Salim Khan Stable But Under Observation; Javed Akhtar Visits Longtime Collaborator
The veteran screenwriter has been admitted to Mumbai’s Lilavati Hospital; family members and close friends gather in support.
Veteran screenwriter Salim Khan has been admitted to the intensive care unit at Mumbai’s Lilavati Hospital, where he is currently stable but under close observation. Longtime collaborator and lyricist Javed Akhtar visited the hospital on Tuesday to check on his health.
A video shared by paparazzi showed Akhtar arriving at the Bandra-based hospital earlier in the day. The two writers, who together formed the celebrated duo Salim–Javed, reshaped mainstream Hindi cinema in the 1970s and 1980s with a string of landmark films.
Salim and Javed rose to fame after penning blockbusters such as Deewar, Sholay, Zanjeer and Agneepath. At the height of their success, they were regarded as the highest-paid writers in the industry, reportedly earning a rupee more than leading actors — a testament to their influence and stature. Their partnership, which lasted 12 years, eventually ended, with their separation widely attributed to creative fatigue.
Throughout the day, members of Salim Khan’s family were seen arriving at the hospital. His wives, Helen and Salma Khan, were present, along with his son, actor Salman Khan. Later, Salman’s siblings Alvira Khan Agnihotri and Arpita Khan, accompanied by Atul Agnihotri and Ayush Sharma, also visited. Salim Khan’s grandchildren — Arhaan, Nirvaan and Alizeh Agnihotri — were among those at the hospital. Actor Sanjay Dutt, a close friend of Salman Khan, was also seen arriving to be with the family.
In an official statement, Lilavati Hospital said the veteran writer was brought to the emergency department by family doctor Dr Sandeep Chopra on Tuesday at 8.30am and was admitted to the ICU.
“Emergency care was initiated and Mr Salim Khan was shifted to the intensive care unit on the first floor. A team of doctors consisting of Dr Vinay Chavan (neurologist), Dr Ajit Menon (cardiologist), Dr Nitin Dange (neurosurgeon) and Dr Bineet Ahluwalia attended to him,” the hospital said in a statement.
“Respecting the relatives' request, further details are not being shared today. However, tomorrow at 11am we shall be addressing a press bulletin with the due consent of the relatives and maintaining the confidentiality of the patient to the utmost. Kindly bear with us,” the statement added.
“He is stable but is under close observation with regard to his clinical status,” it further said.