Bollywood’s “Bhaijaan” Salman Khan recently made a heartbreaking revelation where he fought a grueling seven-and-a-half-year battle with trigeminal neuralgia, a severe neurological disorder so painful that it is often called the “suicide disease” in medical science. Salman’s courage, resilience and openness about his condition have become a source of inspiration for countless people.
During the show Too Much with Kajol and Twinkle, Salman shared,
“The pain was so unbearable that I wouldn’t even wish it upon my worst enemy. It used to strike every four to five minutes. Something as simple as eating an omelet would take me an hour and a half. I forced myself to eat because even painkillers didn’t work. My days began with breakfast and ended directly with dinner.”
The agony, he admitted, scarred not only his body but also his mind. Yet he never stopped moving forward.
Misdiagnosis and the First Signs
Initially, doctors mistook his condition for a dental problem. But the pain would intensify even when drinking water, eventually confirming it was neurological. Salman first felt the pain back in 2007 on the sets of Partner, during a scene with Lara Dutta. Recalling that moment, he said,
“Lara brushed the hair off my face, and I said, ‘Wow Lara, electrifying!’ That’s when it all began.”
Why It’s Called “Suicide Disease”
Trigeminal neuralgia is so intolerably painful that many patients, unable to bear the suffering, tragically choose suicide. Salman explained,
“I’m sharing my experience so that people become aware. Many suffer from this condition without even knowing it. Due to lack of awareness, they miss out on treatment opportunities.
Surgery and a Turning Point
To seek relief, Salman underwent Gamma Knife surgery, a highly specialized procedure.
“They fixed screws into my face and kept me lying still for seven to eight hours. Doctors told me the surgery would reduce my pain by 20–30%, but fortunately, it disappeared completely,” he said.
The surgery became a turning point in his life, freeing him from years of torment, though it tested his endurance like never before.
Living with Health Challenges
Even after the operation, Salman still lives with trigeminal issues and an arteriovenous malformation. But he accepts it as part of life:
“You have to live with these things. Many people live with bypass surgeries, heart problems, and other conditions. I’m just like them.”
The full episode is on Amazon Prime and here's a preview.