Tahira Kashyap with Aparshakti Khurrana, Katrina Kaif, Shashank Khaitan and friends, with Ayushmann Khurrana and their pals

Hiren Kotwani (MUMBAI MIRROR; January 22, 2020)

Ayushmann Khurrana hosted a bash at their Oshiwara residence on Monday night to bring in wife Tahira Kashyap’s 35th birthday. He invited around 20 friends from the film fraternity, but also buddies from their theatre days in Chandigarh and mothers of their children’s friends.

After a while, the guests formed their own groups. While Rajkummar Rao and Patralekhaa chatted about the trailer of his upcoming Shubh Mangal Zyada Saavdhan with Ayushmann, Atul Kasbekar had a lot to discuss with Yami Gautam and Rohit Dhawan whose wife, Jaanvi, hung out with Twinkle Khanna (who came minus hubby Akshay Kumar) and Tanuj Garg. Nushrat Bharucha was the livewire of the evening and partied till the end. Among the other guests were Katrina Kaif and her Zero filmmaker Aanand L Rai, Bhumi Pednekar, Sanya Malhotra and Surveen Chawla (who stays in the same building), Goldie Behl and Sonali Bendre, Shashank Khaitan, Mudassar Aziz and Mukesh Chhabra.

The playlist began with English numbers, and later moved to Punjabi and Hindi. Neeti Mohan and her sisters burnt the dance floor. Apart from finger-licking starters, like prawns, mushrooms and mini pizzas, a floating buffet dinner was laid out. Some of the guests brought special cakes for the birthday girl. At the stroke of midnight, Tahira cut their own cake, feeding the first bite to hubby Ayushmann, son Virajveer and daughter Varushka. Four more cakes were also cut.

Ayushmann Khurrana emphasizes the relevance of his upcoming comedy, reveals his next could be a spy film and says his rise has been more steady than meteoric
Akash Bhatnagar (MUMBAI MIRROR; January 8, 2020)

Ayushmann Khurrana is following up his box-office success of 2019 with another unconventional premise. In debutant director Hitesh Kewalya’s (who had written Part 1) Shubh Mangal Zyada Saavdhan, the actor plays a gay protagonist, a territory few people have explored in Hindi films. “The timing couldn’t be more perfect,” Ayushmann notes, adding, “I believe that India is ready for that character and that kind of cinema. The Supreme Court has legalised same-sex relationships and this is the right time for a love story on the LGBTQ community.”

Ask him what inspires him to seek out unusual stories and the 35-year-old actor says, “Everyone aspires to create a certain space for themselves, and this is mine. It started with Vicky Donor and I am proud to own this space. Whenever someone does a film on taboo or unconventional subjects, people will say, ‘They did a film like Ayushmann’.”

What’s next for him, one wonders, and pat comes the reply, “I am looking forward to being in an action film, which I have never done.” There were reports of him reuniting with his Article 15 director Anubhav Sinha for a spy film. “We are still discussing it and will make an announcement soon,” he says.

Ayushmann received a National Award for Andhadhun last month. Did he think, when he made his debut in 2012, that he’d achieve such a feat? “I was in La La Land after my first film, so I may have believed it. When your first film does well, you think everything will go right. I had a lot of self-confidence and probably a bit of overconfidence as well. But in 2014, I had three unsuccessful films. If someone had told me this then, it would have seemed outlandish. It is at times like this, when you need to recalibrate,” he reflects.

He wouldn’t label his winning streak at the box-office as a meteoric rise. “It was a gradual process in the last three years, starting with Bareilly Ki Barfi and Shubh Mangal Saavdhan. Last year was the best yet, with three different kinds of films doing well. It has been a steady rise. So, it was easy to digest, and I am glad it happened like that,” he explains.

This year, Ayushmann has Gulabo Sitabo with Amitabh Bachchan coming out and he is all praise for his co-star. “He is so intelligent and full of energy even at this age... He comes so prepared that he’ll even know your lines,” the actor raves. He’s also in awe of his wife, Tahira Kashyap, who beat cancer last year. “She is not just a life partner but also a life coach for me. She has inspired me since college days with her creativity and her zest for life. That worked in our favour while battling the illness,” he concludes.

Sonia Lulla (MID-DAY; December 29, 2019)

It's been a busy few weeks for choreographer Shakti Mohan, who, soon after unveiling her track with Dwayne Bravo, announced the second edition of her web show, Break A Leg. Three days ago, Mohan also took the plunge into the world of beauty with the launch of her make-up line, which, she says, is targeted at the millennial living an active lifestyle.

"As someone who juggles a desk job, when I'm managing my studio, and also an active life owing to my dance [practice], I wanted to create a range that was long-lasting. We created colours and textures [to suit three primary] looks: Desk, dusk, which is catered for evening parties, and disco, a glamorised version for the [times I am on] stage," she says. Mohan, who will also kick-off the eight part show, Break A Leg season 2, in January, promises an interesting lime-up of artistes. "Ayushmann [Khurrana] and Tahira should be there. They're good friends; I am in talks with them."

Ayushmann Khurrana, who continued his box-office juggernaut this year too, says out-of-the-box films — also called ‘the Ayushmann genre’ by many now – will always be his staple 
Prashant Singh (HINDUSTAN TIMES; December 28, 2019)

It won’t be wrong at all to say that he has been on a dream run since 2017. When Bala became actor Ayushmann Khurrana’s seventh consecutive hit, it was clear that he has gone beyond box office numbers and endeared himself to the audience enough to create a genre of his own. As the juggernaut continued in 2019 with Article 15, Dream Girl and Bala, talk of a new ‘Ayushmann genre’ became commonplace. “This year, I had a very wholesome experience [as an actor]. For me, the biggest takeaway is the audience’s love, which is only getting bigger,” says the actor, who has Shubh Mangal Zyada Saavdhan and Gulabo Sitabo lined up next year. Excerpts:

Since 2017, your dream run seems to be getting better...
The year 2017 was good, 2018 was better and 2019 has been the best so far. And I am really glad as it means I’ve created a certain kind of trust in the audience’s mind, which helps me with better openings for my films, and at the same time they expect something unique out of me. I feel this year saw three films of distinct textures – Bala was middle-of-the-road kind of cinema, Dream Girl had more of a single-screen appeal, Article 15 was a bit ‘multiplex-y’, though we wanted it to reach as many people as possible.

What was the top highlight for you this year?
It started with Article 15, which is the most difficult film – and my most fearless move – of my life, till now. While we were expecting critical acclaim, I’m very glad with its commercial success. I was also surprised with Dream Girl’s acceptance among the multiplex audience since that was the first time I tried to be slapstick and a bit front-footed with my performance. Both were two ends of a spectrum, and that’s why difficult too.

Do you feel more confident now as an actor?
Yes, I do. The best part is I’ve a buffet of choices now. So, I can pick movies and genres. Earlier, I took a lot of risks with first-time directors-producers, which paid off. Now, I’m getting to work with ‘big producers and directors’. I remember after Dum Laga Ke Haisha (2014), I didn’t do anything for a year and waited for the right scripts/directors. Now I’m getting lot of great scripts, and the idea is to get the best of the lot. So, good doesn’t excite me anymore — it has to be great.

How do you view the ‘out-of-the-box’ tag, now also called ‘the Ayushmann genre’ by many?
I am very happy with it. It is overwhelming and flattering. This is my zone and my staple. While people look out for those films, I enjoy doing them. I feel it’s pertinent to attempt the ‘taboo, socially-relevant’ subjects. At the same time, I’ll also make an effort that my ‘other kind of films’ do equally well too. And I’m sure they will also make ₹100 crore and more, maybe next year itself. So, let’s see.

A few days back, you mentioned in an interview that 2019 was an ‘eye opening year’ for you...
It’s been an eye-opener in the sense that I’ve realised people will accept good stories, regardless of the genre. When I said yes to Article 15, I was thinking about the commercial aspect of it, but the kind of acceptance the film got from the audience was unparalleled. Even vis-à-vis Dream Girl, since I have a loyal multiplex audience, I was thinking, ‘I don’t know whether they will accept me doing a commercial song-and-dance laden slapstick comedy’. But they did. So, I guess it’s an eye-opener for me that you just have to give people something unique, entertaining and, at the same time, engaging.

Did you realise that Bala was your seventh hit in a row? Were you keeping track?
Now, you are telling me about it, or else, my PR team updates me about such things but I never thought about it. I am very bad with numbers. Main khud puchta hoon, sometimes, ‘arrey, 6 hai yaa 7 hai (laughs)’. Aise top of mind nahi pata chalta. See, the idea is to just give unique content, which is also value-creating. I feel it can’t just be entertainment; there has to be something deeper which people should think about after getting out of the theatres. For me, it shows that thanks to the content I do, people have built a certain trust around me, and now, the numbers are also showing. Also, it’s not a meteoric, sudden rise. It started in 2017, and I am glad that I am taking baby steps towards success.

In terms of workload, do you, sometimes, feel like you are stretching yourself a bit too much?
That’s why I have taken a four-month break. Also, at this point, I can afford to take this break from films since two of my films are ready for release in 2020. Also, I think, ideally, I should have breaks in between. At the end of the day, we are artistes, and not machines. So, you need to recalibrate, re-energise yourself. So, the idea is to recharge your batteries, live more life, meet people, read books, and work on your different passions so that you are always excited about your core passion — which is, of course acting. That’s what I am doing right now. For four months, I will just travel, meet new people, spend time with family, jam with my band and write poetry. I think that’s very important.

In 2020, you have two upcoming releases. Will there be a third one?
There could be a third film later on in the year. But we are still contemplating [which one it can be]. Ideally, there should be a third film as well next year, maybe towards the end of the year. There is no plan [to have a certain number of films] till the time I’m getting great scripts. I’m okay with three films in a year as well, but not more than that maybe. At the same time, if I am not getting great scripts, I’m fine with doing nothing. In such a case, I won’t do anything and just do my musical events with my band. So, there is no desperation in that sense.

This year, you and your wife Tahira Kashyap also fought through her illness [breast cancer]...
Tahira isn’t just my life partner but a life coach as well. The way she dealt with the illness – with a happy mindset – is commendable. I feel it’s just a mind game. If you take that challenge head on and are excited about living, you can combat any challenge, that’s what she has taught me. I’ve learnt a lot from her and she is an inspiration. She introduced me to Buddhism, which I started to follow right before Bareilly Ki Barfi (2017), and things began to change. So, I think I owe it to Tahira as well as Buddhism.

Due to a busy, packed schedule, the musician in you isn’t getting much time and attention. Right?
Unfortunately, my live musical performances have taken a back-seat because, of late, I have been busy with my films. I sang two beautiful, love ballads in Article 15 and Dream Girl. But I didn’t get a chance to perform them in concerts as I’ve not gigged in a while now. But that will happen soon, maybe in January, I will go out with my band. In these four months, [during the break], I will be gigging for sure. As for my singles, last year, there was Chan Kitthan. I am singing in my films, but whenever I get time, I will come out with a new single, maybe, if there is a gap between my two films.

Onkar Kulkarni (BOMBAY TIMES; November 6, 2019)

Ayushmann Khurrana is making his on-screen appearance, with yet another distinct role, in Bala. The actor plays the role of man facing premature balding. While talking to BT he reasons why he always picks up such quirky characters. The actor also opens up about his brother Aparshakti, who too is set out on a journey in Bollywood, his wife Tahira’s battle with cancer, the work that’s keeping her busy and lot more...

Just a week ago, a film based on a similar subject hit the theatres. Bala, also went through its own ordeal, with the release date going back and forth to avoid the clash...
We were the first to release the teaser (of a film based on premature balding). We completed the shooting of the film before anybody else did. We were the first one to get that idea. Anyway, it’s okay that there are more films being made on the same subject. Eventually, the content will speak, and we are confident about our film.

We know you love your hair, so, when you saw yourself with the bald look in the mirror, what was your reaction?
The first time I saw myself like that, I thought I looked like my grandpa. He had less hair. It felt really different. For my research, I met a lot of my friends who had a receding hairline or were bald. I realised that there were two perspectives. One was, they were full of complexes, the other was that they had accepted themselves the way they were. They were confident about the other talents they had. They were also confident that women thought they were attractive. This is exactly the journey of my character in the film, from being a person with complexes to self-acceptance. Likewise, there is Bhumi’s (Pednekar) character who is dark-skinned and believes in self-love. On the other hand, is Yami’s character in the film is someone who is a fair-skinned model.

Coming back to my bald avatar, when I was shooting for Bala in Kanpur, I was surprised to see that nobody could recognise me. I used to cross the street, walk around the gallis and people wouldn’t even react. They knew that Ayushmann was in their town for the shoot, and they would ask, ‘Ayushmann kidhar hai?’, but wouldn’t spot me even when I would pass by them. I thought that I would get mobbed by people, instead main toh saamne se nikal jaata tha, aur logon ko pata bhi nahi chalta tha.

Have you faced hair loss in real life?
No. I am genetically blessed. My father turns 70 next year and he still has good hair. I know a lot of actors who wear wigs or have got transplants done to hide their baldness. However, I look up to someone like Rajinikanth. Onscreen he plays such varied, larger-than-life characters, but off-screen he is himself (doesn’t shy away from appearing bald in public).

From playing the role of a man facing erectile dysfunction (Shubh Mangal Saavdhan) to a man facing premature balding (Bala), to being part of the upcoming Shubh Mangal Zyada Saavdhan, which is based on homosexuality, how is it that you always pick up movies with distinct and taboo-breaking characters?
Well, that’s because this (taboo-breaking cinema) is my zone. This is my staple — taking up quirky, taboo-breaking, social, slice-of-life films. Well, there has to be an impetus for the audience to buy tickets and watch something different, right? Every actor has this zone. You can’t have a Tiger (Shroff) not do action in his films. Having said that, once in a while, I will venture out and do movies like Andhadhun and Article 15. These two films were not even made for me. I extracted these scripts out of directors Sriram Raghavan and Anubhav Sinha respectively. For Andhadhun, I went up to the director and asked him to take my screen test. He was looking for someone else. He said that a movie like this wasn’t my zone. Likewise, Anubhav had a quirky romcom for me, but I told him that he should do a film like Mulk with me. I asked him to share the subjects that he was working on with me. He told me about this film (Article 15), which was earlier titled Kanpur Dehat. I read the draft, I got excited and then we went ahead with it. Content is important for me. If I don’t get good films, then I will just do events, sing at weddings and college concerts for survival.

Your brother Aparshakti is now getting noticed in Bollywood. As a character actor, he is getting good roles too in content-driven films. Any chances of coming together for a film?
He is having a beautiful journey. I am proud of him. He is only shown his funny side till now, but I know he has got a lot in him and can pull off varied roles with finesse. He is extremely talented. While I take time over a script when it comes to picking the right one, he has a talent in sniffing the best one in a jiffy. I liked him in Dangal and Stree. We are looking forward to working together. I am waiting for a good script where we can play siblings on screen.

As an elder brother and an actor who has seen many years in this industry, does Aparshakti discuss the scripts that he is looking at?
Well, it is both ways. Whenever we are not sure about a project, we discuss it with each other. We speak about the pros and cons associated with the project. We have got a keen eye on good scripts.

Personally, what kind of bond do the two of you share?
Initially, it was very irreverent. Later, it grew to a typical elder-brother-younger-brother kind of a bond. Now we are more like friends. I remember we never cracked adult jokes in front of each other, but now we are more casual and do that.

Your wife Tahira went through a tough phase during her battle with cancer. Is she back to work now?
She is in Chandigarh, busy with the pre-production of a film. She is also working on a couple of short movies. I hope she writes something for me too. She is mostly obsessed with female protagonists. I don’t know if I will ever get a chance to act in a project helmed by her.
-------------------------------------
On Monday evening, Ayushmann Khurrana was seen taking a walk along the Chet Singh Ghat in Varanasi. The actor was there to promote his upcoming film Bala. Apart from participating in the Ganga pujaand watching the aarti,he participated in a jam session with some city collegians at the Chet Singh Fort. Not just this, he also spent some time with fine arts students from the city, who sketched his look from his upcoming film.

After a short stroll, the actor boarded a beautifully decked bajra (boat) to take part in the Ganga aarti at the Dashashwamedh Ghat. “Though it has been nearly a month since I have been in Varanasi, this is my first boat ride and I must say it is beautiful,” shared Ayushmann,soaking in the beauty of the ghats.

While the actor took part in the Ganga puja, which took around 20 minutes, once the aarti began, he preferred the solace of the bajra to witness it. “It is so overwhelming to be a part of such a spiritual experience. I remember that before my film Dream Girl released, I was at Lalbaugcha Raja in Mumbai and now, as Bala is set to release, I am in Varanasi,” Ayushmann told us, adding, “While performing the Ganga puja, I just expressed my gratitude to the universe. I am blessed to work with great people and I have got the opportunity to prove my talent and showcase my capabilities when there is so much talent all around. I came to Mumbai chasing my dreams of making it big and now that this is happening, it is an overwhelming feeling.”

MUMBAI MIRROR (September 27, 2019)

Ayushmann Khurrana, who has delivered back-to-back hits with Badhaai Ho, Article 15 and more recently, Dream Girl, is now gearing up for some well-deserved time away from work. In November, the 35-year-old actor will be taking a break to spend time with wife Tahira Kashyap and their two children.

“I don’t know how long the break will be. It could be two to three months, maybe more,” the actor was quoted as saying. “All of last year and most of this year I was shooting four back-to-back films. So, this past one year was tough. But now I am taking care of it, and I will strike a balance. I am taking time off from mid-November to be with my family,” he added.

Before the mini sabbatical though, the actor will make sure to wrap up pending work. “I will soon have to get busy with the promotion of his next even as I complete my work on Shubh Mangal Zyada Saavdhan,” Ayush said, adding, “I do realise my children are growing up and my wife needs time from me. I am making a conscious attempt to take time off from work periodically. I will be looking at scripts while I am home. Even if I lose out on work (during the vacation), it’s fine. There is an imperative need to take time off. It rejuvenates you.”

Bouncing back to routine post-cancer, Tahira Kashyap on the place of mental health in enhancing her regimen
Sonia Lulla (MID-DAY; September 25, 2019)

Until a bevy of health concerns caught her off-guard, Tahira Kashyap recalls being the most active among her peers. "I was in my school's basketball team, and captain of the girls' cricket team. I was also a runner, and played javelin throw and shot put. When in the gym, I could lift the entire rack of 12 plates of weight when training the lower body. Today, I can barely lift three," says Kashyap, admitting that her morale took a hit following chemotherapy for breast cancer, but it made her resolve to jump back to routine stronger.

Kashyap, who could train with 15 kilo dumbells before the surgery, talks with child-like enthusiasm of graduating to four kilos from the two that she began with, after her treatment. "The surgery involved removing lymph nodes around my right arm, so I've been advised against lifting more than five kilos to prevent inflammation. But, there's nothing stopping me from challenging my lower body. Whether it takes me four months or a year, I will go back to being as strong I was," says Kashyap, who is married to Ayushmann Khurrana. She'd walk for 60-90 minutes, "with my drains", even while undergoing chemotherapy treatment.

For Kashyap, cancer wasn't her first brush with an illness that would change her life. "I've been on a high dose of thyroid medication since college. I recall, following my diagnosis, the doctor told me to not tell anyone about my condition since it would hamper my chances of getting married. As soon as I was out, I told Ayushmann. He said, 'Okay, we'll deal with it, but what is it, anyway?'" Only a day before we meet her, she reveals that she was given a list of foods that she has been intolerant to, for the last 10 years that she has tackled Irritable Bowel Syndrome.

"I'm intolerant to gluten, nuts, eggs, pulses and mushrooms. Also, I'm vegetarian," she says, the irony of her plight not lost on her. But, Kashyap admits, the turning point in her life came after she acknowledged that she had been ignoring her mental health.

"I never treated my body, mind and soul as one entity. I always thought physical health was important, and mental toh kuch hota hi nahin hai. So, I exercised a lot. But I think [the cancer] was a manifestation of the negativity that I had been harbouring. Had I gone to a doctor, I would have been declared clinically depressed. But I chose to cry every night instead of visiting one. I was living a dual life. My husband was shooting; I would spend hours at night crying, and put up the front of a happy person in the morning so that I didn't look like a loser before my children, who were aged two and four then. It was only after I practised Buddhist chanting, and focused on my mental health that things changed. In a way, I'm glad that [I was diagnosed with cancer] at a time when I was strong enough to deal with it."

With his professional stock at an all-time high, Ayushmann Khurrana has a personal resolution for birthday
Shaheen Parkar (MID-DAY; September 14, 2019)

Given the dream run that he is on, you would imagine there is little that's missing from Ayushmann Khurrana's life. As he blows out the candles on his 35th birthday today, he agrees that he has already received the best gift he could have asked for. "Dream Girl is off to a good start. What's gratifying is that with this film, the trade has started viewing me in a different light altogether," he enthuses. The biggest compliment, he reveals, has come from wife Tahira Kashyap. "It's only now that she calls me a brave actor. She thinks I have done a great job in this film. Otherwise, she's critical of my work."

The actor, who has begun shooting for Shubh Mangal Zyaada Saavdhaan, is taking the day off. Don't expect a glitzy party from Khurrana; the man of the moment — true to his characteristic understated style — prefers an intimate gathering over a B-Town bash. "I will have a get-together with family and friends. I prefer to keep my birthdays low-key. Being in the public eye, I am bound to meet a lot of people. So, my special day has to be with my inner circle."

Content as he is with his seven-year journey at the movies, Khurrana says he has a special wish for this birthday. The father of two hopes to spend more time with children, Virajveer and Varushka. "The last few years have been hectic. I have been shooting non-stop. No complaints there because I have been part of some amazing movies that have shaped the taste of audiences, but I do wish to balance my schedules better and carve out more time for my family. I have missed them a lot, and they have been my pillars of strength."

The actor talks about how he occupies a different space as an actor, and the equation he shares with his brother and bhabhi
Hasti Doshi (BOMBAY TIMES; September 9, 2019)

In an industry where comparisons are inevitable, it’s not easy to have a National Award-winning and commercially hit actor as your brother. Of all people, Aparshakti Khurana would know.

While he has carved a space for himself as a successful character artiste, there’s no escaping from being compared to his big brother, Ayushmann Khurrana. In a recent chat with BT, Aparshakti said, “I have been doing well in my space. Fortunately, not many people have compared Ayushmann and me till now, but whenever someone does, I don’t pay heed to it. Such comparisons won’t affect my craft. I am saying this because as actors, we occupy different spaces in the industry. Also, comparisons are only possible between equals. Ayushmann has been working for the past 11 years, while I am just three-years-old in Bollywood.”

Aparshakti says that Ayushmann is more of a parent than a brother to him. And, he shares an equally close bond with his bhabhi, Tahira Kashyap. The actor shares, “She (Tahira) was a family friend and back then, I used to call her didi. I used to blackmail my brother about all his secrets, but I have never blackmailed him about bhabhi because I respected them and their relationship. In fact, I never even told our parents about it in the initial days. Bhabhi has brought in a different sort of positivity, and since she is the first girl in our family, she made both of us (Ayushmann and him) chivalrous. I share a warm and friendly equation with her. She knows everything about my work and I discuss all my films with her.”

Ayushmann Khurrana on dubbing for his female avatar in an upcoming comedy of errors and a week-long ‘detox break’ with wife Tahira Kashyap in Austria
Avinash Lohana (MUMBAI MIRROR; September 6, 2019)

Ayushmann Khurrana, who has just returned from a week-long vacation in Austria with wife Tahira Kashyap, is excitedly waiting to see the response to his next, the comedy of errors Dream Girl, which opens on September 13. Point out that many people are already smitten by his female alter ego Pooja and the actor admits that the film’s team had toyed with the idea of getting a woman to dub for him and while shooting, he was trying his best to sound like one. “Since I was 80 per cent there, I thought of giving it a try, then, if things didn’t work out, we could try getting an actress or a good voiceover artist on board too. I personally love Priyanka Chopra’s voice,” he informs.

Speaking in a female voice is not new territory for Ayush though. During his days as a radio jockey, he would make prank calls as a woman. When he tried dubbing in a studio for the film, it worked. “Of course, I had to give 30-40 takes, focussing on every single line. It was hard work, but we finally got it right,” he beams, revealing that when he was 15, he would call his first girlfriend’s home, and if one of her parents picked up the phone, he would pretend to be one of her female friends. “I think I’d been preparing for this film for years.”

He’d never cross-dressed for a show or film before but raves about how cute Aamir Khan looked dressed like a girl in the Baazi song “Dole Dole Dil Dole”. “Even Kamal Haasan sir in Chachi 420 looked and sounded like a lady with both Om Puri saab and Amrish Puri saab’s characters in love with his Lakhsmi Godbole. They both inspired me but Dream Girl revolves around the boy who works in a call centre, so I had to wear a saree or a lehenga in only around five scenes,” he points out.

Quiz him on his “detox break” with his better half which came after a long time, and Ayushmann informs that they visited the Austrian spa town of Altaussee. “It’s beautiful and quaint. We walked and hiked, chatted and played chess, and binged on good food. We were so completely chilled out that we didn’t want to come back,” he admits.

Prod him on the chess games and he says that after losing to Tahira thrice, he stopped playing. “Now, there is no other vacation happening soon as I will start shooting for Shubh Mangal Zyada Saavdhan from mid-September in Varanasi. It’s a start-to-finish schedule.”

Couple is keeping it low-key with board games, books and long walks during their week-long stay
Himesh Mankad (MUMBAI MIRROR; August 30, 2019)

Ayushmann Khurrana, who won his first National Award recently—for his turn in Sriram Raghavan’s AndhaDhun— has taken a break from the promotions of his next film, Dream Girl, to holiday in Austria with wife Tahira Kashyap. According to a source close to the actor, the couple left for the destination on August 24 and are scheduled to return to Mumbai after a week. “Ayushmann had been looking forward to the break as he has worked continuously for the last six months. They will be exploring the scenic Salzburg and Altaussee,” the source informed, adding that the couple is spending their time reading, playing board games and going for long walks.

On Thursday, Ayushmann documented his trip on social media, noting, “Sukoon ki talaash mein duniya ghoom lo. Hota tumhare andar hi hai. (sic)” Tahira kept it more playful, taking a dig at her actor-husband’s competitive attitude. “He was so determined to beat me that he got the chess to the room! (sic),” she remarked.

Last year, it was reported that Tahira is gearing up to make her directorial debut with a slice-of-life film. The project was put on hold when she was diagnosed with cancer. “Now, she is doing pretty good with the treatment. Once they are back in Mumbai, Tahira will continue to fine-tune the script, while Ayushmann will get back to his next release,” the source shared.

Ayushmann Khurrana on being wife Tahira Kashyap’s rock of Gibraltar, why he’s so busy and what makes him take creative risks
Natasha Coutinho (MUMBAI MIRROR; June 3, 2019)

Ayushmann Khurrana who has just kicked off Bala in Kanpur with Bhumi Pednekar and Yami Gautam, admits that he’s been hopping from one film to the next with little time for himself this year, but is quick to add that he has no complaints. The Chandigarh boy who started off as a reality show contestant, has taken a few risks along the way but has been rewarded with innovative offers. Excerpts:

Article 15 has you playing a cop for the first time. What was that experience like?
Well, for one, I got to meet some real cops. I have a friend who is a senior IPS officer in Delhi whom I’ve known for five years, and observed him at work. Since we shot on the outskirts of Lucknow, I met a lot of cops there as well. I’d sit at the police station all day and watch the action. There are no 48-frame, low angle shots in this film. It’s all very real.

When you’re doing a grim, true-to-life film like this one, how hard is it to disassociate yourself after pack-up?
I’m a switch-on, switch-off actor so it’s easy for me to go back to being myself else I’d have lost my sanity. My director Anubhav Sinha is an evolved soul. He recommended a lot of books to read before the shoot because this kind of discrimination is unique to our country. What Mulk was for Hindu-Muslims, Article 15 is for casteism. And boy, was it a difficult shoot! We’d shoot around 5-6 am and in the evening, between 4.30-6.30 pm to catch the magical light. We filmed in muck, infested with leeches and water snakes, for three days. I thank God that I’m sitting here chatting with you.

People still tend to associate you with romcoms though Andhadhun did change the perception…
After the successes (Bareilly Ki Barfi, Shubh Mangal Saavdhan, Andhadhun and Badhaai Ho) I had the courage to take up a hard-hitting film like Article 15. I wasn’t thinking of commercial viability when I accepted it, but it is a commercial film with a sense of social responsibility.

A surprise announcement was Gulabo Sitabo your first film with Amitabh Bachchan and a reunion with his first director, Shoojit Sircar.
It’s great to be collaborating with them on a family comedy which is Vicky Donor meets Piku.

And then there’s Dream Girl…
Ah, that’s a unique film where I dress up like a girl and play with my voice but it’s not a gay story, that’s Shubh Mangal Zyada Saavdhan being made with the hope that we will do justice to the subject. In rural India, we have men playing Sita or Draupadi. I myself was in an all-boys school and saw guys play the part of girls. That’s the premise of Dream Girl.

Buzz is, you are doing a cameo in wife Tahira’s directorial debut...
It’s a woman-oriented film, but if I get a good part I’ll definitely do it.

She fought a tough battle with cancer and lauded you for not giving up on the marriage even when she did.
(Laughs) She’s very honest and says it like it is. I don’t like giving up on my relationships, life is all about maintaining them. I value them more than material things because they stay forever.

For someone who started with Roadies, you’ve come a long way.
It’s surreal, I’d dreamt of a career like this when I came to Mumbai. Vicky Donor just happened, films after that didn’t work but I stuck to my conviction. I’m glad people are now validating my choices and I get to work with great scriptwriters and directors.

Given your hectic schedule do you find time for music… your kids?
I recently did a concert in the US, travel with my band to college festivals and sing one song in every film. That keeps my love for music satiated. As far as the kids go, this year has been difficult. But from 2020 I plan to do just two films a year so I have enough time for family, friends and myself. I’m fortunate I got great scripts this year but that doesn’t happen every time.

Any role you dream of?
I played a musician in Andhadhun, now I want to play a singer in a film and lend my own voice to maybe the Kishore Kumar biopic.

As he ventures into music, Aparshakti Khurana says his actor brother Ayushmann Khurrana doesn't mince words when discussing his career
Sonia Lulla (MID-DAY; June 3, 2019)

Aparshakti Khurana fronts his debut single, Kudiye Ni, but a conversation reveals that the T-Series offering is more of a family affair. Long-time friend Neeti Mohan accompanies him on vocals, Chandigarh buddy Sargun Mehta grooves alongside him in the video, which has wife Akriti helming duties as an art director, and sister-in-law Tahira Kashyap calling the shots as director. Reminiscent of the visual beauty of Nitya Mehra's Baar Baar Dekho (2016) — the film though, failed to earn critical acclaim — this track has Khurana wooing Mehta at a common friend's wedding. He tells us why it took him four years to release the track after composing it in his vanity van, during the shoot of Dangal.

Edited excerpts:

Despite being a fan of music, why have you taken this long to launch your debut single?
My decision to come to Mumbai was also taken seven years after the release of [Ayushmann Khurrana's 2012 film] Vicky Donor. It's easy to [discuss] nepotism because people assume you have someone to guide you. But, it's equally important to be prepared for anything you wish to venture into. If I had released this song immediately after [debut film] Dangal, people would have said I'm just [trying everything]. It was important to wait for the right people to collaborate with and for the right time.

Given that this track marks your sister-in-law Tahira Kashyap's first directorial venture following her recovery from cancer, can you discuss the process of approaching her?
Bhabhi had first picked up a conversation with me to inquire if I would like to act in her film. That's when the discussion [around this song] began. But, things picked up pace when a brand came on board. They were in a hurry, and then I couldn't be patient, because I was clear that I wasn't going to put my own money into my song. One must be patient enough to at least have someone willing to sponsor you. When that happened, I went back to her and told her we had 10 days to shoot it. She wasn't apprehensive at all. When she was diagnosed, she was happy, positive and strong. We've seen her posts and Ted Talks. It's so difficult to have energy when you are in that state. When she was [unwell], in her head she was still fine. So, now that she's healthy, she is more than fine.

Since Ayushmann has made his mark as a musician, did you seek his advice before taking the plunge?
When I first made him hear the song four years ago, he said, 'Give it time.' When he says that, you know that he likes it, but it needs work. Ayush bhai offers me a reality check when it comes to acting and singing. He scolds me, telling me I'm not ready. Bhai is strict. Although today it seems like things are half-sorted [in my career], he will still call at 10 pm asking me to go to bed if I have an early shoot [the next day]. Papa yells at bhai the way he yells at me. I'm happy when that happens [laughs]. But, bhabhi has always encouraged me. Their different energies help me. Her support and his [yelling] keep me focused. If bhai doesn't like a song, he will say it's s**t. In the past, when I've sent him a few compositions, he hasn't even replied. I understand [he's being] honest, and accept it.

Madhuri Dixit opens up on the Kalank debacle, dismisses talks about a biopic on her, says focus on inspiring real life success stories
Natasha Coutinho (MUMBAI MIRROR; May 29, 2019)

This year has been a mixed bag for Madhuri Dixit. While Indra Kumar’s madcap comedy, Total Dhamaal, opened in February to an overwhelming response, Karan Johar’s period drama, Kalank, which followed soon after was a crashing disappointment. But the actress remains blissfully unfazed, reasoning that after over three decades in showbiz, such things don’t matter. “I’ve been around for far too long to be either disappointed or elated by the box-office result of a film. We gave it our best, but sometimes things don’t work, and you just move on,” she shrugs nonchalantly.

Madhuri hasn’t announced new films but buzz is, she features in Tahira Kashyap’s debut directorial. “Not just this film, there are also rumours that someone is making a biopic on me. I think it’s too early for a biopic, I have a lot more to achieve,” she laughs.

She also clears speculations about teaming up with her Tezaab director, N Chandra. “He hasn’t approached me yet but maybe there is something on his mind,” she muses. While speaking to Mirror, the filmmaker had revealed that he had bumped into Madhuri on the set of Total Dhamaal and was working on a script with her in mind.

Meanwhile, the actress is entering the music space and is scheduled to shoot a video for her debut album. “I do have an album in English that I plan to drop soon. We’re working towards releasing it this year but still planning the shoot. Let’s see how that works out,” she smiles.

The smile broadens when quizzed about her boys, 16-year-old Arin and 14-year-old Raayan, and whether they are showing any interest in acting or dance. “Not in acting yet, no, but the older one has begun to show interest in dance. They have learnt the piano and the tabla, so they do have music in their lives,” she says.

The actress cherishes her life beyond the movies and whenever free, makes it a point to spend time with her kids. “They need me now and I want to impart the values my parents passed on. When we were growing up, we didn’t have things, so were more motivated to achieve. But how do you inspire those who have everything and don’t want more? It’s important to keep encouraging them to be achievers,” she avers.

The actress is gearing up to make her comeback on TV with the second season of her reality show Dance Deewane. She avers that the USP of the show are the ‘third generation’ contestants who are 35 and above. “The success of the first season has inspired many to compete. We have some interesting backstories of the contestants and would like to discover another Madhuri Dixit and Prabhudheva,” she says.

Does she watch TV? “I enjoy singing shows like Sa Re Ga Ma Pa and Rising Star. Recently we had an Indian team (Kings United India) win World of Dance. These are kids from Nalasopara. Such stories inspire us to give a platform to real talent,” she signs off.

Delighted to have sister-in-law Tahira Kashyap helm his debut single, Kudiya Ni, Aparshakti Khurana on venturing into music
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; May 28, 2019)

Talking about growing up in the midst of parents and grandparents who celebrated music, Ayushmann Khurrana, in a previous interview with mid-day, had revealed that the art was always at the forefront in his family.

Khurrana's actor-brother Aparshakti then doesn't take us by surprise when discussing venturing into singing with the release of his first single, Kudiya Ni. Taking to Instagram to share short videos of him belting out popular tracks, Khurana's decision to create a single stemmed from the subsequent acclaim he earned from fans.

"I want to thank all those involved in the process of making this single, including arrangers John Edward Eduri and Aditya Dev, and co-singer Neeti Mohan. Having featured with Sargun Mehta in the song, I can say that she made me look good," says Aparshakti of the track that has been helmed by his sister-in-law, Tahira Kashyap.

Referring to Kashyap as his "pillar of support", the actor says she could be credited for ensuring a smooth filming process. "[She brought] an energetic vibe on set; everyone was driven."

Set to release on May 31, the track was primarily shot in Chandigarh.

Ayushmann Khurrana and wife Tahira Kashyap in talks to adapt the actor's semi-biographical book, Cracking The Code, into web series
MID-DAY (May 24, 2019)

He has a knack for selecting unconventional scripts for his screen outings. But a closer look at his life and one can see how Ayushmann Khurrana's off-screen journey -from a reality show participant to one of Bollywood's most bankable actors - has the ingredients for the perfect script. It's not surprising then that Raghu Ram of Roadies' fame has evinced interest in acquiring the rights of Cracking The Code, a book that Khurrana co-authored with wife Tahira Kashyap in 2015, for a web series adaptation.

A source informs mid-day, "The talks are in the initial stage. The book is a coming-of-age story of a Delhi boy who initially struggles to find a footing in Bollywood and eventually makes it big." A team of writers is currently at work to develop the material into a web series.

The source adds that the discussion about Kashyap helming the show is also on the table. "Since the original material is written by Tahira, it would be best to get her on board to direct the series. However, decisions regarding the director and casting will only be taken after Tahira and Ayushmann greenlight the final script. If all goes well, the project can roll early next year."

When mid-day reached out to Kashyap, she denied the possibility of helming the series, saying, "Cracking The Code is not a biography, but more about how Ayushmann cracked the closed world [of the entertainment industry] to reach where he is. There is no screenplay yet, and thus, there is nothing for me to direct. My feature film goes on floors later this year. I also have my original screenplays, which I am hoping to develop."

Without #selflove, Lisa Ray and Tahira Kashyap say they wouldn’t have survived cancer, found humour in bleak disease arithmetic or felt beautiful in radically altered bodies
Aastha Atray Banan (MID-DAY; May 19, 2019)

A small suitcase plump with makeup sits behind a chair at Taj Lands’ End’s House of Nomad. The stylist follows our gaze, and says, “She doesn’t need too much of it.” Lisa Ray is propped up on a high stool, speaking of being comfortable in her new skin. Tahira Kashyap, who has been listening to her, calls her hot in the way that a fan would. Ray cracks up, shaking her arm to prove she has bat wings. “Where? What!” Tahira goes, “She is so hot!” Kashyap has enjoyed the preview excerpt she received of Ray’s memoir, Close To The Bone. She has sent her a text message saying so, which Ray seems to have missed in a barrage of book promotion sessions. “Check your phone, right now!” Kashyap demands.

They stand shoulder to shoulder, peering into the phone screen; Ray in a black drape with a white streak of tie and dye, Kashyap in a white-black polka dotted wrap dress. They are twinning, without realising it. As they speak over milky tea (“I like a little bit of tea in my milk,” says Ray), they discover other connections, including an affinity for practicing Buddhism and thumbing their nose at morbidly bad news.

Ray has an interesting body of work behind her, including Deepa Mehta’s Oscar nominee Water. Kashyap, who directed the well-received Toffee, a short film about unlikely friendships, is married to actor Ayushmann Khurrana, and is working on her feature movie, to be produced by Atul Kasbekar and Tanuj Garg.

They talk a lot, and laugh more, admiring each other’s resilience and commitment to trashing myths around women and cancer. Ray has survived multiple myeloma, a form of blood cancer, which she announced to the world at the red carpet of Toronto International Film Festival in 2009.

Using her fame for cancer advocacy also extends to interviews around the memoir, just as Kashyap has leveraged her public image to document her recovery from ducta carcinoma in situ, since she was diagnosed last September.

mid-day: In the book, you say you asked the doctor if he’d like a glass of water when he revealed the diagnosis, and you didn’t react.
Ray: He looked stressed at my reaction. Maybe he expected me to bawl.
Kashyap: My first reaction was funny. I had been feeling like my right breast was heavy, and had experienced a secretion. The gynaec asked for a mammogram and ultrasound, but the radiologist said, ‘you have calcifications in your breast, but you are just 35 and have two kids. You don’t need it’. He sent me back. The gynaec said it could be a mammary infection, and, to be sure, sent me to an expert who I didn’t know was an oncologist. When I saw oncology written outside the department, I said, ‘WTF!’ Then, the doctor shared data with me.
Ray: Oh my god, statistics!
Kashyap: He said I had a two per cent chance of acquiring breast cancer. After the mammogram, they found more calcifications, and it went to 30 per cent. Then I went for an MRI, and they found a sort of shadow at the back of breast, and it became 70 per cent. It was 90 per cent after the biopsy. It was stage 0 cancer, but aggressive and had spread all over the breast. There were so many people around me when I heard the news. We are conditioned not to react. But when my husband and I were back alone in the hotel room in Delhi, my first reaction was, “Behen****, lag kayi!” And we laughed. But, when I was told I needed a mastectomy, I had no joke handy. Ayushmann made me realise, it’s only remedial treatment. “What’s more important, your life or breast?” I really wanted to say to him, ‘my breast!’ It’s associated so strongly with femininity. But, as we went along, I realised my body doesn’t define me. I got reconstruction surgery, of course, but my view of myself had changed.
Ray: It’s funny what bothers you when you are diagnosed, the little things. I used to cope with it by laughing, and writing. But, what killed me was getting a port [disc and tube transplanted in the chest to connect to a major vein typically for chemotherapy and transfusions]. My veins were hard to find, so this helped. I still have it.
Kashyap: Hey, I had one too! Right here (points to right side of chest). While I was on chemo, I attended a panel discussion where one woman said she had rejected drugs and was using some alternative Chinese herbs. I think that takes balls. My cancer was aggressive and malignant, so I am gald I took the drugs. But I realised that I had very little information and control over how my body worked. I still don’t know whether it’s good to eat one thing or another. I’m off dairy and gluten right now.
Ray: I got over with medication in 2010, and was on maintenance therapy. I wanted to go off drugs completely, but two years later, I had a relapse. I saw it as a sign, that I needed drugs and something else. Because in cancer, no one ever talks talk of nutrition. I went to a retreat in Florida that explores how nutrition can reverse disease. So, suddenly, you have an instruction manual for your body, like you would for a gadget. That was a big takeaway.

mid-day: How did the condition change your notion of beauty?
Ray: Just to be able to live is a win. I had always been deeply affected by the fact that I was defined by beauty. And so, I chose a moment on the red carpet to declare my fight against cancer. I was 40 pounds overweight due to steroids. I said, I am going to fight this, and that moment, broke the spell of the pathology of perfection. The images we see today on social media and in magazines don’t exist. When I started modelling, there was no airbrushing pictures. I posted pictures of myself with no hair, and it didn’t matter. Nothing matters when you are fighting for your life. I am happy now to be who I am, comfortable in this new skin (jiggles her arms and laughs).
Kashyap: You have so much to deal with physically that you try and win the fight mentally. People offered me so much love online, and their validation gave me energy. My parents had freaked out. When I went bald [she grew tired of wigs and decided to come out with a clean pate], my mother said she’d meet me when I had hair back on my head and cut the call. I called her back, this time on Facetime. There is no escaping me. I was resilient when it came to self love. I remember a time a few years ago when I’d be insecure because there were many gorgeous women around my husband all the time, and now I was posing bald on social. I was photographed barebacked, the surgery cut snaking around. I genuinely felt cool. And my practice of Buddhist chanting helped. Strength suddenly kicked in.
Ray: I practice Buddhism too! Tibetan Buddhism. I spent close to six months at a retreat in Dharamshala.
Kashyap: Really? It has helped me immensely. It’s about being happy and I had made up my mind that I would be. I was a negative person three years ago, and I’m not sure how I would’ve dealt with this challenge back then. But Nichiren Buddhism made me stop being the victim.
Ray: My doctor said to my husband, who wanted to know more about the disease after we met, that life expectancy in multiple myeloma was eight years, according to statistics. He was worried. It meant I had four more years to go. This was in 2012. But I wouldn’t believe anything they said. My practice had made me resilient. Everyone should find some sort of practice that resonates with them, and creates a cushion when needed.

mid-day: Lisa says she is wary of the “war imagery around cancer”. But, for you, Tahira, hasn’t it been effective in blunting a disease whose idea can kill before it actually does?
Ray: (Interjects) No, let me explain. Warrior, yes. That’s an incredible imagery. I think that’s really important...
Kashyap: Yes, it’s not really a fight. It’s more about awareness.
Ray: The problem with saying fight is that you are speaking of something outside your body. How can you fight against your own body? That’s not the way forward in healing. The disease is inside you. For me, it was about accepting and building my immune system.
Kashyap: The fight is against taboo and stigma. A very close family member said to me, ‘now that you’ve been diagnosed, don’t speak about it’. I was told by the doctors that women who know about their cancer don’t speak up or seek treatment due to shame. That’s unacceptable. Then, there are those women who will agree to chemo, but not to a mastectomy. What I’m saying is, get your tests done, take caution. Do it for your kids.

mid-day: Lisa has often spoken about working towards reaching a space where she has strength and energy, which she owes the children. Where does motherhood feature in the fight against cancer? 
Kashyap: I never felt something bad was happening to me or that I was going away anywhere, and so that mamta never kicked in! Yes, I was in the hospital for seven days, so I told my children that I was coming back with two stitches. But they had no clue. It hit my son when I went bald, and he asked me not to come in front of his friends. But I did to him what I did to my mother. I came in front of them and said, ‘hello everyone!’ I normalised my condition. The next time he seems someone bald, he won’t think it’s embarrassing or weird.

mid-day: Have there been moments of loneliness?
Kashyap: We are all connected. We need a support system. People are very essential. I value every person I come in touch with now.
Ray: I’d add to that by saying there were so many instances of random kindness that I encountered. It was from people I didn’t even know. And when I’d ask them, what can I do for you, they’d all say, pay it forward. I have tried to do that, make that the theme of my life.


Sufi and Soleil, Ray's children join them. LOCATION COURTESY/TAJ LANDS END COFFEE SHOP, HOUSE OF NOMAD

Even as her directorial debut has been pushed, Ayushmann Khurrana's wife Tahira Kashyap asserts Sharma Ji Ki Beti is in the offing
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; April 25, 2019)

"I have not announced my film yet. It's all just speculation," starts off Tahira Kashyap with a wink. Reportedly titled Sharma Ji Ki Beti, the movie was to mark the directorial debut of Ayushmann Khurrana's wife. While the project was understandably delayed as Kashyap battled breast cancer last year, of late, rumours were rife that the film has been stalled.

"It's in the process of making and Ellipsis Entertainment is producing it," clarifies Kashyap, before adding, "The film is considerably pushed, but we intend to make it in the near future. We have brainstormed on the script and improved it." It was heard that Madhuri Dixit-Nene was approached to play one of the leads. "We will announce the cast once we are close to shooting," is all she is willing to offer when quizzed about the actors in the women-centric film.

Having emerged victorious against the Big C, the writer-filmmaker views her passion project as one of her biggest strengths in the dark phase. "On my bad days, the only thing that kept me going was this film. I would go for pre-production post my chemotherapy every day." While Khurrana has become one of the bankable actors in Bollywood, Kashyap refuses to piggyback on his success.

"I don't want to be seen as someone who got it easy because her husband is a star. Ayush is my sounding board. He reads everything I write and offers constructive criticism. He is not easy to please and that's the best thing."

Singer Neeti Mohan and actor Nihar Pandya exchanged vows in a star-studded ceremony attended by Bollywood biggies
BOMBAY TIMES (February 20, 2019)

Popular singer Neeti Mohan tied the knot with long-term boyfriend and actor, Nihar Pandya in a grand ceremony at a heritage hotel in Hyderabad recently. The couple, who exchanged the wedding vows in presence of family and close friends, has however reportedly postponed their wedding reception after Neeti’s father was admitted to a hospital following ill health.

The pre-wedding ceremonies — engagement, mehendi and sangeet — that took place in another five star in Banraja Hills a day before, were attended by a host of celebrities from Bollywood that included actor Ayushmann Khurrana, his wife Tahira Kashyap, brother Aparshakti Khurana, tennis ace Sania Mirza and her sister Anam among others.

Keeping up with the Bollywood theme of the sangeet, a host of Neeti’s colleagues from the industry — Benny Dayal, Jonita Gandhi and Ayushmann — enthralled the guests with their electrifying performances during the ceremony.

After the colourful soirees, the couple tied the knot in a white-themed wedding ceremony, pictures of which are yet to be released. Ditching the mainstream trend of having a pre-wedding photo shoot with her beau before the wedding, Neeti decided to honour the ‘sisters before misters’ pact by having a photo session with her sisters — Mukti, Shakti and Kriti before the wedding. Holding placards brandishing the hastag — #NotWithoutMyMohans, the Mohan sisters looked like a million bucks as they posed donning sarees and lehengas in shades of blue and lilac.

In one of the pictures posted by Shakti on her social media handle, Neeti looked stunning in a blue lehenga with gold and silver shimmer work which she complemented with sneakers. Shakti posted a caption to go with the pic saying: “We will not let you go Didi (sic).” The pictures went viral in no time with fans wishing the singer all the luck for her new journey.

On the eve of World Cancer Day (Feb 4), we talk to people who are fighting the big C, one post at a time
Nupur Amarnath (TIMES LIFE; February 3, 2019)

July 10, 2018 @iamsonalibendre:
“In the words of my favourite author Isabel Allende, “We don’t even know how strong we are until we are forced to bring that hidden strength forward. In times of tragedy, of war, of necessity, people do amazing things. The human capacity for survival and renewal is awesome.”

The outpouring of love I’ve received in the last few days has been so overwhelming… and I’m especially grateful to those of you who shared stories of your experiences in dealing with cancer, whether it was your own or of loved ones. Your stories have given me an extra dosage of strength and courage, and more importantly, the knowledge that I’m not alone.”

Ever read someone’s story and thought: This is what I needed to hear today. This is a story of courage. A story of hope. A story of heroes. And thanks to social media, we now find heroes with a finger tap. They have a name, face and a positive outlook that is helping shape the journey for many who are battling the big C – and this time it’s with a big smile. Actor Sonali Bendre leads the charge with her inspirational posts. Director Tahira Kashyap Khurrana, wife of actor Ayushmann Khurrana, has been hitting it out of the ballpark with every update and actor Nafisa Ali Sodhi is smiling through the pain.

#SWITCHONTHESUNSHINE
It’s a hashtag that Bendre puts in all her posts – a hashtag of hope. Harmala Gupta, founder president, CanSupport (runs India’s largest free home-based palliative care programme) — that is planning its Cancer Walk at Rajpath tomorrow — calls the trend of sharing cancer journeys a positive one. “Even admitting you have cancer is a welcome departure from the past when such a diagnosis was hidden, as if there was something shameful. This open sharing will go a long way in breaking the taboo around cancer and will encourage those living with it to speak out, seek help and lead normal and productive lives,” she says.

Kashyap’s Insta feed postcancer is a mix of inspirational messages and funky boomerangs. Her recent post was a striking pose of her bald self, announcing: “Hello world! That’s a new me with the old self!”. She has been keeping it strong and sunny on her social media channels. “Honestly speaking, at this juncture, even your family is pretty shaken. So, this time around, I genuinely can tell you that I have actually been the source of strength for my family,” she says.

Kashyap shares how her mother still can’t come to terms with the fact that she has gone bald. “She said it reminded her of the struggles that I have been through. I told her that it should remind her of the victory I have achieved,” she adds.

CELEBS & THE BIG C
Cancer — or any debilitating illness — is peppered with military terminology: battle, fight, warrior, survivor. What it needs is a shift in vocabulary: support, cope, help, empathy, understanding. The celebrities are helping it find that.

Psychiatrist Dr Shobhana Mittal says, “A celebrity talking about health and disease can have a huge impact on people’s knowledge and attitude towards illness and wellness.” When celebrities talk about their own lived experience about their illnesses — be it cancer or mental health — it helps us empathise and connect with them at a more intimate level.

Senior consultant psychiatrist Dr Sanjay Chugh explains, “Sharing decreases the internal stress and anxiety, thereby building resilience and helping the body to fight better.”

LET’S TALK ABOUT IT...
In an essay on geekwire.com titled Finding a good way to share really bad news on social media, writer Frank Catalano gives advice on how the couple shared the news of his wife’s (Dee Dee) cancer on social media. He writes: “We realised we couldn’t cut off the communication channels (rumour so loves a vacuum) but we should manage them…. silence wasn’t an option.”

In an overtly-connected world, going off the radar is not an option. Actor Manisha Koirala has recently brought out her book, Healed: How cancer gave me a new life. “I have learnt a lot from my sickness and I want to share some of those feelings with people who are battling similar problems. I spent a lot of lonely days, restricted to my hospital bed in New York. There was a lot of time to dig deep. I want to tell people that nothing is unbeatable.” And she – and many more – are doing it one post at a time.

Gupta of CanSupport says, “Social media has helped enormously in building networks of support and providing information and resources.” Mittal notes that positive posts on battling illnesses help to dispel the stigma around it since in our society, ‘illness’ is often confused with ‘weakness’; resulting in discrimination towards people who are battling health issues.

Kashyap says everything is a matter of perspective. “My faith (Nichiren Buddhism) has taught me that now is the time to expand your life and exert and reach your maximum human potential,” she reflects.

— With inputs from Deebashree Mohanty

SHARING REALLY BAD NEWS ON SOCIAL MEDIA

STEP 1: Create a sharing framework: Start by answering seven questions: Who needs to know? How much info? Will the news and any updates worry or comfort them? What’s the best way to let them know? Who will create the updates? Will you care if the information is shared further? How much more information are you willing to share if someone contacts you directly?

STEP 2: The first post: Inform the close group family and friends first and post only after that. Stay positive and truthful.

STEP 3: Share the news, but not the details: Share what you think is the most important information: diagnosis, treatment plans, how each treatment step went, etc, but everything with an optimistic spin. Create an email group for family and close friends. Have a designated primary spokesperson to handle your communication.

STEP 4: Don’ts... Don’t suddenly go dark, keep up with regular updates. Keep a consistent tone and the way you structure your posts. Don’t solicit medical advice.

—Adapted from Frank Catalano’s article on geekwire.com

CELEBS SHARING ILLNESSES ON SOCIAL MEDIA

- Lady Gaga (below left) talked about fighting chronic pain due to fibromyalgia

- Julia Louis-Dreyfus shared her battle with breast cancer

- Deepika Padukone, Ileana D’Cruz shared their fight with depression

- Selena Gomez (centre) shared a video about her kidney transplant due to lupus

- Melanie Griffith shared she was diagnosed with epilepsy

- Adele (right) has talked extensively about fighting anxiety, depression and post-natal psychosis