You really know who cares for you only when you want
something and he/she helps you to get it or when you are cornered wrongly and
he/she stands up for you. Lajmi faced the former predicament and the he and she
in her well-wishers list are plenty from B-town, so yeah she knows who cares
for her. But hey, where are the relatives of (late) Bhupen Hazarika- the man
she loved more than anything else in the world?
We got talking to Ms Lajmi and trust us, the voice didn't sound like her, the
confidence was low but the faith in God still gives her the belief to think
that she will be back in the centre- and soon.
Lajmi talks from Ambani Hospital, and we bring you the conversation in
verbatim:
Can I speak to Kalpanaji?
Is this Devashish?
No, this is Vickey Lalwani. Can I talk to Kalpanaji?
This is Kalpana, Who's calling?
Ma'am, this is Vickey Lalwani.
Yes, Vickey. Tell me, how have you been?
Well, I am fine ma'am. How are you? There is talk that
you are down with cancer in the kidneys...
That's not true. I was detected with cancer in the
kidneys 3 years ago, but it was removed. However, both my kidneys are not
functioning now.
Dialysis?
Yes, four times every week.
That must be terribly painful?
What to do? Life is like that.
Your voice has completely changed, I thought I was
talking to someone else...
It hasn't changed; it has gone weak.
The medical bills must be enormous...
Yes, but Aamir Khan, Salman Khan, Karan Johar, Rohit
Shetty, Mahesh Bhatt, Alia Bhatt, Soni Razdan, Ashoke Pandit, Neena Gupta,
Vinta Nanda, Amit Khanna and Shyam Benegal have been doing a lot for me. They
are pooling the money required for my treatment.
What happened suddenly that you had to be rushed to the
hospital?
Well, I got up on Sunday and felt very weak. I
knew my potassium levels must have dropped. I asked my driver to take me to the
Emergency Room in Kokila Ambani Hospital. As we speak, my treatment is on.
Coming back to Bollywood. Have the personalities
mentioned above met you personally?
Not all. Aamir and Kiran Rao had come along. Salman has
been contributing through his Being Human. Soni Razdan is the fulcrum, I think
it is mostly routed through her. I need about Rs 2.5 lakh per month. God
bless these people. And of course, how can I forget my mother and brother who
have constantly stood by my side?
How did your health problem begin?
I contracted diabetes, which we know is a killer. I should have looked after
myself, but had no time. Bhupenda was unwell and he meant everything to me, I
was looking after him all the time. Diabetes led to kidney problem and...
(trails off).
Food restrictions?
Well, I have a cook, so it's not difficult to manage that part. But I have to eat mainly dahi, chaas and vegetables. I definitely can't eat everything. Caretaker bhi hai, driver bhi hai.
I miss being in the centre and making movies. Hope that I get back. I am very lonely. 
Ashoke Pandit & Neena Gupta
Do you step out sometimes?
No, only for dialysis. Once in a way, rarely, I step out
to chill with my school/college friends, and sometimes with my industry
friends.
Anybody from Bhupenda's family has come forward?
No, not yet. I am in touch but with only one of my sister-in-law. Otherwise, I
am not in touch with them after Bhupenda passed away.
You loved Bhupenda so much and his family...
(Interrupts) Yeah, but what to do? Life is like that too.
Those whom you don't know come forward to give you a helping hand and those
whom you know don't even bother to call and talk to you.
Image Source : Manav Manglani/Instagram/neena_gupta