Vicky Kaushal's father Sham Kaushal opens about his stomach cancer journey: 'I wanted to jump from the third floor...'

Sham Kaushal cancer jourmey

Veteran action director Sham Kaushal, one of the most respected names in Hindi cinema and father to actors Vicky Kaushal and Sunny Kaushal, has opened up about a harrowing and transformative phase of his life — a near-fatal cancer diagnosis that changed everything.

Known for his work in films since the 1980s, Sham Kaushal recently shared his emotional and spiritual journey on YouTuber Aman Aujla’s podcast.

The incident dates back to the early 2000s, when Sham was working on Lakshya in Ladakh. During the shoot, he suddenly developed intense stomach pain and was immediately taken to an army hospital.

Despite the alarming episode, he chose to return to work soon after on Shyam Benegal’s Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, unaware of the storm brewing inside him.

What he initially thought was a routine health scare turned into something much more serious. Doctors performed a three-hour surgery to remove a growth from his stomach, which was later sent for testing. The results confirmed every patient’s worst fear.

“I noticed that people’s reaction towards me had changed. They all seemed extremely worried,” Sham recalled. “Apparently, after operating me, they removed something from my stomach which they further sent for testing to check whether it was cancerous. Apparently, it was. After the report came, the doctor shared that I won’t survive.”

The prognosis was grim, and Sham admitted the news left him shaken to the core. In a vulnerable moment, he even contemplated ending his life.

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“They informed me in the evening, and at night, I had this wild thought of jumping from the third floor of the hospital where my room was situated. I didn’t make the decision out of weakness, but thought when I have to die anyway, why not now? But I couldn’t move due to the pain post-surgery,” he said.

It was then that he made a plea to a higher power — a request not for himself, but for his sons. “I just asked God for ten more years. I wanted to see my boys grow up.”

His prayer was answered. Over the next year, Sham underwent multiple surgeries and extensive medical tests. Miraculously, the cancer had not spread. His resilience, faith, and sheer willpower carried him through what he believed would be his final days.

Today, decades later, not only has he survived — he has witnessed his sons rise to stardom and continues to inspire generations in the film industry with his story of survival, faith, and strength.