Sonu Sood's real-life role of the migrants' superhero has virtually affected his reel life roles. Doing a yeoman's job for those who are walking barefoot for thousands of miles to their hometowns, the Bollywood's new role model from this town in Punjab has decided to stay away from movies till the completion of the real life drama impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. His old-time friends and well-wishers in his hometown, some 175 km from the state capital Chandigarh, describe him as the messiah of tens of thousands of desperate migrants in Maharashtra, while his family believes his philanthropy spirit comes from his ancestry.
"I am proud that my brother is giving succour and strength to those who have been ruined by the pandemic," actor's youngest sister Malvika Sachar (38), who is married and running her parental family business in Moga, said on Tuesday.
"It is a proud moment for the family and the state that Sonu is contributing to society from his own resources," she said. Without naming anyone, she said, "It hardly matters when one or two people are critical about your compassionate gestures."
"My brother arranged air tickets of nearly 160 stranded people in Mumbai for their destinations in Assam this morning. Last evening, he managed to send nearly 2,500 migrants to Bihar through trains," an elated Malvika said, adding, "He won't stop till the last migrant reaches home".
Born to a business family, Sonu's father was in the cloth business and his mother was an English lecturer in Moga's oldest D.M. College of Education. His father died four years ago, while his mother passed away seven years back.
Sonu's eldest sister is settled in the US. "Sonu is deeply attached to hometown, his family and friends. He prefers to travel to Moga whenever he spares time from his hectic schedule in Bollywood," she said. Without mincing words, she said his branding or associating his brother with any political outfit will be an injustice to his gesture. Sonu's grandfather Vidya Rattan Sood was also a known philanthropist.
Sonu Sood, 47, in a tweet on June 7 said, "My journey with my migrant brothers & sisters has been the most special one. It's straight from the heart.
"Right from Kashmir to Kanya Kumari whenever anyone tried to reach me, I've put all my efforts to help them reunite with their families & will continue to do so."
Appreciating his gesture, Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh has tweeted: "It fills me with immense pride whenever I read about my fellow Punjabis going beyond their call of duty to help those in need & this time it is our Moga boy Sonu Sood, who has been actively helping migrant workers by arranging for their food & transportation. Good work Sonu!"
Posting photos of the actor, Punjab Governor V.P. Singh Badnore tweeted, "Punjab is proud of you Sonu Sood not just for your Bollywood fame but even more for the help extended to the stranded migrant workers in these difficult times." (IANS)