Fighting for Her Life on Her Own Terms: TV Actress Sana Makbul’s Harrowing Battle with Liver Cirrhosis at Just 32

In an industry that often glorifies glamour and gloss, the raw edges of human frailty rarely make the headlines—until now. TV actress and reality-show sensation Sana Makbul, best known as the 2021 winner of Bigg Boss OTT and a beloved face on countless Indian serials, has come forward with a chilling confession: at just 32 years old, she is waging a desperate war against advanced liver cirrhosis. With medical experts warning that a transplant may be inevitable, Sana has vowed to exhaust every possible avenue—emotionally, physically, and spiritually—before agreeing to such a drastic procedure.

From Screen Darling to Hospital Patient

A few days ago, a candid photograph circulated on social media showing Sana in a hospital gown, hooked up to intravenous drips and looking visibly frail. Fans recoiled in shock. How could the effervescent actress—whose laughter once lit up reality-show sets—be confined to a sterile ward, her strength drained by an unrelenting disease? In an exclusive interview with Hindustan Times, Sana pulled back the curtain on the darkest chapter of her life, describing in stark detail how her body’s defenses turned on her liver, leaving her straddling the razor’s edge between hope and despair.

The Diagnosis That Stopped Time

“I was blindsided,” Sana admits, her voice wavering. “One day I was living my normal life—shooting scenes, attending events, laughing with friends—and the next, my immune system was attacking my liver. The diagnosis came like a thunderbolt: liver cirrhosis. Seeing those words on the medical report felt like watching your own obituary take shape.” Cirrhosis, the irreversible scarring of the liver, typically afflicts the elderly or those with decades of chronic abuse. For a vibrant 32-year-old, it is almost unheard of—and devastatingly swift.

A Relentless Immune Attack

According to Sana, the trouble began months ago with vague symptoms: relentless fatigue, sporadic abdominal pain, and sudden bouts of nausea that left her doubled over on set. “I thought I was just run down,” she recalls. “As an actress, you learn to push through every ache and every pain. But then my hands started to tremble, and I noticed swelling around my ankles. That’s when I knew something was horribly wrong.” A battery of tests revealed that Sana’s immune system had begun to perceive her own liver cells as invaders, unleashing an inflammatory onslaught that scarred healthy tissue and compromised vital functions.

Running on Empty: The Daily Struggle

Every day now feels like a herculean feat. “Some mornings, I can barely rise from bed,” Sana confesses. “The fatigue is bone-deep. Simple tasks—making tea, brushing my hair—leave me breathless. When I try to film, I have to take breaks every fifteen minutes. My director once asked, ‘Are you sure you can finish this scene?’ I smiled and said yes, but inside I was crumbling.” She describes a harrowing roller coaster of emotions: some days she finds the strength to laugh, on others she collapses in tears, grieving the life she once took for granted.

Doctors’ Dire Warnings and Reluctant Hope

Medical experts have been candid: without a liver transplant, Sana’s survival beyond the next year is far from guaranteed. “They told me straight: we don’t want to rush into transplant, but your liver is failing,” she says. The prospect of major surgery terrifies her. “Transplant means immunosuppressants for life, endless hospital visits, and a risk of rejection. What if my body freaks out? What if I trade one battle for another? I’m scared—terrified, even—but I refuse to give up.”

Instead, Sana has embraced an aggressive regimen of immunotherapy, experimental treatments designed to curb the autoimmune attack on her liver without resorting to transplantation. “I’ve started immunotherapy,” she says. “Yes, it’s exhausting—every infusion drains me further—but it’s the only shield I have now.” Her physicians have thrown the kitchen sink at her condition: from high-dose steroids to targeted biologic agents, each treatment brings fresh hope—and fresh setbacks.

A Fighter’s Spirit: Refusing to Surrender

Despite her physical decline, Sana’s spirit remains unbowed. “I’ve battled darkness before,” she reminds us. In 2015, a freak dog-bite incident left her with 120 stitches across her lip, triggering a severe bout of depression. “Back then, I thought my career was over. I was terrified of living without the face that defined me. But I recovered.” Now, she draws strength from that earlier ordeal. “If I can survive steel-toothed trauma, I can survive this,” she declares, eyes blazing with defiance.

The Emotional Toll: Family, Fans, and the Road Ahead

Sana admits that the emotional impact has been almost as punishing as the physical symptoms. “I’m used to applause and adoration, but lying in that hospital bed, I felt invisible. My phone would beep with messages: ‘Get well soon!’ but I couldn’t muster the energy to even type back a thank-you.” Her family has rallied around her, providing round-the-clock support. “My mother sits with me every night, holding my hand,” she shares, voice cracking. “My friends have taken turns sleeping by my side. But sometimes, when they leave, the silence roars.”

Though her immediate future on television is uncertain—several ongoing projects have been put on indefinite hold—Sana is determined not to let her career define her worth. “Acting is my passion, but surviving is my priority,” she states. “I’m taking a break from work, but I’m not taking a break from life.” She has begun mentoring young actors online, offering tips on audition techniques, on-camera confidence, and—most importantly—mental resilience.

Fans Rally with #SaveSanaMakbul

The outpouring of love from fans has been overwhelming. On social media, the hashtag #SaveSanaMakbul has trended for three straight days, with heartfelt messages and fan-made videos urging her to stay strong. Dozens of supporters have pledged to participate in upcoming charity fundraisers, hoping to ease the financial burden of Sana’s medical bills—bills that, even for a successful TV star, can spiral into tens of lakhs of rupees.

“I never expected this level of support,” Sana marvels. “Every message reminds me I’m not alone.” Yet she also acknowledges the flip side of fame: “Some people have written that I brought this on myself, that I’m lazy or attention-seeking. Those comments cut deeply. But I choose to focus on the kindness.”

A Cautionary Tale for All

Beyond the headlines and heart-string-tugging pleas, Sana’s journey serves as a wake-up call about the silent menace of autoimmune liver disease. “People think cirrhosis is only about drinking,” she emphasizes. “But mine was triggered by the immune system—no alcohol involved. If you experience unexplained fatigue, persistent abdominal pain, or sudden weight changes, see a doctor. Don’t wait until you’re too weak to even walk.”

Medical experts echo her warning. Dr. Radhika Mishra, a hepatologist at Mumbai’s Apollo Hospital, notes: “Autoimmune liver disorders are rare but rising. Early diagnosis can slow progression and sometimes even reverse damage. Public awareness is the first line of defense.”

The Road to Redemption—and Renewal

As Sana embarks on what she calls “the hardest journey of my life,” she remains committed to documenting every step. Through candid social-media posts, she offers unvarnished updates: unfiltered photos of IV lines, video logs of painful infusion sessions, and late-night reflections on fear and faith. “I’m not showcasing weakness,” she insists. “I’m showcasing truth.”

Her fans have responded with fierce loyalty, sharing her posts millions of times, citing her as a beacon of courage in a world that too often hides suffering behind a filter. Several fellow celebrities—Aditi Rao Hydari, Karan Wahi, and Divyanka Tripathi among them—have publicly pledged support, promising to join fundraisers and amplify her story.

Looking Ahead: A Life Beyond the Liver

What does the future hold for Sana Makbul? At the moment, even she cannot say. The next few months will determine whether immunotherapy can buy enough time to avoid—or at least postpone—transplant surgery. Yet in every conversation, one theme emerges: hope. “I refuse to let cirrhosis write the final chapter,” she declares. “If I need a liver transplant someday, I’ll cross that bridge. But today, right now, I’m determined to fight with every ounce of strength I have.”

In an industry where image often takes precedence over authenticity, Sana Makbul’s unflinching honesty stands as a powerful testament to resilience. Her story is a vivid reminder that behind every spotlight lies a human heart—fragile, fallible, yet capable of astonishing bravery. As she continues her battle, millions of fans across the world will be watching and cheering, their collective voice echoing one simple message: “Stay strong, Sana. We believe in you.”