Television actor **Karan Patel** has faced criticism on social media for his poor performance in the reality show **The 50** and his “laziness”, despite his pre-show confidence. His team has now released an official statement clarifying that the lack of effort that viewers noticed was due to a serious **rib fracture** suffered at the beginning of the competition.

According to the statement (reported by Times of India, India Today, Free Press Journal and others on February 20, 2026), Karan had come to the show with full commitment. During the first big task, co-contestant **Siddharth Bhardwaj** attacked him with such force that initially it appeared that he suffered a hairline fracture in his rib. Despite a lot of pain, Karan continued with the task and refused to step down.

Later medical consultation and X-ray confirmed **fracture of right rib**. He was advised rest and kept out for a period of time for tests, but feeling responsible towards the fans, returned as a wildcard despite continued discomfort and medical risks. She managed the pain with doctor-prescribed oral painkillers and intramuscular injections, and rested only after strenuous activities to recover for the next challenge.

The team emphasized that Karan prioritized professionalism and performance over drama, avoiding anger or drama for the sake of screen time. Constant strain aggravated the injury, forcing him to opt out of his own volition on strict medical advice – not a strategic move, but a health necessity.

He addressed the out-of-context clips/images of them resting or lying down, and made it clear that these were moments of recovery, not escape. The upcoming episodes reportedly feature her strong participation.

The statement appealed to media and platforms to avoid misleading statements such as “sleeping on the job” or underperforming, and emphasized that Karan had worked despite the serious injury to honor his commitments. It ended by praising fans’ support and emphasizing facts rather than speculation in shaping the story.

The revelation changed the conversation online, with many fans expressing sympathy and admiration for her strength amid the physical demands of the show.