Paresh Rawal Urine Therapy and the Truth Behind the Viral Beer Claim

In late April 2025, social media was set ablaze with a bizarre claim: veteran Bollywood actor and former MP Paresh Rawal allegedly stated in an interview that he drank his own urine like beer—daily, for weeks—to cure a knee injury. As absurd as it may sound, the ripple effect was real: media outlets ran with it, memes exploded across X (formerly Twitter), and public opinion split sharply between ridicule, concern, and curiosity.

The controversy ignited not just laughter and disbelief, but also an uneasy conversation at the intersection of celebrity influence, traditional remedies, and scientific skepticism. And beneath the viral headlines lies a bigger question—what really happened, and what should we take from this?

The Origin: From X to Everywhere

Between April 27 and April 30, 2025, several posts surfaced on X quoting Rawal as saying he drank the "first urine of the day like beer" for 15 to 30 days. The supposed payoff? A healed knee and a clean X-ray. Some posts cited a video interview with journalist Saurabh Dwivedi, yet offered no verifiable link to the full footage.

One post even described Rawal casually sipping his urine “as if enjoying a craft brew,” a phrase that seemed engineered for virality rather than accuracy.

While there’s no publicly verified full-length interview to confirm the authenticity of Rawal’s comments, the internet—predictably—ran with the most sensational version. Public figures, media critics, and medical professionals quickly weighed in.

Public Reaction: Mockery Meets Alarm

The backlash was swift and biting. “India wants to be a $5 trillion economy but our celebrities promote medieval nonsense,” wrote one user on X. Another sarcastically suggested that urine should be bottled and sold, now that it has celebrity endorsement.

Journalist Saurabh Dwivedi came under fire as well, with critics calling his silence during the alleged claim “a failure of journalism.” Why didn’t he challenge Rawal? Was it an oversight—or was the claim never actually made that way?

The Science Speaks: “Just Because It’s Yours Doesn’t Mean It’s Safe”

Urine therapy—known as Shivambu in some Indian traditional medicine circles—has deep cultural roots but lacks scientific validation. According to WebMD, urine is a waste product, composed of urea, salts, and toxins the body is actively trying to eliminate. Reintroducing it into the body through consumption can lead to:

• Kidney strain
• Bacterial infections
• No proven healing benefits

Dr. Rajesh Sinha, a nephrologist at AIIMS, warns: “Drinking urine is like pouring the garbage back into your kitchen because it came from your home—it’s still garbage.”

The placebo effect, or natural healing, is the more likely explanation for Rawal’s supposed recovery, if indeed he experienced one.

Cultural Context: Not Just a Joke

To dismiss urine therapy entirely without acknowledging its cultural history would be shortsighted. It has been advocated by Indian spiritual figures like Morarji Desai and even some Ayurvedic practitioners. But while traditional knowledge is important, blind endorsement—especially by public figures—can mislead the masses, especially in an era where misinformation travels faster than truth.

The Power—and Pitfall—of Celebrity Influence

Paresh Rawal is not just an actor; he’s a former lawmaker, a respected artist, and a recognizable public face. When someone like him makes—or is believed to make—unscientific health claims, it carries weight. That’s why even an unverified quote can undermine public trust in evidence-based medicine, especially in rural or less-informed communities.

It’s not the first time celebrities have dabbled in pseudoscience. From Gwyneth Paltrow’s wellness brand to Indian yogis promoting cow dung as COVID protection, history reminds us: charisma doesn’t equal credibility.

Storm in a Teacup or Cautionary Tale?

Whether Rawal truly sipped his morning urine or not may remain uncertain due to the lack of verified footage. But the incident offers an important takeaway: in a country balancing ancient wisdom with modern progress, clear communication and critical thinking are more vital than ever.

Before you laugh off the next viral health hack or celebrity claim, ask: Is this backed by science—or just flavored with sensationalism?

Sources and References:

• WebMD: Is Urine Therapy Safe?
• Community Notes on X (April 2025): User-added corrections debunking health benefits
• Public reactions from verified X accounts including @RoshanKrRaii and @DrNimoYadav

Interviews and commentary from medical professionals (AIIMS and independent sources)