WRITER SANTOSH ANAND IN BAD FINANCIAL STATE | 26 February, 2021

Yesteryears’ writer and lyricist Santosh Anand is in a terrible financial state. Some good Samaritans have started a Santosh Anand Crowd Funding scheme and are seeking monetary help from friends and well-wishers.

The veteran writer-lyricist’s plight became public knowledge when he appeared on TV reality show Indian Idol earlier this week and narrated his emotional story to the audience. Neha Kakkar, who is one of the judges on the show, was moved to tears while listening to his heart-wrenching tale, and so were several participants and others. Neha announced aid of Rs. 5 lakh for the 81-year-old lyricist of such films as Purab Aur Pachhim, Shor, Roti Kapada Aur Makaan and Kranti. Vishal Dadlani, another judge on the show, volunteered to set Santosh Anand’s unused songs to tune so that the veteran could gain financially. The writer of the super-hit song, Ek pyar ka naghma hai, from Shor is not only financially weak but his health is also a cause for concern. He was dealt a severe emotional blow when his son and daughter-in-law committed suicide in 2014.