Soha Ali Khan Opens Up About Sharmila Tagore’s Quiet Cancer Battle, Says ‘No Chemotherapy’ Was Needed

Veteran actor Sharmila Tagore quietly faced a personal health battle in 2023, and now, daughter Soha Ali Khan is shedding light on that private chapter of their lives.

New Delhi: Sharmila Tagore, a legendary figure in Indian film, fought a silent struggle with lung cancer in 2023, shocking her devoted followers. Although the actress opted to keep her health issues a secret at the time, her daughter, Soha Ali Khan, recently talked about this difficult period in an interview with YouTuber Nayandeep Rakshit.

“I have had loss in my family. We have been through stressful situations, as everybody does,” the actress added, referring to the emotional toll the circumstance put on their family.

Thankfully, the diagnosis was made early enough, therefore, treatment had to be kept very non-intrusive. Soha shared, “With my mother, she was one of the very few people to be diagnosed with lung cancer at stage zero, and no chemotherapy, nothing. It was cut out of her, and she is touchwood and fine."

Losing Role in 'Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani'

The world learnt about Sharmila's health issues for the first time in 2023 when she and her son, Saif Ali Khan, appeared on Koffee with Karan.  Karan Johar, the show presenter, referred to her illness discreetly by bringing up a lost career opportunity that was related to her health. 

Karan Johar said that, before Shabana Azmi was cast, Sharmila had been his first pick to portray Alia Bhatt's grandma in 'Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani'. He said, “I had offered Sharmila ji the part played by Shabana ji in Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani. She was my very first choice. Due to health reasons at that time, she couldn’t say yes. But it is a regret I have.”