Who is Sharat Saxena? At 76, veteran actor undergoes 6-hour spine surgery. Now, he has happily thrown away his walking stick. Here’s what happened

Veteran actor Sharat Saxena, 76, recently underwent a six-hour lumbar spine surgery. He shared an update on his recovery with fans on social media, documenting his experience with a touch of humour. The actor has now shared another update, revealing that he has successfully recovered from the procedure and is back on his feet.

Sharat Saxena undergoes six-hour spine surgery

Sharat Saxena underwent the surgery at Bombay Hospital after severe lumbar canal stenosis began affecting his mobility. According to an update shared jointly by the actor and Bombay Hospital & Medical Research Centre, the condition made it difficult for him to walk and even stand for more than a few minutes.

The health issue had also forced the veteran actor to rely on a walking stick while moving around. Doctors eventually recommended spinal decompression surgery to address the problem.

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The procedure was performed using a minimal-access, or keyhole, technique. According to Bombay Hospital, the surgery was successful and helped Saxena get back on his feet.

The hospital also revealed in a post on Instagram that the actor no longer needs the walking stick. In the update, the medical team said Saxena had "happily thrown the walking stick away" after the procedure. The surgery was performed under the care of Dr Arvind Kulkarni, Consultant Spine Surgeon at Bombay Hospital.

Actor shares recovery pictures with a touch of humour

Sharat Saxena also gave his followers a glimpse into his hospital stay through a series of Instagram pictures. In the first photograph, the actor could be seen lying on a hospital bed and smiling at the camera after his surgery. The image carried the words, “Surgery done.”

The rest of the carousel documented different moments from his recovery, including his journey home and time spent with his family. True to his sense of humour, Saxena used the pictures to celebrate the small milestones following the operation.

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A post shared by Sharat Saxena (@sharat_saxena)

One of the images carried the message, “NO MORE SOUP!!!”, while another announced, “NO MORE WALKING STICK!!” The actor also made it clear that he was not letting the surgery bring down his spirits.

Sharing the photographs on Instagram, Saxena wrote that his six-hour spine surgery was over and added, “CAN’T KEEP A GOOD MAN DOWN.” His caption summed up his upbeat approach to the recovery process.

The actor had also kept fans updated before undergoing the procedure. Days ahead of his surgery, he shared pictures from a standing MRI scan at Bombay Hospital. He revealed that the scan was conducted as part of the preparations for his lumbar spine surgery.

Who is Sharat Saxena?

For audiences who have grown up watching Hindi films, Sharat Saxena is a familiar face. The actor has spent more than five decades in the entertainment industry and has appeared in over 250 films. While he initially became known for his imposing physique and roles involving action and villains, he went on to play a wide range of supporting characters.

The veteran actor has been part of several popular films, including Mr. India, where he played Daaga, and Ghulam. His performance in Ghulam also earned him a Filmfare Award nomination for Best Villain. He was also seen as Totla Seth in Phir Hera Pheri.

Television audiences may remember him as Kichaka from the popular mythological series Mahabharat. His filmography also extends beyond Hindi cinema, with appearances in Tamil, Telugu and Malayalam films.

Even in his 70s, Saxena has remained known for his dedication to fitness and bodybuilding. His physical transformation and commitment to staying active have often been discussed as an example of maintaining strength and fitness with age.

On the work front, Sharat Saxena was most recently seen in Ajay Devgn-starrer Son of Sardaar 2. Despite his recent health setback, his latest update suggests that the veteran actor is already looking ahead after the successful surgery.