Why We Need To Celebrate Tahira Kashyap, Sonali Bendre’s #BaldIsBeautiful Posts

"I never thought I would go bald, was stretching my time with the good ol’ cap for too long. But this feels so good," said Tahira

By: Debiparna Chakraborty |
January 17, 2019 5:19 pm

Last September Ayushmann Khurrana revealed to the world that his wife Tahira Kashyap had been diagnosed with breast cancer, and was undergoing treatment. Tahira was detected with DCIS (Ductal carcinoma in situ) in her right breast, which had high grade malignant cells. Soon after having a mastectomy in November, Tahira returned to work while continuing chemotherapy.

Ayushmann and Tahira have been sharing their journey on social media. In an interview with IANS, Ayushmann had said, “I am glad I have a partner like Tahira who is very brave, strong, who is an inspiration. I have started seeing life through a different prism. I was giving her my time, of course. In the morning I was promoting my films, in the nights I was with her in the hospital… It is not easy.”

Recently Tahira shared that she is done with her final chemotherapy session:

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Can’t keep calm!!! Last and final chemo! Fuck yesss!! It’s been some journey. The learning has been immense, some of which, I know, I will realise with time. Thank you to each one who has been praying for me! Lots of love and prayers from my end to each one of you! My heart is bouncing with joy and gratitude_ #newyearhereicome #2019__ #breastcancerwarrior

A post shared by tahirakashyapkhurrana (@tahirakashyap) on Jan 5, 2019 at 1:14am PST

Now she has ditched her hair extensions, after calling them ‘inconvenient’, and shaved her head off.

Sonali Bendre was diagnosed with cancer last year and not only embraced the process of chemotherapy and the its side-effects, but chronicled her journey on social media as well.

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Hello world! That’s a new me with the old self! Was getting tired of the extensions, so this is how it is and it’s so liberating in every sense of the word, so much so that I don’t have to duck the shower while bathing or while picking up the soap! I never thought I would go bald, was stretching my time with the good ol’ cap for too long. But this feels so good__ #breastcancerawareness #baldisbeautiful #selflovenomatterwhat

A post shared by tahirakashyapkhurrana (@tahirakashyap) on Jan 16, 2019 at 2:43am PST

The fact that these women are spreading the message that #baldisbeautiful needs to be celebrated. Having long hair is considered a symbol of femininity according to mainstream beauty standards. So, choosing to embrace a shorn look and forsake vanity is not an easy decision for most women who are constantly put under scrutiny.

Before Sonali and Tahira, Bollywood actors like Manisha Koirala, Nafisa Ali, and Lisa Ray also became beacons of hope for many survivors of cancer who were on their journey to take the disease head on.

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This is me. And in this moment, I am really happy. People give me strange looks when I say that now, but it’s true and I’ll tell you why. I am now paying attention to every moment, looking for every opportunity to find joy and #SwitchOnTheSunshine. Yes, there are moments of pain and low energy, but I am doing what I like, spending time with people I love, and feeling very loved and happy. I am extremely grateful to my friends, my pillars of strength, who at a moment’s notice, arrived to be with me and help me through this. In between their busy schedules they find time to visit, call, message, FaceTime… basically never leaving a moment for me to feel alone. Thank you for showing me what true friendship is. #HappyFriendshipDay, ladies. Blessed to have you all in my life (including the ones not in the picture… You know who you are) @gayatrioberoi @suzkr P.S. Nowadays I spend far less time getting ready because I don’t have to fuss over my hair! _#BaldIsBeautiful #FindThePositive #OneDayAtATime Picture credit: @hrithikroshan

A post shared by Sonali Bendre (@iamsonalibendre) on Aug 4, 2018 at 10:28pm PDT

Tahira’s forever cheerleader, her bae Ayushmann, retweeted her photo and called her a “hottie”, making our hearts melt. But, he’s not the only one. Bollywood has been rallying and cheering for her recovery too. While Deepika Padukone retweeted the photo with the caption “hot”, Kubbra Sait left the comment, “You shining star! Light up the way,” under Tahira’s post.