Hina Khan recalls how an unexpected falooda delivery helped her process her breast cancer diagnosis, and opens up about giving up two projects to prioritize her health.
For Hina Khan, the moments after learning she had breast cancer could have been consumed by fear and disbelief. Instead, an unexpected delivery of falooda gave the actor a reason to pause and look at life differently. Recalling that moment, Khan described how something as ordinary as enjoying a favorite dessert helped her come to terms with a diagnosis that would change her life.
In an episode of The Indian Express' screen series Dear Me, Khan opened up about how she learned about her breast cancer diagnosis, with her partner, Rocky Jaiswal, breaking the news to her at home. She recalled that she had been having dinner when he arrived and waited for her to finish before telling her what the doctor had shared with him.
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“It took about 10 minutes to sink in. I just couldn't believe what happened. I just put my head down and didn't know what to do,” the actor said, describing her initial reaction.
What made the moment particularly memorable was what had happened shortly before the news arrived. Khan said she had told her brother that she was craving falooda after many years, prompting the family to place an order. She had no idea about her diagnosis at the time, as the doctor had contacted Jaiswal directly.
After he shared the news, the room fell silent. Khan said she was struggling to process what she had heard when the doorbell rang, announcing the arrival of the dessert.
For her, the interruption became a moment of clarity. Rather than allowing the diagnosis to overshadow everything else, she reminded herself that life still held simple pleasures worth experiencing.
“That falooda was a turning point for me,” Khan said, recalling how she told herself to enjoy the dessert because, despite the challenges ahead, it was still her life.
“I thought to myself, 'Hina, that's your life, you called for a falooda, enjoy it, this is just a glitch, a hiccup that can be dealt with, but that is your life',” she added.
The actor's recollection offers a glimpse into how she navigated the emotional shock of the diagnosis, finding perspective in an everyday experience at a time when the future felt uncertain.
Hina Khan on putting her career on hold during treatment
Khan also spoke about the professional sacrifices that came with her diagnosis. The actor revealed that she had to step away from two projects after discussions with the respective teams, as her treatment and recovery would require an extended period.
Explaining that cancer treatment could not be completed within a few months, she said the projects needed to move forward with other actors because of their schedules and deadlines.
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“I had to give up two projects, but at the time, prioritizing my health was important. Getting better mattered,” she said.
While the decision affected her initially, Khan said she has since come to terms with it and returned to work.
“Initially, it affected me, but now it doesn't bother me. I am back to work. It was a glitch, which I am handling,” she added.
Published: 22 Oct 2026, 03:26 pm IST
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