Aruna Irani Opens Up On Secret Battle With Breast Cancer And Recovering Twice, 'Maine Bola, Mujhe..'

Veteran actress Aruna Irani has delivered unforgettable performances throughout her acting career in over 500 films and TV shows across Hindi, Marathi, Gujarati, and Kannada cinema. While the actress requires no introduction, not many are aware of a deeply personal chapter in her life when she was diagnosed with breast cancer, not once, but twice. During a recent conversation, Aruna opened up about her hidden battle with the deadly disease and how she has recovered from it on both occasions. 

Aruna Irani recalls her first breast cancer diagnosis

In a rare and candid conversation with Lehren Retro, the 79-year-old screen legend revealed that she was diagnosed with breast cancer twice. Both times, Aruna chose to fight her battle quietly, away from the public eye. Her disclosure comes as a shock to many fans who have admired her vibrant presence on screen for over seven decades. Recalling her first alert in 2015, which she and doctors chose to overlook, Aruna shared:

“Aise hi ek din shooting kar rahi thi, pata nahi mujhe kaise pata laga par maine bola ‘Mujhe kuch lag raha hai’.”

After immediate consultation, doctors initially brushed off the lump as minor. However, her instincts were telling her otherwise. She insisted that the lump be removed without delay. Although doctors recommended chemotherapy, Aruna Irani chose to skip the treatment at the time, fearing that hair loss and skin changes might affect her ongoing acting commitments. She opted for a pill instead. In her words:

“Then the doctor said you will have to take a pill, and I chose that as I was working. How would I shoot if I lose my hair?”

Aruna’s breast cancer returned in 2020

Even though Aruna got away with opting against chemo the first time, unfortunately, the disease resurfaced in 2020, just before the COVID-19 pandemic engulfed the world. This time around, the veteran actress acknowledged her earlier hesitation as a ‘mistake’ and opted for chemotherapy to get rid of the disease. She shared:

“Meri hi galti thi, as pehle maine chemotherapy nahi lee thi. This time around, I took it.”

Contrary to her initial fear, Aruna shared that despite temporary hair loss as a result of chemotherapy, the hair grew back quickly thanks to improved treatment methods. Talking about her hair loss, the actress added, “Still, you lose a bit of your hair, but woh jaldi aa bhi jaate hai."

Aruna Irani’s other health challenges

The cancer was not the only health challenge that Aruna Irani has had to suffer. The 79-year-old actress also revealed that she was diagnosed with diabetes at age 60 and once even faced a kidney scare. Fortunately for her, neither condition required major intervention, and the actress remains active and upbeat even as she nears 80.

About Aruna Irani

Aruna Irani’s acting journey began as a child artist in the 1961 classic, Ganga Jumna. Over the decades, the actress has won hearts with her on-screen presence, even when she mostly worked in supporting roles after a certain point. Her most iconic roles in Hindi cinema were in films like Upkar, Aaya Sawan Jhoomke, Humjoli, and Naya Zamana. Later, she became a household name on Indian television as an actor and producer of hit daily soaps like Des Mein Niklla Hoga Chand and Mehndi Tere Naam Ki.

Did you know about Aruna Irani’s battle with breast cancer?

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