Several Bollywood celebrities have over the years battled and survived, and some of them not so fortunate like yesteryear actress Nargis, have succumbed to the disease. However, we have many who have bravely shared their experiences, rising above cancer and living a normal life.
These Bollywood celebrities have in their stories emphasised the importance of early detection, seeking treatment immediately and maintaining a positive mindset. These film actors have served as role models for the audience and their fans and thus their demonstration with the power of resilience and overcoming their adverse situation has also been an inspiration.
Let’s honour some of our celebrities who have battled and survived cancer silently and shared their stories. Let’s celebrate their Life.
1. Sanjay Dutt, the all-time favourite, bravely fought lung cancer in August 2020, and by October 2020, the actor had announced he was cancer-free. For Sanjay Dutt, it was particularly difficult as he had lost his mother and his first wife to cancer. He had a positive attitude despite the challenges, regular treatment, and he was vocal about his experience and wanting to help raise awareness about cancer and the importance of seeking early treatment. Sanjay Dutt is set to star in Bhootnii, releasing later this year.

2. In 2018, Sonali Bendre announced that she had been diagnosed with metastatic cancer and received treatment at a hospital in New York City. Despite a stage 4 cancer, the actress recovered and bounced back free in 2021. The charming actress became an advocate for cancer awareness and became a support by sharing her story and encouraging by inspiring others in a similar situation.
3. Rakesh Roshan, the filmmaker and actor, was diagnosed with an early stage of throat cancer in 2018. He not only successfully battled the disease and emphasised the importance of a positive mental attitude to overcome the challenges and the strong support of a family. While he was undergoing treatment, Rakesh Roshan continued to work and build his farmhouse. The actor has shared his insight on cancer and showcased the power of resilience for which requires a positive approach.
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4. Manisha Koirala 2012, was diagnosed with advanced-stage ovarian cancer. The actress had recovered successfully in 2013 and had undergone treatment at the Memorial Sloan Kettering cure Centre in New York. Following her recovery, the actress has been sharing her experiences to raise awareness of ovarian and has been an inspiration. She has even published a book titled “Healed: How Cancer Gave Me A New Life’ in which she has detailed her cancer journey. Manisha has also partnered with organisations in support of cancer patients.
5. Kirron Kher, actress and Member of Parliament, battled multiple myeloma, a type of blood cancer, which was diagnosed in 2020. Kirron had undergone treatment for over a year and had found the first few months challenging. The actress maintained a positive attitude and believed that the Lord would fight it for her. During her treatment, she continued with her work and also judged the India’s Got Talent show on television.
The actress and MP emphasised staying positive and trusting in God.
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6. Lisa Ray was diagnosed with multiple myeloma, a rare disease, in 2009. She had announced she was cancer-free after the autologous stem cell transplant using her own stem cells. Lisa Ray manages her multiple myeloma while striving for a normal life. She married Jason Dehni in 2012 and had twin daughters via surrogacy in 2018.
7. Mahima Chaudhry Doctors diagnosed her with breast cancer in 2022, and she fought it successfully. She had kept her cancer diagnosis a secret from her parents for fear of their reaction. Her parents learnt about her cancer from a video that Anupam Kher had shared on Instagram. Mahima had stayed away from the world of glitz and glamour for a while during her treatment. She recently portrayed the role of Pupul Jayakar in the film Emergency, starring alongside Kangana Ranaut.
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8. Hina Khan, who is battling stage 3 breast cancer, recently shared details of her journey on social media, the side effects and spoke about the importance of early detection and regular health checkups. The actress said it’s not just the treatment but also the physical strength and the mindset and spirit that go a long way amidst the treatment.
Our celebrities are humans too and known for their on-screen charm, glamorous lives face the same fears and struggles that anyone in their place would, but with just determination, courage positive attitude, they have emerged victorious. Their stories stand as a testament of triumph and beacons of hope to millions whose stories are similar.
9. Anurag Basu,In 2004, a medical diagnosis revealed he had blood cancer, with doctors predicting just two weeks of life remaining.Despite the grim projection, Anurag fought back against all odds and survived the dreadful disease. He calls his survival story nothing short of a miracle. His wife was seven months pregnant at the time, and that made him push himself to live longer. His experience is an inspiring story as he emphasised will power and his resilience to fight back the disease. Today, he is a part of the platform to raise awareness and is encouraging his audience and fans for early detection.
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10. Tahira Kashyap, Actress and Member of Parliament diagnosed with multiple myeloma, a type of blood cancer, in 2020 and bravely battled it. She survived the disease and had to undergo a mastectomy and chemotherapy, among other treatments. Tahira has been very open about her cancer, sharing her experiences and advocating for breast cancer awareness. Her prime focus is early detection. The actress, unfortunately, had a relapse and a second round of breast cancer after seven years. Tahira continues to remain positive and determined to cure herself, sharing stories of humour and hope.




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