“Ayushmann and Me were called Brothers”: Tahira Kashyap opens up about her Heartbreaking Cancer Battle

Boss lady, writer and Ayushmann Khurrana’s wife Tahira Kashyap battled against cancer a few years ago, when she was diagnosed with Stage 0 breast cancer. It was a difficult time for the couple as it was the same year when the actor was at the peak of his career and had to manage his professional and personal life with the utmost care.

Tahira underwent a mastectomy and continues to create awareness of breast cancer. She says that women are much more than the size of their breasts, and we cannot agree more.

She states that she never looked at herself as a victim and focused on inspiring and educating people about breast cancer. "I'm not a bechari, and I have never played the victim card. In all these years, I've never asked the question, 'why me' and I don't want to go there now. Probably the reason I suffered is to spread the word, make people more aware, and normalise the conversation around breast cancer and its early detection. I'm a science student, educated and I still didn't pay heed to the symptoms. In many cases, the detection happens at a much later stage," she expressed.

Tahira adds: “When I was diagnosed with breast cancer, I didn't know the outcome, and I refused to harp on the kind of pain one goes through. In fact, I did a lot of pre-production work while I was undergoing chemotherapy. The day you stop blaming yourself or anyone else for what happens, people will stop seeing you through that prism.”

The writer-director also shares how she faced brutal trolling as well and how it affected her. “With all this came prayers, good wishes and love, too, and I chose not to hide behind walls. When I started growing my mane again, they called Ayushmann and me brothers and said, 'do bande chale aa rahe hain' on social media. I'd be lying if I said these things never affected me, but I've learnt the art of pulling up my spirit” Tahira said.

On the occasion of World Cancer Day, Tahira has collaborated with TVF's Girliyapa Spotlight to share her journey and create awareness about the precautions, identifying symptoms and self-care.