Rana Daggubati is more than just an actor. He is also a producer and a strong supporter of Indian cinema.
Much before the term “pan-India” became popular, Rana was already working across multiple languages. He rose to nationwide fame with his powerful antagonist role in Baahubali, directed by S. S. Rajamouli.
His towering screen presence and imposing physique made him one of Indian cinema’s most memorable villains.
But soon after Baahubali, life took an unexpected turn. Rana suffered kidney failure along with heart-related complications.
He stepped away from films and professional commitments to focus entirely on his health.
The actor travelled to the United States for a kidney transplant and spent months dedicated to recovery. During this phase, his drastic weight loss raised serious concern among fans and well-wishers.
In a candid conversation on Chapter 2 hosted by Rhea Chakraborty, Rana spoke openly about that difficult period and the challenge of returning to an industry where his physicality once defined him.
During the discussion, Rhea referred to Rana as the “hot guy from Hyderabad” who was steadily making a mark in Bollywood before his health scare.
Rana, however, said that during his illness, image and stardom meant nothing to him. Survival was his only priority.
He spent nearly a year in the United States, following a strict recovery routine and disciplined diet. When he returned to India, he no longer resembled the imposing Baahubali figure. He had become much leaner due to the illness and treatment.
Rana revealed that he had several films lined up before falling ill, including physically demanding roles like that of a wrestler.
“I didn’t look like those characters anymore. I was returning advances, and all that was happening,” he said.
He also recalled fellow actor Varun Tej visiting him during his recovery. Rana said that midway through their conversation, Varun looked more like the old Rana than he himself did.
The actor admitted that the sudden physical transformation left him confused for a while. Not recognising his own body was unsettling, and he felt that coping with such a change might have been far more difficult if he were not an actor.
In recent years, Rana has steadily rebuilt his career. In 2025, he starred in Kaantha alongside Dulquer Salmaan, Bhagyashri Borse, and Samuthirakani — a film he also co-produced.
On the digital front, Rana headlined Season 2 of Netflix’s Rana Naidu and hosted The Rana Daggubati Show on Prime Video between 2024 and 2025.
He also lent his voice to the popular anime series Solo Leveling, further expanding his presence across platforms.
From battling a life-threatening health crisis to reinventing himself on screen, Rana Daggubati’s journey stands as a powerful story of resilience and reinvention.
