Sunaina Roshan, sister of Bollywood actor Hrithik Roshan, has publicly recalled how a crash diet obsession in 2001 decimated her immunity and triggered a near-fatal diagnosis of tuberculosis meningitis, leaving her family bracing for paralysis, loss of eyesight, or a coma. In a video shared on her social media account as part of an ongoing health journey series, Sunaina described the harrowing weeks that followed her hospitalisation and the moment her family feared they might lose her.

The Crash Diet That Triggered a Crisis

Sunaina revealed that what began as a leg injury left her bedridden and pushed her toward extreme crash dieting. By 2001, the sustained nutritional deprivation had collapsed her immune system entirely. She was subsequently diagnosed with tuberculosis meningitis — a severe infection of the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord — by Dr. Farokh Udwadia.

'In Part 1, I shared how crash dieting led me to the hospital. What happened next could have changed my life forever. For two to three days, I had no awareness. My family was told by Dr. Udwadia that it could lead to paralysis, loss of eyesight, or even a coma. They didn't know what would happen next,' Sunaina said in the video.

Hrithik Roshan's Night at the Temple

The episode had a profound emotional impact on the entire Roshan family. Sunaina disclosed that her brother, Hrithik Roshan, spent an entire night at a temple praying for her recovery. She recalled that doctors told the family the first sign of improvement would be Sunaina asking for food — and that after several agonising days, that is precisely what happened.

'That one moment changed everything for my family,' she said. The detail underscores the severity of her condition at the time and the uncertainty her loved ones endured.

Five Months of Recovery and Heavy Medication

Sunaina spent one month in hospital following her diagnosis. She was then confined to home for a further four months to prevent a relapse, during which she underwent heavy medication. 'Heavy medication, all because my immunity had crashed. And the reason? Crash dieting,' she said, drawing a direct line between the dietary shortcut and the life-threatening outcome.

This is the second instalment in her public health series; the first addressed how the crash diet initially sent her to hospital.

Family's Emotional Response

The video drew deeply personal reactions from her parents. Her mother, Pinkie Roshan, commented: 'Reliving your story after 25 years is overwhelming for me. I remember how you fought it so strongly mentally and physically... Dr. Farokh Udwadia finally after three weeks said you're out of danger now, but you have a long journey ahead for full recovery. God bless you my daughter for your courage and will to fight and survive.'

Veteran filmmaker and her father, Rakesh Roshan, added: 'Sharing your experience is giving strength to many.' Sunaina thanked both parents for their support throughout her recovery.

Her Message on Nourishment Over Shortcuts

Sunaina closed her account with a direct appeal to followers: 'That's when I realised no goal is worth risking your life. Always choose nourishment over shortcuts. If this made you think twice, share it with someone who needs to hear this.' Her post caption noted that the 2001 episode 'completely changed the way I think about health, nourishment and the shortcuts we're often tempted to take.' As awareness around eating disorders and their medical consequences grows in India, Sunaina's account adds a high-profile personal dimension to a conversation that health professionals say remains critically underdiscussed.