The character who played spoilsport and tried to sabotage Bhuvan’s team in Lagaan, the man who played the role of Jinnah in Ketan Mehta’s Sardar, is today ailing, ignored and lives the life of a recluse. Destiny has been harsh with Shri Vallabh Vyas, who is bedridden following high blood pressure and paralysis since 2008.
Vyas, his wife Sobha and their two daughters live in a rented three-BHK house in the densely populated Sodala area in Jaipur for last two years. His daughters are studying here. Not many are aware of his plight. Vyas had to relocate to Jaipur mainly for health reasons. He hails from Jaisalmer.
He was discharged from SMS hospital’s ICU on Tuesday. He was admitted with lung infection on March 21.
He acted in at least 60 Hindi, 12 non-Hindi films and theatres. He had to take a break after he collapsed in his hotel room in Rajpiple, Gujarat, in 2008. He was shooting for a Bhojpuri film starring Ravi Kisen and him in the second lead.
The crew rushed him to Vadodara for brain surgery. “By the time I reached the hospital from Mumbai, the operation was over and he was declared out of danger,” said Sobha adding that life went awry since then. Later, it was detected that he was paralytic.
Days passed into weeks and he remained in hospital for almost a year but showed no signs of improvement. The disheartened family decided to return to Mumbai hoping that the film fraternity will take care of them.
“Barring few, most ignored us. Even producers who worked with Vyas refused to bear his medical expenses,” said Sobha adding that life in Mumbai was becoming tough and the family decided to settle at their native place in Jaisalmer.
Throughout their ordeal, Aamir Khan stood by them morally and financially. “He has been supporting us. It’s because of him we can afford a three BHK flat, medical expenses, fees for my daughters and other expenses,” said Sobha.
Sobha had texted Aamir of Vyas’s hospitalization. “He was shooting in the US and assured us of help. Within few hours, Khan’s production company contacted me and fulfilled our needs. Even Irrfan Khan and Manoj Bajpai have helped us,” Sobha said.
“No one from the artist community here approached us. Even the government has shown no interest in helping us out,” Sobha concludes.
src: TOI