Actor and filmmaker
Upendra has been spearheading a
relief project, where he is helping various people across the film and television industries with basic necessities and more. "Over the past year, the pandemic has put the film industry in a tricky situation. We are unclear when the second wave ends or whether a third wave will begin. Cinema industry is among the worst affected," he observes, adding, " Technicians, actors and daily wage labourers have all lost jobs. So, it is our duty and responsibility to help them."
Upendra continues, "We had a small glimmer of hope when the previous
lockdown
was lifted and shoots resumed. We thought we were headed back to normalcy. This second wave derailed that." He adds that it was this time that made him think about all the people who needed help.
"I approached different associations and the president of the Okkuta. I was told there were around 3,000 people in all and I wanted to help their families. Word got around and people from the industry asked me to front those efforts. Various members from the film industry like
B Saroja Devi
,
Sadhu Kokila,
Shobraj
and
Manya Naidu
, along with other friends of mine, chipped in," he reveals.
Upendra says that he is ensuring this is done in a systematic way. "We have diverted resources to different associations and people who are in need. I've no work as such for now, so I have chosen to use the time to get this organised with my team," he shares.
The maverick filmmaker says that he has distanced this from his political party and work. "I have always maintained that politics is different from the social work you do. You cannot use this as a gate pass for your political identity. I've ensured there is no connection between my political party and the work I am doing with my friends and colleagues here," he emphasises.