Filmmaker with ‘schizophrenia’ lives rough at Navi Mumbai station

NAVI MUMBAI: The loud construction activities at Vashi railway station seem to have almost no effect on her as she sits there staring into space. Clad in black jeans and a grey top, the woman, who is fluent in English, has been living rough outside the station.
The woman who calls herself Sanjana Kumari says she suffers from schizophrenia.“I am a qualified filmmaker. I have also made a film on the topic `vegetables'; however, due to some personal reasons I lost all my money, and live on the streets now. Some kind roadside hawkers give me vada-pav for free every day,'' she told a group of social workers on Friday when they tried to talk to her into shifting at a shelter home.
Social activist Kalpana Chhatre who too reached out to the woman told TOI: “She thanked me for the concern, but did not want to live in a shelter home. She kept repeating that she is a talented filmmaker who happens to know celebs like Aamir Khan, Chetan Bhagat, Deepika Padukone; but she does not want to reveal her family details.”
When TOI spoke to her, she merely said: “I am 43 years old, and earlier used to work as a filmmaker. I will stop living like this (as a homeless) if I can get a decent job.” When activist Rohit Malhotra tried to explain to her that she cannot get a job without a certified address proof, she said: “That is the main problem, we don’t appreciate good talent. But, I am fine here. I get free food, and access to the toilets at the station.’’