New Delhi, The show must go on - that's possibly the mantra for Bollywood's ailing stars like Shah Rukh Khan, Amitabh Bachchan, Saif Ali Khan and Hrithik Roshan who, despite their injuries and health problems, continue to spin magic on screen.
Not
once would the audience believe that Shah Rukh was suffering
excruciating pain in his left shoulder when he would have shot for the
song "Mar jaani" in recently released "Billu", for his moves are so
perfect in the song.
Just two weeks before his arthroscopic
shoulder surgery was successfully conducted in Mumbai Monday, Shah Rukh
had said that the pain is so bad that he can't hug anyone "hard
enough". At that time he was busy promoting "Billu", one of the reasons
his surgery was delayed.
In the past as well, Shah Rukh has
had his share of injuries and accidents. In 2003, he underwent a spinal
operation in London and he has also been operated upon for his knee.
But he never let these become a hindrance in his career.
Even
Hrithik's effortless daredevilry in the battle sequences of Ashutosh
Gowariker's period romance "Jodhaa Akbar" weren't indicative of the
pain he was going through thanks to a knee trouble that cropped up
after his stunts in "Krrish" and "Dhoom 2".
The 35-year-old
actor had torn a ligament in his right knee and continued working
despite the pain. In December 2007, after wrapping up "Jodhaa-Akbar",
he went to Singapore for a six-week treatment.
After the birth
of his second son in May last year, he went in for a knee surgery in
the US, but soon after his return Hrithik shot for the title song of
"Krazzy 4".
He hurt his knee again while doing a dangerous car stunt for home production "Kites" in Las Vegas.
Though doctors advised him eight weeks' rest, the brawny actor was about and running just three days after the accident.
Commenting
on his knee problem, a source close to Hrithik had told IANS: "It's a
fact that Hrithik's knee is a cause for great concern for him and his
entire family. The doctors told him that he would never dance again.
"After
his second son was born (May 1, 2008), Hrithik went for surgery to the
US and spent nearly two months recovering. He was determined to let it
heal properly because 'Kites' requires considerable athletic movement.
Hrithik didn't take one wrong step until he left to shoot 'Kites' in
the US and suffered another injury."
Another actor synonymous
with multiple hospital visits is Saif Ali Khan, who was last admitted
to hospital towards the end of 2008 following pain in his abdomen due
to a stomach infection.
In 2006, Saif had undergone surgery in
the Malaysian capital of Kuala Lumpur. He had complained of pain in the
abdomen then too and doctors had diagnosed it as appendicitis. The
38-year-old actor had also suffered a mild heart attack in 2007,
forcing him to change his lifestyle and quit smoking.
While
discussing the health of these young actors, one mustn't forget
megastar Amitabh Bachchan, who had a near fatal accident when he was in
his prime. The veteran was first injured in 1982 while shooting a fight
sequence for his hit film "Coolie".
After that, the Big B has
paid several visits to hospitals - the latest instance being his
birthday in October last year. He was admitted to the Lilavati Hospital
in Mumbai after he complained of severe abdominal pain.
Though
these stars are bound by a string of health problems, the common trait
among them is to work relentlessly. It is their never-say-die spirit
that keeps them going and thousands of cine fans entertained year after
year.