Two days before my diagnosis, after watching a play by Seema Biswas in Kathmandu

With Mom and my brother, Siddharth, in the New York hotel lobby

With Chetna Di, Mom and Praveen Da in the hotel room before my surgery

My big stomach

In the anaesthesia room right before surgery, with Paulomi’s shawl wrapped around me

This picture with Dad was taken by Praveen Da. Post my surgery, I was kept in the observation room and then moved to a regular hospital room the next morning.

The actor in me wanted to entertain and make others laugh even in those times

On the day I was discharged. Behind me are the flowers I gave to the nurses.

In the waiting room before the chemo session

During a chemo session

Waiting in the women’s section for chemo

With Dad, Chetna Di and Mom—exhaustion is clearly written on all our faces

Hiding the pain with a smile

Keeping my eyes big and bright

Mom, Mridula Di, me and Biru (stepping out, as advised by Dr Makker)

Morning walks wearing Zakia’s jacket (on the days I could step out)

A day at Central Park with my cousin Mona and nurse, Nalini (blue jacket)

In the Whole Foods store with Nalini

With Dr Navneet Narula (Zeena-ji) on her daughter Dr Nupur’s graduation day

With Dr Jagat Narula (left) and Dr Narain Naidu (right)

My sister-in-law, Yulia, and niece, Yamini, came to visit me in New York during my treatment. Their presence was an instant mood enhancer in those days.

With Mom, my biggest strength

My cousin’s kids also paid me a visit in New York

With Mom and a family friend in our apartment

Shail Mama

Shail Mama and Karen Aunty

My friends Anupama and Avinash Adik threw a party for me by inviting a few close friends on my return to Mumbai

My friends Rekha and Sanjay organized an evening aarti at my home

Enjoying a snowy morning in New York during a follow-up trip to meet with my doctors and family and friends

Chetna Di, Mom, Gudiya and me catching up on one such follow-up trip

A still from Sanju, the biopic on Sanjay Dutt, where I portrayed his mother, Nargis

Another still from the same movie

A still from Dil Se