'I didn’t want to be an actor’s wife doing things on a whim' says Tahira Kashyap on being only Ayushmann Kurrana's wife once

In a recent interaction with Humans of Bombay, Tahira opened up about her journey again, and her statements are quite relatable and relevant for many women who faces the challenge of being wife to successful husband or are shy to come out of the closet and re-discover themselves.

"I was a closeted writer, afraid to explore her passion. I’d studied biotechnology & then mass communication. When I moved to Mumbai I worked as a professor & even in PR & radio. In my heart, I wanted to write & make films. But I didn’t want to be an actor’s wife doing things on a whim. So I hustled in the day but cried at night. "

She also narrated the story of how she finally found her 'own identity' in an airport when her film made it to a film festival in Taiwan. She went there with my husband and at the airport, as usual, they were looking for someone standing with her husband's name. The Ayushmann took her hand and pointed at a man holding a placard that said ‘Tahira Kashyap’. This is the point where she thought that found her identity.

Speaking about her struggles with cancer Tahira said that she underwent a 6-hour long surgery, where doctors removed and reconstructed her breast. Later she got to know that she was at stage 1 cancer. For the treatment, she had to undergo 12 sessions of chemotherapy.

She also narrated about how her save year old boy would feel embarrassed about her coming and meeting his friends when she had gone bald. "I re-defined 'normal' and 'beautiful' for my son that day" said Tahira.

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“I was a closeted writer, afraid to explore her passion. I’d studied biotechnology & then mass communication.When I moved to Mumbai I worked as a professor & even in PR & radio. In my heart I wanted to write & make films. But I didn’t want to be an actor’s wife doing things on a whim. So I hustled in the day but cried at night. It continued until I came across Nicherin’s Buddhism–a philosophy that gave me wings to fly! It was tough but it didn’t seem impossible anymore. I started writing & even made a short film! I remember my film made it to a film festival in Taiwan. So I went there with my husband & at the airport, as usual we were looking for someone standing with my husbands name. But he took my hand & pointed at a man holding a placard that said ‘Tahira Kashyap’. I had finally found my own identity! Just when things were good, life threw a curveball at me. One of my breasts had started feeling heavier & there was some secretion. So I went to the gynecologist, who after an ultrasound suggested I meet an oncologist. I got more tests done & in a few days I went from being under a 2% risk to having stage 0 Breast cancer. I underwent a 6 hour long surgery, where they removed & reconstructed my breast. But it wasn’t over–after one pending biopsy report, we realised that I was at stage 1 cancer. I’d to undergo 12 sessions of chemotherapy. It took a toll on my body & I started losing my hair. But that didn’t stop me. Everyday I went to office, I told myself that this doesn’t define or weaken me. My faith helped me embrace it. I went bald, I even posted pictures of my scar–it was my badge of honour. I remember my 7 year old son was embarrassed because I was bald. He told me not to come in front of his friends. But I didn’t want that. So I went & met all his friends, they gaped for a bit, but were normal later. I think I redefined ‘normal’ & ‘beautiful’ for my son that day. I am happy & full of gratitude. I am determined to spread awareness about early detection of breast cancer & follow my passion by overcoming any curve balls thrown my way. I’ve made it my mission to love myself & to live my best life, come what may.”

A post shared by Humans of Bombay (@officialhumansofbombay) on May 11, 2019 at 5:35am PDT

 

Tahira has recovered now and is focusing on her directorial debut in Bollywood with a film titled Sharmaji Ki Beti.