Veteran action director Sham Kaushal, father of actor Vicky Kaushal, has shared a deeply emotional account of his battle with cancer, revealing that he once contemplated ending his life during his darkest days. In a heartfelt conversation with Indian Express, Kaushal spoke about the severe emotional and physical toll his illness took on him, and how his family and inner faith helped him pull through.
Kaushal, known for choreographing action scenes in some of Bollywood’s biggest films, was diagnosed with stomach cancer in 2003. At the time, his sons, Vicky and Sunny Kaushal, were still young. Recalling the severity of his situation, he revealed that his doctor had told him only 2 to 3 people out of 100 survived the type of cancer he had. He underwent 40 days of chemotherapy, radiation, and multiple surgeries, with a food pipe inserted in his nose to help him eat. The treatment left him physically and mentally drained.
He admitted that during those days, he once thought of jumping from the third floor of his building. “I was in deep pain and was scared that I wouldn’t be able to recover or support my family,” he said. However, it was the thought of his children and a deep belief in God that gave him the strength to fight. “I decided to trust Waheguru. If this is how I am supposed to die, then so be it. But I will not end my life,” Kaushal recalled.
Today, he stands as a living example of resilience, having worked on films like Black, Slumdog Millionaire, Dangal, and many others post his recovery. His story is not just a testament to his courage, but also a reminder of the importance of hope, family, and faith in overcoming life’s toughest battles.
