Legendary actor Dilip Kumar, who was admitted to a hospital here on Sunday after experiencing episodes of breathlessness, is stable and is expected to be discharged in a few days. Kumar, 98, was taken to the suburban Khar-based Hinduja Hospital.
In the morning of June 6, the official Twitter handle of Dilip Kumar, sharing the news of his hospitalisation, tweeted, “Dilip Sahab has been admitted to non-Covid PD Hinduja Hospital Khar for routine tests and investigations. He’s had episodes of breathlessness. A team of healthcare workers led by Dr Nitin Gokhale is attending to him. Please keep Sahab in your prayers and please stay safe (sic).”.
The post also included an appeal to fans and followers to stay away from speculation. ”Don’t believe in WhatsApp forwards,” it stated.
Speaking to a news daily, Dilip Kumar’s wife Saira Banu also confirmed the same. She said that the veteran actor was admitted to have some routine tests done as well as to examine why he was feeling breathless. She said, “We are having some routine tests done. We are examining why he got breathless and had a mild fever. He had been a little unwell over the past couple of days. So, we got him admitted to the non-Covid hospital. The doctors are doing X-rays, blood tests and other tests under the guidance of Dr Nitin Gokhale. We would like all of you to pray for his well-being and better health.”
Dr.Jalil Parker, who is monitoring the condition of the actor, said Kumar has been diagnosed with bilateral pleural effusion and is on oxygen support.
“He was feeling breathless, his oxygen was getting low, so he is on oxygen support. He has bilateral pleural effusion, which we are monitoring closely,” he told PTI.
According to Parker, bilateral pleural effusion refers to the collection of fluid in the thin cavity which acts as a buffer between the lung and inner chest wall.
Earlier in the day, Kumar’s wife and veteran actor Saira Banu told PTI that he was unwell.
Last year, the screen icon lost his two younger brothers — Aslam Khan (88) and Ehsan Khan (90) — due to COVID-19 .
Kumar, who made his debut with Jwar Bhata in 1944, has appeared in several iconic films in his career spanning over five decades, including Kohinoor, Mughal-e-Azam, Devdas, Naya Daur, Ram Aur Shyam, among others.
He was last seen on the big screen in ‘Qila’ in 1998.
