How Amitabh Bachchan took control of his health

Do you know that the superstar of Bollywood is surviving on just 25 per cent of his liver?

The year was 1982. India's favourite superstar, injured in a freak accident on the sets of his film, Coolie, was battling for his life. The nation prayed with bated breath.

That accident cost Amitabh Bachchan in the long term as well. More than two decades later, the superstar was diagnosed with Hepatitis B, which affected 75 per cent of his liver.

Since then, the actor has always endorsed health initiatives -- he's been the face of polio and Hepatitis B awareness in the country.

On March 15, Bachchan, in association with Ushalakshmi Breast Cancer Foundation, launched the 'world's first mobile app' to spread awareness about breast cancer.

"In 2005, when I was diagnosed with Hepatitis B, 75 per cent of my liver was already damaged. I have been surviving with 25 per cent of my liver since then. I am standing in before you because the disease was detected on time and proper care was taken," he revealed at the event.

The app, 'ABC of Breast Health', is available to both iOs and Android users and comes in 12 languages -- English, Hindi, Marathi, Gujarati, Punjabi, Bengali, Telugu, Tamil, Kannada, Malayalam, Oriya and Assamese.

Also present at the launch were Pamela Yash Chopra, patron of Ushalakshmi Breast Cancer Foundation, Padma Shri Dr P Raghu Ram, CEO and director of the foundation, K Padmanabhaiah, former Union home secretary, Jayesh Ranjan, principal secretary, IT, government of Telangana and breast cancer survivors Dharini and Mukta Chindalia.

Some pictures from the event:

Click on the video below to watch Amitabh Bachchan talk about his health.

Video: Hitesh Harisinghani/Rediff.com

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