Tahira Kashyap opens up about her parents’ initial reaction to her bald look during chemotherapy. (instagram/@tahirakashyap)
Tahira Kashyap, the author-turned-filmmaker, has been candid about her journey with breast cancer, sharing her experiences and updates on social media. Known for her transparency, the director and wife of actor Ayushmann Khurrana recently shared a heartfelt story about how her parents initially reacted when she posted a picture of herself bald after undergoing chemotherapy. Despite being an advocate for embracing one’s true self, her parents struggled to accept the image.
In a recent interview with Filmfare, Tahira revealed that when she lost her hair due to chemotherapy, she decided to share a photo of her bald head on Instagram. However, her parents were not happy with her decision. "My parents got really upset with me when I put my bald picture of myself (after the cancer diagnosis). A bald look for a woman is synonymous for a disaster somehow, so they refused to talk to me and were forcing me to take it down," she explained. Despite their concerns, Tahira remained firm in her decision. “But I said, ‘I am not doing that. I am celebrating right now, which you need to understand.’ They thought I have lost it. They were like how can you celebrate physical illness?”
Tahira’s parents couldn’t initially grasp the positive outlook she had during such a challenging time. Her decision to embrace and share the reality of her physical transformation was a powerful statement about self-love and resilience.
As her parents remained upset and refused to speak to her, Tahira took the step of video-calling her mother to show her how she looked. “I didn’t know how to make my parents speak to me, so I video-called my mother and showed myself to her. I said, ‘Look at me, this is how I look right now and I am loving it.’ I was also wearing goggles and she sort of laughed and smiled. Then I told her this is how life is: I am happy, and you need to be happy for me,” she shared. Although her mother was still unsure about feeling “happy” for her, Tahira's positive attitude gradually softened her parents’ hearts.
Tahira was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2018 and publicly announced her diagnosis on Instagram. Throughout her treatment, she has remained open about her experiences, including undergoing a mastectomy and sharing a post-surgery scar photo to raise awareness about breast cancer. In 2024, Tahira made her directorial debut with Sharmajee Ki Beti on Amazon Prime Video, marking a significant milestone in her career. Tahira’s courage in embracing and sharing her vulnerable moments with the world has inspired many, shedding light on the importance of self-acceptance and the strength to face challenges with optimism.
Copyright © 2025 Top Indian News
