Mahesh Anand was found dead in his Versova flat in Mumbai on February 9 morning by Police officials who suspected that he was dead two days before.
Anand was a well known actor in the 90’s era where he majorly played negative characters in hit films like Ganga Jamuna Saraswati, Shahenshah, Majboor, Thanedaar and others. The actor, was badly in need of money and was willing to take up any acting opportunity that came his way.
Pahlaj Nihalani, in an interview with the leading website confirmed that Mahesh was badly in need of money and requested to give him a role in Rangeela Raja which was Nihalni’s recent film that also starred Govinda. Pahlaj said, “Mahesh said he wanted to be part of Rangeela Raja. He asked to be fitted into the climax. I sensed his need and I made a role for him at that last moment of shooting.”
Shedding a light on Mahesh’s 10 year unemployment the former CBFC chief said, “Perhaps. It is a fact that he was without work. He had stopped getting work for more than ten years.”
Mahesh Anand’s demise has yet again initiated the burning question that how Bollywood doesn’t have any place or work for senior actors who eventually die in poverty and loneliness.
Apart from Mahesh we look at 10 other Bollywood celebs who at one point had everything going for them – love, money and fame. But before they knew, all was lost and nobody needed them anymore. They lived a painful life, full of loneliness and poverty, away from the glitz of Bollywood, only to be remembered long after they were dead and buried!
Sitaram Panchal
Sitaram Panchal made his place in the Bollywood industry with films like Peepli Live, Slumdog Millionaire and Paan Singh Tomar, died in August 2017. Panchal who was suffering from kidney and lung cancer and passed away after battling poverty as he was unable to even bear the cost of his treatment.
Nalini Jayawant
Nalini Jayawant was a popular Indian film actress who appeared in Hindi films in the 1940s and 1950s. She was known for films like Kala Pani, Rahi, Shikast and others. It is stated that after the demise of her second husband Nalini had secluded herself from society and had not been meeting people. She passed away in December 2010 in deep financial crisis with no money left to even pay her hospital bills.
Cukoo Moray
Cukoo was an Anglo-Indian dancer who worked in several Bollywood films. She once used to own three cars but died penniless at the age of 52 due to cancer.
Meena Kumari
Meena Kumari is regarded by many as one of the most iconic stars of Bollywood. She started her acting career at the age of 4 and went on to become the ‘Tragedy Queen’ of Indian cinema. The talented actress, however, died penniless with no money left to even pay her hospital bills.