Actor Salman Khan has been funding healthcare and education for many since 2007 through his Being Human foundation. One such beneficiary has been Reena Raju from Karnataka, who had to undergo not one, but two heart transplants. On the Voice of Bengaluru podcast with RJ Sowjanya, Reena revealed how Salman quietly supported her through it all.
Reena Raju says Salman Khan was supportive as she went through transplants
When Reena was asked about her long association with Salman, she smiled and replied, “I will get emotional speaking about Salman sir. First of all, let me say, I love him with all my three hearts and my soul. When I was not well and before my first heart transplant, I had his number. So many people must message him, but he replied, and I told him I’m going through a heart transplant. He was shooting in Australia at that time. He called on the night of my transplant and spoke to us for almost two hours. He was very kind to my family and encouraged me to go through it.”
Reena says she didn’t stay in touch with Salman for two years after that, but he remembered her when she messaged him again. She had called to tell him that she had begun her own foundation, Light a Life, and that Salman had been ‘protective’ but encouraging. It was only in 2018, after the second transplant, that she met Salman for the first time in Mumbai at his home. What began as an assumed 10-minute meeting soon turned into quality time, she says.
Salman Khan her to Race 3 set, danced all night
Reena also recalls, “He has kindness written all over him. We spent the whole night partying at his house, singing and dancing. Four months after my second transplant, I had diabetes and all kinds of medical issues, but I was having a good time. He took us to the Race 3 sets, and we spent the whole day there. He gifted me a Being Human white bicycle because he remembered that I had messaged him about it long ago.”
She says that she has ‘some of the best memories’ with Salman as it’s ‘rare to find people who genuinely care about you’. Reena also stated that even today, when she goes through medical issues that are part and parcel of post-transplant life, she will message Salman. The Bollywood star always messages her back with the ‘nicest and kindest’ things. Reena mentions that, like her, many people whom Salman has helped through Being Human are unknown to the public.
Upcoming work
Salman was last seen in AR Murugadoss’ 2025 film Sikandar with Rashmika Mandanna. He is now shooting for Maatrubhumi, previously titled Battle of Galwan, which is expected to hit screens this year. He will also reportedly feature in a cameo in Riteish Deshmukh and Genelia D’Souza’s Raja Shivaji.
