Charu Khandal, the 28 year old who led the team of animators involved with Shah Rukh Khan's Ra.One, is presently in a coma after the auto rickshaw she was commuting in was hit was by a Honda City. Blood test of the driver of the car, Manoj Netrapal alias Gautama, showed that he was in inebriated state when he rammed his vehicle into Khandal's auto. He was booked for rash and negligent driving, though he is already out on bail.
Khandal was returning to her home with her sister Ritu and friend Vikrant Goel at 1 am in Oshiwara, Mumbai when the accident occurred. She had hosted a party for close associates to commemorate her success on Saturday, as she had been awarded the prestigious National Award for Special Effects for the movie Ra.One. All three victims of the accident were admitted to a private hospital immediately after sustaining grievous injuries. While her sister escaped the incident with minor injuries, Goel was severely injured and was kept under medical observation.
The noted animator suffered critical injuries in the head, along with multiple fractures on the leg and spine and her condition is said to be quite serious. According to doctors, Khandal, who is already fighting for her life, will remain permanently handicapped if she gets through this unfortunate stage. Reportedly, swelling in the victim's spinal cord was not allowing doctors to carry out the requisite surgery.
Everyone in Bollywood is concerned about her situation; the director of Ra.One Anubhav Sinha expressed grief over the incident.
