Bollywood superstar Salman Khan has made a rare and emotional revelation about his long battle with Trigeminal Neuralgia—a chronic pain disorder often described as one of the most excruciating conditions known to medicine. The actor disclosed that his journey with the illness began during the filming of his 2007 hit movie Partner, in an unexpected moment involving co-star Lara Dutta.
The Moment It Began
During a recent talk show appearance, Salman recounted the exact instant he first felt the shocking pain. “I was doing Partner. Lara was there,” he explained. “She removed a strand of hair on my face, and I felt pain. I joked, ‘Wow Lara, you’re electrifying!’ That’s when it started.”
What initially seemed like a harmless joke soon spiraled into a painful, years-long struggle with Trigeminal Neuralgia (TN), also known as the suicidal disease due to its intensity.
What is Trigeminal Neuralgia?
Trigeminal Neuralgia affects the trigeminal nerve, which carries sensations from the face to the brain. It is characterized by sudden, electric-shock-like pain that can be triggered by the smallest actions—such as eating, talking, smiling, or even feeling a breeze.
For Salman, the condition escalated quickly. “The pain would strike every few minutes,” he recalled, describing how simple daily tasks became unbearable. Eating breakfast could take him more than an hour as chewing triggered waves of torment.
Years of Silent Struggle
Salman revealed that he lived with the condition for seven-and-a-half years. At first, the pain was mistaken for a dental issue, leading him to take heavy doses of painkillers—sometimes 750 mg daily—with little long-term relief.
“You would not want your biggest enemy to have that pain,” the actor admitted, emphasizing the severity of the condition and the toll it took on his life and career.
The Turning Point: Gamma Knife Surgery
Eventually, Salman underwent Gamma Knife Surgery, a non-invasive treatment that uses focused radiation beams to target affected areas of the brain.
He described the procedure in detail: “Screws were fixed on my face to guide the treatment. Doctors told me it might only reduce the pain, not remove it entirely. But I was fortunate—the pain disappeared completely after surgery.”
The treatment finally freed him from years of torment, although he continues to manage other health concerns, including an aneurysm and arteriovenous malformation.
Raising Awareness Through His Story
By openly discussing his struggle, Salman Khan has brought attention to Trigeminal Neuralgia, a condition that often leaves sufferers isolated due to its invisible yet devastating nature. His perseverance highlights not only the importance of seeking the right medical treatment but also the strength required to keep moving forward despite chronic pain.
For fans, Salman’s candidness offers both inspiration and a glimpse into the immense challenges he overcame behind the scenes while still delivering blockbuster performances on screen.
FAQs on Salman Khan’s Trigeminal Neuralgia
Q1: What is Trigeminal Neuralgia, the condition Salman Khan suffered from?
Trigeminal Neuralgia is a chronic pain disorder affecting the trigeminal nerve, causing sudden, electric shock-like facial pain triggered by touch, eating, or speaking.
Q2: When did Salman Khan’s Trigeminal Neuralgia begin?
Salman first felt the pain during the filming of Partner (2007) when Lara Dutta brushed a strand of hair from his face.
Q3: How long did Salman Khan suffer from this condition?
He endured severe pain for around seven-and-a-half years before undergoing surgery.
Q4: What treatment cured Salman Khan’s Trigeminal Neuralgia?
He underwent Gamma Knife Surgery, which surprisingly gave him complete relief from the nerve pain.
Q5: Does Salman Khan still suffer from health problems?
While his Trigeminal Neuralgia is cured, Salman has shared that he continues to live with other conditions, including an aneurysm and arteriovenous malformation.
