Tahira Kashyap Faces Cancer ‘Round Two’ with Grit and Grace, Urges Awareness

Writer and filmmaker Tahira Kashyap, on Monday, shared a deeply personal message on Instagram, revealing that she is once again facing breast cancer—seven years after she first overcame the disease.

The 42-year-old, known for her openness and resilience, referred to her diagnosis as “Round 2” of her battle, sharing the news on World Health Day to underline the importance of regular health screenings.

Sharing the News with Strength

In her Instagram post, Tahira, who is married to actor Ayushmann Khurrana, wrote candidly about her current health challenge.

Referring to the saying, “When life gives you lemons, make lemonade,” she reflected on her journey with optimism and humor. This time, she described making a kala khatta drink instead, embracing the unexpected turn with strength and grace.

Her caption read: “#regularscreening #mammogram not shying away from saying it #breastcancer #onemoretime #letsgo. Ironically or not, today is #WorldHealthDay Let’s do whatever we can in our capacity to take care of ourselves. #gratitude through and through.”

A Second Diagnosis After Seven Years

Tahira was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 2018. Since then, she has become a strong voice in raising awareness about the disease.

This includes openly discussing her journey on social media, embracing her bald look during chemotherapy, and being vocal about the importance of early detection.

In her latest post, she wrote: “Seven-year itch or the power of regular screening—it’s a perspective. I’d like to go with the latter and suggest the same for everyone who needs to get regular mammograms. Round 2 for me… I still got this.”

Embracing Positivity Amidst Challenges

During her first battle with cancer, Tahira made headlines for not wearing a wig and proudly showing her bald head—challenging society’s perception of beauty.

In an earlier interview with Filmfare, she shared that her parents were upset when she posted her bald photos, associating them with misfortune.

She said, “My parents got really upset with me when I put up my bald picture (after the cancer diagnosis). A bald look for a woman is somehow synonymous with disaster, so they refused to talk to me and were forcing me to take it down.” But for Tahira, celebrating that phase was about owning her journey. “They didn’t understand what celebrating an illness meant,” she had said.

Messages of Support Pour In

The announcement triggered concern among fans, but it was also met with an outpouring of support from friends, family, and the film fraternity.

Her husband Ayushmann Khurrana commented, “My hero,” expressing his admiration and unwavering support.

Others from the industry also shared words of encouragement. Mini Mathur wrote, “You will win round 2 as well Tahira. Stay on course. Keep going.” Guneet Monga added, “I love you! this too shall pass and come out of this victorious.”

Her brother-in-law Aparshakti Khurrana also commented warmly, “Big tight hug bhabhi! We know Tussi ainu viii lamaaa paa laaonge.”

A Voice for Awareness and Empowerment

Tahira has always used her platform to raise awareness. On World Cancer Day 2025, she shared a series of images, including one from a fashion ramp walk where she confidently embraced her bald look.

The post also featured various moments from her treatment journey, highlighting her courage and transparency.

She wrote, “Cancer is a journey that tests your strength, resilience, and faith. Early diagnosis and affordable treatment are, however, key to survival, and thanks to such government schemes, millions can now hope for a better future. Let’s continue to support one another and raise awareness about early breast cancer detection because together, we can beat cancer.”

A Continued Journey of Strength

Through both her health battles, Tahira has consistently advocated for body positivity, mental strength, and the power of early detection. As she now begins a new phase in her journey, her determination remains unshaken.

Her public posts serve as a reminder that illnesses like cancer do not define individuals—they reveal their strength. Tahira’s story continues to inspire many, not only through her creative work as a writer and director but through her honesty and courage.