I want to reach out to Samantha and tell her that if I can make it, so can you, says Vikram Bhatt

The filmmaker opens up about his 18-year-long battle with fibromyalgia, a chronic disorder that causes widespread muscle pain

- Renuka Vyavahare

About a month ago, actress Samantha Ruth Prabhu took to social media to share that she was diagnosed with an autoimmune condition called myositis. The rare disorder leads to muscle weakness and pain. Director Vikram Bhatt, too, has been quietly fighting a health crisis himself. He was diagnosed with fibromyalgia 18 years ago, a chronic disorder characterised by widespread muscle pain. It is often accompanied by fatigue and altered sleep, memory and mood. Moved by Samantha’s post, he decided to break his silence, hoping to give strength to the actress and many who suffer from these rare disorders.