Veteran Actor A K Hangal admitted to ICU

Veteran Actor A K Hangal is facing severe health problems these days. He has been admitted to Intensive Care Unit of  Asha Parekh Hospital, Mumbai on August 16, but his condition is very unstable and critical now.

“Right now my father’s condition is little serious, can’t say anything. He has a breathing problem and is in ICU right now,”  his only Son Vijay Hangal told IANS.

“He was hospitalised at Asha Parekh Hospital. He fell down at home when he was going to the washroom. He had a hip fracture. A surgery was about to happen, but during checkup many more complications came up so they could not do the surgery. There was congestion in his chest so separate treatment was also started for that,” said Vijay Hangal.

Hangal had also wished to donate his organs, but doctors say they aren’t in the proper condition. “Doctors have told us that only his eyes can be donated, but we didn’t take the care which is necessary if you want to donate organs,” said Vijay.

“Initially, he was responding to the treatment, but soon, his health started deteriorating. We put him on life support for three days. However, now he has been taken off it as per his son’s wish and also because he has several health issues,” said resident medical officer Sandeep Salve. The actor has trouble breathing and a history of lung disease, kidney problems and tuberculosis.

“I don’t want my father to suffer any more. It was his wish that he be allowed to die peacefully. I had told the doctors in the beginning itself not to put him on ventilator. Even then they put him on it for three days. But later they themselves realised that he wasn’t responding to treatment,” said Vijay.

The 98-year-old A.K. Hangal, associated with the Hindi film industry since 1967, recently appeared in a role in the television show “Madhubala”.

He is best known for his roles in “Sholay”, “Lagaan” among other films.

Update on 5:46 PM August 25

There is no improvement in the condition of veteran actor A.K. Hangal and he is “still serious”, his son said.

“His condition is still serious and there is no sign of improvement. He has a breathing problem and is in ICU right now,” the 97-year-old’s son Vijay told IANS.