Mumbai, Nov 05:From masseur to modern-day physios, the pain in the neck (pun intended) of Bollywood has always found a cure. The picture of a maalishwala massaging Dilip Kumar on the sets has been replaced by a physio working on Vivek Oberoi, Shah Rukh Khan or Hrithik Roshan. It would have been impossible for Farhan Akhtar to shoot Lakshya in Ladakh without a physio.

The director wrote to Dr Ali Irani, head of physiotherapy at Nanavati Hospital, asking for a physio. "The amount of money spent on hiring a physio is not a big deal. Prevention is always better than cure," says Irani, who`s been physio to the Indian cricket team.


His filmi patients include the likes Dilip Kumar, Madhuri Dixit, Sanjay Dutt, and more recently Vivek, Shah Rukh, Om Puri, Salman Khan and Sushmita Sen. "Intake of medicines while shooting makes the stars drowsy and lethargic. Physiotherapy is better as it not only ensures safety, it also boosts confidence. Any damage would change the way they present themselves on screen," he says.

Says Farhan, "It not only ensures safety, but actors are more relaxed knowing that there`s an expert around. Even the producer`s relaxed. Any injury can make the shoot schedule go berserk," says Farhan.


Vivek says that if there was a physio on the sets of Mani Ratnam`s film, the damge caused by his accident could have been limited. "The presence of a physio is a comforting feeling. I feel good that there`s a skilled person waiting to take care of me if something goes wrong."

In fact, Vivek and Abhishek may start a physiotherapy service for the film industry. "We`ve spoken about it once. We have to work it out. Even stuntmen will be benefited by it."


Farha Khan, who is shooting with Shah Rukh for her directorial debut, Main Hoon Na , says, "If I shoot outside Mumbai, I`ll definitely take a physio along. It makes life easier for the actor, director and producer." Says Irani, "We identify the cause and treat it. The equipment is efficient. The actors usually wait till it gets worse. I suggest they take this seriously. This could be a new trend in films."