Varun Dhawan Opens Up About Daughter’s DDH Diagnosis

New Delhi, March 28, 2026: In a deeply personal and candid revelation, Bollywood actor Varun Dhawan recently opened up about a challenging health journey involving his young daughter, Lara. Appearing on the podcast Be A Man, Yaar!, the actor disclosed that Lara was diagnosed with Developmental Dysplasia of the Hip (DDH), a condition that significantly impacted her mobility during her early development.

Varun’s decision to share this story comes from a place of advocacy, as he aims to raise awareness among parents about the importance of early detection for a condition that is often misunderstood or overlooked in India.

The Diagnosis: A Parent’s Concern

Varun shared that the family noticed something was unusual when Lara was around one-and-a-half years old. He explained that she was unable to walk or run properly, exhibiting an uneven limp.

“My daughter was diagnosed with DDH, where the hip slips out of the socket,” Varun explained during the podcast. “One leg becomes shorter than the other, which causes an uneven limp while walking. You can’t walk or run properly.”

The actor highlighted that if left untreated, DDH can lead to severe long-term complications, including early-onset arthritis and slip disc issues. He noted that while the condition is routinely screened for and treated at birth in Western countries, awareness and specialized facilities are not yet universally available across India.

The Road to Recovery: Treatment and Challenges

Fortunately for the Dhawan family, Lara’s condition was identified in time to avoid major surgery. Instead, she underwent a corrective medical procedure to “put the hip back” into its correct alignment.

However, the recovery process was far from easy. Following the procedure, Lara had to be placed in a spica cast—a heavy, rigid cast that immobilizes the hips and thighs—for two and a half months.

• The Emotional Toll: Varun described the heartbreak of seeing his daughter under anesthesia and the confusion she felt waking up in a restrictive cast.
• Current Status: The actor confirmed that the cast has finally been removed, and Lara is currently in the recovery phase, regaining her strength and mobility.

What is DDH? Understanding the Condition

Developmental Dysplasia of the Hip (DDH) is a medical term for a spectrum of disorders where the “ball and socket” joint of the hip does not form correctly.

Key Symptoms to Watch For:

• Uneven Leg Length: One leg appearing shorter than the other.
• Asymmetric Skin Folds: Uneven fat folds on the thighs or buttocks.
• Limited Flexibility: Difficulty spreading the legs apart (often noticed during diaper changes).
• Walking Abnormalities: A noticeable limp or a “waddling” gait once the child begins to walk.

Why Early Detection Matters

Medical experts emphasize that the hip joint is mostly cartilage at birth. If diagnosed early (ideally in infancy), the condition can often be corrected with a simple fabric harness (Pavlik harness). As the child grows, the bones harden, making treatment more complex and sometimes requiring the type of procedure and casting Lara underwent.

Turning Pain into Purpose

Varun Dhawan expressed a desire to document this experience more formally, even mentioning the possibility of writing a book to guide other parents through the emotional and physical hurdles of managing DDH.

He urged fans not to look at him with sympathy but to use his story as a reminder to be vigilant. “I shared this because not many people in India are aware of the condition,” he said, emphasizing that with the right medical intervention, the condition is entirely curable.

Varun and his wife, Natasha Dalal, welcomed Lara in June 2024. While the couple has been protective of their daughter’s privacy, this brave disclosure has already sparked a much-needed conversation about pediatric orthopedic health in India.