Soha Ali Khan opens up on Sharmila Tagore’s lung cancer battle and how it brought mother and daughter closer emotionally

Actress and author Soha Ali Khan recently spoke about a very personal and emotional phase of her life when her mother, veteran actress Sharmila Tagore, was diagnosed with stage one lung cancer. She shared this memory during a special Mother’s Day episode of her podcast ‘All About Her’, where she was joined by Neetu Kapoor and Riddhima Kapoor Sahni.

Soha explained that the diagnosis became a turning point in how she and her mother communicated. Before this moment, they were not used to openly expressing love or emotions to each other. She said that even simple words like “I love you” were not something they would say on phone calls.

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She recalled her mother telling her that the illness made her reflect on how the family communicated. Sharmila Tagore felt that they needed to be more open with their feelings and speak more honestly as a family.

According to Soha, her mother had also been influenced by a book that highlighted the importance of expressing emotions in daily life.

Soha added that in earlier generations, people were generally less expressive, even within families. Love was often understood but not verbally shared, which created emotional distance without anyone realising it.

How illness became a bridge between mother and daughter

Soha Ali Khan shared the health scare eventually brought her and her mother closer than before. The experience changed their emotional comfort level.

She explained that after the diagnosis, conversations at home became more honest and expressive.

Soha’s journey in films, family life, and podcasting

Soha Ali Khan has been part of the film industry for nearly two decades. Over the years, she has acted in several notable films such as ‘Rang De Basanti’, ‘Tum Mile’, ‘Khoya Khoya Chaand’, ‘Dhoondte Reh Jaoge’, among others.

On the personal front, she is married to actor Kunal Kemmu. The couple has a daughter named Inaaya Kemmu. She is a sister of actor Saif Ali Khan and sister-in-law of Kareena Kapoor Khan.

Apart from acting, Soha has built a strong presence in the digital space. She hosts a podcast titled ‘All About Her’, where she regularly discusses topics related to women’s health, lifestyle, emotional well-being, and different aspects of womanhood.