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AFP
Mumbai
Bollywood star Irrfan Khan, known internationally for his roles in blockbusters"Life of Pi"and"Slumdog Millionaire", shocked fans Friday by revealing he has a rare tumour.
In a statement addressing speculation by fans and the media over his health, Khan said he has been diagnosed with a neuroendocrine tumour. The disease affects the body's hormonal messaging system and studies suggest it afflicts just 35 in 100,000 people.
"Learning that I have been diagnosed with neuroendocrine tumour as of now has admittedly been difficult, but the love and strength of those around me and that I found within me has brought me to a place of hope,"Khan said on Twitter.
"To those who waited for my words, I hope to be back with more stories to tell,"he said, adding that he would leave India for treatment.
Referring to rumours about his illness, Khan said a neuroendocrine tumour"is not always about the brain and googling is the easiest way to do research".
The 51-year-old Indian actor, who was in the 2016 film"Inferno"alongside Tom Hanks, is one of Bollywood's most globally-recognised exports, with a stellar career at home and in Hollywood. He had been scheduled to start work on a film by Bollywood director Vishal Bharadwaj, who recently announced the production had been postponed due to Khan's illness.
