other Bollywood personalities from Bihar - Shatrughan Sinha, Shekhar Suman, Manoj Bajpai and Prakash Jha - is all set to organise a charity programme for the welfare of the physically and visually challenged.
It was she, who had pioneered to provide all possible help to Bihar flood-victims when she was approached by various voluntary organisations. “I immediately contacted all the actress and collected money for the welfare of our people,” added Neetu.
Obliged by the love and affection showered on her by physically and visually challenged children of Gurunanak School for Handicapped and St Michael’s Blind School in Ranchi, Neetu said: “I would like to visit the city to organise a charity programme along with my Bihari friends in Bollywood.”
Chandra said that during her short visit the overwhelming response would be cherished in days to come.“The warmth especially shown by both visually and physically challenged people has touched my heart, said Chandra.
Although Chandra said that the date of her visit is yet to be finalised but then, “I have decided first to talk with my friends back in Mumbai and accordingly, chalk out the plan. It would take two to three months to organise such social programme,” she pointed out.
Asked whether she taking back any fond memories from her 2-day sojourn in Ranchi, she said: “The affection shown by the students of St Michaels Blind School was touching. When I saw watching them play cricket one of them came forward and offered me the bat to play with them.”
Neetu is awaiting the release of her four films: Oye Lucky Lucky Oye, Mumbai Cutting, 13-B, Khushar Prasad Ka Bhoot.Besides, she is of opinion that one should not detach from one’s roots. “I feel proud to tell people in Mumbai that I am a Bihari.
“In fact, the youngsters from the non-descript towns of Bihar and Jharkhand are now earning fame outside, which gives me immense pleasure. I have a special feeling for my state and I wish to see it getting the place it deserves.The best example is Mahi (cricketer Mahendra Singh Dhoni), who despite being a small-towner is recognised internationally,” she added.
Today, she also visited the ongoing fair organised by IPS Officers’ Wives Association at JAP I Grounds and indulged her in fun-filled activities. An avid sports lover, Chandra is a black belt in Taekwondo and martial art and she is also a skilled kathak dancer.
Neetu got her debut role when renowned director Priyadarshan selected her to play the role of an alluring airhostess in the comedy film Garam Masala, opposite Akshay Kumar and John Abraham along with veterans like Paresh Rawal. The simple and hardworking girl gave such a stunning performance that she was offered the role of a Kathiawadi street girl who sells gajras, mirror-work and embroidery on the footpath to earn a livelihood in Madhur Bhandarkar’s The Signal. A perfectionist to the core, Neetu took the pains to actually spend time with the street women to imbibe the body language and accent of a absconder from home in Saurashtra to Mumbai in search of work.
