Ashhar Alam/New Delhi

Arvind Swamy, the iconic actor known for Roja and Bombay, has always been selective about his roles. But behind the spotlight, he faced one of the toughest challenges of his life, a spinal injury in 2005 left him partially paralysed, confining him to bed and keeping him away from films for years.

Last year, at the Indian Film Festival of Melbourne, Swamy shared an inspiring chapter of his recovery journey. For 18 months, he endured immense physical pain and limited mobility, contemplating surgery but hesitant to proceed. It was then that he came across an Ayurvedic practitioner from Kerala, whose treatment remarkably enabled him to walk within three days.

Swamy was quick to clarify that his experience doesn’t constitute an endorsement for everyone. “For one and a half years, I was in pain and struggling with mobility. In three days, he made me walk. It worked for me, but I’m not saying others should follow the same path,” he explained. He emphasized the value of both Ayurvedic and allopathic treatments, noting that wisdom exists in multiple healing traditions.

The actor also revealed the mental battles he fought during this period. “Dealing with pain and immobility is largely a matter of mindset,” he said. To keep his spirits up, he engaged in board games, puzzles, and chess, allowing his mind to stay active even when his body couldn’t.

Balancing recovery with his responsibilities as a single father, Swamy didn’t rush his comeback. He was content being mobile and pain-free without pushing himself too hard. It wasn’t until director Mani Ratnam approached him for Kadal that he felt ready to return to acting after a 13-year hiatus. Although the film didn’t achieve commercial success, it marked Swamy’s return to the silver screen, reigniting his career.

ALSO READ: I received my wages for hard work of decades: Ghafruddin on Padma Shri

Today, Swamy continues to take on challenging projects. His upcoming film, Gandhi Talks, directed by Kishor Pandurang Belekar, sees him sharing the screen with Vijay Sethupathi and Aditi Rao Hydari. The film releases in theatres tomorrow, adding another exciting chapter to his journey.

Through pain, perseverance, and unconventional healing, Arvind Swamy’s story is not just about physical recovery, it’s a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the power of hope.