Bollywood actor Sonu Sood, who was dubbed a ‘superhero’ for his philanthropic work during the pandemic-induced lockdown, has reportedly mortgaged several of his properties in Mumbai to raise Rs 10 crore to help those in need.
According to Moneycontrol, Sood, who was conferred with the SDG Special Humanitarian Action Award by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in September for his humanitarian works, mortgaged eight of his properties in Juhu, including six flats and two shops, for raising the amount. The properties are jointly owned by Sood and his wife Sonali.
The properties have been mortgaged with Standard Chartered Bank, and the agreement was signed in September and registered on November 24.
The loan amount will reportedly attract an interest of 12-15 per cent per annum.
The actor had worked tirelessly to help stranded migrant workers get to their homes during the lockdown. Sood and his team had launched a toll-free number and a WhatsApp helpline to connect with the workers and then arrange transportation for wanting to return to their homes. He had also arranged for food, buses, trains and even chartered flights for stranded migrants, some of whom were walking home after the lockdown imposed in March.
Speaking about his experiences of reaching out to migrants and helping them, the actor had said it was a "life-changing experience...living with the migrants for sixteen to eighteen hours a day and sharing the pain. When I go to see them off as they begin their journey back home, my heart is filled with joy and relief.”
—With PTI inputs
