Ghaywan, Grover to donate National Award prize money to farmers

Mumbai: Masaan director Neerja Ghaywan and lyricist Varun Grover will donate Rs.100,000 (Dh5,500) of their National Awards prize money to relief work for distressed farmers in Maharashtra

Ghaywan received the National Film Award for his first directorial, Masaan. The award for best lyrics was given to Grover for the song Moh moh ke dhaage from the Dum Laga Ke Haisha.

“Thank you all for the wishes for the National Award. Me and Varun Grover have decided to donate our National Award prize money towards relief work for distressed farmers in Maharashtra,” Ghaywan wrote on his Facebook account.

“Out of the 1.25 Lakh prize money, I will donate 50,000. Together, me and Varun will donate one lakh rupees,” he wrote.

“Yes, of course, it’s a small amount and no contribution is enough, but my intent to make it public is to draw attention to the water and agrarian crisis in Maharashtra,” he added.

Ghaywan hopes that other people get inspired to contribute towards the crises.

“Hope more people get inspired to contribute and, if not anything, at least become aware of the issues,” Ghaywan wrote.