Jamshedpur: They have learnt to live with pain. On Saturday, they got a reason to smile.

Around 35 children and teenagers suffering from thalassemia had an unlikely visitor brightening up their day at a medical camp at Jamshedpur Blood Bank.

Jamshedpur-born film director Imtiaz Ali, who is currently in the steel city, distributed biscuits and juice packets among those who had come to attend the check-up camp organised by Anurag Foundation, a city-based outfit working for the welfare of thalassaemia patients.

The director of Bollywood hits such as Jab We Met, which recently completed 10 years, also clicked selfies with the wide-eyed kids besides enquiring about their family, education, interests and hobbies. Imtiaz's mother Razia Ali was also present with him.

"These children are lucky to get free blood transfusion every month, thanks to Anurag Foundation. When people help others with the core of their heart, it has a great impact. I feel happy to talk to these children and teens. I hope like me, others will support this cause too," Imtiaz said.

The children were overjoyed to get the opportunity to interact with the maverick director.

"I was elated to meet the director of my all-time favourite movie Jab We Met. I clicked a picture with him that I will show to my friends. He asked me how old I am and said even he had a 16-year-old daughter," said Deepika Mardi, a class XI student of Sant Nandlal Smriti Vidya Mandir, Ghatshila, who had to undergo three blood transfusions in October. She loves to play badminton but is forced to cut down on the exertion because of the ailment.

Anil Mahato (15) from Jadugora, who was clueless about Imtiaz's celebrity stature, was happy to know about his association with actors Ranbir Kapoor and Deepika Padukone.

"It was good to click pictures with him," he said.

"These children remain in pain and live a very restricted life. The process of blood transfusion is painful and therefore we wanted to give them a reason to smile. We are so thankful that Imtiaz came and spent some time with them," Vijayalakshmi Das, president of Anurag Foundation, said.

These 35 children receive help from Anurag Foundation in blood transfusion, medicines and transportation. There are around 95 thalassaemia patients that are registered with the organisation. The outfit has been working for the welfare of thalassaemia patients since 2002.