Sonu Sood and Ajay Dhama

Sonu Sood and Ajay Dhama?

India hailed Bollywood actor Sonu Sood and officially termed him as the Migrant Messiah? of the country during COVID-19 crisis. But not many know the wind beneath the actors wings. Often referred to as the backbone of the actors relentless efforts to handle the countrys worst migrant crisis so far, Bollywood film producer Ajay Dhama and Sood go back a long way. Their association began when the duo became friends while pursuing engineering in Nagpur.

Sonu Sood and Ajay Dhama

Dhama, during COVID-19 crisis, has been taking care of the vast co-ordination, permissions required for interstate travel, distribution of food and water for the migrants and much more. He has even helped a few drivers of Bollywood actors to get back to their hometowns. Dhama, who distributed over 5000 masks to people and the residents of a few societies in Shastri Nagar in Mumbai’s Andheri area, has produced films including Trishna, Tutak Tutak Tutiya and Rockin’ Meera.

Excerpts of interaction with Ajay Dhama?

You have lent a helping hand to Sonu Sood in sending migrants to their respective homes across India. Tell us about your association with him and how did this initiative materialise?

Sonu has been a friend for many years now. We have known each other since our engineering days at YCCE (Yeshwantrao Chavan College of Engineering) in Nagpur. We even collaborated for a film. The idea of the initiative came from Sonu. He understands the hardships of people who leave their homes for Mumbai in search of means to earn a livelihood. Many of his other friends then joined him in his mission to send migrants home. Initially, Sonu incurred the expenses and then gradually industry insiders and influential people chipped in and offered to volunteer.

How many migrants have you been able to send back to their homes so far?

I think approximately 32,000 migrants have been sent home. This is a shared feat of the people who came forward to help us. Also, a big thanks to Maharashtra government; it appreciated and supported our efforts.

Sonu Sood and Ajay Dhama

Do you think it was a right decision to send migrants home amid the Coronavirus scare?

Considering the fact that COVID-19 brought with it an unprecedented humanitarian crisis, sending migrants home was the right decision. They had no means to earn a livelihood due to the lockdown and there was no way to know for how long it would’ve continued.

Did Sonu or you fear that either of you could be infected

Certainly, but we did follow all the safety measures. I did fear of getting infected. I think some fear is necessary to undertake caution. This disease has turned the panic mode on in the entire world, so, to be honest, I was scared, but I am lucky to have been able to contribute to Sonu’s initiative.