In a gesture that underscorthe the growing political camaraderie between two key BJP allies, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Monday visited Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan at the Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital in Mumbai, where the actor-politician is recuperating after undergoing a successful shoulder surgery.
Fadnavis, who arrived at the hospital on July 13, spent time enquiring about Kalyan’s health and recovery progress. “Visited Andhra Pradesh DCM Pawan Kalyan ji at Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital in Mumbai, where he is recovering after a surgery. Wishing him a speedy and complete recovery,” the Maharashtra Chief Minister posted on X following the meeting.
The 54-year-old Jana Sena Party chief underwent an arthroscopic repair of a right shoulder rotator cuff injury on July 11, a procedure that lasted approximately three-and-a-half hours. According to a medical bulletin issued by the hospital, the injury comprised an extensive tear of the supraspinatus and infraspinatus tendons, accompanied by an associated avulsion fracture of the greater tuberosity bone. The surgery was performed by Dr. Dinshaw Pardiwala, Director of the hospital’s Arthroscopy and Shoulder Service.
The surgery was uneventful and he is comfortable and recovering well,” the hospital stated in its official communication. Following a period of rest and recuperation, Kalyan will undergo a structured shoulder rehabilitation programme, with doctors expecting full recovery of shoulder function over the next four months.
Kalyan’s wife, Anna Lezhneva, who was present at the hospital during Fadnavis’s visit, has been by his side throughout the recovery process. In an emotional social media post, she reflected on her husband’s resilience, writing: “His burden in life has always been far heavier than his physical pain. He rarely complains. Only when the pain becomes too much, even for him.” She added, “For now, my only job is to take good care of him and make sure he knows he’s in safe hands. One day at a time. We’ll get there.”
The Deputy Chief Minister had been dealing with the shoulder injury for several years, with his extensive political schedule—including election campaigns, public meetings, and other engagements—reportedly aggravating the condition. Doctors advised immediate surgery after medical examinations revealed extensive muscle tears and rotator cuff damage in both shoulders. Given the severity of the injuries, doctors opted to operate first on the right shoulder.
The visit by Fadnavis came a day after Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu flew to Mumbai to check on his deputy. Naidu, who spent nearly an hour at the hospital on Sunday, advised Kalyan to take adequate rest and not to hurry back to his duties, as doctors had prescribed three weeks of physiotherapy. The Chief Minister also revealed that Kalyan’s left shoulder would be reviewed after six months to determine whether surgery would be required or if physiotherapy would suffice.
Kalyan, who has been receiving treatment at the Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital—one of Mumbai’s premier healthcare facilities—expressed gratitude to Fadnavis for his concern and warm wishes. The meeting between the two leaders has also sparked political speculation, with observers noting the significance of such gestures in the context of alliance dynamics.
As the actor-politician continues his recovery journey, his supporters across the country have been flooding social media with messages of encouragement. With his characteristic determination, Kalyan is expected to return to public life after completing his rehabilitation programme, though doctors have emphasised the importance of following the prescribed recovery protocol to ensure complete healing.
News Edit KV Raman
