Hyderabad: Actor Sonu Sood has been time and again lauded for the role of Good Samaritan he played during the COVID-19 pandemic. Sonu Sood said Wednesday that it was the important role of his career. “I played many special roles in my films. However, the role I played during the pandemic is the most important role of my career. Almighty was directing me to do the right thing in life. I would like to thank god for awakening me,” Sonu said.
The actor was addressing a function organised here by Cyberabad Police to felicitate frontline warriors and plasma donors. “When pandemic started I thought we should do our bit but I was clueless,” Sonu said. He recalled that he was moved by the plight of 350 workers in Thane. They requested him to provide food for 10 days because they wanted go home in Karnataka on foot.
Sonu said he approached the authorities and took permissions and arranged transport for this group. He then realised that there are millions who are stuck across India. So he started connecting with others to help stranded migrant workers.
“We formed a toll free number and within one hour we received one lakh calls. My emails were floods with mails. My number was ringing every minute. I asked my secretary to ensure that no call go unanswered,” Sonu informed.
Sonu said it was the most special moment ‘to help guest workers. They are the real heroes and are the reason behind all our comforts’. The actor said they could connect and send home over 7.26 lakh people. He then started receiving calls from students stuck abroad.
“Fourteen-and-half thousand students evacuated from Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Georgia, Russia and Philippines,” Sonu informed.
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Sonu said after going back home, the migrant workers and others contacted him and requested for jobs. He recalled that 50 lakh applications for jobs were received in two-and-a-half days. He along with other people provided employment to two lakh people.
Sonu said people also started approaching him for help for medical treatment. He connected with some doctors, owners of hospitals and people who want to help. Every day 20-22 surgeries are being done for months now.
“The first message of the pandemic is that life is not about buying good pair of shoes, clothes and holidays. It’s about people waiting for that one call to happen. My mother used to tell me that you will be successful if you could help one person who not expecting your help,” Sonu stated with emotion choking his voice.
The actor told the frontline workers and other felicitated on the occasion that society needs them more now than during the pandemic. “This is time they need you the most. Find people who need your help. There is hero in every one of us. We have to identify it and inspire others,” he stated. “Together we can make huge difference to the society we are living in,” he told the audience.