Actor Raju Kher has looked back on one of the most harrowing phases of his personal life, opening up about his battle with a critical illness and the steadfast support he received from his elder brother, Anupam Kher. Back in 2004, Raju's world was turned upside down when he was diagnosed with urinary bladder cancer, coming right at a time when he was already grappling with intense financial stress. During that trying period, Anupam stepped in as an unwavering pillar of strength, taking complete ownership of his medical care and all associated expenses.
Rushing Back from an Overseas Shoot to Manage Treatment
Speaking in a conversation with Siddharth Kannan, Raju recalled the emotional shock of learning about the diagnosis. At that exact time, Anupam Kher was away from the country shooting for a project. The moment word reached him regarding his younger brother's condition, he dropped his work commitments abroad and flew straight back to Mumbai. Raju admitted that he was overwhelmed by anxiety and felt hesitant about pursuing extensive medical procedures, mainly due to his poor financial condition. Anupam, however, refused to let any hesitations derail his care. He immediately admitted Raju to Lilavati Hospital in Mumbai and personally took care of every medical bill, an act of brotherly dedication Raju described as unforgettable.
A 17-Hour Critical Operation to Reconstruct the Bladder
Detailing the extensive medical procedure, Raju Kher shared that a tumor had developed in his urinary bladder. Surgeons performed a marathon 17-hour operation to address the life-threatening condition. Given the nature of the disease, the medical team had to completely remove his affected urinary bladder and reconstruct a functional one using another part of his body.
Raju explained that doctors joined his large intestine to both kidneys to craft the new bladder. Following diagnostic assessments, doctors informed him that while cancer has five distinct levels, his tumor was in stage one, though it was advancing rapidly. Reconstructing the bladder using the intestine was what stretched the procedure to 17 continuous hours. While the medical team reassured him that the outcome was positive news, taking in the reality of such a major surgical overhaul was understandably overwhelming at the time.
Navigating Severe Financial Hardship Amid Medical Turmoil
The cancer diagnosis arrived at a particularly agonizing juncture for Raju Kher because he was already dealing with severe financial instability. Meeting the exorbitant costs of specialized cancer surgery and post-operative hospitalization would have been nearly impossible on his own. Stepping up to his familial responsibilities, Anupam Kher covered every penny required for the treatment. Raju highlighted this selflessness as the greatest hallmark of Anupam's character, noting that his brother remains someone he can rely on unconditionally through every storm in life. During the same conversation, Raju also candidly mentioned an instance from his past when he suffered extreme financial distress and did not receive assistance from Anupam.
