Designer Rohit Bal critically unwell, on ventilator support

Known fashion designer Rohit Bal is critical and has been put on ventilator support. The designer, who hails from Srinagar, started his career in 1986. Bal has been admitted to Medanta Hospital in the National Capital Region owing to a pre-existing cardiac condition.

Bal has been struggling with alcohol addiction and has been in and out of rehab. The 62-year-old was visited by old friend Arjun Rampal at the hospital. Reportedly, when he was admitted to the hospital 6-7 months ago, the doctors had to pump out the alcohol and sleeping pills from his system.

In February 2010, Bal underwent an emergency angioplasty after he suffered a heart attack. Bal, who is a St Stephens alumnus, won the 'Designer of the Year' award at the Indian Fashion Awards in 2006.

He studied fashion design at the National Institute of Fashion Technology. He also won 'Designer of the Year' at the Kingfisher Fashion Achievement Awards in 2001 and was named the Lakme Grand Finale Designer for 2012.

His international clients include Cindy Crawford, Pamela Anderson and Uma Thurman. Time Magazine has also called Bal the master of Indian fabric and fantasy. In 2005 Bal opened a restaurant, 'Veda'. He has also shown his collections in fashion shows in Paris, London, Moscow, Singapore and New York.