Sushmita Sen's Harrowing Heart Attack Experience
Former Miss Universe and Bollywood actress Sushmita Sen recently shared shocking details about surviving a massive heart attack in February 2023. The life-threatening incident occurred while she was shooting for her popular web series Aarya Season 3, revealing just how close she came to death during this medical emergency.
Choosing Consciousness Over Anesthesia
In a revealing podcast conversation with Divya Jain, Sushmita explained her unusual decision to remain fully conscious throughout both the heart attack and the subsequent surgical procedure. "The control freak in me doesn't like losing consciousness," the actress confessed, highlighting her strong personality traits that she believes contributed to her survival.
Medical reports indicated that Sen had a staggering 95 percent blockage in her arteries, requiring immediate surgical intervention. Despite the severity of her condition, the actress insisted on being aware during the entire medical process. "I was very clear about not numbing the pain; I wanted to see what was going on," she revealed during the podcast interview.
Rapid Return to Work Amid Health Concerns
What's even more remarkable is Sushmita Sen's determination to return to work just 15 days after her heart attack. The actress expressed her impatience with doctors, emphasizing her responsibility toward the 500-member crew waiting for her in Jaipur to continue filming Aarya.
"When you headline a show, it's not an ordinary job; you have the privilege of taking on the onus of a 500-member crew," Sushmita explained. "They have all been very nice to you; they understand and are concerned about you, but at the same time, I am concerned about the fact that their daily wages are stuck, and you cannot shoot without me."
The actress described negotiating with her medical team for two weeks before finally getting permission to resume filming. Her dedication to her professional commitments showcases her remarkable work ethic, even in the face of serious health challenges.
Life Lessons from Near-Death Experience
Sushmita reflected on the profound perspective gained from her brush with mortality. "When you suffer a heart attack and you are conscious through it, you kind of know how close you came to being on the other side of life," she shared. "Once you cross that, you also know how far behind it is now, and you know the difference."
The actress, who balances her career with being a single mother to two daughters, emphasized her philosophy of continuous movement forward. "In my mind, everything is transient, including a heart attack. If I were not to survive it, then there would be no story to tell, but if you have survived it, then no point sitting and harping about what happened."
Aarya Season 3 eventually released on Jio Hotstar in November 2023, with the second part of the third season following in February 2024, marking the successful completion of the project despite the health scare that threatened to derail production.
