Known for his well-built physique and powerful roles, Rana Daggubati recently shared the life-changing health challenges he has faced over the years. The Baahubali star revealed that he was battling severe cardiac complications and kidney failure, describing his recovery period as “Chapter 2” in his life.
Shock diagnosis: when reality hits
Rana described the initial impact of his health issues as a severe shock. “When I was first diagnosed, it came as a shock. You don’t expect anything to happen to you, right? You don’t generally think like that. For you, you’re always the center of the world,” he said during a conversation with Rhea Chakraborty on Chapter 2. “That was the first time I realized I might be displaced. You know how to feel when a friend or family member is unwell; you know how to react. But when it’s happening to you you don’t know how to react.”
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Taking a Step Back: The Road to Recovery
After learning that his treatment would involve surgery and extensive post-operative care, Rana immediately put all professional commitments on hold, including a film he was shooting in between. He traveled to the United States for treatment, the first extended period he spent alone. “Just me and my thoughts,” he reflected. “In that situation, you start thinking a lot more in terms of purpose: ‘Why are you here?’ Nothing means anything unless the ‘why’ is clear, because ultimately, we are just representing the stories in our minds that we have created for ourselves.
A new outlook towards life
The health crisis brought about a fundamental change in Rana’s outlook. “You operate on the principle that one day you won’t be here anymore. And you’re making everything so that they can live without you,” he explained. “Earlier, things were made keeping me at the center. But after that, my outlook towards life changed.” Co-host Rhea Chakraborty recalled Rana’s tremendous energy during this time, noting his “beast mode” persona that persisted even amid a year-long health struggle.
specific health challenges
Rana’s health crisis came when he was riding the wave of success of Baahubali 2: The Conclusion (2017). On Sam Jam hosted by Samantha Ruth Prabhu, he revealed that he had lifelong blood pressure problems as well as calcification around the heart and kidney failure. “There was a 70% chance of stroke or hemorrhage and a 30% chance of death,” he said.
Overcoming Additional Health Barriers
Rana has faced other medical challenges, including severe vision problems that required an eye transplant. “Very few people knew about it. It’s a hindrance in some ways, but you need the strength to move forward,” he told PTI in 2017.