Gratitude—that’s the emotion currently dominating Ram Madhvani’s headspace. The creator-director is grateful not only for being able to take Aarya to the third edition, but also to Sushmita Sen for saying yes to him season on season. “I cannot say yes to her. She is in power, and I am happy she said yes again,” he beams.

The crime drama, also starring Sikandar Kher and Vikas Kumar, is centred on Sen’s titular character who goes from being a homemaker to a don after her husband is killed. The Disney+ Hotstar series had the audience hooked since its first season in 2020, as much for its gripping story as for the leading lady’s confident performance. It’s the latter that Madhvani is particularly happy about—the show, after all, marked Sen’s OTT debut.

“The responsibility [I feel towards] whichever actor I am working with is greater than the series or film I make. So, after the series or film has reached the audience, I spend a lot of time [wondering] whether I can look my actor in the eye and say, ‘I did justice to you.’ Sometimes I succeed, sometimes I don’t. With Sushmita, I seem to have succeeded because we are in the third season.”

In Sen, he found a curious actor, an intelligent collaborator, and above all, a person of towering strength. He remembers how the actor suffered a heart attack earlier this year on the sets of Aarya, and overcame the difficult period with her resolute strength.

“I am happy that she is okay. After two weeks, she walked the ramp at a fashion show. That was a statement she sent out to the whole world, which was, ‘I can recover. I will be okay.’ She is a miracle lady. Everybody knows that her energy is incredible.”

Much can be said about Madhvani’s drive too. In a recent interview, writer Anu Singh Choudhary told mid-day that the reason behind Aarya’s success is the director’s relentless pursuit of creative brilliance. Mention it to him, and he laughs, “There should be T-shirts that read, ‘I survived Ram Madhvani.’ I suspect Anu is relentless too. We may get pushed off the mountain, but we will keep climbing it.”

After disclosing that she had recently suffered a heart attack, actor Sushmita Sen went live on Instagram, on Saturday. She spoke about what happened and shunned speculations that the gym impacted her health.

“I survived a very big heart attack. I know a lot of you will stop going to the gym and say, ‘It did not help her’... It did help me. It was massive, with a 95% blockage in the main artery. I survived because I have kept an active lifestyle,” said the actor during the live session, adding, “I believe that for what it’s worth, it was a phase and it passed. I am very lucky to be on the other side. It doesn’t put fear in me, instead I now have a feeling of promise to look forward to something.”

The actor urged fans to be better informed about health. “A lot of young people are not surviving heart attacks, so it is very important to keep checking yourself. Women need to understand that heart attacks [are] not a man thing. Also, it is nothing to be afraid of, but it is important to be vigilant. When you get a new lease of life, you respect it,” the 47-year-old added.

During the 14-minute live, Sen thanked her family, doctor, and makers of Aarya, as she got the attack, while shooting for the latest season. “My only request was that nobody should know that I was admitted and was undergoing surgery. The hospital, doctors and their team all honoured my privacy till I was discharged,” Sen wrapped up.

Mumbai: Former Miss Universe and actor Sushmita Sen on Thursday revealed that she had suffered a heart attack a few days ago and undergone angioplasty and had a stent inserted in her heart. Sharing the health update on her Instagram page, Sen (47) said she is “ready for some life again”.

“Keep your heart happy & courageous, and it’ll stand by you when you need it the most, Shona (wise words from my father @sensubir). I suffered a heart attack a couple of days back. . . Angioplasty done . . . stent in place. . . and most importantly, my cardiologist reconfirmed I do have a big heart,” Sen posted.

It is learned she underwent the minimally invasive procedure at Nanavati Hospital. She was admitted on February 27 and discharged on March 1.

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Mumbai  Former Miss Universe Sushmita Sen, revealing that she needed a stent after suffering a heart attack a couple of days ago, wrote on Instagram, “This post is just to keep you (my well wishers & loved ones) informed of the good news. . . that all is well & I am ready for some life again! I love you guys beyond! #godisgreat.”

Sen’s film industry colleagues, including Tabu, Poonam Dhillon, and Sophie Choudry, sent their best wishes to the actor. “Lots of love super girl,” wrote Tabu in the comments section of Sen’s post. “Be well—you are an amazing lady! God bless you with good health always,” posted Dhillon.

“Sending you love and light. . . I know both you and your heart will be stronger than ever,” Choudry said. Sen was recently shooting for the third season of ‘Aarya’. She had been diagnosed with Addison's disease in 2014.

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Sushmita Sen shared a shocking health update on social media yesterday and revealed that she recently suffered a heart attack. Starting her post with some words by her father, Subir Sen, she said, “Keep your heart happy & courageous, and it’ll stand by you when you need it the most Shona” Wise words by my father (@sensubir). ”

She further said, “I suffered a heart attack a couple of days back…Angioplasty done…stent in place…and most importantly, my cardiologist reconfirmed, ‘I do have a big heart’. Lots of people to thank for their timely aid & constructive action… will do so in another post! This post is just to keep you (my well-wishers & loved ones) informed of the good news …that all is well & I am ready for some life again (sic). ”

Last year, the 47-year-old actress had revealed that in 2014 she was diagnosed with Addison’s disease, an autoimmune disorder in which the adrenal glands do not produce enough hormones.