Salman Khan: Trigeminal Pain Began with Lara Dutta’s Touch

In a candid revelation, Bollywood superstar Salman Khan has shed light on the intensely personal and painful beginning of his battle with Trigeminal Neuralgia, a chronic pain disorder sometimes referred to as the ‘suicidal disease’ due to its excruciating nature. The actor shared that he first experienced the nerve-wracking pain while shooting for his 2007 film, Partner, in a seemingly innocuous moment involving his co-star, Lara Dutta.

During an appearance on a recent talk show, Khan recounted the moment that signaled the onset of the debilitating condition. “I was doing Partner. Lara was there,” he shared. “She removed a strand of hair on my face, and I felt pain. I joked that ‘Wow Lara, you’re electrifying!’ That’s when it started.” What began with a surprising jolt quickly escalated into a severe, chronic struggle that would plague the actor for over seven years.

Trigeminal Neuralgia (TN) is characterized by sudden, severe, electric-shock-like facial pain, affecting the trigeminal nerve which carries sensory signals from the face to the brain. Even the slightest touch, a breeze, or simple activities like eating and talking can trigger an agonizing episode.

Khan, who endured the condition for a harrowing seven-and-a-half years, described the extreme difficulty it introduced into his daily life. The pain would strike every few minutes, making basic tasks a massive ordeal. He revealed that it would take him an hour and a half just to consume breakfast, as chewing was nearly impossible. “You would not want your biggest enemy to have that pain,” he stated, underlining the severity of the affliction.

Initially, the pain was mistaken for a dental issue, leading the actor to rely on high doses of painkillers—up to 750 mg daily—which offered little lasting relief. It was a further medical investigation that correctly diagnosed his condition as Trigeminal Neuralgia.

Salman Khan eventually underwent a procedure, a gamma knife surgery, which he detailed on the show, explaining the hours-long process of having screws fixed to his face to accurately guide the treatment. Although doctors had initially suggested the procedure might only provide partial relief, the actor was fortunate to see the pain completely disappear post-operation.

While the intense nerve pain is now under control, Khan admitted to still living with other health challenges, including an aneurysm and arteriovenous malformation. However, his public discussion of his struggle with Trigeminal Neuralgia has brought much-needed attention to a condition that often leads sufferers to isolation, encouraging others to seek support and treatment. His journey stands as a testament to perseverance in the face of excruciating chronic pain.