I knew I had cancer": Rakesh Roshan recalls his health struggles on World Cancer Day

Filmmaker and father of Bollywood superstar Hrithik Roshan was diagnosed with early stage of squamous cell carcinoma in January 2019. On World Cancer Day, the veteran Bollywood star in his interview to TOI, spoke how he knew he had cancer before he went for a test. Continuing further he said, "It all began towards the end of 2018 when Rakesh Roshan got a blister under his tongue and despite medication it remained as it was. "It was not giving me any trouble- no pain, no burn, nothing. I don't know why but I had a gut feeling that such an obstinate blister can only be cancer. I told my gut feeling even to the doctor." The ‘Koi Mil Gaya’ director, who was hence sort of prepared, says that he didn't go into a shell, "It didn't disturb me mentally. I took it bravely. It was- yes, I have cancer and I have to correct my health problem." The next stage was to look for a doctor to consult. "I decided on Sloan Kettering's top oncologist Dr Jatin Shah; he flew down to India and did a surgery. I was quite okay on the second day itself after hospitalisation.

After that, my chemotherapy and radiation sessions began. I underwent 3 chemo sessions at a gap of 3 weeks each and 45 days of radiation therapy," shares the filmmaker.Rakesh Roshan says that he was found to be physically so fit that the chemotherapy given to him was a double-strength dose. "The team of doctors treating me said that I would be able to take it. They had done all the required tests and felt that I would have no problem. And touch wood, it turned out to be just as smooth as they had said." However, the radiation regime had an adverse effect on Rakesh Roshan's taste buds for about 6 to 8 months. "My sense of taste changed drastically. Sometimes I felt there was too much salt in the food. Sometimes I felt there was lots of sugar in the food.

"After the chemo and radiation sittings were done, Rakesh Roshan's cancer-related medicines were stopped. "I must tell you though that I had lost 12 kg in 3 months sometime around March 2019 and I felt very tired when I walked. But I pushed myself." Continues Hrithik's father, "Slowly but surely, I started enjoying my food as I regained my sense of taste," adding, "You see, I took my cancer head-on. I never sat at home. I have gone to the office after undergoing a chemotherapy session. I never confined myself to bed. I never felt nervous. This ailment has to be fought with a very strong mind. The victory had to come with the mind triumphing over matter. Thankfully, I have a strong mind and I don't let any jerks in life get the better of me." Speaking about old habits, Rakesh says, "Cigarettes have become bygones for me, but I still take 2 pegs almost every evening. It's not allowed but I feel mentally fit- and that's all that matters. On the work front, the ace filmmaker is reportedly working on the Krrish franchise.