Bollywood turns away woman who tutored Hrithik Roshan

Andheri resident Divya Arora has managed to raise Rs 1 lakh through an online crowd-funding campaign. Pic/ Ashish Raje

For 38-year-old wheelchair-bound theatre artiste and director Divya Arora, who first made headlines when she trained Hrithik Roshan for his role as a quadriplegic in the 2010 Sanjay Leela Bhansali film Guzaarish, life has taken a turn for the worse. Arora, who was diagnosed with cerebral palsy at birth, remembers being a fighter. But, after her kidneys failed last year, the recipient of the prestigious Karmaveer Puraskaar, now finds herself facing a new challenge.

In need of an urgent, life-saving surgery, the artiste has been reaching out to friends and acquaintances -- especially those in Bollywood, who she has worked with -- to gather funds for the expensive treatment. With almost everyone showing her the door, a determined Arora launched a crowd-funding campaign on Milaap last month, and has managed to raise Rs 1 lakh. "But, that's barely enough for my surgery," said Arora, who needs R3 lakh for the treatment, and an additional Rs 35,000 every month to foot medicine bills.

Hrithik Roshan was coached by Arora for his role as a quadriplegic in the 2010 Sanjay Leela Bhansali film Guzaarish

Parents in Delhi
Arora, who has acted in more than 100 plays, and also had a tiny role in Anurag Kashyap's Shaitan (2011), currently resides alone in Andheri, and is looked after by a househelp and caretaker. "My parents, who live in Delhi, are retired senior citizens and barely manage to make ends meet with their pension. I can't turn to them for help," she said.

Deteriorating health
While she had suffered kidney ailment for long, it was last year that she was told that the damage had worsened. Arora is undergoing treatment at the urology department of Lilavati Hospital in Bandra, and needs uteral stents. "Due to the heavy medication, I can't focus on my work. I have deadlines to meet for theatre projects, but on some days, I am in so much pain that it's impossible to push myself," she added.

Andheri resident Divya Arora with her caretaker

No help from Bollywood, yet Arora claims to have approached several celebrities, but so far, nobody has come forward to help.
"Bollywood is a place where people forget each other, once their work is done. I approached those who have worked with me, but none assured me help. One even suggested that I seek treatment under the poor patients quota. Unfortunately, I don't have documentation to meet that criteria," she added. That insurance firms refuse to cover the disabled has made life tougher.

"I am a fighter and I haven't given up, but I don't know how long I can hold on," she said.

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