Anurag Basu Recalls His Long Battle With Blood Cancer In 2004, Doctors Told He Had Only Two Weeks

Popular director, Anurag Basu, who has given hit films like Life in a… Metro, Barfi!, Ludo and most recently Metro... In Dino has faced a lot of tough challenges in his life. His journey is about survival, determination and the will to keep fighting. The director recently spoke about how he almost lost his life because of blood cancer in 2004. 

An incident that changed Anurag Basu’s life

In 2004, Anurag Basu was working on his films, Murder and Saaya, when he started to face some health issues, which started off as painful mouth ulcers. He avoided it for a while but later, he found out that he was diagnosed with acute promyelocytic leukemia, which is a rare form of blood cancer. Doctors had given him two weeks to live as his organs were failing and his condition worsened day by day. At that time, Anurag Basu's wife, Tani was seven months pregnant, and Anurag Basu only wished to be able to see his child before dying. 

Anurag Basu’s battle against blood cancer

Anurag Basu was admitted in Mumbai's Tata Memorial Hospital, where his chemotherapy began. His friends from the industry helped him by donating blood and platelets. Legendary actor, Sunil Dutt helped him find a hospital bed. Anurag Basu even recalled a moment where he used to sneak out with Emraan Hashmi for a couple of drinks. His condition had worsened to the extent where his organs were bleeding internally, but his only goal at that time was to see his child. He said in an interview:

"When I was admitted to the hospital, I couldn't walk. So I set small goals- first to reach the chair in my room, then to cross it. Those little wins built my confidence and kept me going."

Throughout his treatment, Anurag Basu's wife stood by his side. She got to know about the diagnosis through news channels as Anurag Basu initially kept it a secret. Anurag Basu recalled that the thought of seeing his unborn child gave him strength through the dark days. After so many challenges, he fought and survived through those tough times. He often calls it a turning point in his life. He shared his experience and said: 

"Cancer has taught me a lot of things. I had to stop, listen to my body, heal, and start making changes. In a strange way, it became a time of reckoning. I knew it wasn’t the end of me. I knew I wasn’t going to die. But I also knew, it wasn’t going to be easy."

Anurag Basu’s return to cinema

After fighting for three years, Anurag Basu emerged as cancer-free. After surviving cancer, Anurag Basu returned to work but with caution. He wore masks on film sets. Post-cancer he directed blockbuster films like Life in a... Metro, Barfi!, Jagga Jasoos, Ludo and Metro.. In Dino. Anurag Basu has openly spoken about his illness and even shared that he has written a script on his cancer experience but is not sure whether to turn it into a film or not. Recently, his film, Metro.. In Dino released in theatres and is continuing to win the hearts of audiences with its storytelling and music. 

What are your thoughts on Anurag Basu’s battle with cancer? Let us know. 

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