I have never asked for money and I never will: Santosh Anand
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Ek kalakar ko izzat aur samman chahiye,” says senior lyricist Santosh Anand, who appeared in an episode of a singing reality show, Indian Idol, recently, after which many started wondering about the fate of yesteryear artistes in our country.
“It felt good to be remembered par baad mein kuch aisi baatein hui jo galat hain,” he adds referring to the viral video, where singer Neha Kakkar offered five lakh rupees to him as a gift, which led to people thinking that he was in need of financial help.
“Mera ghar theek se chal raha hai. Neha is good person, and when she gave me the money, I told her that I can’t take it. Main ek swabhimani aadmi hoon. I’ve never asked for money and I never will. I didn’t ask help from anyone. I participate in Kavi sammelans and earn through that. I don’t have any problems. Had she not said apni poti samaj ke le lijiye’, I wouldn’t have taken it,” says Anand, who has penned lyrics for hit songs such as Ek Pyaar Ka Nagma Hai (Shor, 1970) and Main Na Bhoolonga (Roti Kapda Aur Makan; 1974), among others.
The lyricist points out that after the episode aired “people started talking about things that were not true”. “Call me on a stage, give me respect and that’s all. Samman aur madad mein farak hai. I don’t want help,” says Anand.
The 82-year-old lyricist says he enjoys going to various functions and reciting his poetry. “I got emotional on the show as I thought the industry had forgotten me, but what I experienced was overwhelming. Since the episode, so many people have contacted me. I can’t run around anymore and so, I will only take up work that suits me,” he concludes.