Archana Puran Singh is a name we all associate with joyful laughter and that constant, positive energy we see on our TV screens every week on The Great Indian Kapil Show. Whether she’s sitting in her famous judge’s chair or playing a character in a movie, she always looks like she’s having the time of her life. But behind that smile, for over a year now, she has been living with a lot of physical pain that most people can’t even imagine, and she did it all while continuing to work and entertain us without a single word of complaint.
Currently, Archana is on vacation in London with her family. The secret finally came out when her son, Ayushmaan Sethi, surprised her with a moving video tribute. Watching it, Archana became overwhelmed with emotion, revealing her quiet battle with a rare and debilitating condition called Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS).
How did it happen?
The injury took place in 2025 on the sets of her film Vicky Vidya Ka Wo Wala Video. Archana hurt her wrist during the shoot, an injury that seemed like a fracture at the time. But even after surgery and months of physiotherapy, the pain didn’t go away. Instead, it got much worse, turning into a constant, burning agony that simply wouldn’t stop. Later, she was diagnosed with CRPS. It’s a condition where your nervous system essentially gets “stuck” in pain mode. Your brain and spinal cord keep sending out emergency pain signals long after the actual wound has healed.
According to a study published in The Lancet 2023, titled “Complex regional pain syndrome: a review,” the condition is now understood as a process where the central nervous system becomes “sensitized.” The study explains that the body’s internal “alarm system” breaks, leading to an overreaction to even the slightest touch. It isn’t just “in the head,” it is a physical malfunction of the nerves that control pain, temperature, and blood flow.
What do studies say
Medical researchers have found that CRPS acts like a “short circuit” in the body. It’s not just about the bone that broke; it’s about how the nerves around that bone reacted to the trauma.
According to a study published in the Journal of Pain Research 2024, titled “The Role of Small Fiber Neuropathy in CRPS,” over 90 per cent of cases involve damage to the tiny, microscopic nerve fibers that control blood vessels and skin health. When these fibers are damaged, which often happens in wrist fractures like Archana’s, they start leaking chemicals that cause permanent inflammation and ‘false’ pain alarms.
Living with the “Suicide Disease”
CRPS is often called the “suicide disease” because the pain is seen as one of the most severe on the McGill Pain Scale, even higher than childbirth or amputation. For Archana, this meant her daily life was extremely exhausting.
The symptoms go far beyond just hurting. The affected limb can change colour, turning purple, red, or blotchy. It can feel burning hot one minute and ice cold the next. The skin can become so sensitive that even the feeling of a shirt sleeve or a gentle breeze feels like a blowtorch against the skin. This is called allodynia, and it’s one of the hardest parts of the condition to live with.
According to a study published in Nature Reviews Neurology 2023, titled “Neuroinflammation and the pathophysiology of CRPS,” the brain actually reorganizes itself in response to this constant pain. The part of the brain that represents the hand or wrist can start to shrink or shift, making the limb feel heavy, stiff, or even like it “doesn’t belong” to the body anymore.
There is no simple “cure” for CRPS, but catching it early is the best way to manage it.
Disclaimer: The information in this article is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. While the author has incorporated expert medical guidance while producing the story and ensured full authentic information is provided to the reader, you should always seek the advice of a qualified healthcare provider regarding a medical condition or treatment. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read here.