Rana Daggubati has opened up about one of the most turbulent phases of his life, revealing why he chose to return film advances after a serious health scare forced him to step away from the industry.
In a recent appearance on Chapter 2, hosted by Rhea Chakraborty, the actor spoke candidly about battling kidney failure and heart-related complications that required a transplant in the United States. What followed, he said, was not just a medical recovery but a deeply personal reckoning.
After achieving major commercial success, Daggubati faced a sudden turning point when his health deteriorated. The break from films was unavoidable. “My focus there was survival,” he said, recalling the year he spent in the US undergoing treatment and rehabilitation. When he finally returned to India, he was confronted with a reality he had not fully anticipated — his physical transformation.
The actor shared an anecdote involving fellow actor Varun Tej that brought home the extent of the change. “I remember there was this friend of mine who’s an actor, Varun Tej. He came to see me at some point. He’s a really big guy, too. Halfway through the conversation, that guy was looking more like me that I knew than me,” Daggubati said.
The moment was unsettling. “I was like, why don’t I just patch on all these stories to this guy and get it done? It was strange, not recognising a version of you was confusing. I think if I weren’t an actor, I don’t know if I would’ve been able to cope with that.”
Before his illness, Daggubati had signed on to several physically demanding roles. Some projects required him to portray larger-than-life characters, including a wrestler. But after his surgery and recovery, he knew he no longer matched the physical profile those scripts demanded.
“I had a bunch of films I was supposed to do. There was a story of a big-a** wrestler and those kinds of films. So, I don’t look like any of those guys. I was returning advances back and all that was going on,” he revealed. The decision, though financially and professionally significant, reflected his practical understanding of the situation.
During the conversation, Chakraborty observed that Daggubati had once been seen as “this hot guy from Hyderabad” making a mark in Bollywood. The actor acknowledged the shift in perception but emphasised that vanity took a backseat when life itself felt uncertain.
Since recovering, Daggubati has become more selective about his work. In 2025, he starred in Kaantha alongside Dulquer Salmaan, Bhagyashri Borse and Samuthirakani, a film he also co-produced. He made a cameo appearance in Mirai and featured in Parasakthi. Beyond acting, he has explored hosting with The Rana Daggubati Show and lent his voice to Solo Leveling.
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