Charu Khandal, animator of Shah Rukh Khan’s ‘Ra.One’, dies after four years of battle

For four long years, she had been struggling to survive. Charu Khandal, a woman of 32 years who was one of the animators for Shah Rukh Khan’s ‘Ra.One’ passed away last night.

In 2012, ‘Ra.One’ won the National Award for best effects. On March 25, Charu along with sister Ritu and close friend Vikrant Goel was out to celebrate the team’s victory while their rickshaw was hit by a speeding Honda city.

Charu suffered injuries serious head and spines, but the accident led to worse consequences. She was left paralysed.

She spent total 90 days in Mumbai’s Kokilaben hospital; out of then, 40 days were spent in ICU. She underwent multiple surgeries attempting to cure her fractures and injuries in the spinal cord.

Since the accident happened, she lost the ability to move any of her body parts, except her neck and wrists. Her dad, a private tutor in Jaipur, took a heavy loan of Rs 12 lakhs to continue with his daughter’s treatment.

“She had high fever, it was just viral. But she couldn’t fight it out because her immunity levels had gone drastically down after the accident, and they hardly rose after that,” a friend of Charu told a popular website.

At the time of crisis, Shah Rukh Khan came forward as a great help and ensured her treatment never stopped due to monetary crisis.

Such a loss of a young talent. We pray Charu’s soul rests in peace.

Ranjini Maitra

Journalist. Writer. Reader. Enthu cutlet. Mood-swing machine. Day dreamer. Sandwiched between ‘live life fully’ and ‘lose some weight’. Mantra of life: Love and love more.