Bollywood guitarist in COVID-19-induced coma; Imtiaz Ali, others voice support
Tamasha director Imtiaz Ali, musicians Amaal-Armaan Malik and others have come together to help raise funds for the treatment of a guitarist who has worked extensively in Bollywood. Taking to their social media pages, the stars spoke about Ankur Mukherjee and urged their followers to donate to the cause. According to the donation page created by Mukherjee's sister, he's currently in a COVID-19-induced coma.
Ali requested followers to donate and spread the word
Calling him the "best sessions guitarist," Ali requested his followers to donate and spread the word about the urgent situation of "this guy who is as pure as his smile." He wrote, "My friend Ankur, perhaps the best sessions guitarist I've worked with, is in the ICU now due to a 'COVID induced Brain Stroke'." He shared a picture of the 47-year-old artist too.
'Donate for this guy who's as pure as his smile'
Dada is battling for his life, wrote Amaal
Meanwhile, drawing "immediate attention," Amaal wrote, "I know we're in horrible times but please try to support & contribute to this cause." The composer said, "Dada is battling for his life....Not many may know, but he is the guitarist who has played on almost every big song of Bollywood and some of the biggest ad jingles for the biggest composers of this country."
Amaal urged the music industry to support Mukherjee
Armaan called him the 'finest guitarist in our country!'
Asking the music industry to help, Amaal said that if any music composer owed him any payment, "now would be the right time" to pay up. Younger brother Armaan went on to term Mukherjee the "finest guitarist in our country!" and requested everyone to donate. He mentioned Mukherjee has played on several songs like Tere Mere, Besabriyaan, and Hua Hain Aaj Pehli Baar.
Arijit Singh, Shreya Ghoshal and Tanishk Bagchi are top contributors
The donation link was also shared by filmmakers, Anubhav Sinha and Hansal Mehta. As per the list, Arijit Singh, Shreya Ghoshal and Tanishk Bagchi are among the top donors (Rs. 5L given by each). Taapsee Pannu, Vishal Bharadwaj and Salim Merchant have also donated.
He suffered a cerebral artery ischemic stroke induced by COVID-19
As per the donation page created by Mukherjee's sister, Paroma, the guitarist suffered a left middle cerebral artery ischemic stroke that was COVID-19 induced and has been in the ICU of Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital in Mumbai since April 6. She informed that a decompressive craniectomy surgery has been performed on Mukherjee's skull but he has to be in the hospital for three weeks.
Mukherjee lost his father to cancer earlier this year
Adding that Mukherjee didn't have any insurance, Paroma wrote he'll have to undergo intensive neuro-rehabilitation for six months even if things go well for which they need Rs. 70L. The family has exhausted their funds and they've recently lost their father to cancer this January. Their mother too was suffering from COVID-19. To recall, Mukherjee had earned acclaim for his work in Gulabo Sitabo.
