A fish curry consumed by veteran actor Paresh Rawal in Mumbai had apparently upset his stomach earlier on Friday. Nonetheless, he kept his appointment with the city to present his popular play, Krishan vs Kanhaiya the same day. Unfortunately, much to the disappointment of your diarist and the audience, he could not continue after giving a brilliant performance in the first half.

True to his reputation, Rawal was the man of the moment — he impressed everybody with his flawless acting. Nobody would have guessed he was going through a difficult time, but he persisted. Given the exertion, he suffered from dehydration, and couldn’t return from backstage.

This diarist heard he wanted to continue after a brief moment of rest, try he did, but his health didn’t agree. The professional that he is, Rawal has asked the organisers to fix another date to stage the play again. Hopefully, he will be back soon.

  Tailpiece 

SoShatrughan Sinha may be still in the hospital, but is well on the recovery road. Speaking to the diarist, the veteran actor-politician revealed his bypass surgery was successful and after a few more days of physiotherapy and tests he should be back home. In fact, when he was paid a visit by L K Advani and friend Pahlaj Nihalani, he was able to pose for a picture.

What is touching however is his endorsement of the hospital run by Tina Ambani. Lavishing praises on his “old colleague and co-star and now a dear friend” Sinha revealed that TA, as she is better known in his close circle, went out of her way to make his stay comfortable.

“I’ve the best suite in the hospital with my own terrace,” he gushed, adding how she was personally there to supervise his treatment. Considering how frequently Bollywood stars have been checking into the Ambani hospital, TA has had a busy time indeed.