Mumbai: Reena Raju, who has undergone two heart transplants and runs a post-transplant organisation, shared how Salman Khan supported her and celebrated her recovery.
The Bollywood superstar has been helping people with healthcare and education since 2007 through his Being Human Foundation. Reena, who is from Karnataka, is one of the beneficiaries.
Speaking on the Voice of Bengaluru podcast with RJ Sowjanya, Reena said Salman quietly stood by her during both her surgeries.
Asked about her long association with Salman, Reena said: “I will get emotional speaking about Salman sir. First of all, let me say, I love him with all my three hearts and my soul. When I was not well and before my first heart transplant, I had his number. So many people must message him, but he replied, and I told him I’m going through a heart transplant. He was shooting in Australia at that time. He called on the night of my transplant and spoke to us for almost two hours. He was very kind to my family and encouraged me to go through it.”
Reena revealed that she lost touch with Salman for two years, but he remembered her when she reached out
again.
She told him that she had started foundation, Light a Life. Salman was protective but also encouraging, Reena said.
She added that she met him for the first time in Mumbai in 2018, after her second transplant. What she thought would be a 10-minute meeting turned into a much longer and meaningful time together.
“He has kindness written all over him. We spent the whole night partying at his house, singing and dancing. Four months after my second transplant, I had diabetes and all kinds of medical issues, but I was having a good time. He took us to the Race 3 sets, and we spent the whole day there. He gifted me a Being Human white bicycle because he remembered that I had messaged him about it long ago,” Reena recalled.
She said she has some of her best memories with Salman, adding that it is rare to find people who truly care.
Reena also shared that even today, when she faces health issues after her transplant, she messages him, and he always replies with kind and supportive words.
She added that, like her, many people Salman has helped through his Being Human foundation are not known to the public.
On the work front, Salman was last seen in AR Murugadoss’ ‘Sikandar’ along with Rashmika Mandanna.
The actor is now preparing for the release of ‘Maatrubhumi’, which is expected to hit screens this year.