Aamir Khan was recently the center of attention at the 4th season of Ajivasan Act in Mumbai, not just for his performance but also for his changed look. While fans praised his singing, photos and videos of the actor quickly went viral on social media. Dressed in a printed blue kurta and trousers, Aamir looked visibly heavier, making fans wonder if he’s gaining weight for his next role.
Many social media users wondered if the weight gain was for his rumoured upcoming biopic on Dadasaheb Phalke. But in a recent interview with Deccan Chronicle, Aamir clarified that the change in appearance is not linked to films but to health. “I have been having migraines for some time, and for that I need to be on steroid treatment. That made me put on weight, I can’t help it. In fact, I’ve started my diet and workout because I need to get back into shape for whatever my next film is,” he shared.
When asked whether doctors had diagnosed the root cause of his migraines, Aamir told the Deccan Chronicle, “No, because they’re not able to figure out why it’s happening. The steroid is taking the headaches away. But I can’t keep taking steroids. Sometimes, you know, it’s difficult to diagnose exactly why things are happening. I understand it’s complicated.”
Is steroid treatment safe to treat migraines?
Steroids are not the first line of treatment for migraines, but they are often used when standard medications do not provide enough relief or when headaches keep recurring. An analysis published by the US National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) found that adding corticosteroids like dexamethasone to standard migraine therapy significantly reduced the chance of headaches coming back within 24–72 hours. This means steroids can be very effective for breaking the cycle of severe or repeated attacks.
However, researchers also reveal that steroids are generally meant for short-term use because of potential side effects. The same NCBI study revealed that while steroids helped in the short run, patients exposed to repeated courses risked issues like weight gain, mood swings, high blood pressure, and changes in metabolism.
A review in the medical journal Cephalalgia also warned that steroids should only be used for tough migraine cases, since long-term use can lead to serious side effects. Doctors usually prefer other preventive medications or non-drug therapies before relying heavily on steroids.
Other ways to treat migraine
Health experts say there are many options to manage migraines apart from steroids. Preventive medicines like CGRP inhibitors (fremanezumab, erenumab) have shown strong results in reducing the number of attacks, with a study in The New England Journal of Medicine finding they nearly halved migraine days for many patients. For sudden migraine episodes, drugs such as triptans, NSAIDs, and anti-nausea medicines remain the most widely used. Lifestyle changes like proper sleep, regular exercise, hydration, and avoiding triggers such as stress or certain foods can also make a big difference, according to the Migraine Research Foundation. Alternative approaches including acupuncture, biofeedback, massage, and nerve blocks are gaining attention too, with the American Headache Society reporting that these can be useful for patients who struggle with medication side effects.
How did netizens react to Aamir’s health update
Fans on social media shared their worry and support for Aamir Khan. One wrote, “Hopefully his health issues are nothing serious,” while another said, “This happens to a lot of us, and it’s hard when the medicine is necessary but the side effects hit hard.” Aamir assured fans that he has already started a diet and workout routine to lose the extra weight. He also shared that while steroids are helping with his migraines, they are not a long-term solution.
Aamir Khan was last seen in Sitaare Zameen Par, a sequel to his iconic 2007 film Taare Zameen Par. Directed by RS Prasanna, it had Genelia D’Souza as one of the leads and a lineup of young debutants. He also made a special appearance in Coolie, directed by Lokesh Kanagaraj, which starred Rajinikanth, Nagarjuna, Shruti Haasan and others.