The glitz and glamour of a Sanjay Leela Bhansali set often mask the grueling physical demands placed on the cast and crew. For veteran actor Manoj Joshi, the period spent filming the 2002 masterpiece Devdas remains etched in his memory not just for the cinematic achievement, but for a terrifying brush with death that left him in a coma and temporarily without sight.
In a recent candid reflection on his career, Joshi revisited the harrowing days when his health took a sudden and catastrophic turn. While the film was deep in production, the actor suffered from a severe bout of jaundice.
Despite the initial symptoms, the momentum of a high-stakes film set often encourages performers to push through the pain—a decision that nearly cost him his life.
The Collapse on Set
Joshi recalled that the illness escalated with alarming speed. What began as fatigue quickly spiraled into a total systemic failure. He was rushed to the hospital after his condition deteriorated to the point where he could no longer function. Medical professionals soon discovered that the infection had reached a critical level, leading to a state of unconsciousness.
The actor spent several days in a coma, a period he describes as a void that left his family and colleagues in a state of constant vigil. The uncertainty of his recovery hung heavy over the production, as Bhansali’s sets are known for their precision and tight schedules, yet the focus shifted entirely to the survival of a respected peer.
A Battle with Darkness
The ordeal did not end when Joshi finally regained consciousness. In a chilling detail from his recovery, he shared that upon waking from the coma, he found himself in total darkness. The illness had affected his optic nerves, rendering him blind for a significant period following his initial revival.
“It was a test of faith and patience,” the actor remarked when discussing the psychological toll of losing his vision while already physically broken. For an actor whose craft relies heavily on visual cues and expression, the prospect of permanent blindness was a professional and personal nightmare.
The Path to Recovery and Return
Joshi credits his eventual recovery to a combination of intensive medical care and a stroke of luck. Slowly, his vision began to return, and his strength followed. In a testament to his dedication to the craft, he eventually returned to the sets of Devdas to complete his performance.
Looking back, Joshi views the episode as a profound turning point. It served as a stark reminder of the fragility of life and the importance of prioritizing health over the relentless pace of the entertainment industry.
While Devdas went on to become a global phenomenon, winning numerous awards and critical acclaim, for Manoj Joshi, the film will always be the project where he fought his greatest battle—not for a character, but for his life.
Today, Joshi remains a staple of Indian cinema and television, carrying with him the perspective of a man who has seen the “other side” and made it back. His story continues to resonate as a cautionary tale for fellow artists about the physical costs of the performing arts. To
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