EXCLUSIVE ! Miracles do happen and prayers are answered, says Aniruddh Dave after recovering from COVID-19

The actor got discharged from a Bhopal hospital recently after a 55-day battle

Ever since he tested positive for COVID-19 on April 23, actor Aniruddh Dave faced a tough battle against the dreaded virus. However, after struggling with post-COVID complications at a Bhopal hospital, the Shakti- Astitva Ke Ehsaas Ki actor was finally discharged from the hospital and returned home recently. The actor spoke about his ordeal exclusively with us.

‘My wife baked a cake for me to celebrate the homecoming’
A warm welcome awaited Aniruddh as he reached his in-laws’ home in Kota, where his wife Shubhi, son Anishq and her parents waited for him anxiously. “It felt like coming home after winning a death-defying war. My parents, wife and in-laws were happy and relieved to see me back home. Finally, I could see the apple of my eye, my little Anishq, after two months, whom I missed the most. Shopu (he fondly calls his wife Shopu) baked a cake for me and my homecoming was celebrated with fanfare. I could see the happiness on everyone’s face,” he told us.

‘My son Anishq was my biggest strength to bounce back’
After he was admitted to a Bhopal hospital as he tested

COVID

positive, his health deteriorated due to post-COVID complications. Talking about the ordeal, he shares, “The last two months have taught me that life is a battlefield and we have to endure it to survive. It also taught me that miracles do happen and we must believe in them. You just need people around you to pray for your well-being. When I was admitted to the hospital, my condition was very critical. Doctors were on their toes and trying to save me in every possible manner. But after a few days, sensing the situation, they asked for my permission to inform my family. I could figure out that the situation was way more critical than I had imagined. When Shubhi came to see me, we could not talk. I was on oxygen support, but I could see the pain in her eyes and feel what she was going through. She gave me a smiley ball that had ‘My papa is my superhero’ written on it. My four-month-old kid Anishq was my biggest strength to bounce back.”

‘There was a time when I couldn’t even hold my mobile phone’
It also made Dave realise that relationships mattered the most. His friends, colleagues and even fans prayed for his speedy recovery. Aniruddh shares, “My family, friends and my fraternity really helped me get back on track. Along with it, what made me stay strong were messages from all across. Since I was allowed to read messages on mobile, I used to read them and feel connected with the outer world. I realised that apart from my family and close friends, people all across the country were praying for my life. It included people whom I didn’t even know or saw, they were my fans and wanted me to bounce back. Friends used to send me messages, trying to lift my spirits. Their words of encouragement helped me to pull through my struggles and come out as a winner. There was a time when I could not hold my mobile phone in my hands and so, my attendant in the ICU used to read out those messages every morning. ‘

Buddy

, you have to come home soon!’ ‘Bhai, tera wala Shukrawar aane wala hai’-these words keep echoing in my mind. Prayers have the power to heal and those prayers were answered. My recovery is proof!”

‘Our doctors and nurses are the real heroes’After being in a critical condition for almost 45 days, he showed signs of improvement. “I heaved a sigh of relief after 45 days when I could breathe without oxygen support. Bina kisi support ke saans lena bhi apne aap me ek naya experience tha, which cannot be expressed in words. One can only sense how it feels,” he says. About finally getting discharged from the hospital, he shares, “I was stunned to see the huge staff of the hospital, including doctors, nurses and management staff, giving a heart-warming farewell to me. My respect for frontline warriors has really gone up and it won’t be an exaggeration to say that doctors and nurses are the real heroes, who put their lives in danger and saved lakhs of people like me,” he tells us.

Currently recovering at his in-laws’ home in Kota, Aniruddh is taking things slow but wants to get back to work as soon as possible. “Currently, I have some weakness which will take time to heal. Doctors have advised me to be on complete bed rest. I am assuming that by the first week of August, I will be able to resume work in Mumbai. I want to get back to normal life once again, as soon as possible,” he signs off.