Shatrughan Sinha out of ICU after bypass surgery

Mumbai: Veteran actor and BJP leader Shatrughan Sinha, who underwent a bypass surgery at a city hospital here, was today taken out of the ICU and shifted to a room where he is expected to stay for some more days.

“Sinha has been shifted out from the ICU (Intensive Care Unit) to a hospital room this morning,” Pahlaj Nihlani, film-maker and a relative of Sinha, told PTI.

The 66-year-old actor-turned-politician was last Monday operated upon at Kokilaben hospital in suburban Andheri.

“He is fine now,” said Nihlani, who is a cousin of Sinha’s wife Poonam and regularly visits the actor in hospital.

He also said that on doctors advise Sinha would stay in the hospital for two to four more days.

Shotgun Sinha, as he is popularly known, was taken to the hospital on 2 July after he had complained of breathlessness  due to some paint work at his residence “Ramayan”, which has been renovated.

During investigations blockages were discovered in the coronary arteries. Based on medical advice Sinha underwent bypass surgery, Kokilaben hospital COO Dr Ram Narain said.

Besides his wife, his “Dabbang” famed daughter Sonakshi, twin sons Luv and Kush are looking after him. His elder brothers Lakhan Sinha and Bharat Sinha, who are doctors, are also keeping a close watch on his medical condition.

Nihlani also said that after hearing about the demise of fellow Bollywood colleague Rajesh Khanna, Sinha felt saddened and expressed his condolences to the bereaved family.

“It (Khanna’s death) is an irreparable loss for the industry and his fans. He has been a lifetime film star who cannot be replaced”, Sinha said from the hospital.

Sinha worked with Khanna in a number of films, including “Dost Dushman”, “Dil-e-Nadan” and “Pappi pet ka sawal”.

Sinha made his Bollywood debut in 1969 with ‘Sajan’ and has acted in over 200 Hindi films, besides being a part of some Bengali and Punjabi movies.

Known for his powerful dialogues, some of his famous Hindi films include ‘Kalicharan’, ‘Vishwanath’, ‘Blackmail’, ‘Dostana’, ‘Shaan’ and ‘Kala Patthar’.

Later, he ventured into politics and is currently BJP’s Lok Sabha member from Patna Sahib in Bihar.

PTI