Kangana Ranaut recalls Rangoli Chandel's horrific acid attack incident

Kangana Ranaut and Rangoli Chandel (Photo/File pic)

Ahead of International Yoga Day, Kangana Ranaut, on Sunday, shared the story of how yoga helped her sister, Rangoli Chandel to overcome the trauma she went through following an acid attack. Rangoli, at the age of 21, was attacked with acid and had to undergo 53 surgeries. "She started practising Yoga and I saw a dramatic transformation in her," said Kangy.

Recalling the horrific acid attack incident, Kangana wrote in her Instagram post, "Rangoli has the most inspiring Yoga story. A roadside Romeo threw acid on Rangoli when she was hardly 21. With third-degree burns, half of her face burnt, one eye lost its vision, one ear melted away and a breast severely damaged, she had to go through 53 surgeries in 2-3 years. But that wasn't all, my biggest concern was her mental health as she had stopped to speak. Yes, no matter what happened she would not say a word, just stare blankly at everything."

Further adding, how the incident took a toll on Rangoli's mental health, Kangana said, "She was engaged to an Air Force officer and when he saw her face after the acid attack he left and never returned. Even then she did not shed a tear, neither she uttered a word. Doctors told me she is in a state of shock. They gave her therapies and put her on medication for psychiatric help, but nothing helped."

"At that time I was hardly 19 years old. I did yoga with my teacher Surya Narayan and had no idea that it could help patients with burns and psychological traumas also with retina transplant recovery and lost vision. I desperately wanted her to talk to me, so I took her everywhere with me even to my Yoga classes. She started practising Yoga and I saw a dramatic transformation in her. Not only she started to respond to her pain and my lame jokes but also regained her lost vision in one eye," said Kangana, concluding, "Yoga is the answer to every question (misery) you will ever have, did you give it a chance yet? #internationalyogaday"

Also Read: Shama Sikander: This pandemic allowed me to do a lot of meditation

The actress even shared the story of how she inspired her family to start practicing Yoga. In another Instagram post, Kangana shared photographs of her parents performing Yoga "asanas". The actress wrote: "Tomorrow is #internationalyogaday I am gonna share my Yoga stories, every one knows how and when I started yoga but no one knows how I got my whole family to learn and follow this boon and blessing called Yoga. Some resisted, some took time."

Talking about how her mother began Yoga, the actress wrote: "Few years ago Mother was diagnosed with diabetes, thyroid and high level of cholesterol (600). Doctor said we need to do an open heart surgery for her cause there might be blockage, I told mother with tears in my eyes give me 2 months of your life please I can't let them open your heart. She trusted me and eventually I succeeded in my persistent pursuit. Today she has no meditation, no illness she is healthiest and fittest in the family."

Talking about her father's journey, Kangana shared: "With excessive walking Papa had damaged his knees that time I got an opportunity and converted him to an ardent practitioner of Yoga. He even jogs now. Today I can say with proud that biggest gift that I gave to my family is Yoga."

"A happy family is not something you get automatically, you need to work hard for it. Every morning I call them and ask only one question, Yoga kiya!! today they sent these pictures to me from this morning practice in their house in Mandi (Himachal)," she further wrote.

In a separate post, the actress also revealed how she encouraged her brother Aksht to start doing Yoga after he suffered a massive accident while playing football and also her sister-in-law, Ritu.

Also Read: Kangana pens heartfelt note for sister Rangoli on her 10th wedding anniversary