Moshumi Chatterjee fights for daughter's life
The actress has moved the court seeking medical custody.
Cine-star Moushumi Chatterjee is remembered as a happy-go-lucky chatterbox who featured in several hits in the 1970s and ‘80s opposite top stars of the time.
Not known to bow and scrape for a role or to play up to any hero, she has ticked off mega-artistes like Gulzar and Rajesh Khanna at the risk of losing out on plum roles.
Not so long ago she accused Aparna Sen of being jealous of her looks while directing her in the Bengali film The Japanese Wife.
The ebullient Moushumi is now struggling to contain her grief as her elder daughter Payal lies comatose, a condition brought on by chronic diabetes.
After she married legendary music composer-singer Hemant Mukherjee’s son Jayanta, Moushumi quit her blooming career to look after her daughters Payal and Megha.
In 2016, the popular yesteryear actress, last seen in Shoojt Sircar’s Piku, found her world falling apart as Payal who suffered from chronic diabetes went into a coma.
In an interview some months before the setback, Moushumi was full of beans as she said, “By God’s grace both my daughters Payal and Megha are doing well in their respective careers. Neither is keen on acting.”
Married to Dicky Mehta, Payal is apparently being given home care by her in-laws, and that has not gone down well her parents. Moushumi and Jayanta have moved to the court to obtain medical custody of their daughter.
While Moushumi remains understandably inaccessible, a friend said, “Indu (Moushumi’s real name) has been pretty much in her own world. She hasn’t been in touch with any of her friends. Payal’s condition has shattered Moushumi and Jayanta. To make matters worse the couple’s relationship with Payal’s in-laws is far from amicable. This is a very tough time for Moushumi.”
Ashoke Pandit, chief advisor of the Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) feels the issue is complicated. “I don’t think there is a financial issue. The ailing girl’s husband is looking after her. Moushumiji has accused her daughter’s husband of not allowing her to meet her daughter, an allegation he stoutly denies. Even I’ve got to know from my own sources that there is no truth to the allegation. We would love to help. But we don’t know the real issue.”