Over the past two years, Tannaz Iranihas faced health challenges because of a severe back injury forcing her to rely on a cane. Nonetheless, a self-proclaimed workaholic, the actress coped with the difficult phase by swallowing painkillers. It was only recently that she realised the problem wasn’t related to her back but the hip joint.

She says, “It took me two years to diagnose my condition. Believing the issue was with my back and knee, I underwent numerous MRIs and X-rays and went from doctor to doctor for relief.”

She has now been advised to go in for hip replacement surgery, which is scheduled in a few days. She shares, “I am nervous and excited. I have always been a positive person and I am ready for the surgery.”

Even with her resilient spirit, there are some moments when Tannaz longs to get back to her former healthy self. She says, “My daughter shared an old video of me running with shopping bags in London from a couple of years ago and wrote to me, ‘This was when mummy could run and walk.’ I couldn’t hold back my tears because, since then, they had seen me limping around the house.”

The actress is currently shooting for two shows – Barsatein and Ghum Hai Kisikey Pyaar Mein. She is grateful that her producers have been supportive of her condition. She shares, “I will resume work as soon as I can walk, even if I have to use a stick or a walker.”

She adds, “It’s essential to heal from within because much of the pain we endure is often related to unresolved emotional issues. Besides medication, I have been diligently practicing meditation, which has helped me adopt a positive outlook so that my body welcomes recovery. My goal is to regain the ability to walk without assistance and dance again. I am so optimistic about the results that I have taken up work scheduled for January and February next year.”