The Bollywood Medical Files

Currently recuperating in New Jersey,Khan went public about “the suicide disease” on Zee TV’s show Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Little Champs. He admitted that the pain started in 2007 and over the years,became so bad that he was unable to chew food or even talk. His openness resulted in awareness about the disorder with the media asking “Do you have Salman’s disease?”

Enter the Bollywood sick files. Shah Rukh Khan has had complicated back surgeries and Rajinikanth battled a kidney ailment. As work schedules reach hyper levels and constant travel,staggered diets and work stress play havoc with routines,the hurt list of Bollywood is growing. At the same time,their willingness to share personal health details create a mass empathy. VJ,cricket anchor and budding actor,Gaurav Kapur,diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes when he was 23,now navigates his celebrity to create awareness about the disease. “I want to help children to come to terms with it and not lose their confidence,” says Kapur,who has announced a Diabetes Survivor award with an NGO.

Actress Lisa Ray bravely blogged about her battle with multiple myeloma,a life-threatening cancer. Since then,the self-confessed “cancer graduate” has become a champion of stem cell research. Her twitter page enumerates the benefits of stem cell transplantation,which saved her life.

B -town flower girls,Sonam Kapoor and Sonakshi Sinha,have openly spoken about their battle with the bulge. In fact,Sinha reiterates that a major reason she connects with fans on twitter is because they ask her for guidance on losing weight. “I’m happy to share my knowledge. My fans tells me I give them hope and encouragement. As known faces,if we can influence people in a positive manner then why not,” she says.

Experts agree. Clinical psychologist Seema Hingorany feels when celebrities speak about health or personal issues,they create instant awareness. “Everyone knows about tennis elbow because of Sachin Tendulkar. It makes common people more hopeful of overcoming their shortcomings. After all,India thrives on celeb culture,” she says.

Sometimes the battles are deeply personal. During the promotion of Yamla Pagla Deewana in Chandigarh,veteran film star Dharmendra openly recounted his 15-year-old alcohol addiction. He confessed that writing gave him the will to kick the bottle and fight withdrawal depression.

Confessions like these make celebs role models in the true spirit. Saif Ali Khan,who got a major heart scare a few years ago,makes it a point to mention that he’s trying hard to give up smoking. “I have not really started smoking again. If I drink some wine,I take a drag or two from someone’s cigarette. My daughter doesn’t like it,” he admits.

Leading IVF specialist,Firuza Parikh,also known as director Farah Khan’s doctor during Khan’s treatment before her triplets were born feels,information is better than grapevine. “When Farah was admitted to Jaslok Hospital,she had hundreds of well wishers who would wait in the hospital or call us for daily updates,” she says. “It is sensible to be open about issues,provided boundaries are maintained. Iconic figures can make a big impact on the health of a nation,” she says,adding that we have come a long way from the days of shrouded secrecy.