In a rare moment of candor on national television, Bollywood actor Salman Khan revealed that he has been silently battling a trio of serious neurological and vascular conditions—trigeminal neuralgia, a brain aneurysm, and arteriovenous malformation (AVM)—while continuing to work on physically demanding film projects.
The disclosure came during Khan’s appearance on The Great Indian Kapil Show, where the actor discussed his ongoing health battle, his resilience, and how he has continued to perform high-octane action sequences despite debilitating pain and medical risks.
A Silent Battle with Pain
Khan first underwent surgery in 2011 for trigeminal neuralgia, a chronic condition known to cause extreme facial pain. Often referred to as the “suicide disease” due to the intensity of the pain it causes, the condition still affects Khan over a decade later. “It’s still there,” he admitted, acknowledging the unpredictable waves of discomfort that return despite treatment.
Adding to the complexity of his medical condition, Khan revealed he also has a brain aneurysm, a potentially life-threatening bulge in a blood vessel, and AVM, an abnormal tangle of blood vessels in the brain that disrupts normal blood flow and can lead to hemorrhage. Both conditions are rare and can remain undetected until a sudden rupture.
Defying the Odds On and Off Screen
Despite his diagnoses, Khan has not allowed his health to interfere with his professional commitments. He continues to perform action scenes, some involving physical stunts, all while coping with intermittent rib fractures and chronic pain. “Even when my ribs were broken, I kept working,” he said during the show, drawing applause from the audience and concern from medical professionals.
Doctors say that managing all three conditions simultaneously requires close monitoring, lifestyle adjustments, and, in some cases, surgical intervention. “What Salman Khan is dealing with is medically complex,” said a senior neurologist at Mumbai’s Lilavati Hospital. “It is remarkable he has maintained such an active schedule.”
Raising Awareness Through Celebrity Courage
Medical experts and patient advocacy groups have praised Khan’s decision to go public. They believe his openness could help bring awareness to neurological disorders that are often underdiagnosed or misunderstood. “Trigeminal neuralgia, aneurysms, and AVMs are rarely discussed in public. When someone of Khan’s stature talks about them, it could prompt early diagnosis for others,” noted Dr. Shalini Desai, a neurosurgeon at AIIMS Delhi.
The conditions Khan has disclosed require lifelong management, regular imaging scans, and a multidisciplinary care approach. Depending on severity, treatments can include microvascular decompression, Gamma Knife radiosurgery, and endovascular coiling or clipping for aneurysms.
A Star’s Vulnerability Inspires a Broader Conversation
Salman Khan’s revelation is more than just a personal health update—it’s a powerful reminder of human fragility behind the celebrity façade. His story now adds to a growing conversation around mental health, chronic pain, and invisible illnesses in high-performance professions.
As fans express both admiration and concern, medical professionals hope the moment encourages others suffering silently to seek help—and perhaps even feel less alone.
