Emraan Hashmi recalls his son’s heartbreaking cancer battle: Most difficult phase of my life

Emraan Hashmi has entertained audiences for years with his intense roles in films and web series. But away from the spotlight, he once faced a heartbreak no parent is ever prepared for. In 2014, Emraan’s then four-year-old son was diagnosed with cancer, turning the actor’s world upside down.
In a recent podcast with Ranveer Allahabadia, the ‘Murder’ actor opened up about that painful time, offering a rare look into the emotional journey he and his family went through.
A parent’s worst nightmare
Emraan recalled the exact moment when life changed. What started as a casual brunch with his family quickly spiraled into panic and fear. His son showed sudden symptoms, and soon after, doctors confirmed the unthinkable — cancer. “My whole world flipped in twelve hours.”
The diagnosis was only the beginning. What followed was a long and draining battle. Speaking about it, the ‘Jannat’ actor shared just how deeply it shook him. “I think the most difficult phase of my life was when my son got sick in 2014. I think even professional upheaval can’t compare to that. I won’t be able to put into words what that phase was like. It wasn’t just a moment; it lasted for five years.”

Five years of strength and struggles
For Emraan and his family, the following years were filled with uncertainty, hospital visits, and the hope of healing. It wasn’t something they could move past quickly—it was a constant part of their lives for half a decade.
Emraan wanted his son to someday understand everything they had gone through. So, he wrote a book titled ‘The Kiss of Life.’ It’s his way of telling the full story—not just for his son, but for other parents who might be going through the same struggle. “I don’t think I can also read it or go back to that time. Obviously, I remember everything, but reading it in print is very painful for me.”
Now 15 years old, Emraan’s son remembers only bits and pieces of that tough period. Time has softened the edges of those memories for him, but not for his father. Though the actor didn’t go into detail about his son’s current health, the way he speaks about him shows just how proud he is—not only for surviving cancer, but for doing it so bravely at such a young age.

Looking ahead: Emraan’s new role in ‘Ground Zero’
While his personal life tested his emotional strength, Emraan continued working through those difficult years. And now, he’s back on screen with a powerful new role. His next release is ‘Ground Zero,’ a war drama directed by Tejas Prabha Vijay Deoskar. The story is written by Sanchit Gupta and Priyadarshee Srivastava and features a strong cast including Sai Tamhankar, Zoya Hussain, Mukesh Tiwari, Deepak Parmesh, Lalit Prabhakar, Rockey Raina, and Rahul Vohra.