Director Sham Kaushal recently opened up about his cancer diagnosis and how doctors had predicted that he would not live for long. During the shoot of ‘Lakshya’ in Ladakh in 2003, Sham began experiencing abdominal pain. He was taken to an army hospital and chose to resume work soon after, moving on to Shyam Benegal’s ‘Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose’.Sham Kaushal thought of ending his life after cancer diagnosis
In a recent podcast with Aman Aujla, Sham shared that he had troubling thoughts after learning about the diagnosis and the doctors’ remarks about his health. “They informed me in the evening, and at night, I had this wild thought of jumping from the third floor of the hospital where my room was situated. I didn’t make the decision out of weakness, but thought, when I have to die anyway, why not now? But I couldn’t move due to the pain post-surgery,” Sham shared.Sham prayed to God to spare him for another 10 yearsHe recounted that after a medical examination, the doctor informed him that surgery was necessary. He agreed without hesitation. Following some medication, he underwent a three-hour operation the next morning. Although he regained partial consciousness that evening, it took him three full days to fully regain his senses.Sham hid the diagnosis out of fear of losing workSham kept this chapter of his life private out of fear that it would affect his professional opportunities. It also pushed him to seek solace in God. He recalled praying to the Almighty to spare him for another ten years, as his children were still too young. After that prayer, he almost overcame his fear of death. He gained faith, believing it would only take a couple of surgeries to cure the disease.Despite a year of treatment and multiple surgeries, Sham remained resilient. The cancer had not spread. His prayer for a decade of borrowed time turned into more than two decades of personal and professional growth.Sham is married to Veena Kaushal, and they have two children — Vicky Kaushal and Sunny Kaushal — who are well-known stars in Bollywood.
