Kalpana Lajmi passed away at Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani hospital at 4. 30 am. A few minutes ago, we brought you pictures of her last rites which are currently underway at Oshiwara crematorium. Shabana Azmi and Soni Razdan among others turned up to bid goodbye to their dear friend.
Now, read her last interview with SpotboyE.com Editor, Vickey Lalwani, which she gave from the ICU of Ambani hospital where she was fighting for survival after both her kidneys had failed. We reproduce it for you here.
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.
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.
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