26 May,2017 04:16 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Yesteryear Bollywood filmmaker Rajesh Nanda, who made films 'Pick Pocket' (1962), 'Professor-X' (1966), 'Behroopiya' (1971) and 'Nateeja' (1969), among others, passed away on May 20 at the age of 80 at an old age home in Pune
Yesteryear filmmaker Rajesh Nanda passes away: His tale of loneliness is heartbreaking
A still from filmmaker Rajesh Nanda's film 'Nateeja' starring Vinod Khanna and Bindu. Pic/YouTube
Yesteryear Bollywood filmmaker Rajesh Nanda, who made films 'Pick Pocket' (1962), 'Professor-X' (1966), 'Behroopiya' (1971) and 'Nateeja' (1969), among others, passed away on May 20 at the age of 80 at an old age home in Pune. Rajesh Nanda had worked with several yesteryear Bollywood stars including Vinod Khanna and Helen.
According to a media report, Rajesh Nanda was neglected not only by Bollywood, but also by his family. Rajesh Nanda's last rites were performed by the staff of the old age home.
Ashok Khosla, singer and owner of the oldage home, told Indian Express, "Over 15 months ago, we brought him to our Ashram from Mumbai. Sudhakar told me that he (Nanda) was unwell and there was nobody to take care of him. We picked him from the hospital... he recovered gradually... but later, he developed other medical complications due to old age. None of his family members inquired about him while he was here."
Khosla told the newspaper that he learnt from his lyricist friend Sudhakar Sharma that Rajesh Nanda had been living alone for years.
The report further stated that Rajesh Nanda's lonely lifestyle was nothing new. "It is the harsh reality of life. Once you are of no use to anyone, people don't want anything to do with you and nobody cares where you are," the news portal quoted Khosla as saying.
Ganesh Bajrang Sisal, who took care of Rajesh Nanda at the old age home, told the newspaper that the filmmaker preferred to keep to himself most of the time.
