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Shah Rukh recuperates in Vienna

Kishore Thakur

This bit of news should come as a relief to all his fans who have been worried about Shah Rukh Khan. The superstar is resting and recuperating in a hospital in distant Vienna after undergoing an operation on his knee and ankle.

Though Shah Rukh ignored the pain for as long as he could and tried not to let it interfere with his work, the fact remains that it had been bothering him for a long time.

It was while shooting for Rakesh Roshan's Koyla that Shah Rukh had injured his knee and ankle. Though, at that time, he took two days off, he resumed shooting for the song, Ghoonghatee mein chanda hai hosh na koh de kahin, with heavy doses of painkillers and under the watchful eyes of his physiotherapist.

But the pain just wouldn't go away. It bothered him time and again, especially when he stressed his knee and ankle muscles while doing stunts or intricate dance steps. But then, Shah Rukh Khan -- being a workaholic and a bundle of energy -- would never let such impediments bother him or keep him in bed. Even while rehearsing for a show, Shah Rukh was in acute pain. But the star refused to heed the advice of his doctor who had recommended rest to him.

But the pain increased over the years. Finally, better sense prevailed when his dear friends advised him to undergo the operation. Once Shah Rukh was free from his commitments (read the release of his home production Phir Bhi Dil Hai Hindustani), the star decided to find some time for himself.

Apparently, close buddies Juhi Chawla and Jai Mehta advised him to have the operation done in Vienna where Juhi herself had been operated on a couple of years ago, for an ankle injury and dislocation. Sources close to Shah Rukh say that he decided on the particular medical centre because it was strongly recommended by Juhi. They claim that Mehta had personally taken on the task of making all arrangements and had been in touch with the doctors and the paramedics at the centre.

Shah Rukh has undergone two minor surgeries and is now recuperating. He has been asked to take it easy for a week or so. Physiotherapy is in progress even as the star has reportedly been trying to hobble around on crutches. The doctors though, are happy with the progress he has made, at the same time making it clear that he should take rest.

Shah Rukh, his family and close friends are being extremely secretive about the destination and the location of the hospital. Understandably, they don't fancy any of his crazy fans rushing down to the hospital to wish him luck and speedy recovery. That is perhaps the reason why the entire matter has been kept under wraps.

Photographs by Pradeep Bandekar