Rohit Shetty overwhelmed at FWICE felicitation ceremony; Anupam Kher calls ‘a good human being’ – Times of India

The Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) hosted a special function to celebrate the success of ‘Sooryavanshi’ and to felicitate Rohit Shetty for the help that he extended to cine workers and other artistes during the COVID-19 pandemic and lockdowns.

At the function, an overwhelmed Rohit said, he was one of the cine workers and added, “We have worked together and will continue to work together in the future.” Rohit was on first name basis with all junior artistes, dancers and technicians, who were present at the celebration and felicitation function.

Lookalikes of Bollywood actors and members of the Dwarf Association were also present to appreciate Rohit’s timely help during COVID times. BN Tiwari, president of FWICE said, “Rohit was the first one to come out and donate money for the technicians and workers of the film industry. It was only after that, the others came forward to help the workers, whose bank account balance became decent enough to allow them to survive these tough times.”

Filmmaker Ashoke Pandit who, moderated the felicitation function, also praised Rohit and said, “Rohit’s ‘Sooryavanshi’ has chased Corona away. It is obvious from the crowds of audiences that have come out and watched his film, after nearly two years.”

‘Sooryavanshi’ was to release in March 2020 but was put on hold due to COVID. Rohit was lured by platforms to release it online, but he turned down offers and chose to release in cinemas instead. Pandit said, “It is Rohit’s conviction, patience, and talent that has paid off and ‘Sooryavanshi’ has crossed the Rs 150 crore mark. The success of his film has brought smiles to the worker’s faces, as there is hope for them that we will surely be back to the old days very soon.”

Actor Anupam Kher, who was invited to felicitate Rohit, expressed that not just workers, but the whole film industry including actors, producers and cinema owners were waiting for what Rohit Shetty had managed to achieve. Kher said, “Rohit Shetty’s name has gone down in history of cinema, but as a good human being and it will take a while for someone else to go beyond what the he has done.” Kher who is known to be witty added, “Next time, it may be my chance to be felicitated because I am getting a feeling that I may be part of Rohit’s next film.”

Rohit’s first boss, filmmaker Kuku Kohli was also present at the event. Rohit was a little overwhelmed with the felicitation and confessed that he really didn’t know what his achievement was. He added, “My only achievement is that I am sharing the stage with Kuku Kohli ji, with whom I started my career.”