After Mahima Chaudhary shocked netizens by announcing battling breast cancer, filmmaker Anurag Basu opened up recently about surviving blood cancer. The ‘Barfi’ director was diagnosed with blood cancer back in 2004, a time when his wife was pregnant with their now daughter Ishana.

In a recent interview, Anurag Basu shared how he had been given two weeks to live by the doctors. The filmmaker recalled his struggles on the latest episode of Unfiltered By Samdish.

In the interview, Basu went into shocking details about his battle with cancer – right from when he was diagnosed, to when he started recuperating. Basu shared that it was thanks to Sunil Dutt that he was able to get a bed at the Tata Hospital.

He claimed that he feels blessed to be part of an industry thanks to which he received timely treatment, and added that common man may have struggled.

“Whoever knew me from television was doing everything they could, sending messages, asking for blood to save me. I don’t even know who all donated blood and platelets for me, whose blood is running in my veins today!” Basu further added, as quoted in an Indian Express report.

Basu opened up just days after Bollywood actor Mahima Chaudhary shocked her fans by announcing that she had been battling with breast cancer.

The Facts of the Matter

Bollywood filmmaker and actor Anurag Basu recently opened about battling with blood cancer back in 2024. The ‘Ludo’ director is known to add a little bit of magic through his old-school-charm films like ‘Barfi’, ‘Jagga Jasoos’, and more. Further, as a judge at ‘Super Dancer’ reality show, Basu is known for being the most adorable and jovial of personalities.

However, there was a dark period in Basu’s career. In the recent episode of Unfiltered BySamdish, Basu shared various phases of his battle with cancer, including the diagnosis, suffering with painful symptoms, and being put on ventilator.

The First Symptoms

In his interview, Anurag Basu shared how things started when he observed blisters in his mouth. Although his doctor advised him to get admitted to get medical tests done, he went back to shoot. He further added that fellow filmmaker Mukesh Bhatt asked him to pack up the shoot, something he rarely does. It was only when Basu saw his parents’ face at the hospital that he knew something was wrong.

“He was shaking”: Mahesh Bhatt’s Reaction

As days passed by, Basu’s health further deteriorated. He also claimed how Mahesh Bhatt was shaken up seeing him in such a state. “Bhatt sir came to meet me. He put his hand on my forehead and he was shaking. He’s otherwise a very calm person. Even Anupam Kher came to meet me. Seeing both of them, I realised something is not right,” Basu said.

Getting Bed Thanks to Sunil Dutt

Basu shared how he was put on ventilator at the Tata Hospital. He also added how he wasn’t initially able to get a bed there, and it was late actor Sunil Dutt who got him one. Claiming that they were some of the most stressful weeks of his life, Basu said how his father ended up being diagnosed with blood pressure and sugar.

Shooting Shows to Get Money for Further Treatment

The now 52-year-old filmmaker received chemotherapy and for further treatment, he needed money. To make money for the treatment, he started filming TV shows and even went on to direct Emran Hashmi, Kangana Ranaut starring Gangster: A Love Story.

 

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