Emraan Hashmi recalls the time when son Ayaan was diagnosed with cancer: We were eating pizza and later he passed blood in his urine...

Emraan Hashmi with son Ayaan and wife

Actor Emraan Hashmi has opened up about one of the most difficult chapters of his life—the moment his young son, Ayaan Hashmi, was diagnosed with cancer. Speaking to Ranveer Allahabada on his podcast, the actor recalled how a routine Sunday brunch in January 2014 spiralled into a life-altering crisis in just a matter of hours.

“My son fell ill in January 2014. It was a shock we were completely unprepared for. My life changed in a single afternoon,” Emraan Hashmi shared candidly, describing the emotional chaos that unfolded in a single day.

That day, the Hashmi family had gone out for a cheerful meal at Taj Lands End in Mumbai. “On January 13, we had gone for brunch at Taj Lands End and were eating pizza when the first symptom appeared at the table. He had excused himself and passed blood in his urine—that was the first sign,” Hashmi revealed.

What began as a typical family outing quickly turned into a nightmare. “What began as a joyful, happy brunch turned into something completely different. Within three hours, we were at a doctor’s clinic, and the doctors told us that our son had cancer. They said he needed to undergo surgery the next day, followed by chemotherapy,” he said.

For Emraan Hashmi and his family, the diagnosis came without any prior warning or signs, making it all the more devastating.

“My entire world flipped in a matter of 12 hours. Until then, neither I nor anyone in the family had seen any symptoms. That’s what upheaval looks like,” the actor said with raw emotion.

At the time, Ayaan was just three years and eleven months old. Hashmi explained that the cancer was a type that usually affects children under the age of four. “It struck him just one month before his fourth birthday,” he added.

Also Read: When CID's Shivaji Satam aka ACP Pradyuman got emotional recalling his late wife's memories: She is not there in this world to see my success

In 2014, Ayaan was diagnosed with a rare kidney cancer known as Wilms’ tumor. The sudden diagnosis and the grueling treatments that followed—including surgery and multiple rounds of chemotherapy—forced Emraan to step away from the limelight to focus entirely on his son’s health.

“It was not just about being there as a father emotionally. I had to learn everything about the disease, the treatments, and how to support Ayaan through the pain and fear,” he had shared in earlier interviews.

Over the next five years, the Hashmi family waged a silent but fierce battle. Ayaan eventually recovered in 2019, and his journey became a source of inspiration for many families going through similar trials. Emraan later co-authored a book titled The Kiss of Life: How A Superhero and My Son Defeated Cancer, chronicling their experiences, and spreading awareness about childhood cancer.

The episode left a lasting mark on Emraan Hashmi’s outlook toward life and career. “It taught me resilience, patience, and the strength of family. Everything else in life takes a backseat when your child is fighting to survive,” he once said.
Now, with his son healthy and thriving, Emraan is slowly returning to his professional commitments. He will soon be seen in the upcoming film Ground Zero, marking a new chapter in his career after years of emotional and personal growth.