Veteran actor-director Mohan Sharma, now in his 80s, has been in the spotlight recently after videos highlighting his financial struggles went viral online. Currently residing in an old-age home in Gummidipoondi, Chennai, where he receives free food and accommodation, the veteran revealed in a recent interview that he has been unable to afford even essential medicines. Upon learning about his situation, Rajinikanth reportedly extended financial assistance of Rs 1 lakh to him.
In the interview, Mohan Sharma spoke candidly about his life's journey. He recalled once owning a house in Chennai's upscale Poes Garden locality, but said personal hardships and family struggles forced its sale over the years. "After my first innings in cinema, I moved into television and directed several serials. Though films and television kept me professionally busy, my family life never gave me peace or happiness. I went through immense personal suffering that I could never speak about publicly. Eventually, I had to sell my Poes Garden house," he said, adding that he has neither close relatives nor friends to care for him during illness.
He also shared a poignant anecdote about his acclaimed Tamil-Malayalam bilingual Namma Gramam, which won two National Film Awards and two Kerala State Film Awards. Former Chief Minister Jayalalithaa had been deeply moved after watching the film and expressed interest in acquiring its satellite rights for Jaya TV. "Unfortunately, before that could happen, she passed away," he said.
Mohan Sharma further revealed a painful irony involving the Film Chamber, where he had once held a position and helped pass a resolution to provide Rs 5 lakh to members in financial distress. When he recently wrote to the Film Chamber seeking assistance under that very resolution, he was informed it had since been amended to disburse funds only after a member's death. "Why not help someone while they are alive and struggling? After they die, who will receive that money?" he asked.
A celebrated figure across South Indian cinema with over 170 film appearances and more than 15 productions, Mohan Sharma has also served on the National Film Awards jury, the Indian Panorama selection committee at IFFI, and contributed to securing South India's representation in the Dadasaheb Phalke Award selection process. He has now appealed to the film fraternity to purchase the satellite rights of Namma Gramam, saying the proceeds would help cover his medical expenses for the remainder of his life.