Date: Wednesday, February 18, 2026
The entire Bollywood fraternity is praying for a positive Salim Khan health update after the veteran writer was admitted to Lilavati Hospital. Salim Khan, the 90-year-old screenwriting legend and father of superstar Salman Khan, is currently fighting a health battle that has brought the entire industry to a standstill.
While initial reports of Salim Khan hospitalised sent shockwaves of panic—with searches like “Salim Khan death” and “is Salim Khan alive” trending nervously—the latest medical bulletin brings a sigh of relief. The writer of Sholay is stable, conscious, and showing the same resilience that defined his characters on screen. Fans across the world are anxiously waiting for the latest Salim Khan health update directly from the doctors.
Salim Khan health update This extended report dives deep into the medical specifics, the emotional state of the Khan family, the recent tragedy striking Sidharth Malhotra, and the cultural backdrop of Ramadan 2026 and the T20 World Cup that frames this moment.
The Medical Breakdown: What Happened at Lilavati Hospital?
The confusion began on the morning of February 17, 2026, when an ambulance rushed Salim Khan from his residence, Galaxy Apartments, to the hospital.
The Diagnosis: Minimal Brain Hemorrhage
Contrary to wild rumors of open-heart surgery or a stroke, Dr. Jalil Parkar, a renowned pulmonologist at Lilavati Hospital, clarified the situation in a press briefing today.
- Symptoms: Salim Khan had complained of “giddiness” and experienced a sudden spike in blood pressure and “jerks” (seizures) at home.
- The Procedure: He underwent a procedure known as DSA (Digital Subtraction Angiography), performed by neurosurgeon Dr. Nitin Dange. This is a minimally invasive method to visualize blood vessels in the brain.
- Current Status: Dr. Parkar stated, “He had a minimal brain hemorrhage, which we have tackled. No surgery was needed.”.
- Ventilator Support: The veteran writer was placed on a ventilator purely as a “safeguard” to ensure he remains immobile and stable during recovery. Doctors are optimistic that he will be taken off the ventilator by tomorrow, February 19.
Galaxy Apartments: A Fortress of Unity
The “Khan-daan” is famously known for its unbreakable unity, and this crisis has only pulled them closer.
Salman Khan: The Devoted Son
Salman Khan, often called the “Tiger” of Bollywood, appeared visibly shaken. Known to be extremely attached to his father, Salman canceled his scheduled shoot for his upcoming action drama to remain at the hospital. Sources say he has been constantly coordinating with the medical team, ensuring his father gets the best care. Salim Khan health update It brings to mind a famous anecdote where Salim Khan once warned Salman, “If anyone can mess up your stardom, it is you,” a piece of advice that grounded the superstar for decades.
The Two Pillars: Salma and Helen
The sight of both Salma Khan (born Sushila Charak) and Helen visiting the hospital together is a poignant reminder of the family’s unique dynamics.
- Salim Khan Wife: He married Salma in 1964, and despite the initial turmoil when he married Helen in 1981, the family eventually knit itself together into one massive unit.
- Today, Salma Khan and Helen are often seen as the dual matriarchs of the household, supporting each other through every crisis.
The Next Generation
Arbaaz Khan and Sohail Khan have been the face of the family for the media, politely asking for privacy while thanking fans for their prayers. Sister Alvira Khan Agnihotri and the youngest, Arpita Khan Sharma, have been constant fixtures at the hospital, supporting their mothers.
A Season of Grief: Sidharth Malhotra’s Loss
The anxiety surrounding Salim Khan’s health is compounded by a pall of gloom that had already descended on Bollywood earlier this week.
- Sidharth Malhotra Father: Just days ago, on February 14, 2026, actor Sidharth Malhotra lost his father, Sunil Malhotra, to a prolonged illness.
- Sunil Malhotra was a former Merchant Navy captain, a man Sidharth described as his “first hero.” The actor shared a heart-wrenching note on February 17, mentioning how his father fought a stroke with quiet courage.
- The proximity of these two events—the death of Sidharth’s father and the hospitalization of Salman’s father—has sparked a broader conversation in the industry about the aging generation of parents who stood as rocks behind today’s superstars.
The Legend of Salim-Javed: Why He Matters
To the younger generation searching “who is Salim Khan,” he is not just a celebrity father; he is the man who gave Indian cinema its voice.
Creating the Angry Young Man
In the 1970s, Salim Khan, along with Javed Akhtar, revolutionized Bollywood. They wrote scripts that moved away from romance to gritty social realism.
- Salim Khan Movies: Their pen birthed classics like Zanjeer, Deewar, Trishul, and the monumental Sholay.
- Amitabh Bachchan: It was Salim-Javed who discovered the “Angry Young Man” persona in Amitabh Bachchan, transforming him from a struggling actor into the “Star of the Millennium”.
- Javed Akhtar’s Visit: Salim Khan health update Putting aside their professional split from the 1980s, Javed Akhtar was among the first visitors at Lilavati Hospital, proving that their bond as creative soulmates remains intact.
Self-Respect and Net Worth
Salim Khan was the first writer to demand that his name be on movie posters. He famously declined the Padma Shri in 2015, stating that his contribution to cinema deserved a higher honor like the Padma Bhushan.
- Salim Khan Net Worth: Today, the family’s combined net worth is estimated to be over ₹5,000 crore, with Salim Khan personally holding substantial assets in property and royalties.
February 2026: The Cultural Backdrop
As the family prays for Salim Saab’s recovery, the world outside moves through significant cultural and sporting events.
Ramadan 2026 Begins
The holy month has arrived.
- Ramadan Dates 2026: Depending on the moon sighting, Ramadan began on the evening of February 17 or 18, 2026 in India.
- For the Khan family, who are known for their grand Eid celebrations and secular values (celebrating Ganesh Chaturthi and Eid with equal fervor), this Ramadan begins with solemn prayers for the patriarch’s health.
Cricket Fever: T20 World Cup
While Bollywood holds its breath, the T20 World Cup 2026 is keeping the rest of the country engaged.
- Cole McConchie: The New Zealand all-rounder has been making headlines in the tournament, a key player in the Kiwi squad facing teams like Canada (कनाडा बनाम न्यूजीलैंड).
- Fans are juggling their attention between the tense matches and the health updates from Bandra.
- Fans are waiting for the next Salim Khan health update from the doctors
Conclusion: The Script Isn’t Over
Salim Khan once said that a hero is defined not by how he hits, but by how he takes a hit and stands back up. At 90 years of age, dealing with a brain hemorrhage is a massive hit. Yet, doctors are optimistic. The bleeding has been stopped. The vitals are stable.
As Salman Khan stands guard at Lilavati Hospital, millions of fans join him in hoping that the man who wrote the happiest endings for Bollywood gets a triumphant recovery of his own.
Get Well Soon, Salim Saab.
