Salman Khan Opens Up on Trigeminal Neuralgia: From Lara Dutta’s Hair to 8-Hour Surgery Battle

Salman Khan’s First Encounter with Trigeminal Neuralgia

Bollywood superstar Salman Khan revealed that he first experienced the excruciating pain of trigeminal neuralgia in 2007, on the sets of his film Partner. The moment occurred when co-star Lara Dutta removed a strand of hair from his face. Laughing at the memory, Salman said:

“I said, ‘Wow Lara, you’re electrifying!’ That’s when it started.”

This seemingly small incident marked the beginning of a painful journey that would last seven-and-a-half years.

Living With Unbearable Pain

Salman opened up about how the disorder affected his everyday life.

• Pain struck every four to five minutes, often suddenly while talking.
• Eating breakfast could take over an hour, and even simple meals like an omelette became a struggle.
• High-dose painkillers (750 mg daily) offered minimal relief, though a drink sometimes helped slightly.

“You wouldn’t want your biggest enemy to have that pain,” Salman said, describing the intensity of trigeminal neuralgia.

Misdiagnosis and Understanding the Condition

Initially, doctors thought Salman’s discomfort was due to a dental issue. However, when they noticed the pain worsening in certain conditions, it was confirmed to be trigeminal neuralgia.

What is Trigeminal Neuralgia?

• A chronic nerve disorder affecting the trigeminal nerve, which sends facial sensations to the brain.
• Causes sudden, electric shock-like pain in the face.
• Triggers include eating, brushing teeth, talking, or even a light breeze.
• Sometimes referred to as the “suicidal disease” due to extreme pain.

Eight-Hour Gamma Knife Surgery

To finally overcome the condition, Salman underwent a gamma knife surgery in 2011.

“They fix screws on your face for seven to eight hours, lie you down, and operate with the gamma knife… After the surgery, I was told the pain might reduce by 20-30 percent, but luckily it went away completely,” he shared.

Even after the surgery, Salman continues to manage other health challenges, including an aneurysm and arteriovenous malformation in the brain, while maintaining his professional commitments.

Raising Awareness About Trigeminal Neuralgia

Salman Khan emphasized the importance of awareness:

“It is called the suicidal disease because the highest number of suicides happen due to this condition. I shared my story so people know it’s treatable.”

Current Work and Inspiration

Despite years of unbearable pain, Salman continues to work actively in Bollywood. He is currently shooting for his upcoming war drama, Battle of Galwan, a cinematic tribute to the 2020 Galwan Valley clash.

His resilience, dedication, and openness about his health struggles continue to inspire fans worldwide.