Sharmila Tagore discloses battle with cancer, shares why she declined ‘Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani'

Veteran actor Sharmila Tagore, who appeared on ‘Koffee With Karan’ Season 8 with her son-actor Saif Ali Khan, shared she was diagnosed with cancer, but chose to refrain from sharing more details about it.

On the show, Karan revealed that Sharmila was initially offered the role of Alia Bhatt’s grandmother in ‘Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani’. It was during this chat that the veteran star revealed she battled cancer.

‘I had offered Sharmila ji the part played by Shabana Azmi in Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani. She was my very first choice. Due to health reasons at that time, she couldn’t say yes but it is a regret I have,’ Karan Johar shared.

Sharmila replied, ‘This is at the height of Covid. They hadn’t really grappled with Covid at that time. They didn’t know the vaccine… We were not vaccinated. You know, after my cancer. So, they didn’t want me to take that risk.’

The character was eventually played by Shabana Azmi.

‘Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani’ was predominantly shot during the Covid-19 wave.

At that time, Sharmila who couldn’t be a part of the film, met Shabana when she was in Delhi.

Shabana shared a photo with Sharmila on Instagram and wrote, ‘So happy to meet up with #Sharmila Tagore in Delhi.’

Sharmila has shifted base to New Delhi and is living at the Pataudi Palace.

Saif Ali Khan, Kareena Kapoor and Soha Ali Khan often visit her and spend time at the family home.

Sharmila’s work front

Sharmila Tagore was last seen in the Disney Plus Hotstar movie ‘Gulmohar’.

Where to watch ‘Koffee With Karan’

The popular chat show ‘Koffee With Karan 8’ streams on Disney+ Hotstar every Thursday at 12AM.

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