Updated on: 03 February, 2025 05:29 PM IST |Shweta Shah
There are actresses, and then there are superwomen who battled and defeated cancer with a bright smile. From Chhavi Mittal to Sonali Bendre, know these 6 sheroes who overcame the deadly disease.
Over the years, the industry has seen a paradigm shift where women of Bollywood have been targeted by the dreadful cancer. However, giving up is certainly not in their dictionary.
Several actresses were diagnosed with cancer, and they battled it with a bright smile. On World Cancer Day 2025, let's see who are the superwomen of the film industry.
She shared a picture of her lying on the bed, smiling, and captioned it "When the anaesthesiologist asked me to close my eyes and think of something nice, I visualised my beautiful breasts perfectly healthy... and then I went under. The next thing I know, I woke up cancer-free!"
"The surgery lasted for 6 hours; there were multiple procedures done, and it's a long road to recovery, but the great thing is.. it's only going to get better now. The worst is over," she added.
Several actresses were diagnosed with cancer, and they battled it with a bright smile. On World Cancer Day 2025, let's see who are the superwomen of the film industry.
1. Chhavi Mittal
The actress was diagnosed with breast cancer. In 2022, Mittal took to Instagram sharing the sad news of her being diagnosed with the deadly disease. However, after a 6-hour long surgery, she woke up cancer-free. Her little dance before the surgery went viral on Instagram.She shared a picture of her lying on the bed, smiling, and captioned it "When the anaesthesiologist asked me to close my eyes and think of something nice, I visualised my beautiful breasts perfectly healthy... and then I went under. The next thing I know, I woke up cancer-free!"
"The surgery lasted for 6 hours; there were multiple procedures done, and it's a long road to recovery, but the great thing is.. it's only going to get better now. The worst is over," she added.
2. Sonali Bendre
The actress was diagnosed with metastatic cancer (cancer that spreads to different parts of the body) in 2018. When Bendre went abroad for her treatment, her fans and the entire Hindi film fraternity came together to pray for her.She underwent a difficult surgery and is now cancer-free. The Sarfarosh actress speaks about the same on her social media and has also published a book about her fight with cancer.
3. Tahira Kashyap
Writer and philanthropist Tahira Kashyap was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2018. She was very vocal about her journey. Posting a picture of her battle scars, she came out to be cancer-free and a superwoman who is an inspiration to many.Sonali Bendre and Kashyap have spoken quite a few times about their journey and have inspired many cancer warriors to never give up.
4. Kirron Kher
Earlier in 2022, the India's Got Talent judge was diagnosed with multiple myeloma, a type of blood cancer. While she is fighting a tough battle, Kher has resumed work to judge the reality TV show alongside Baadshah and Shilpa Shetty.Once again, her fans and the entire Hindi film fraternity came together to offer their prayers for her speedy recovery.
5. Manisha Koirala
Diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 2012, the actress turned politician was in the US for her treatment. Today, she is actively interested in spreading awareness about cancer after overcoming the disease.She penned down her cancer journey in her autobiography. Manisha made her comeback with Dear Maya, a thriller movie that was accepted with open arms by her fans.
6. Mahima Chaudhry
The Pardes actress faced a major setback after she was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2021. She opened up about her struggles in battling the deadly condition.Crediting the new technology and advances made in the field of science, Mahima said, "Cancer is very treatable. It scares the shit out of people, but a lot of advances have been made in this field."
