The relief that the earlier news reports had brought from the earthquake-hit Nepal about the “safety” of its tourists proved short-lived, as Bollywood actress Mugdha Godse disclosed that eight members of the crew of a forthcoming film, of which she is a part, died in the natural calamity while they were shooting in the Himalayan country.
Mugdha took to Twitter on to share the tragic news of the death of eight members of a crew working for a forthcoming film being directed by Manoj Dhaman: “RIP my 8 crew members, victims to force of nature #earthquake #nepal worked for my upcoming film, very very shocking and depressing...” (sic)
Mugdha and her co-star Rushan Mumtaz returned to India from Nepal after an outdoor shoot from Pokhra, did not come out with any other details of the crew other than what she posted on her Twitter handle on Monday.
The crew of the film was reportedly shooting at Pokhra, which is close to the epi-centre of a massive earthquake that rocked Nepal on Saturday.
The news about the passing of eight film crew members from Maharashtra comes close on the heels of the news reports that Telugu film actor K Vijay had died in the Nepal earthquake. The reports have said that Vijay died and three others sustained wounds in the natural calamity while shooting for a Telugu film ‘Etakaram’ in the Himalayan country.
Meanwhile, Bollywood actress Manisha Koirala, who hails from Nepal, has taken to Facebook and Twitter, to urge people back home to remain “brave” in their hour of cricis.
Manisha, whose grandfather Bishweshwar Prasad Koirala was the Prime Minister of Nepal between the late 1950s and early 1960s, has kept in touch with the people in the Himalayan country.
“Tough times don't last, tough people do..our body n mind is hugely connected so if you make up your mind,you can overcome anything!!! Praying for all of us to face this set back with courage and faith and determination!!!!!!!!!,” (sic) she posted on FB and Twitter.
Manisha, who is also the United Nations Population Fund goodwill ambassador and a social activist, has also posted helpline numbers on her social media pages.
She also appreciated the rescue and relief operations undertaken by the Indian Government and the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
“Also to all my country people n those who love nepal..pl be vigilant about any organisations/person involved with misuse of funds or material or black marketeers of any sorts..they should be punished n not spared!! So pl keep an eye!!,” she said in another post.
“I have been warned that a lot of organisations would be misusing this situation so I request everyone who want to help please doubly check the accountability and then only offer help..a lot of my friends who want to travel to atm, please be mindful that too many people are already there n there is a shortage of food n water…,” she wrote.