Veteran filmmaker Rakesh Roshan, known for hits like Kaho Naa... Pyaar Hai and Krrish, opened up on Tuesday about his recent health scare that led to an urgent angioplasty procedure.

In a heartfelt Instagram post, the 74-year-old shared a photo from his hospital room, shaking hands with a nurse and thanking the medical team who cared for him.

While the photo appeared reassuring, his caption revealed a critical diagnosis that had, until recently, gone unnoticed.

Why Routine Checkups Are Important?

Roshan wrote that during a routine full-body check-up, a cardiologist recommended a sonography of the neck. This suggestion proved to be a turning point. “By chance, we found out that although asymptomatic, both my carotid arteries to the brain were above 75% blocked,” he shared. “Which, if ignored, could be potentially dangerous.”

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Without any outward symptoms, the condition could have led to a stroke or other serious complications. He immediately checked into the hospital to undergo “preventative procedures,” including angioplasty.

Now safely back home, Roshan says he feels well and is eager to resume his workouts. “I hope this inspires others to stay on top of their health, especially where the heart and brain is concerned,” he wrote.

A Reminder for Preventive Care Over Cure

The filmmaker urged everyone over the age of 45–50 to consider a CT scan for the heart and a carotid artery sonography as part of their annual health screenings. These tests, often overlooked, can detect hidden arterial blockages that may not present symptoms until it’s too late.

“I think it’s important to remember that prevention is always better than cure. I wish a healthy and aware year to you all,” he added.

His message was met with an outpouring of support from friends and well-wishers across the industry. Actors, including Anil Kapoor, Suniel Shetty, Tiger Shroff, and others left supportive comments and emojis. Roshan’s daughter Sunaina had also earlier confirmed to the media that her father had undergone an angioplasty “in his neck” and assured fans that he was “perfectly fine.”

What Is Angioplasty?

According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, angioplasty is a medical procedure used to restore blood flow through narrowed or blocked arteries. It is most commonly done to treat coronary artery disease but can also be used in other parts of the body, such as the carotid arteries leading to the brain.

The procedure involves inserting a thin, flexible tube called a catheter into a blood vessel. The catheter is guided to the blocked area, where a small balloon is inflated to compress plaque against the artery wall, thus opening the vessel and improving blood flow. In some cases, an atherectomy may also be performed to shave or remove the plaque.

The Role of Stents in Preventing Re-Narrowing

In nearly all modern angioplasty procedures, a stent is inserted to help keep the artery open. A stent is a tiny, mesh-like metal coil that is expanded at the site of blockage. Once placed, it prevents the artery from narrowing again.

There are two types of stents:

• Drug-eluting stents, which release medication to prevent scar tissue buildup
• Bare metal stents, which don’t have a drug coating but are used in patients who may be at higher risk of bleeding

Post-procedure, patients are typically prescribed antiplatelet medications to reduce the risk of blood clots and to ensure the stent remains open.

Risks and Follow-Up Care

While angioplasty is a relatively safe procedure, there can be complications if the stent becomes blocked or scar tissue develops. Some patients may require a repeat procedure or even radiation therapy (brachytherapy) to clear the narrowing.

That’s why ongoing medical supervision and lifestyle changes—such as regular exercise, a balanced diet, and avoiding tobacco—are key to long-term heart and brain health.

Union Health Minister JP Nadda has announced the launch of cervical cancer screenings using Visual Inspection with Acetic Acid (VIA) are now available at Ayushman Arogya Mandirs and other health facilities for women between 30 and 65 years of age.

"Screening for cervical cancer is now available at 1,81,000 Ayushman Arogya Mandirs, also known as Health and Wellness Centers, across the country as a part of population based screening for early detection and treatment," said Nadda, while addressing a press briefing at the World Health Organization virtually.

Using VIA, a low-cost, point-of-care method, trained health workers will screen women for cervical cancer. Those who test positive will then be referred to higher centers for diagnostic confirmation and further evaluation.

Nadda also shared that the cervical cancer screening in the country has been expanded as part of comprehensive primary healthcare under the National Program for Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases (NP-NCD).

"Over 86 million women have already been screened for cervical cancer under the program, reflecting India’s sustained commitment to early detection and prevention," Nadda informed.

Despite being highly preventable as well as treatable, cervical cancer is a public health concern in India.

The country loses one women every eight minutes to cervical cancer.

As per the World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, about 42,000 new cases of cervical cancer is reported annually in India. This underscores the need for preventive measures such as vaccination and early screening.

The WHO Global Strategy to eliminate cervical cancer includes the 90-70-90 targets by 2030 -- vaccinating 90 per cent of girls against HPV, screening 70 percent of women, and ensuring treatment for 90 percent of those diagnosed with cervical disease.

In line with the global strategy to fight cervical cancer, Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently also launched a free HPV vaccination drive that will target health and well being of adolescent girls in the country.

What Is Cervical Cancer?

Cervical cancer develops in a women's cervix (uterus opening) due to abnormal cell growth, primarily caused by persistent HPV infection, a common infection that's passed through sexual contact.

When exposed to HPV, the body's immune system typically prevents the virus from causing damage however, in a small percentage of people, the virus can survive for years and pave the way for some cervical cells to become cancerous.

Treatment involves surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy, with early detection significantly improving outcomes, though it remains a major cancer in low-income countries Cervical cancer can also be prevented through vaccination and regular screening (Pap/HPV tests).

Symptoms Of Cervical Cancer

Cervical cancer has no symptoms in the early days and therefore, is hard to detect until it has spread. However, the early-stage symptoms include:

• Vaginal bleeding after sex
• Vaginal bleeding post-menopause
• Vaginal bleeding between periods or unusually heavy/long periods
• Watery vaginal discharge with a strong odour or containing blood
• Pelvic pain or pain during intercourse
• Advanced Cervical Cancer Symptoms (when cancer has spread beyond the cervix)
• Painful or difficult bowel movements or rectal bleeding
• Painful or difficult urination or blood in the urine
• Persistent dull backache
• Swelling of the legs
• Pain in the pelvis or lower abdomen

How Can Cervical Cancer Be Prevented?

Cervical cancer is largely preventable and, when detected early, it is highly treatable. The WHO recommends HPV vaccination for girls aged 9 to 14, before they become sexually active, along with regular cervical screening from age 30, or 25 for women living with HIV.

Despite this, unequal access to vaccination, screening and treatment continues to drive higher rates of illness and deaths in regions such as sub-Saharan Africa, Central America and Southeast Asia.

Japan has confirmed an outbreak of HPAI (Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza) at a poultry farm, media reports said.

The avian flu, confirmed in Hokkaido in the northern prefecture, marks the fourth case and the country's 21st outbreak this season, Xinhua news agency reported.

The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, in a statement, said that the affected farm is located in the town of Abira, and keeps about 190,000 chickens.

The farm notified local health officials earlier this week, who rapidly followed up with a rapid avian influenza test.

The positive result was confirmed by genetic testing the following day.

“All chickens at the farm will be culled, incinerated, and buried to prevent further spread of the virus,” the authorities said.

Previously, the HPAI outbreak at a poultry farm in Iwate prefecture was reported in February.

Jiji Press reported that the outbreak in the town of Kanegasaki led to the culling of about 560,000 egg-laying hens at the affected farm.

The bird flu season in Japan typically runs from autumn until the following spring.

What Is HPAI? Global HPAI situation

HPAI is a classification for bird-flu viruses that cause severe disease and high mortality in poultry, and also spreads rapidly.

The influenza A H5N1 virus is one of the most common viruses that cause HPAI.

Others include

• Influenza A H5N8 virus
• Influenza A H5N6 virus
• Influenza A H7N9 virus

Outbreaks of HPAI, especially H5N1, continue in wild birds and poultry worldwide, with active disease zones being reported.

• India

While authorities are culling birds, no human cases have been reported.

• South Korea

• United States

Recent detections include the first confirmed HPAI infections in marine mammals (northern elephant seals) in California -- the first such reported cases in 2026.

• Other regions

Suspected HPAI cases have triggered poultry culls and control measures in the UK and Northern Ireland.

Europe reported multiple outbreaks on commercial poultry farms.

Human Cases

According to the World Health Organization, there have been about 994 confirmed human infections reported worldwide since 2003.

This virus does not appear to transmit easily from person to person, and sustained human-to-human transmission has not been reported.

Karnataka, which is home to ‌the tech hub of Bengaluru, has officially become the first Indian state to implement a wide ban on teenagers using social media.

CM Siddaramaiah announced the move while presenting the annual state Budget today and noted that the ban is aimed at preventing adverse effects of increasing mobile usage on children.

He told officials: "With the objective of preventing adverse effects of increasing mobile usage on children, usage of social media will be banned for children under the age of 16."

Last month, Siddaramaiah had discussed this issue in the meeting of Vice-Chancellors (VC) conclave held in Bengaluru and sought opinions of VCs. During the discussion, he raised concerns about the impact of social on academics.

The move is being supported by multiple state officials including State IT and Biotechnology Minister Priyank Kharge as well as Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao.

Is Any Other State Considering a Ban?

Andhra Pradesh may soon follow Karnataka's steps and ban social media for teenagers under the age of 16 in the state.

Nara Lokesh, Information Technology, Electronics and Communications, Real Time Governance and Human Resources Development Minister for Andhra Pradesh, told Bloomberg at the World Economic Forum 2026 Annual Meeting in Davos, Switzerland: "As a state, we are studying Australia’s under-16 law, and yes, I believe we need to create a strong legal enactment.

"Youngsters below a certain age should not be on such platforms, as they do not fully understand the content they are exposed to. Thus, a strong legal framework may be required."

TDP national spokesperson Deepak Reddy supported Lokesh's claim and stated: "Children below a certain age are not emotionally mature enough to comprehend the negative and harmful content that is freely available online. That is why the Andhra government is studying global best practices and examining Australia's under-16 social media law."

If implemented successfully, Andhra Pradesh would be the first Indian state to issue the ban and could pave the way for other states to consider such policies. State officials are yet to clarify when the rule will be implemented and if any fines will be attached to it.

How Does Social Media Affect Teenagers?

The researchers found that children aged 9 to 13 who used social media more often did worse on tests that measured skills like reading, memory, and language. They were tested on these abilities two years after the study began. The results were published in a major medical journal called the Journal of the American Medical Association.

The children's brain power was measured using special tests created by the National Institutes of Health, which tested things like how well they remember information and understand language. The study found a clear, but small, drop in the test scores for kids who used social media.

• Kids who used social media for just one extra hour a day scored about 1 to 2 points lower on their memory and reading tests.
• Kids who used social media for up to three extra hours a day saw a bigger drop, scoring as much as 4 points lower.