Salim Khan on ventilator support; surgery planned for Salman Khan’s dad after brain bleed: Reports

Veteran screenwriter Salim Khan has been placed on ventilator support after suffering a sudden spike in blood pressure that reportedly caused internal bleeding in his brain. According to a News24 report, the 90-year-old writer experienced bleeding on the right side of his brain due to bursting blood vessels and is scheduled to undergo surgery on Wednesday morning. An official update from the family is awaited.

He was admitted to Mumbai’s Lilavati Hospital on Tuesday morning, where doctors moved him from emergency care to the intensive care unit for ongoing monitoring. 

Hospital says Salim Khan is stable but under close watch

In a bulletin released Tuesday evening, the hospital confirmed that the celebrated writer is currently stable but being observed closely by a specialised medical team.

The statement noted, “A team of doctors consisting of Dr Vinay Chavan (neurologist), Dr Ajit Menon (cardiologist) and Dr Nitin Dange (neurosurgeon), and Dr Bineet Ahluwalia attended to him," said Dr Jalil Parkar.

A separate hospital note added, "Salim Khan was admitted to the Lilavati Hospital under Dr Jalil Parkar in the ICU at 8.30 am on Tuesday morning. He was brought into the emergency by their family doctor, prompting emergency care. Salim Khan was later shifted to the intensive care."

A press briefing on his condition is planned for Wednesday, February 18, pending the family’s consent.

Family rushes to hospital

Members of Salim Khan’s family arrived at Lilavati Hospital soon after he was admitted. His son, Bollywood star Salman Khan, was seen at the hospital on Tuesday.

The actor stepped out of the hospital premises late at night, and made his way to his car as paparazzi gathered around his vehicle. Amid the chaos, Salman was seen maintaining complete calm and composure but was seen visibly disturbed. At one point in the video captured by the media, he was seen closing his eyes while seated inside the car, seemingly in silent prayer.

Salim Khan's wives, Salma Khan and Helen, were also photographed entering the building.

His children, including Arbaaz Khan, Alvira Khan and Arpita Khan, as well as grandchildren such as Nirvaan and Arhaan, were spotted arriving during the day.

Earlier on Wednesday morning, more family members – including actor Aayush Sharma and Alvira Khan Agnihotri with Ayaan Agnihotri – visited the hospital. Salman Khan was later seen leaving the premises under tight security, wearing a black T-shirt and cap, without speaking to the media gathered outside.

News of the screenwriter’s condition has sparked an outpouring of concern on social media, with fans and industry colleagues sending wishes for his recovery.

Salim Khan’s lasting influence on Hindi cinema

Salim Khan is widely regarded as one of the most influential screenwriters in Indian film history. He rose to prominence as part of the iconic writing duo Salim-Javed, working alongside Javed Akhtar. Together, they transformed mainstream Hindi cinema in the 1970s with films such as ‘Sholay’ as well as ‘Deewaar’, ‘Zanjeer’, and ‘Don’.

Their work helped define the “angry young man” era and elevated the importance of screenwriters in Bollywood.

(With agency inputs)