Dilip Kumar discharged from hospital

Actor spent a week in treatment for breathlessness

Veteran actor Dilip Kumar, 98, is being discharged from the hospital after undergoing treatment for almost a week, his family friend Faisal Farooqui told Hindustan Times on Friday. He was admitted to the PD Hinduja Hospital in Mumbai last Sunday upon complaining of breathlessness.

Farooqui, posting from Kumar’s official Twitter handle, wrote, “With your love and affection, and your prayers, Dilip sahab is going home from the hospital. God's infinite mercy and kindness through Dr Gokhale, Dr Parkar, Dr Arun Shah and the entire team at Hinduja Khar.”

Earlier this week, the actor was diagnosed with bilateral pleural effusion and was put on oxygen support. However, he did not need a ventilator and was not in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), according to Dr Jalil Parkar, who was attending to him. On Wednesday, a pleural aspiration procedure was successfully performed on him, Farooqui informed fans in another tweet.

On Monday, Kumar’s wife, actor Saira Banu, shared a picture with him from the hospital. She also gave fans a quick update on his health and urged them to not fall prey to rumours. “For the past few days, my beloved husband has been unwell and recuperating at a hospital in Mumbai. Through this note, I want to thank all of you for keeping him in your prayers and for all the love and affection,” she wrote.

“My husband, my Kohinoor, Dilip Kumar sahab’s health is stable and the doctors have assured me that he should be discharged soon. I urge you to not believe in rumours. While I ask you to pray for sahab, I am praying that the Almighty keep all of you safe and healthy during this pandemic. Sincerely, Saira Banu Khan.”

Kumar (real name Yousuf Khan) lost his brothers, Aslam and Ahsan Khan to Covid-19 last year. He and Banu did not celebrate their anniversary and his birthday last year due to the deaths in the family.