'Cirrhosis has no cure, next step is Liver transplant': Sana Makbul on battling the disease

Actor and model Sana Makbul has broken her silence on a deeply personal health journey—one that she has kept private for years. Known for her roles on television and appearances in reality shows like Khatron Ke Khiladi 11 and the ongoing Bigg Boss OTT 3, Sana recently revealed that she is living with liver cirrhosis brought on by an autoimmune disorder.

“I never wanted to talk about it publicly because I didn’t want people to feel sorry for me,” Sana admitted. “But now that the news is out, I realize if sharing my story can bring awareness or comfort to someone going through something similar, then it’s worth it.”

Sana’s health issues first surfaced in 2020, when what seemed like a minor skin condition—back acne—prompted a visit to the dermatologist. That consultation led to hormone testing, which unexpectedly pointed to issues with her liver. “That’s when things took a serious turn,” she recalled. “We went through multiple rounds of testing, and eventually I was diagnosed with autoimmune hepatitis.”

It was heartbreaking—for me and my family. Cirrhosis has no cure, and the next step, if things worsen, is a liver transplant,” she revealed. “But I’ve come to terms with it. I’m doing my best, and I’ve left the rest to God

- Sana Makbul

Autoimmune hepatitis is a condition where the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks liver cells, leading to chronic inflammation. If left untreated or not well-managed, it can progress to cirrhosis—scarring of the liver tissue that is permanent and can be life-threatening. Despite the daunting diagnosis, Sana did not let her condition derail her career. She went on to shoot Khatron Ke Khiladi 11, an intense stunt-based show, after fully informing the production team about her medical status. “They were very understanding and ensured that everything was handled safely,” she said. “There are good days and bad ones, and that’s just the nature of the illness.”

About four years ago, she learned that her condition had advanced to cirrhosis. “It was heartbreaking—for me and my family. Cirrhosis has no cure, and the next step, if things worsen, is a liver transplant,” she revealed. “But I’ve come to terms with it. I’m doing my best, and I’ve left the rest to God.”

Liver cirrhosis caused by autoimmune hepatitis is relatively rare, accounting for a small fraction of liver disease cases globally. It requires lifelong monitoring and medication to slow progression. Sana’s decision to speak out sheds light on a silent battle many face and underlines the importance of early diagnosis and medical support.

Her resilience in the face of a chronic illness is a testament to her strength. “I just want to live as normally as I can,” she concluded, “and if I can be a source of courage for someone else, then I’m grateful for that.”

Earlier speaking to Hindustan Times about her condition, the Bigg Boss OTT 3 fame opened up on starting immunotherapy, a treatment meant to help her immune system stop damaging her liver. Although it's physically demanding, the actress says she is hopeful she can get through this without needing a liver transplant. “The doctors and I are doing everything we can to avoid a liver transplant. I’ve started immunotherapy and it’s really intense and tiring. Some days are harder than others. But I’m holding on to hope. I just want to get better without needing something so big as a liver transplant. It’s not going to be easy, but I am not ready to give up so easily,” she said.

Sana also shares that her condition has affected her work. She said, “This didn’t happen overnight; I’ve been managing it for a while. Recently, it flared up badly, which has made me pause my work commitments,” she said. “I’ve had to pause a few things, and it breaks my heart a little, as I have worked really hard to achieve all the success, and now when things were falling into place, my health is not in great shape.”

Despite these setbacks, the actress is determined to keep moving forward, even if the pace is slower than before. “I may be walking slower right now, but I’m still moving, and that’s all that matters right now.”