Family friend shares update on Dilip Kumar's health

Faisal Farooqui has shared an update on Dilip Kumar's health. The nonagenarian actor has been admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) of a Mumbai hospital to "address medical issues" related to old age after he complained of "breathlessness".

Hyderabad: Legendary actor Dilip Kumar, who has been admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) of a hospital in Mumbai, is stable, his family friend Faisal Farooqui said on Friday. The 98-year-old screen icon was taken to the suburban Khar-based Hinduja Hospital, a non-COVID-19 facility on Tuesday, to "address medical issues" related to old age after he complained of "breathlessness".

"He is stable. He continues to be in the hospital on doctor's advice so that doctor can provide necessary medical attention given his age. The family believes he will be discharged in a day or two," Farooqui said in a statement. He said the family has expressed gratitude to Kumar's well-wishers for their unending prayers.

Kumar was admitted to the same hospital earlier last month following episodes of breathlessness. The Hindi cinema veteran was then diagnosed with bilateral pleural effusion -- a build-up of excess fluid between the layers of the pleura outside the lungs and underwent a successful pleural aspiration procedure. He was discharged after five days.

Kumar's career spans over five decades with hits like Mughal-e-Azam, Devdas, Naya Daur, and Ram Aur Shyam. His last big-screen appearance was in the 1998 film Qila.

On a related note, veteran actor Naseeruddin Shah too has been admitted to the same hospital and is undergoing treatment for pneumonia.