Shivarajkumar is off to the US: ‘Everything looks good, there’s nothing to worry’

Kannada cinema’s Hattrick Hero Shivarajkumar’s been out of the country umpteen times, on work or for personal reasons, but when he leaves with his wife, Geetha, and daughter Niveditha late on December 18 to head to the US, it’s a more emotional affair. Shivanna, as the actor is fondly known, is going to Miami for a surgery as part of the treatment he requires.

Shivarajkumar: ‘I’ve been having some health issues since the last few months’ 

Weeks ahead of the release of Bhairathi Ranagal, there were murmurs in Sandalwood circles that Shivanna had received a worrisome medical diagnosis. During the promotions of the film, the actor decided to set the record straight. While he didn’t say what exactly was ailing him, he admitted that he’d been receiving treatment for a disease. He added that following the treatment in India, he would be heading to the US for surgery.

Shivarajkumar's special note of gratitude to the media

In one of the interviews, Shivanna mentioned that he’d received 2 sessions of chemotherapy, which confirmed speculation that the actor had got a cancer diagnosis. Earlier today, hours before he was to embark on the journey to the US, for his scheduled surgery on December 24, Shivanna spoke to the media camped outside his home, during which he thanked them for not sensationalising news about diagnosis since the news broke.

Bhairathi Ranagal star Shivarajkumar’s health update; surgery scheduled 

“I’ve had a round of check-ups before my departure and all the parameters are looking good. Friends, family members and fans called on me today and that made me emotional. But otherwise, I am very confident and have no worries about the surgery on the 24th at the Miami Cancer Institute. This is the first time I am going away for this long – more than a month. There is nothing to worry, but even then, one is bound to feel a bit nervous. I am only human, after all,” said the actor, who will return to India on January 26.