Bollywood actor Sonu Sood has become a saviour for thousands of migrants stranded with no savings amid the coronavirus pandemic. The actor has been arranging buses and even flights for them to return home. The Simmba star was also riddled in controversy, after notice was issued to him over purportedly illegal additions and alterations made to his Shakti Sagar building at Juhu, and illegal conversion of the building into a residential hotel. BMC had issued the notice, calling upon the actor, who owns the ground-plus-six storey structure, to either remove all unauthorised additions and alterations and restore the building to its original condition, or apply under section 44 of the Maharashtra Regional and Town Planning Act, 1966 for retention of the additions and alterations.
Besides, the civic body had also called upon the actor to stop using tenements in the building for commercial purpose – a residential hotel and of the shops as restaurants, alleging that the change of user was without appropriate permissions. Now speaking on the entire issue, at the Lokmat Maharashtrian of the Year’ 2020 Awards, Sonu said, "The hotel was built 22 years ago by the actual buyers of the property, I have not even changed a window pane, but if there is an error on my part I am ready to rectify the mistake." When quizzed on his interaction with Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray, the actor said, it was special meeting and the meeting was fruitful. Continuing further he said, "Aditya and the entire Thackeray family are the most genuine and humble people I have come across." The actor also applauded the MVA govt on the great work that they have done so far amid the COVOD-19 pandemic.