Poonam Dhillon has worked in many films like Noorie (1979), Trishul (1978), Sohni Mahiwal (1984).
Veteran actress and President of the Cine & TV Artists Association (CINTAA), Poonam Dhillon, has been admitted to Lilavati Hospital in Mumbai after being diagnosed with dengue. She has reportedly been undergoing treatment for the past several days and is now recovering.
Journalist Vicky Lalwani shared the update on social media. He said he had messaged Poonam in the morning and that the actress told him that her health was improving. Lalwani also wished her a speedy and complete recovery.
Poonam Dhillon has worked in many films like Noorie (1979), Trishul (1978), Sohni Mahiwal (1984).
According to Lalwani, Poonam has been in hospital for several days and is currently recovering from dengue. The actress has not publicly shared details about her condition.
Her hospitalisation comes amid a recent controversy surrounding CINTAA, of which she is the current President.
Eight CINTAA executive committee members resign
Recently, eight members of CINTAA’s Executive Committee resigned from their positions and the committee. They claimed that they had lost faith in the organisation’s current leadership and called for fresh elections.
Poonam Dhillon and Vice President Padmini Kolhapure strongly objected to the allegations levelled against them.
Speaking to ANI, Poonam dismissed the claims and said the dispute began because certain members were unhappy that things were not going their way.
“The thing was that things were not going according to them. They were trying to control CINTAA members through CAWT (Cine Artists Welfare Trust). When that didn’t happen, they started making strange and serious allegations against us.”
‘The allegations were obscene and extremely objectionable’
Poonam also criticised the language used in the allegations, saying that some of the statements were deeply hurtful and inappropriate.
“You won’t believe how obscene the allegations were. They were so objectionable that if we wanted, we could have considered taking defamation action against every person involved. Such allegations, hurtful statements, and objectionable language were widely spread.”
The actress said the controversy had taken an emotional toll on her and that she had considered stepping down from CINTAA’s Executive Committee several times.
According to Poonam, two or three people whom she described as “paid spokespersons” repeatedly made similar statements. She said one or two of them were also CINTAA members.
She added that although their comments were inappropriate and hurtful, she and others chose to remain silent.
‘My self-respect and honesty are very important to me’
Poonam said that maintaining her self-respect and reputation was more important to her than anything else.
“My self-respect and honesty are very important to me. What we have earned over the years, we haven’t earned in one or two years. We have built our reputation and self-respect over decades through our conduct, dignity, presence, and the way we interact and communicate with people.”
In another interview with Hindustan Times, Poonam said she and Padmini Kolhapure had been using their resources and industry connections to build goodwill for CINTAA.
She maintained that their efforts were aimed at helping the organisation and its members, rather than seeking any personal benefit.
Poonam also said she was surprised by the allegations because, according to her, few others were taking the initiative to work for the welfare of CINTAA members.
Poonam clarifies allegations over CAWT funds and events
Poonam also addressed allegations surrounding the Cine Artists Welfare Trust (CAWT), which was founded by late actors Dilip Kumar, Amrish Puri, Amjad Khan and other senior artistes.
She claimed that the trust had not been able to fulfil its responsibility of providing medical assistance to its members. According to Poonam, no member of the current committee had raised funds for CAWT for several decades.
She said funds were recently raised through an event featuring artistes including Kavita Krishnamurthy, Madhushree and Nitin Mukesh.
Poonam explained that Krishnamurthy and Madhushree were given sarees after performing at the event, while Nitin Mukesh, who performed without charging a fee, was given a kurta.
Addressing allegations that sarees had been purchased improperly, she said:
“The resigning members are accusing us of buying sarees. Did we buy those sarees for ourselves? We believe that these artists performed for us without a fee, which is why they were given these gifts.”
She added that she and Padmini had personally contacted the artistes and requested them to perform.
“These singers helped CINTAA. We raised ₹1 crore from these performances. So, if we spend ₹1 lakh on gifts for the artists, what’s the problem with that?”
‘I have been in the industry for 42 years’
Poonam also questioned the suggestion that she could have betrayed the organisation after spending more than four decades in the film industry.
“We have been in this industry for 42 years. Some people have been a part of it for 45 years, and some for 48 years. Do you really think that after so many years we can commit such a betrayal?”
The actress went on to reveal that she had repeatedly considered resigning from CINTAA’s Executive Committee over the past year and a half.
“I want to share something very personal with you. Many times in the last one or one and a half years, I felt like resigning from CINTAA’s executive committee and separating myself.”
Explaining why, Poonam said the ongoing conflict had made things extremely difficult for her and that almost every initiative was opposed.
“These people had made our lives very difficult. Everything was opposed. Every initiative was opposed.”
Poonam Dhillon dismissed the allegations made against her. Speaking to ANI, she had said,
The thing was that things were not going according to them. They were trying to control CINTAA members through CAWT (Cine Artists Welfare Trust). When that didn’t happen, they started making strange and serious allegations against us.
Expressing displeasure over the language of the allegations, Poonam had said,
You won’t believe how obscene the allegations were. They were so objectionable that if we wanted, we could have considered taking defamation action against every person involved. Such allegations, hurtful statements, and objectionable language were widely spread.
