Delhi/ Mumbai: In the high-octane worlds of professional sports and Bollywood, where peak physicality and charisma are non-negotiable, doctors are emerging as unsung heroes. These physicians do more than mend injuries—they rebuild careers, restore confidence, and keep India’s top athletes and film stars at their dazzling best.
With cutting-edge techniques and a deep understanding of the demands of stardom, they’re the backbone behind some of India’s most iconic performances. Consider Dr. Anant Joshi, a Mumbai-based orthopedic surgeon who’s a trusted name for cricket legends like Sachin Tendulkar and Rohit Sharma. When Tendulkar battled a career-threatening tennis elbow in the early 2000s, Dr. Joshi’s innovative approach, combining minimally invasive surgery and tailored rehab, brought the Master Blaster back to the crease.
“My goal is to understand the athlete’s body and their drive,” Joshi says. His work with Sharma, who recovered from a 2016 thigh injury to lead India to multiple victories, showcases his ability to blend precision with empathy, ensuring athletes return stronger under intense public scrutiny.
In Delhi, Dr. Prateek Gupta, a sports medicine specialist, has become a lifeline for both athletes and Bollywood stars. Known for treating actor Ranveer Singh during his shoulder injury sustained while filming Bajirao Mastani, Gupta’s expertise in arthroscopic surgery and rehabilitation helped Singh return to his high-energy performances.
“Bollywood demands physical and emotional resilience,” Gupta notes. “My job is to support both.”
His personalized recovery plans, factoring in the grueling schedules of film shoots, have also aided athletes like wrestler Vinesh Phogat, who bounced back from a knee injury to compete at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Dr. Dinshaw Pardiwala, another Mumbai-based luminary, is celebrated for his work with Bollywood and sports icons alike. He’s treated stars like Shah Rukh Khan, who underwent shoulder surgery in 2010, and cricketer Jasprit Bumrah, who recovered from a stress fracture in 2022.
Pardiwala’s approach integrates advanced diagnostics with holistic rehab, ensuring patients regain not just mobility but confidence. “Every injury is a story,” he says. “I help them write a comeback.” His role in Khan’s recovery allowed the actor to perform his own stunts in Chennai Express, while Bumrah’s return to bowling at blistering pace is a testament to Pardiwala’s skill.
Beyond the operating table, these doctors navigate the emotional weight of their patients’ high-profile lives. Dr. Deepak Chaudhary, a Delhi-based specialist, works with young athletes and actors, including rising star Janhvi Kapoor, who faced a minor ankle injury during Dhadak promotions. “Young performers carry immense pressure,”
Chaudhary says. “I focus on healing their body and spirit.” His non-surgical treatments and mental conditioning programs help patients like Kapoor maintain their momentum in a demanding industry.These doctors are more than medical professionals—they’re guardians of dreams.
By combining expertise with an intimate understanding of the pressures of fame, they preserve the legacies of India’s brightest stars. From Tendulkar’s record-breaking innings to Shah Rukh Khan’s cinematic triumphs, their work resonates far beyond the clinic, proving that in the world of Indian stardom, sports medicine doctors are the quiet force behind the spotlight
.
