Bollywood actor Sitaram Panchal, who has worked with Akshay Kumar (in Jolly LLB 2), Irrfan Khan (in Paan Singh Tomar) and several other A-listers of the industry is battling lung and kidney cancer, reported The Hindustan Times.

Sitaram has been fighting cancer for the past three years and now his condition has worsened. Speaking to HT, Sitaram’s wife confirmed his condition and said he’s been bed-ridden for the past 10 months.

“Initially, he used to work and we could make ends meet. But now, he does not even have the strength to stand up. He has lost a lot of weight. Ever since the cancer was detected in January 2014, he has taken Ayurvedic treatment. It was only recently that he started a new homeopathic medicine, following which, his condition worsened and we discontinued the medicines,” she said.

According to The Asian Age, a screen grab of a personal message from the actor recently began to float on several social media platforms. In those messages, the actor was seeking monetary help from people as he was battling with cancer. Many actors were seen sharing the message and asking more fraternity members to join hands to help him. The message had his bank details as well. 

Sitaram has also written a Facebook post seeking help from fans and well-wishers. 

“Bhaio meri help karo meri cancer se halat kharab hoti ja rahi hai apka kalakar bhai sitaram panchal,” he wrote on Monday.

 The Facebook page for Cine & TV Artistes Association (CINTAA) also posted late Sunday about Sitaram’s condition, seeking help from well wishers.

Filmmaker Ashwini Chaudhary, who is also the General Secretary IFTDA ( Indian Film And Television Directors Association), asked Amit Behl and Sushant Singh of CINTAA (Cine and TV Artistes’ Association) to help Panchal

“We have received donations of Rs 5,000 and Rs 10,000 but are yet to get a really big amount from any noted actor. Our medical expenses aren’t much because we have opted for Ayurveda treatment but because my husband hasn’t be able to work for last year or so, there’s hardly any money to run the house,” said Sitaram’s wife Uma Panchal.

(Feature Image Source: Facebook)