Tovino Thomas Helps Fund Late Actor Harish Pengan’s Liver Transplant Surgery

Harish’s friend and director Manoj K. Varghese said that Tovino Thomas had helped the late actor Harish Pengan’s liver transplant surgery by paying a huge amount. “Tovino had sent the money within ten minutes of knowing about Harish’s illness and told him to let us know if the need arose. After his sister agreed to donate his liver, the necessary treatments to save Harish were started, but his health condition deteriorated and he succumbed to death. A little boy sending seven rupees for Harish will never be forgotten. Harish Pengan, the embodiment of love, is passing away by thwarting the love and prayers of many people including his family and friends” – Manoj K. Varghese said.

Harish is my neighbor and close friend. We have a relationship since childhood. Harish felt abdominal pain when he went to dubbing for a film. There was some disturbance related to the pancreas in the past. He was treated at Amrita then, that’s why he went to Amrita this time too. Harish was admitted for further tests. But the next day the BP dropped suddenly and I could not even breathe. A scan revealed an infection in the entire small intestine with ammonia in the blood. The scan revealed that three-quarters of the liver was destroyed. The doctors said that liver transplant is the only option. Harish’s twin sister Sreeja is ready to donate her liver. Tests revealed it would be a match, and the procedure for a liver transplant was proceeding.

The surgery and other treatment of the liver donor and recipient will cost around 40 lakh rupees. Later it was an attempt to find out. When I conveyed the information to Avala Babu, he said that there was technical difficulty to help as he was not a member of ‘Amma’. But many people posted and helped me find the money. Harish’s health was deteriorating as he proceeded with the steps to get the liver transplant done as soon as possible. Two days ago he suddenly developed internal bleeding. Tests found the source of the bleeding and stopped it, but the next spot the bleeding started again. Blood was given when hemoglobin dropped to dangerous levels. But the hemoglobin level did not increase. By yesterday the situation had worsened and he was leaving us. All efforts were made to revive him.

Harish used to say that for the first time he got paid from the film from me. The production boy had an inconvenience while I was doing a commercial. I said to Harish, ‘There is no production boy, nothing is arranged for food, what to do’, he said, ‘Don’t worry bro, I have someone. I’ll fix it’. Harish owned a small hotel. The next day, Harish came to the set with some utensils. Harish himself later worked as a production boy and looked after all the food matters. It started from there. Harish, who was interested in acting, used to participate in local plays. He got a break from the role of ‘Pengan’ in the serial Kayamkulam Kochunni. That is how the name Harish Pengan came about. Got a lot of good characters and a lot of them are half way. Harish returns with many good characters.

Actor Tovino Thomas had sent a very good number when he was informed of his illness. I cannot thank him enough. After telling him the matter, he sent the money within ten minutes and told him to let me know if there is any need. A few friends and technicians who were close to Harish helped. Many people have said that they can help.

One day I looked and someone has sent 7 rupees. After a while, a phone call came. After seeing the news about Harish in Manorama, a little boy told him to send 7 rupees as soon as possible. The father said to the boy, ‘I am sending the money elsewhere. The boy said, “Father, send me another one. I must send these seven rupees to me.” Those seven rupees were sent by his father on his insistence. He called me and said sorry for sending 7 rupees. When I heard the story, I said this is not seven rupees, we cannot appreciate the value of this money, these seven rupees are the love and prayers of that child. That’s how love flowed for Harish. But that love and prayer failed.

About seventeen lakh rupees have been spent on Harish so far. The family will soon release the full account of the financial assistance received by Harish and the amount spent, including the bank statement. After taking money for Harish, the liver transplant did not take place, don’t listen to the accusation that the money was stolen. Harish’s body will be cremated at 2 pm today,” said Manoj K Varghese.