Updated on: 29 September, 2026 12:08 PM IST |Kavya Agarwal
They entertained millions, commanded the screen and seemed to have their lives under control. Until a sudden heart scare changed everything. Some of Indias most recognisable celebrities have experienced heart attacks, angioplasty, bypass surgery or other serious cardiac emergencies, sending shockwaves through the industry and their fan communities. This World Heart Day 2026, discover the celebrities who faced one of lifes most frightening medical emergencies and came out stronger on the other side.
Shreyas Talpade
Shreyas Talpade is an Indian actor, film director and producer who appears in Hindi and Marathi films. He has appeared in several critically and commercially successful films. He suffered a sudden cardiac arrest in December 2023 after wrapping up a film shoot in Mumbai. He was rushed to the hospital and successfully revived. He opened up about his near-fatal heart attack on December 14, 2023, revealing that he was "clinically dead" for about 10 minutes before being revived.
Shreyas Talpade is an Indian actor, film director and producer who appears in Hindi and Marathi films. He has appeared in several critically and commercially successful films. He suffered a sudden cardiac arrest in December 2023 after wrapping up a film shoot in Mumbai. He was rushed to the hospital and successfully revived. He opened up about his near-fatal heart attack on December 14, 2023, revealing that he was "clinically dead" for about 10 minutes before being revived.
Sushmita Sen
Sushmita Sen is an Indian actress and beauty pageant titleholder, who was crowned Miss Universe 1994, becoming the first Indian woman to win the Miss Universe title. She suffered a major heart attack in February 2023 during the shoot of Aarya 3. She had a 95% blockage in a main artery and underwent an angioplasty with a stent placed. Sushmita described the 45 minutes of the attack as the longest and toughest of her life, initially thinking her story had come to an end. Displaying her characteristic resilience, she refused anesthesia and stayed fully conscious during her angioplasty procedure because she disliked the idea of losing consciousness. Despite maintaining an active lifestyle and getting clean echo reports just six months prior, she noted that the condition was largely genetic, as both her parents have heart issues.
Sushmita Sen is an Indian actress and beauty pageant titleholder, who was crowned Miss Universe 1994, becoming the first Indian woman to win the Miss Universe title. She suffered a major heart attack in February 2023 during the shoot of Aarya 3. She had a 95% blockage in a main artery and underwent an angioplasty with a stent placed. Sushmita described the 45 minutes of the attack as the longest and toughest of her life, initially thinking her story had come to an end. Displaying her characteristic resilience, she refused anesthesia and stayed fully conscious during her angioplasty procedure because she disliked the idea of losing consciousness. Despite maintaining an active lifestyle and getting clean echo reports just six months prior, she noted that the condition was largely genetic, as both her parents have heart issues.
Sunil Grover
Sunil Grover is an Indian actor and comedian who works in Hindi and Punjabi language films and television. He came into limelight for his portrayal as Gutthi on television show Comedy Nights with Kapil but gained popularity for playing the role of Dr. Mashoor Gulati, Rinku Devi and Pidu on The Kapil Sharma Show. He suffered a heart attack in early 2022 and underwent four successful bypass surgeries at Mumbai's Asian Heart Institute. He shared that the initial 1 to 2 months post-surgery were mentally very tough, leaving him with a clouded mind and doubts about whether he would bounce back. He noted feeling an overwhelming sense of gratitude and humility immediately following the operation, stating that it renewed his appreciation for breathing, working, and being back on set.
Sunil Grover is an Indian actor and comedian who works in Hindi and Punjabi language films and television. He came into limelight for his portrayal as Gutthi on television show Comedy Nights with Kapil but gained popularity for playing the role of Dr. Mashoor Gulati, Rinku Devi and Pidu on The Kapil Sharma Show. He suffered a heart attack in early 2022 and underwent four successful bypass surgeries at Mumbai's Asian Heart Institute. He shared that the initial 1 to 2 months post-surgery were mentally very tough, leaving him with a clouded mind and doubts about whether he would bounce back. He noted feeling an overwhelming sense of gratitude and humility immediately following the operation, stating that it renewed his appreciation for breathing, working, and being back on set.
Saif Ali Khan
Saif Ali Khan is an Indian actor and film producer who primarily works in Hindi films. The titular head of the Pataudi family since 2011, he is the son of actress Sharmila Tagore and cricketer Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi. He experienced a mild heart attack in 2007 at age 36 and was treated at Lilavati Hospital in Mumbai. Doctors performed an ECG and an angiogram, keeping him under observation in the ICU before confirming he was stable and recovering from exhaustion and the effects of a high-pressure lifestyle. Saif opened up about the wake-up call, stating that the health scare made him realize he needed to respect his body as he aged. He remarked that habits like smoking and drinking become repetitive and boring, and expressed how much better it feels to wake up feeling healthy, alert, and clear-headed.
Saif Ali Khan is an Indian actor and film producer who primarily works in Hindi films. The titular head of the Pataudi family since 2011, he is the son of actress Sharmila Tagore and cricketer Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi. He experienced a mild heart attack in 2007 at age 36 and was treated at Lilavati Hospital in Mumbai. Doctors performed an ECG and an angiogram, keeping him under observation in the ICU before confirming he was stable and recovering from exhaustion and the effects of a high-pressure lifestyle. Saif opened up about the wake-up call, stating that the health scare made him realize he needed to respect his body as he aged. He remarked that habits like smoking and drinking become repetitive and boring, and expressed how much better it feels to wake up feeling healthy, alert, and clear-headed.
Saira Banu
Saira Banu is an Indian retired actress who mainly worked in Hindi films. Regarded as one of the finest actors of Hindi cinema, she was among the most popular actresses of the 1960s and early 1970s. She suffered a minor cardiac episode in September 2021 and recovered well after medical care.
Saira Banu is an Indian retired actress who mainly worked in Hindi films. Regarded as one of the finest actors of Hindi cinema, she was among the most popular actresses of the 1960s and early 1970s. She suffered a minor cardiac episode in September 2021 and recovered well after medical care.
Remo D'Souza
Remo Gopi D'Souza is an Indian choreographer, film director, and producer. Over the course of his career spanning more than 25 years, D'Souza has choreographed more than 100 films. The popular choreographer and director suffered a sudden heart attack in December 2020 at age 45 and had an angioplasty. Doctors at Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital in Mumbai found a 100 percent blockage in his right coronary artery. Doctors noted that his active, healthy lifestyle and physical fitness allowed him to walk into the hospital on his own feet, which saved his life. Remo has repeatedly expressed shock over the incident, noting that he never smoked, drank, or partied hard, and always maintained a clean diet and exercise routine. The health scare prompted him to make long-term adjustments, focusing heavily on natural foods and monitoring his overall cardiovascular health.
Remo Gopi D'Souza is an Indian choreographer, film director, and producer. Over the course of his career spanning more than 25 years, D'Souza has choreographed more than 100 films. The popular choreographer and director suffered a sudden heart attack in December 2020 at age 45 and had an angioplasty. Doctors at Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital in Mumbai found a 100 percent blockage in his right coronary artery. Doctors noted that his active, healthy lifestyle and physical fitness allowed him to walk into the hospital on his own feet, which saved his life. Remo has repeatedly expressed shock over the incident, noting that he never smoked, drank, or partied hard, and always maintained a clean diet and exercise routine. The health scare prompted him to make long-term adjustments, focusing heavily on natural foods and monitoring his overall cardiovascular health.
