Actor Sonu Sood has responded to criticism over his visit to flood-ravaged Nepal after a journalist questioned whether his relief efforts were merely a "marketing" exercise. Sood, who travelled to Nepal to assist with flood relief, invited the journalist to join him on the ground and work alongside him to help those affected by the disaster.
The exchange began when the journalist criticised the attention surrounding Sood's visit. Sharing his views on X, he wrote, "If this isn’t Sonu Sood’s marketing, if not, then what is it? Just arrived in Nepal and has become the 'guardian' of the children there. Haven’t even started the work, and the marketing to turn him into a god has already kicked off (sic)."
The 53-year-old actor responded calmly, addressing the journalist as "brother" and inviting him to participate in the relief work.
"You are a good person, brother! Come to Nepal, both brothers will work together (sic)," Sood wrote.
The Fateh actor has since been posting updates from the flood-hit areas. On Thursday, he shared a video on X showing himself surveying areas affected by the floods. He highlighted the scale of the destruction and said the damage had reached buildings as high as four storeys.
In another post, Sood shared photographs from the Trishuli River and described the devastation caused by the floods.
"Standing here today at the Trishuli River, where the floods have left behind unimaginable loss..broken homes, broken families, and lives changed forever. Nepal is not alone. I stand with its people, and I will do everything I can to bring hope, rebuild homes, and help families begin again (sic)," he wrote.
Speaking to ANI on Wednesday, Sood said his priority was to reach flood victims, understand their needs and provide assistance. He said relief supplies, including blankets and food, had been brought from India.
"We are here to meet the victims of the flood. We got lots of stuff from India. We just want to be with the people who are in need and will try to bring their lives back (on track), I think it’s everyone’s duty to do their part," he said.
Sood also stressed that relief efforts would have to continue well beyond the immediate aftermath of the disaster. While acknowledging the difficulties involved in transporting aid from India to Nepal, he said his team would continue sending supplies over the coming months.
Sood's visit comes as Nepal continues to deal with the devastating consequences of the floods that struck the country on August 26. The flash floods began in Rasuwa district before sweeping through the Bhote Koshi and Trishuli river corridors and affecting several downstream areas.
According to the latest update from Nepal's National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority on Thursday, the death toll had reached 1,259, while around 4,216 people remained missing or out of contact.
The rescue operation remains on a massive scale. So far, 11,993 people have been rescued and 5,135 injured individuals have received medical treatment. Among them, 301 were treated in hospitals, while the Nepali Army and Armed Police Force provided medical assistance to 3,206 and 1,628 people respectively.
