Taking up cudgels for actors and artistes driven to penury in their twilight, famous cinestar Hema Malini today urged the Government to set up a special fund to care for them.

Citing the case of late actor Bharat Bhushan and the suffering of the famous danseuse Askari Bai, Malini said "once they ruled the hearts of millions, but in their own twilight, they had to suffer in total anonymity".

"They were showered with the nation's highest awards in their prime in recognition of their talent," the BJP member noted making her first ever speech on the general budget in Rajya Sabha and quipped "do they not deserve some help in their distress?" Appealing to Finance Minister P Chidambaram, who was present in the House, Malini said "please make provision for a special fund for them".

She said such a fund would provide artistes in their twilight means for reasonable pension, accommodation and medical facilities.

Malini brought to the notice of the House, action initiated by the Agriculture Minister and BCCI President Sharad Pawar to provide a Rs 25,000 pension for former cricketers and their widows.