By Upala KBR for Mid-Day
Mumbai, Jun 27: After her debut with Lucky - No Time For Love Sneha Ullal had disappeared from the Bollywood circus.
For any upcoming actress, it's important be seen in the right places and with the right people. But Sneha was MIA. When we checked with the 19-year-old we found that she had been out of sight because of a family crisis.
For mum's sake
Her mother Usha, was diagnosed with cancer and had to undergo a major surgery. Sneha explains her disappearance from films, "It was a conscious decision. I had signed Abhishek Kapoor's Aryan opposite Sohail. And I didn't want to sign more films.
Also, my secretary mismanaged my business affairs. Everything was a big mess. Dad is working in Muscat and I had to take every decision on my own. Mom was unwell and I was taking care of her. She had already suffered from cancer three years ago and we were worried about a relapse.
They say stress can be a reason for cancer and I didn't want to stress her out with little issues. Once she fully recovers she will handle my career. My family means everything to me and I had withdrawn completely from studies and films to look after my mom. "
'No regrets'
That was quite a sacrifice. "I don't consider it to be a sacrifice and there are no regrets at all," Sneha says firmly. "At one point I felt low when I couldn't give my TY B Com exams. But my best friend said I could always continue my studies through correspondence. And that is what I am trying to do."
Speaking about her mother's illness she said, "The doctors had warned us about a relapse.
About six months ago the doctors detected a growth in the liver and advised surgery. Thankfully, it was non-malignant. I went to dargahs, temples and churches and prayed all day. We went through lots of pain and trauma that time. Mom's recovering now, but she's still not 100 per cent fit."
'Salman's a gem'
During the crisis Salman Khan and his family has been very supportive. "Salman and Sohail have always been there for me. I have never mingled with his family members. I want to clear this misunderstanding that I am close to them.
But Salman is a gem of a person and has stood beside me like a rock. Salman was the first person I called at 6.30 am, when the doctors thought my mother had a relapse. I was shattered and crying like a baby.
Salman came over and spent a couple of hours consoling me and talking to mom. He also visited mom at home just before she went for her operation. He told me if I needed any financial or other help he would be there. He called up hospitals and asked them to give us appointments."
Babe in the woods
Apparently, Salman has also been guiding her in her Bollywood career. Sneha laughs, "Yes, that's true. Coming from a non-filmi background I am like a babe in the woods.
But now Salman tells me I should learn to handle things on my own. He says, 'when will you learn?'" Sneha has just signed Ahmed and his brother Bobby Khan's next films "with a superstar".
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