Shah Rukh Khan, famously known as India’s “King of Bollywood,” is recovering well after being hospitalized for heatstroke, his manager has confirmed. This incident took place amid a severe heatwave sweeping across parts of India during the ongoing general election.
The 58-year-old superstar was admitted to KD Hospital in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, on Wednesday May 23. Local police confirmed that temperatures in the area soared to 45 degrees Celsius (113 degrees Fahrenheit) this week.
“To all of Shah Rukh Khan’s fans and well-wishers – he is doing well. Thank you for your love, prayers, and concern,” his manager, Pooja Dadlani, posted on X (formerly Twitter) on Thursday May 24.
The Press Trust of India reported that Shah Rukh Khan suffered from heatstroke, citing Om Prakash Jat, Superintendent of Police, Ahmedabad (Rural). Footage from a local news agency showed Shah Rukh Khan’s wife, Gauri, visiting the hospital on Thursday morning.
Revered as “King Khan,” Shah Rukh Khan has appeared in over 90 films and received numerous accolades, including India’s fourth-highest civilian honor in 2005 and a place on Time magazine’s 100 most influential list in 2022. Shah Rukh Khan was in Ahmedabad to attend an Indian Premier League cricket match between the Kolkata Knight Riders, a team he co-owns, and the Sunrisers Hyderabad.
Shah Rukh Khan’s hospitalization highlights the severe heatwave affecting parts of India, leading to widespread illness and school closures as temperatures approach human survivability limits. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) reported temperatures exceeding 45 degrees Celsius (113 degrees Fahrenheit) in several northern cities this week, issuing severe heatwave warnings for Rajasthan, Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and Delhi.
Delhi authorities closed schools early for summer holidays after temperatures hit 47.4 degrees Celsius (117 degrees Fahrenheit). Barmer city in Rajasthan recorded a peak of 48 degrees Celsius (118 degrees Fahrenheit) on Wednesday, per the IMD. High temperatures are expected to persist in the coming days.
This extreme heat coincides with India’s national election, with Delhi’s 11 million residents set to vote on Sunday. Historically, India experiences heatwaves in May and June, but recent years have seen them start earlier and last longer. Experts warn that climate change will increase the frequency and duration of heatwaves, challenging India’s capacity to adapt.
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change has identified India as one of the countries most vulnerable to the climate crisis, threatening its development and progress in poverty alleviation, health, and economic growth.
