Legendary screenwriter Salim Khan, the patriarch of the Khan family and the creative force behind some of Bollywood’s most iconic scripts, remains under close observation at Lilavati Hospital. In a detailed medical update provided on Wednesday, doctors confirmed that the 90-year-old icon is stable and recovering well following a minor health scare involving high blood pressure and a minor brain hemorrhage.
While initial reports sparked concern among fans and the film fraternity, the medical team at the Bandra-based facility has moved quickly to quell rumours, emphasizing that the situation is being managed with precision and that no invasive surgery is required.
Salim Khan was rushed to the hospital early Tuesday morning after experiencing a sudden decline in his health. Attending physicians, led by noted pulmonologist Dr. Jalil Parkar, identified that the veteran writer was suffering from significantly high blood pressure, which subsequently led to a minor hemorrhage.
Unlike more severe cases that require immediate neurosurgery, doctors determined that this specific hemorrhage could be managed through medical intervention rather than a surgical procedure. “We tackled the hemorrhage effectively without the need for surgery,” Dr. Parkar stated, providing a major sigh of relief to the family and well-wishers.
As part of the diagnostic and therapeutic roadmap, the medical team performed a Digital Subtraction Angiography (DSA) earlier today. This advanced imaging technique allows doctors to view the blood vessels in the brain with extreme clarity by digitally “subtracting” surrounding structures like bone and soft tissue from the X-ray images.
The procedure was overseen by a multidisciplinary team, including neurosurgeon Dr. Nitin Dange. The success of the DSA has allowed doctors to rule out more complex vascular issues, confirming that the current line of treatment is sufficient for his recovery.
One of the most discussed aspects of Salim Khan’s hospitalization has been the use of ventilator support. Doctors were quick to clarify that the ventilator was not a sign of a “critical” or “life-threatening” state. Instead, they utilized it as a precautionary backup to ensure his safety during the high-stress investigations, such as MRI and CT scans, especially given his age.
“The ventilator was put as a safeguard so that his condition doesn’t worsen during the necessary investigations. It was not because he was in a critical condition as some reports suggested,” clarified Dr. Jalil Parkar.
This preventive approach is common in geriatric care, where maintaining stable oxygen levels and blood pressure during complex diagnostic tests is paramount.
The medical bulletin concludes on a very positive note. Given that his vitals have stabilized and the DSA was successful, the team plans to wean him off the ventilator support by tomorrow, Thursday.
Salman Khan, who has been a constant presence at the hospital alongside brothers Arbaaz and Sohail, is reportedly relieved by the progress. The family has requested privacy but expressed deep gratitude for the outpouring of love from fans.
Salim Khan celebrated his 90th birthday in November last year, a milestone that saw the entire industry paying tribute to the man who redefined the “Angry Young Man” trope in Indian cinema. Alongside Javed Akhtar, he penned classics like Sholay, Deewaar, and Zanjeer.
His current health battle is being viewed with the same respect as his professional journey—marked by grit and a refusal to give in. At 90, his body’s positive response to the non-surgical treatment is a testament to his overall health and the swift action taken by his family and physicians.
