Rakesh Roshan opens about his health during cancer and shooting, says "I took it very lightly..."

Hrithik Roshan and Rakesh Roshan

Filmmaker Rakesh Roshan recently opened up about two significant events in his life: the time he was shot in 2000 and his cancer diagnosis in 2018. In an interview, Rakesh recalled a particularly poignant moment when he was preparing for surgery, working out alongside his son, actor Hrithik Roshan, on the morning of the procedure.

This moment highlighted the strong bond between father and son, even amidst challenging times. Rakesh’s candid revelations shed light on his resilience and determination in overcoming life’s obstacles, both physical and emotional.

While talking to News18 Showsha, Rakesh said, "I took it very lightly even when I got shot. I used to joke with them even then so that they don’t feel that life is going towards a darker space. I did the same thing when I got cancer. Hrithik (Roshan) and I were working out on the morning of the day I was going for my surgery."

"We worked out at the gym for an hour, then I got ready and went to the hospital. My surgery took place at one o’clock and at four, I was put in the room. And I was walking at five o’clock. I believe it’s all in the mind. It all boils down to how strong you can make your mind so that you can forget your hardships," he continued.

Rakesh Roshan was diagnosed with throat cancer in 2018. In a conversation with SpotBoye in 2019, Rakesh shared his experience, revealing, “I don’t know why but I had a gut right from the beginning that I have contracted cancer. I was at Hrithik’s place when I got a call that I had tested positive in biopsy. It was Dec 15 (2018), I clearly remember...I got a bit scared when I was told that my tongue may have to undergo a cut and do some grafting. I said ‘I don’t want to do all this.’ Tongue is the worst place to have cancer."

Recently, Hrithik Roshan opened up about the traumatic shooting incident involving his father, Rakesh Roshan, in the Netflix India docuseries The Roshans. Hrithik recounted the horrifying experience, revealing the emotional impact it had on both him and his family. He described how his father, despite the life-threatening injury, remained resilient and focused on recovering. The docuseries provided an intimate look into the Roshan family's journey through such a challenging period, showcasing their strength and unity in the face of adversity.

Hrithik had said, "I still can't remember feeling afraid for my dad. Because he was superman. Even when he was in the hospital, and I did see a glimpse of blood-red white sheets, I remember that. It made me feel scared for a second perhaps, but just the next moment, my dad was conversing, laughing, and just seemed he could handle this,”

Rakesh Roshan was shot just a week after the release of his son Hrithik Roshan's debut film, Kaho Naa Pyaar Hai, which he had directed. The incident took place when two men, allegedly connected to the Mumbai underworld, shot at the veteran filmmaker, leaving him severely injured.

Despite the shock and trauma, Rakesh showed incredible strength, and his family rallied around him during the harrowing time. This traumatic event marked a dark chapter in the Roshan family's lives, but Rakesh's resilience played a key role in his recovery.