Filmmaker and Bollywood actor Ayushmann Khurrana’s wife Tahira Kashyap has been documenting her cancer journey on Instagram. Tahira revealed that she had been diagnosed with breast cancer on September 22 last year. She was detected with DCIS (ductal carcinoma in situ) in her right breast with high-grade malignant cells. However, she returned to work soon after undergoing a mastectomy in November.
Recently, Tahira took to Instagram to share a heartwarming post about dealing with hair loss because of chemotherapy, and how it changed her. She wrote, “WARNING!! Before you swipe left, some pictures might not go down too well with your palette. But I am hoping there is a change in the perception of that one perfect flavour that we have always had.”
Source: Instagram
She further wrote, “The last couple of months have been an extreme case of metamorphosis for me. And I am not categorising it whether it was from a caterpillar to a butterfly phase or vice versa. I could be the larva or the pupa or any other intermediate stage as each phase is unique and special. But there is a deep sense of acceptance when it comes to the life cycle of this creature. Taking a ‘leaf’ from this caterpillars life, I feel I have undergone a tremendous change mentally and physically too.”
Tahira accepted that she loved long hair and was always particular about how she looked, but after going through her cancer journey, her concept of ‘beauty’ changed. She said, “From my obsession with long hair, associating beauty with Rapunzel tresses, and hiding most of the time behind my hair (as I felt secure, lest my crooked nose, or freckles or pimples or simply not so chiselled face isn’t exposed) to losing my hair, wearing extensions and a cap, going bald to now a short crop. I am enjoying every phase because somehow with hair I lost my insecurity, my stupid notion of beauty and my complexes. I don’t know whether I’ll keep long hair or not, in either case, I am not going to hide my face.”
She also said that her biggest victory was changing the mindset of her seven-year-old son. “I don’t claim to have refined beauty, but I have changed my own mindset and my biggest victory is changing the mindset and perception of my 7 year-old-son, the next generation. From running to get a cap and placing it on my head when I was losing my hair and had a bald patch to proudly introducing me to his friends when I was bald or now with short hair, I feel I am a part of a change.”
She dedicated this post to women of all shapes and sizes who fret losing their hair during or after chemotherapy. “You are beautiful now and always,” she said.
Tahira has been sharing a lot of emotional and inspiring posts during her journey of battling her malignant cancer. Her approach towards her disease was simple and clear: “That’s what you do when cancer shows up. You show it the way out!”
Tahira’s husband, Ayushman Khurrana has always been with her at every step of this difficult phase in life. In an interview last year, the actor said, “I am glad I have a partner like Tahira who is very brave, strong, who is an inspiration. I have started seeing life through a different prism. I was giving her my time, of course. In the morning I was promoting my films, in the nights I was with her in the hospital… It is not easy.”
Tahira directed has directed a short film, Toffee, a poignant story about a friendship that defies class barriers. This movie is reportedly based on the filmmaker’s real-life experiences and sketches an evocative portrait of unlikely childhood friendships. Tahira is now working on a new movie, which is bankrolled by T-Series, about five women from different age groups.
More power to you, Tahira!
Images: Instagram
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