When Manoj Joshi recalled surviving coma and blindness during ‘Devdas’ shoot: 'I lost my eyesight for 19 days'

Over the years, Manoj Joshi has remained a consistent presence in the film industry. From serious to comedy roles, Manoj Joshi has earned much love from the audiences. Veteran actor Manoj Joshi once revisited one of the most challenging chapters of his life when he suffered a severe stroke during the shooting of 'Devdas', directed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali.In a 2023 interview with the YouTube channel Rajshri Unplugged, Manoj Joshi spoke openly about the incident and the extent of his condition. He detailed the seriousness of the stroke and its long-lasting effects on his health and life. He said, “In 2001, I got ill. I had a stroke and I was on the hospital bed for one-and-a half year. I fell ill during the shooting of Devdas. I was in coma for four days, I lost my eyesight, I couldn’t see anything for 19 days. This is my rebirth. During that time in the hospital my bank balance became zero and my wife took tuitions to support me.”During his prolonged recovery Manoj Joshi credited his wife for standing by him and helping him navigate the crisis. As he battled health complications and financial challenges, her support played a key role in stabilising their situation. The actor revealed that while he was unable to work and his savings were exhausted, his wife took up teaching to ensure the family could sustain itself. This phase, he has often indicated, reshaped his perspective on life and career.After recovering, Manoj Joshi gradually made his way back into the entertainment industry. His comeback began with television which provided him with an opportunity to rebuild his career. Speaking about this turning point, he said, “Then in 2003 I got a chance to act in a TV show called 'Kehta Hai Dil'. I played the role of the main villain on the show. I was suppose to star for only four days in the show but it went on and on and eventually, I became one of the lead actors on the show. Later, I got a slew of films, including 'Hungama', 'Hul Chul', and I ended up doing 12 films with filmmaker Priyadarshan.”In recent years, he has appeared in films like 'Dream Girl 2' alongside Ayushmann Khurrana. His filmography also has over 70 Hindi films since 1998, including 'Hamare Baarah', 'Ajmer 92', and 'Samrat Prithviraj'.