Celebrated action director Sham Kaushal, known for his decades-long contribution to Bollywood, has shared an emotional and rarely discussed chapter of his life. In a podcast conversation with Aman Aujla, Kaushal opened up about being diagnosed with cancer in 2003, during the early 2000s when his career was gaining momentum.
Kaushal, now also recognised as the father of actors Vicky and Sunny Kaushal, was shooting in Ladakh for Lakshya when he first experienced sharp stomach pain. Though admitted briefly to an army hospital, he returned to work quickly, joining Shyam Benegal’s Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose. But the discomfort grew worse, eventually leading to surgery.
He recalled, “After examining me, the doctor said surgery was necessary. It lasted around three hours. I only fully regained consciousness three days later.” When he became alert, Kaushal sensed that something was wrong. “Everyone around me looked extremely tense. Their expressions had changed.”
The surgical team had removed a growth from his stomach and sent it for testing. The diagnosis came back as cancer. “That evening, the doctor said I wouldn’t survive,” Kaushal shared. The news devastated him to the point where he considered ending his life by jumping from his hospital room on the third floor. “Not because I was weak, but I thought if death was inevitable, why not now?” he said.
However, he couldn’t move due to post-surgery pain and soon, prayers, faith, and inner strength carried him through recovery. Today, Kaushal shares his journey without fear, hoping to inspire others facing adversity.
