Renowned action director Sham Kaushal, father to actors Vicky and Sunny Kaushal, recently opened up about a harrowing period in his life when a cancer diagnosis in 2003 led him to contemplate ending his life.
A Sudden Diagnosis
The journey began while Sham Kaushal was filming in Ladakh for the Hrithik Roshan-starrer “Lakshya.” He experienced severe stomach pain, which he initially overlooked, pushing through to work on another project, Shyam Benegal’s “Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose.”
However, the pain persisted. In 2003, his life took a drastic turn when doctors confirmed the cause: cancer. The news was grim, with medical professionals telling him he didn’t have much time left.
A Moment of Despair
Sham Kaushal recalled the immense shock and despair that followed. He was admitted to a hospital, and after a three-hour surgery, he slowly regained consciousness. The atmosphere in the room felt heavy; he sensed the worry from everyone around him.
Tests revealed the mass removed from his stomach was indeed cancerous, and the prognosis was dire. Overwhelmed by the news, Kaushal admitted to having a “wild thought” of jumping from the hospital’s third floor. He felt, if he had to die anyway, why not then? Only the post-surgery pain kept him from acting on this impulse.
A Powerful Conversation
Lying in his hospital bed, feeling weak and helpless, Sham Kaushal turned to faith. He had a profound, one-sided conversation with God. He expressed that he didn’t want to live a life of weakness and was ready to go if it was his time.
He added a heartfelt request: if possible, to spare him just ten more years, as his children were still very young. This spiritual moment, he shared, filled him with an unexpected sense of confidence and peace, allowing him to overcome the fear of death.
A New Lease on Life
The next morning, his outlook had completely shifted. He felt a newfound hope that with more surgeries, he would be alright. This incident profoundly changed his perspective on life and strengthened his willpower.
Over the next year, he underwent numerous tests and surgeries, remaining strong throughout. Fortunately, the cancer had not spread throughout his body. Sham Kaushal’s prayer for ten more years was answered beyond measure; it has now been 22 years since that critical phase.
- Sham Kaushal was diagnosed with cancer in 2003, with doctors giving him a grim prognosis.
- Overwhelmed, he contemplated ending his life from his hospital room.
- A spiritual conversation with God gave him renewed hope and strength.
- He recovered, and now, 22 years later, he reflects on how the experience transformed his life and strengthened his resolve.
This challenging period not only changed his life but also filled it with gratitude, as he found good people, continued to receive work, and witnessed his children thrive in their careers.
