Ranjini Menon has long been a familiar face for Malayali audiences, known for effortlessly balancing multiple roles as a television anchor, actor, director, writer, and motivational speaker. Recently, however, the popular media personality spoke about a deeply personal chapter in her life, one that forced her to pause, reflect, and re-evaluate everything she believed about health, success, and the pace of modern living.
Ranjini Menon opens up about her stroke
The incident dates back to November 18, 2024, a day that began like any other. Ranjini was getting ready to host the Imperma lecture series at TDM Hall in Ernakulam, a programme centred on the idea of life’s impermanence. Before leaving home with her husband, Rajagopalan, she casually sipped a cup of coffee. That ordinary moment, she later revealed the beginning of a medical emergency she could never have predicted.
According Manorama report, Ranjini recalled noticing something unusual while drinking the coffee, it began trickling down the right side of her lips. Around the same time, her speech started to sound strange. Describing the sensation later, she said her words felt distorted, “as if a cassette was being dragged,” though she did not immediately understand what was happening to her body. At the time, she dismissed the signs and chose to carry on with her plans.
Even as they drove to the venue, the discomfort grew. Ranjini tried speaking to her husband, but her words were unclear. Typing messages on her phone also became difficult, with letters appearing mixed up. Though she sensed something was wrong, she remained determined to reach the programme on time. Once at the hall, her condition worsened. Colleagues assumed it might be a drop in sugar levels and gave her sugar water. Moments later, she collapsed.
Doctors later confirmed that Ranjini had suffered a major heart attack along with a stroke, caused by a blood clot in the brain stem. The impact left the right side of her body weak, her face tilted, and parts of her memory temporarily affected. She was rushed to Renai Medicity, where she spent several days in the ICU, moving in and out of consciousness.
What lessons she learned after this near-death experience?
Looking back at those days, Ranjini said that even a single day in the ICU is enough to teach someone the real value of life. Simple things, sunlight, water, and breathing without pain, took on new meaning. To reassure herself that her memory was intact, she quietly recited verses she had known for years, holding on to familiarity amid uncertainty.
After four days, she was moved to a hospital room and later discharged. Her recovery continued at Ochira Tapasya Ayurveda Hospital, where she spent a month relearning how to walk. Friends and family stood by her, offering constant emotional support.
Today, Ranjini says the experience has humbled her. She has stepped away from unhealthy multitasking, embraced self-care, and returned to her work with renewed gratitude.
Ranjini Menon opens up about her stroke
The incident dates back to November 18, 2024, a day that began like any other. Ranjini was getting ready to host the Imperma lecture series at TDM Hall in Ernakulam, a programme centred on the idea of life’s impermanence. Before leaving home with her husband, Rajagopalan, she casually sipped a cup of coffee. That ordinary moment, she later revealed the beginning of a medical emergency she could never have predicted.According Manorama report, Ranjini recalled noticing something unusual while drinking the coffee, it began trickling down the right side of her lips. Around the same time, her speech started to sound strange. Describing the sensation later, she said her words felt distorted, “as if a cassette was being dragged,” though she did not immediately understand what was happening to her body. At the time, she dismissed the signs and chose to carry on with her plans.
Even as they drove to the venue, the discomfort grew. Ranjini tried speaking to her husband, but her words were unclear. Typing messages on her phone also became difficult, with letters appearing mixed up. Though she sensed something was wrong, she remained determined to reach the programme on time. Once at the hall, her condition worsened. Colleagues assumed it might be a drop in sugar levels and gave her sugar water. Moments later, she collapsed.
Doctors later confirmed that Ranjini had suffered a major heart attack along with a stroke, caused by a blood clot in the brain stem. The impact left the right side of her body weak, her face tilted, and parts of her memory temporarily affected. She was rushed to Renai Medicity, where she spent several days in the ICU, moving in and out of consciousness.
What lessons she learned after this near-death experience?
Looking back at those days, Ranjini said that even a single day in the ICU is enough to teach someone the real value of life. Simple things, sunlight, water, and breathing without pain, took on new meaning. To reassure herself that her memory was intact, she quietly recited verses she had known for years, holding on to familiarity amid uncertainty.After four days, she was moved to a hospital room and later discharged. Her recovery continued at Ochira Tapasya Ayurveda Hospital, where she spent a month relearning how to walk. Friends and family stood by her, offering constant emotional support.
Today, Ranjini says the experience has humbled her. She has stepped away from unhealthy multitasking, embraced self-care, and returned to her work with renewed gratitude.