“Our star artists can do a lot if they want to, but…” -Johnny Lever

The dream of film artists organization 'Cine and TV Artist Association (CINTAA)' of its own 'CINTAA Tower' has now come true. But actor and comedian Johnny Lever has also made a huge contribution to this. But Johnny Lever believes in doing such good work that even the left-hand does not get a clue about the good work done by the right hand. He was present at the inauguration of 'Cinta Tower' and he spoke openly.

How do you view the circumstances that CINTAA faced in the past and the present situation?

-There was a time when our artists used to help each other wholeheartedly. Late Chandrasekhar ji had told us a lot in this regard. Whatever actor Sajjan Kumar himself earned by acting in plays, that amount was sent to 'Cinta'. These were the early days of 'CINTAA'. It is because of such artists who work selflessly that 'CINTAA' is standing strong today. Earlier, CINTAA did not have any money, then how could CINTAA help the artists? At that time, some artists thought that CINTAA did not have money, but the artists kept facing troubles, so how could they be helped? So, first of all, Amjad Khan Saheb worked hard to bring money to 'CINTAA'.  After the death of Amjad Khan, Mithun Chakraborty came forward. Mithun Chakraborty proposed to us to do a show. Mithun Chakraborty took all of us artists too many countries including America, London, and Japan. We did show there. We got two crore rupees. This amount was given to 'Cinta', which was deposited in the bank as a fixed deposit, and with the interest it was getting, it started helping the artists. 'Cinta' also did the work of giving pensions to the old artists. Gradually, the members of 'CINTAA' also increased. Money started coming to CINTAA. But we continued the work of collecting money by taxes. Today 'CINTAA' has its own tower and 'power' as well.

But even today, no artist is safe. They do not even have the facility to get a pension or treatment. Is Cinta going to do anything for this?

- Of course 'CINTAA' is also taking some steps in this direction. It is doing whatever it can on the strength of the power it has. Whatever money is there in CINTAA, does not belong to me or any executive member. The money that is there in CINTAA belongs to the artists and is for their help only. CINTAA helps every artist as per its budget. Many times we artists also help needy artists by contributing. This process is never going to stop. It will continue.

Do Bollywood stars help or what should they do?

-See, the star actors of earlier times also helped a lot. But our current star actors can do a lot if they want to. But if they were helping, then why we would have to travel across the country and abroad to do charity shows? Why was it necessary? Still, we are in trouble. Our small Bollywood artists are always ready to help. There are many artists in Bollywood who hardly get a chance to do one or two shows or films in six months. For such artists, all of us and 'CINTAA' are also working.

What are the future challenges facing CINTAA?

- There are a lot of problems for the artists. 'CINTAA' has a huge responsibility of its own and there are many challenges. We believe in working on them instead of counting them. CINTAA is trying to find a solution to the problems of the artists. We don’t take the CINTAA money home. It should only help the needy artists.

Recently an artist told me that you have made a big contribution to the journey of building 'Cinta Tower'.

-Our thinking is that the work done with one hand should not be known to the other hand. It is good if people are saying it. But we do not want to say anything. We are just enjoying ourselves.

- Shantiswarup Tripathi