Why is Bollywood calling in sick?

Injuries or illnesses are forcing several stars to declare a timeout from shooting. Are they too fragile or is it the demanding work schedule?
Here's a look at some Bollywood celebrities on sick leave.

Amitabh Bachchan
Legendary actor Amitabh Bachchan is the latest on the injury list. He met with a minor accident on the sets of his new film, Department.

As anxious fans tweeted their wishes to the actor, many were reminded of the Big B's earlier brushes with ill-health and accident.

The big blow was the one suffered by him on the sets of Coolie, in 1982. Bachchan suffered a near fatal intestinal injury during an action scene. He remained critically ill in hospital for many months. He resumed filming later that year after a long period of recuperation.

In 2005, Amitabh Bachchan was hospitalised again after abdomen pain. He went through a surgery and several projects featuring him were put on hold. The Big B returned to work in 2006.

Just last week, Abhishek Bachchan hurt himself while completing a stunt for Rohit Shetty's Bol Bachchan in Jaipur. Bachchan Jr incurred six stitches on his forehead.

Now, father and son are well on way to recovery. The Big B tweeted today (Thursday): "Thank you all for your get well wishes .. Healing well .. Father and son both back on set and at work .. Our love and gratitude !!"

Some people like to add insult to injury--Abhishek Bachchan, on the other hand (quite literally), likes to add injury to injury.

As if the deep gash on his forehead wasn't quite enough, he has now revealed he's suffered a broken finger, as well.

The actor had this to say on his Twitter account: "And yes yes, you heard right. I fractured my finger. It's what I'dike to call a sympathy wound.

"Didn't want my dad to feel lonely with his fractured rib so thought I give him some company!!! ;-)"

While his tweet doesn't reveal if those injuries were back to back or simultaneous, it's clear that Abhishek takes the adage "making the cut" a tad bit too seriously.

Shah Rukh Khan
King Khan seems to be quite prone to injuries. Earlier, it was a shoulder injury that delayed some of his films. Then, over a year ago, he suffered a tear in the meniscus of his left knee, which got further aggravated by the rigorous action stunts he did for his forthcoming Ra.One. He now has to undergo a knee surgery, which will be performed by Mumbai-based Dr Ali Irani.
Reel peril: My Name Is Khan, Ra.One

Photo Courtesy:Mid-Day.com

Salman Khan
The actor recently went through a complicated nerve surgery in the US. But to recover completely, he needs medical treatment every two months. His next big surgery is reportedly scheduled to take place next January in the US itself.
Reel peril: Ek Tha Tiger and his future assignments

Photo Courtesy:Mid-Day.com

Rajinikanth
Illness struck superstar Rajinikanth during the initial shoot of his period flick, Rana. After being hospitalised twice in Chennai, the actor flew to Singapore for treatment. He returned from Singapore after spending more than a month in treatment and recuperation, in July.

The shoot for Rana is expected to resume next month.

Reel peril: Rana

Photo Courtesy:Mid-Day.com

Saif Ali Khan
The actor's stomach woes probably started in 2006, when he had to undergo an emergency appendectomy surgery after complaining of abdominal pain during a shoot in Kuala Lumpur. In 2008, he was admitted to Lilavati Hospital after he complained of abdominal pain. The following year, he was down with a stomach infection during the promotion of Kurbaan. Mid-day reported that he fell ill because of constantly eating out and indulging in seafood in Dubai. He has since often been falling ill because of his adventurous eating habits. Last year, he spent a week in a Mumbai hospital after complaining of chest pain. Reel peril: Kurbaan

Photo Courtesy:Mid-Day.com

Hrithik Roshan
Soon after the release of Guzaarish, Hrithik Roshan was urgently rushed to Kokilaben Hospital in Mumbai. The actor's lungs practically collapsed and his face swelled up. It was a reaction to an antibiotic Hrithik had popped in to ward off a chest infection. He also contracted malaria while shooting for Guzaarish and was on bed rest for 10 days. Earlier, the Jodhaa Akbar shoot had to be postponed as he was down with a viral flu. Reel peril: Guzaarish, Jodhaa Akbar

Photo Courtesy:Mid-Day.com

Sonam Kapoor
The petite Sonam Kapoor seems to be extremely prone to infections and falls sick quite often. She got a stomach infection during the shoot of Players and as a result missed the chance of meeting New Zealand PM John Key on the set. She also contracted typhoid while shooting for Thank You in Canada, suffered a relapse on her return to India. Even during the making of Mausam, the actor was hospitalised due to exhaustion. Reportedly, her illness cost the producers nearly 3 crores as the sets had to be dismantled and reconstructed again in Karjat. Reel peril: Players, Thank You, Mausum

Photo Courtesy:Mid-Day.com

Priyanka Chopra
Priyanka Chopra has fainted several times during her film shoots due to over exhaustion. She has also suffered from high fever and cold very often. She once had an eye infection during the shoot of Anjaana Anjaani. Even when she was shooting for Dostana and What's Your Rashee, she fell ill. Reel peril: Anjaana Anjaani, Dostana, What's Your Rashee

Photo Courtesy:Mid-Day.com

Katrina Kaif
Katrina was admitted to Breach Candy Hospital after complaining of abdominal pain and went through surgery after being diagnosed with appendicitis in 2009. Before that, she was also diagnosed with jaundice and a low haemoglobin count. She was rushed to Lilavati Hospital while returning from Udaipur after promoting De Dana Dan. The hectic travelling took its toll on her health; she was with diagnosed with fever and advised complete bed rest. Then, post the shoot of Raajniti, she got a bout of food poisoning. She was on complete bed rest and had to skip some film awards. Reel peril: Mere Brother Ki Dulhan, Raajniti, De Dana Dan

Photo Courtesy:Mid-Day.com

Deepika Padukone
Deepika was down with Malaria during the shoot of Houseful in London and was given a week off to recover. She also fell ill during the promotional phase of Lafangey Parindey, which took toll on the leggy lissome.
Reel peril: Houseful, Lafangey Parindey

Photo Courtesy:Mid-Day.com

Aishwarya Rai Bachchan
Aishwarya fell ill while shooting for Action Replayy and had to take antibiotics, which reacted badly. She ended up with high fever and swollen lips. In 2009, the actress was down with chest infection and flu-like symptoms.
Reel Peril: Action Replayy

Photo Courtesy:Mid-Day.com