Dangal’s Bhatnagar Out-Wrestled by Dermatomyositis
Starring on the screens as a young Babita Phogat, Suhani Bhatnagar, came to fame by essaying the role beautifully in the wrestling biopic – Dangal. The film was well-received was the top grossing movie, crossing 2000 crores at international box offices.
Bhatnagar, only 19 years old, breathed her last on Saturday, 16th February 2024 after being diagnosed and ailing from a very sporadic inflammatory disease called Dermatomyositis. The teenage actor was detected with the muscle inflammation disease’s symptoms two months ago and it was only mere ten days that the condition was medically diagnosed. Her father, Puneet Bhatnagar revealed his daughter’s ailment to the public in an interview.
On 7th February the family admitted her to All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), staying in the hospital bed for just a week, she succumbed to medical complications.
The girl was spotted with some rashes a couple of months ago and as time passed, they got worse and even the medicines couldn’t sooth their fury. Despite hospitalising her, the actress’ heath refused to recuperate as her lungs contracted fluid.
‘She developed a red spot on her hands about two months ago. We thought it was an allergy and we consulted with doctors in different hospitals in Faridabad but it couldn’t be diagnosed.’ her father stated in the interview.
Aamir Khan expresses Condolences
Further elaborating, he said that they took her to the AIIMS hospital, Delhi where there wasn’t any betterment in her health and her lungs were damaged due to the cumulation of fluid in them.
Her father proceeded to say that despite the professionals prescribing her with steroids, Bhatnagar’s health refused to heal and her immune system was sabotaged by the antigens. The last rites of the Dangal girl were carried out on Saturday at the Ajronda cremation ground in Delhi.
Bhatnagar’s co-actor, who portrayed the character of her father in the film, Aamir Khan, expressed his heartfelt 
condolences to the family in a post on X. ‘We are deeply saddened to hear about our Suhani passing away. Our heartfelt condolences to her mother Poojaji and the entire family. Such a talented young girl, and such a team player, Dangal would have been incomplete without Suhani. Suhani, you will always remain a star in our hearts. May you rest in peace..’ read Khan’s message.
Dermatomyositis: A Dig Deeper into the Unknown Disease
A very rare inflammatory disease, Dermatomyositis is identified by incandescent purple rashes, near the eyes, cheek, chest or upper back and muscle lethargy. The rashes can be treated and soothed by medications but there does not exist a cure to eradicate the disease from its roots. The incurable condition is mostly seen in females.
Muscles in the shoulders, upper arms, hips, thighs and neck are the endangered to maximum infirmity. There’s discomfort in raising hands above shoulder level accompanied with locomotive inconvenience.
Joint swelling and pain can also be a symptom along with inflammation of the muscles in the heart and the lungs, swelling and inflammation in the blood vessels in skin and muscles is also noted.
There is also a complaint of difficulty in swallowing and breathing as the respiratory muscles get impaired. The sufferer must be scanned for muscle enzyme like CPK and undergo ANA or PET scans to rule out the possibility of an autoimmune disease.
Dermatomyositis, incurable, can be alleviated with the help of symptom-eliminating medication, physical therapy, exercise, heat therapy and rest.
Bhatnagar’s demise shed a light on this rare, unheard disease as we all become aware and conscious of its symptoms and care.
